In 2014, the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, better known as ISIS, captured Mosul, one of the largest cities in Iraq. ISIS singled out Christians, marking their homes, businesses and buildings with the Arabic letter “n” (pronounced “nūn”). Why? This letter ن stands for Nazarene or Nasrani, the Arabic word for Christian. The marking that ISIS gave to Christians meant a choice was coming for them: convert to Islam, pay an exorbitant tax, or be killed. Most fled.
Hundreds of thousands of Christians were persecuted for one simple reason: They were Christians. Some fled with just the clothes on their backs. Some left family members behind, never to see them again. Some gave their lives.
Imagine with me for a second, a militant group invades your city and targets you simply based on your beliefs and values. You have a choice to make. What would you do?
Now, ten years later, these families and their suffering have become a fading memory to the world. Many families became refugees in the neighboring country of Jordan. These families still find themselves without a country, without a job and without a future. It is illegal for them to work and if caught can be fined and even deported. Only 1% are granted immigration. There are no welfare systems, no food stamps, no food banks or soup kitchens, no shelters. Without proper medical care, nutritional deficiencies increase, diseases increase, and death rates increase. Trauma and PTSD are rampant. They still hold their pain. They still remember.
Restoring Faith Inc. exists to bring awareness of and humanitarian aid to the suffering Iraqi refugees. We have been serving refugees since 2012 when they began pouring in from the war. We provide food vouchers, clothing, blankets, heaters and emergency aid. We lead programs like our “Repair & Replace Project”, where we assess living situations and appliances to repair or replace necessities. We help with rent payments, fund medical expenses, and remove mold from living spaces.
Almost every family is eligible for our programs, but not every family has benefited because of lack of funds. We currently distribute food vouchers on a bimonthly basis. Our goal is to distribute food vouchers on a monthly or biweekly basis and to more families.
You can help! You can help raise awareness about the suffering of the refugee families. You can help by donating. No amount is too little to give! Together we can make a difference and bring just a little bit of life, comfort and joy to the pain that has been caused from the past.
- Christian Liang, President of Restoring Faith, Inc., June 2024
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