Christians In Iraq Celebrate Christmas Despite Islamic State Threat

Christians living in the embattled Iraqi capital of Baghdad reportedly celebrated Christmas Eve mass on December 24, expressing their religion despite fear of the Islamic State terror group that controls parts of Iraq.

Reuters reports that hundreds of Christians in the battle-torn city of Baghdad gathered at the Sacred Heart church in the capital as police guarded the outside of the house of worship out of fear of Islamic State attacks.

During the solemn mass, the Christian attendees reportedly had a moment of silence for the thousands of Christians displaced from their homes earlier this year when Islamic State militants invaded numerous Iraqi and Syrian towns, driving out religious minorities and establishing a caliphate that included strict Shariah law.

"The recent conditions have left us with a bit of sadness for our brethren, be they Christian or non-Christian, those who were displaced and harmed," Father Thair Abdul Masih told Reuters while speaking from the Sacred Heart Church.

"Christianity is the religion of peace and we pray for these people to return to their homes. We pray for all evil to vanish," he said.

Sulaiman Youssef, a Syrian researcher on minorities, told Al Arabiya of the danger for Christians celebrating Christmas in Islamic State-controlled areas.

"Talk of Christmas and Christian occasions is forbidden under ISIS," said Youssef.

"The group has destroyed, torched and looted all churches, and barred any display of Christian faith. They also forced the hijab and Islamic way of dress on Christian women, and killed several Christian men for refusing to obey their orders," Youssef added.