ISIS Turns Historic Mosul Church into Mosque for Fighters

Carrie Dedrick | Updated: Jun 10, 2015

ISIS Turns Historic Mosul Church into Mosque for Fighters

ISIS has announced its plans to convert a historic church in Mosul into a mosque for militants. Christian Today reports the terrorist group posted notices around the city, informing citizens of the change. 

ISIS has also begun converting the Syrian Orthodox Church of St. Ephraim into a mosque. The church’s cross has been removed, along with its furniture and Christian symbols. The building has also been covered with the ISIS slogan, “There is no God but Allah.” 

Nuri Kino of the religious minority advocacy group A Demand for Action, said that the church conversion is proof that ISIS is seeking to wipe out Christians in the region. 

"If they changed a church to a mosque it is further proof of their cleansing, something that many call a genocide. They destroy our artifacts, our churches and try to erase us in any way they can,” he said. 

Mosul fell into ISIS control last summer; the terror group forced out all of the city’s Christians when it issued rules that Christians convert to Islam, flee, or be killed “by the sword.” Christians had inhabited the city for 2,000 years. 

Publication date: June 10, 2015



ISIS Turns Historic Mosul Church into Mosque for Fighters