Disappointment Expressed Over Iraqi Election Results

Final results of last month's Iraq election did not surprise many, but left some disappointed as the Shiite religious parties took the largest victory.

Reports released Friday revealed a decrease in seats, down to 128, for the Shiite United Iraqi Alliance from the January 2005 balloting and a larger representation from the Sunnis, who won 44 seats.

"I think we can expect [this] because the nature of Iraqi politics at the current moment is primarily sectarian," said Dr. Carl A. Moeller, president of Open Doors USA – a ministry to the persecuted church.

Short of the 138 seats needed to rule without partners, the Shiite religious groups must form a coalition government.

Although the Sunni Arabs gained a bigger voice in the new legislature, amid their complaints on election fraud, the Kurds took less seats from the January vote - 53, down from 75.

Moeller expressed disappointment in the loss of the Kurdish Alliance seats, noting that they are the "strongest segment of Iraqi society in terms of the Christian population."

Other concerns he had was the decreasing Christian presence in Iraq and its surrounding countries. According to a recent report by Voice of America, the Christian population has been declining "noticeably" in most Middle Eastern countries since the 20th century, including Iraq. As amendments to Iraq's constitution lay ahead for the new government, the largely seated Shiite groups create the possibility of the country leaning towards the influence of Iran's Shari’a law.

Such influence by Iran poses a big problem, according to Moeller.

"The Irani government is cracking down on Christians horrifically," he said.

While the human rights situation has improved in Iraq, the Open Doors president said in reaction to the election results, "We still hoped for a better outcome."

Still prayerful for the constitution, Moeller hopes it will "not reflect permanent republic rule" but contain "all religious viewpoints in Iraq, [including] the legitimacy of free Christian faith, in particular.

"The ghettoization of the Christian community in Iraq will produce nothing more than increased tensions and a lack of positive influence that the church can have on Iraqi democracy."

Among the estimated 27 million people in the country, Shiites form about 60 percent; Sunni Arabs, 20 percent; Kurds, 15-20 percent; and Chaldeans, three percent. Christians have continually decreased in number and now are fewer than one million in Iraq.

[Source: The Christian Post]

    Most Popular
  • Is 'The Last Supper' worth watching? Audience and critics weigh in

    Is 'The Last Supper' worth watching? Audience and critics weigh in

    Faith-based films often receive mixed reactions, and The Last Supper is no exception. The movie attempts to bring a fresh perspective to one of the most iconic moments in Christian history, but does it succeed? Some reviews from critics and audiences provide insight into its strengths and shortcomings.

  • ‘The Chosen’ Season 5: The darkest season yet—What to know before watching

    The wait is over—The Chosen is back with its fifth season, and this time, things are getting intense. The new episodes dive straight into the final days of Jesus’ life, covering some of the most emotional and dramatic moments in the Bible. If you’ve been following the series, you already know that The Chosen isn’t just about retelling familiar stories—it’s about bringing them to life in a way that feels real.

  • Massacres in Syria: Over 1,000 dead, including Christians and Alawites

    Syria’s coastal regions have been devastated by a series of massacres, with reports indicating that over 1,000 people—many from Christian and Alawite communities—have been killed in brutal attacks. Entire families have been wiped out, and survivors are fleeing in search of safety as sectarian violence escalates.

  • Kim Sae-ron and Wheesung: The tragic irony of Korean society and the principles of happiness

    Not long ago, the media was in an uproar over actress Kim Sae-ron’s passing. Just months before, the same people who had relentlessly criticized her for her DUI incident were now expressing sympathy, saying, "The world was too harsh on her." The irony is impossible to ignore.

  • Newsboys move forward as a quartet after Michael Tait’s departure

    After more than a decade as the lead singer of the Newsboys, Michael Tait has officially parted ways with the band, marking a significant shift in the Christian rock group’s lineup. The remaining members—Jeff Frankenstein, Jody Davis, Duncan Phillips, and Adam Agee—have assured fans that they will continue forward, embracing a new season of music and ministry.