As a parent, it is hard for me to imagine ever laying a finger on an innocent child. My children are the reason that my refrigerator is overflowing with beautiful artwork and alphabet magnets. They are the justification for my cupboards being filled with fruit snacks and cereal boxes that come with prizes. My closet is filled with hand-me-down shirts and thrift store pants, while there drawers are full of crisp, new, jeans, and soft, cotton, sweaters. I cannot put into words how much I love them, and I am sure parents around the world know exactly what I mean when I say, “I couldn’t breathe without my children.” Thus, when I read the story about five-year-old Tony Adwar Shaweel, I could hardly catch my breath.
Tony Shaweel was an Iraqi, Christian, boy who was kidnapped on May 5, 2009. The unknown group who took Tony immediately demanded a ransom of $50,000 dollars for his safe return. When the fundamentalist group’s stipulations were not met, they decided to kill little Tony. His gunshot riddled body was found on May 11, 2009–his short life callously taken without remorse. What kind of monster could do this? The dwindling Christian population in Iraq is now mourning the death of this innocent child and begging for justice. Yet, Iraq is a country that continuously overlooks atrocities against its Christian citizens–justice seems like a pipe dream to many of these faithful believers.
“See that you do not look down on one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven,” (Matthew 18:10).
Sylvia Thompson is a Texas Representative for International Christian Concern. ICC is a non-profit organization that works tirelessly to help people around the world who are being persecuted for their faith in Jesus Christ. To learn more about International Christian Concern please visit, www.persecution.org
www.persecution.org/suffering/newsdetail.php?newscode=10057
