April 27, 2015

FELLOWSHIP CONCERNING THE CITY OF ERBIL, KURDISTAN IRAQ

Concerning the city of Erbil - is the capital of the autonomous Kurdistan Region in the north-east

of Iraq. It is located in the Middle East, bordering the Turkey, Iran and Syria. The population of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq’s capital city, Erbil, grew from 133,000 inhabitants in 2003 to 1.9 million in 2014. In total, 5.2 million people live in Kurdistan Region spread over three different provinces namely: Erbil, Sulaimanya and Duhok. From the past history of the year 2003 after the

collapsed of the past regime Erbil has seen relatively little violence and enjoyed political, social

and economic stability, this city was preserved as economical hub in the development stage of modern Iraq. Its fast-growing business sector has put Erbil on the map as one of the most

lucrative centers of investment in the Middle East.

The recent year 2014 the remaining part of Iraq was suffered from persecution and sectarian

violence in other parts of Iraq. There were approximately two (2) million refugees in Iraqi

Kurdistan from surrounding areas since the result of unrest in Syria and attacks by the Islamic State (IS). However, At present the security condition in Erbil city remains stable and much

better in this Kurdistan Region compared to the rest of the country. There are many numbers of expatriates community working and living in Erbil City. The ethnic groups living in the Kurdistan

Region are Kurds as well as Assyrians, Chaldeans, Turkmen, Armenians, Arabs, Yezidis, Shabaks

and Mandeans. There are numbers of evangelist groups had visited the Erbil City in the year 2003. The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) protects people’s freedom to practice their religion and promotes inter-faith tolerance. There are also a large number of christians of different churches and practicing freely, such as Syrian Catholic, Syrian Orthodox, Assyrian

Church of the East, Armenian, and Catholic Chaldean.

This is to convey with the brothers in the Lord’s Move to Asia the seeing of potential visits for the purpose of establishing gospel contacts in the City of Erbil. To uphold this concern through the

prayer of the Body as burden in the spreading of the testimony of our Lord Jesus Christ in the Middle East countries. This will serve the Lord’s interest in His move on the earth in bringing

salvation to many, for His enlargement, for the furtherance of the Kingdom of God and unto the consummation of God’s eternal economy. (LMA 2015 : Erbil-001)

In His Move,

(1)

Iraqi Kurdistan or Southern Kurdistan also known as the Kurdistan Region, is the autonomous region of Iraq. It

borders the Kurdish regions of Iran to the east, Turkey to the north, and Syria to the west, along with the rest of Iraq

to the south. The regional capital is Erbil (known Hewlêr in Kurdish). The region is officially governed by the Kurdistan

Regional Government (KRG). (LMA 2015 : Erbil-002)

Governorates of Kurdistan Region (in 2012) according to Kurdistan Region.

(2)

Erbil (Hewlêr), capital of Iraqi Kurdistan.

Erbil International Airport (LMA 2015 : Erbil-003)

(3)

Family Mall Erbil, One of the biggest shopping, dining and entertainment venues in the City of Erbil.

Er il’s property e o o i oom. (LMA 2015 : Erbil-004)

(4)