Ramadan, the Islamic month of fasting, ends this week. It is a particularly challenging time for many Christians in Iraq. Those from a Muslim background face the greatest pressure. “Even if their families are aware of their conversion, they are still pressured to take part in Islamic rituals and traditions. They cannot eat in front of their families,” says a pastor from the Kurdish region.
As the war in the Middle East rages on, Muslims have been observing the rules of Ramadan up until this week. From sunrise to sunset, they abstain from eating, drinking and smoking. Fasting is mandatory for all adult Muslims, except those who are ill or travelling.
Nationwide ban
In 2025, the Iraqi Ministry of the Interior enacted a law prohibiting anyone from breaking their fast in public during Ramadan. The law requires restaurants and cafeterias to close during the day until it is time to break the fast in the evening.
“If someone is seen eating or drinking, the authorities can force them to sign a statement promising not to do it again. Anyone who does it again can be arrested,” says a man in his early twenties from central Iraq. “I heard from friends that the authorities came looking for them and made them sign a statement promising not to do it again. We’re forced to fast, or else we have to eat or drink in secret.”
“Especially in the villages, neighbours know each other well, and they notice if someone doesn’t go to the mosque or doesn’t fast, so they start asking questions and putting pressure on them.”
A priest from central Iraq explains: “The law isn’t enforced in some areas, but generally speaking, Christians don’t eat in front of Muslims. Out of respect for them, but also to avoid causing problems or difficulties. At work, Christians feel pressure not to eat, not only because of the government rule, but also because they receive negative comments from their Muslim colleagues. That is why they eat in secret.”
Fasting as a pretext
In the Kurdish region of northeastern Iraq, there is no law prohibiting the breaking of the fast in public. Yet most restaurants are closed during the fasting period. It is more of a social norm than an official rule. People who do not fast also often face negative comments, particularly believers with a Muslim background.
Secret believers with a Muslim background hide their faith from their families by observing the fast and taking part in all Ramadan rituals. A pastor from the Kurdish region explains: ‘Even if their families don’t pressure them, there is pressure from the community, their friends and neighbours. In the villages especially, neighbours know each other well and notice if someone doesn’t go to the mosque or fast, so they start asking questions and putting pressure on them.”
Iraq ranks 18th on the World Watch List.
Pray for Iraq
- Most Muslims fast and pray during Ramadan because they want to get to know God. As Ramadan draws to a close, pray that Jesus Christ will reveal himself to them, and that they will find the Way, the Truth and the Life.
- Give thanks to God for the converts in Iraq. Pray for strength and protection for them, so that they can openly profess their faith in the Lord Jesus.
- Give thanks and pray for the work of Open Doors’ local partners in Iraq. Pray that their efforts will strengthen the church and help it to grow, even in these very challenging times.
