In Face Of ISIS Advance, Many Iraqi Christians Insist On Staying Put

Sophia Jones

BARTELLA, Iraq -- Across the street from a Christian church in this quiet northern Iraqi town, Mounir Behram sits down for lunch with his family. He works as an armed guard protecting the church, an easy job on most days. But now, hardline Sunni extremists -- infamous for targeting those who don't conform to their brand of Islam -- control nearby Mosul, the country's second-largest city. He is plagued by worries that the extremists will invade this predominantly Christian town.

His wife, Sabiha, calms his fears with her soothing demeanor and hot bowls of barley and vegetables. Pointing above the kitchen table to a faded painting of The Last Supper, she says, "They are our guardians."

"We will stay here," she adds. "This is our home."

Mounir nods in agreement. "Where would we go?” he asks.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/06/25/iraqi-christians-isis_n_5527266.html?utm_hp_ref=religion&ir=Religion