Charisma News Service, May 21, 2003 edition
Persecution Watch, Iraq
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In the aftermath of the war, Christians in Basra, Baghdad and other parts of the country say they are beginning to suffer harassment, threats, intimidation and violence from conservative Shia Muslims who want to impose Shariah, or strict Islamic law on Muslims and non-Muslims.
According to "The Los Angeles Times," Shereen Musa, a Christian, was recently pelted with vegetables to chants of "Shame! Shame!" as she walked with her mother through a market, because her head was not covered in accordance with Shariah.

"Everyone was laughing at me, and I was crying," Musa said. "When I had to walk back through the same place, someone saw a cross on my neck and said: 'Oh, you're a Christian. You'll suffer a terrible fate.'" Some Christian families are reported to have left Basra to return to the traditional Christian heartland around Mosul.

In Baghdad, Christians are "terrified" and "hesitating to come to church" as services at one Chaldean church in the city are drowned out by Islamic prayers and teaching broadcast by loudspeaker from a new mosque across the street, The Barnabas Fund (BF) said.

Iraqi church leaders from various denominations have issued a joint statement asking that the new Iraqi constitution "recognize our religious, cultural, social and political rights...consider Christians as Iraqi citizens with full rights" and "guarantee the right to profess our faith according to our ancient traditions." One Christian in Baghdad told BF: "It is going to be like Iran...all Christians are afraid now."