IRAQI KURDISTAN  (ANS) -- This month marks the final withdrawal of US troops from Iraq, but according to Jack Harris, founder of the Hands of Hope Foundation International (HOHFI), in cooperation with Mission Global Harvest of Praise Chapel International, “It's also an opportune time for the Islamists to flex their muscles in Northern Iraq.”

The aftermath of the attack in the northern Iraqi Kurdish city of Zakho (Photo: http://www.presstv.ir)

Harris told the ASSIST News Service that last Friday “there was an incident in Zakho where one of our churches is located.”

He went on to say, “The local Imams stirred up the anger of those attending the Mosques; the result was a mob of angry young men and the burning of a number of Christian shops.”

He then shared an initial e-mail report from a pastor in the area who said, “Dear Pastor Jack, I want to tell you about the situation in Kurdistan now. The Christians are in danger. They (the Islamists) burned places belonging to Christian people in Zakho then they moved to Duhok.

“The President of the KDP (Kurdistan Democratic Party) is here, the Peshmarga (Security Forces) are in the street. The Churches have asked for Guards from the Government to protect them. Please pray for us, they've attacked a Daycare just like ours in Duhok. So now we have spend time to protect it.”

Jack Harris of Hands of Hope Foundation International pictured in Iraq

Harris then said, “In Duhok the reaction to this assault was a protest by other Kurdish Muslims who attacked and burned the Islamic Centre. This clearly demonstrates that there is a division between the radicals and the moderate Muslims who do not want radical Islamic control of the area.”

He added that the pastor had just called him to ask that people in the US (and around the world) would pray for “our people” in the area.

Harris told ANS, “The Kurdish Security Forces have warned Christians to guard their Churches and stay in their homes this Friday. The Pastor was especially concerned for their daycare center as a similar one was attacked and burned.

“This a frightening time for our people in Iraq and a test for the autonomous Kurdish Democracy there. The ruling KDP Party opposes radical Islam and has protected Christians. We need to stand with our brethren and believe God to turn these things. 2012 is going to be a critical year for the Middle East and for that matter the whole world. What we do or do not do now will have impact for generations to come should the Lord tarry.”

ANS founder Dan Wooding reporting from outside the Kurdish Parliament in Erbil

Jack Harris founded Hands of Hope Foundation International (HOHFI) in 2006 in cooperation with Praise Chapel Missions of Praise Chapel International. To learn more about how Harris is rebuilding Kurdistan go to: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w9yfH-ODuO4&feature=related.

During the past five years Harris has enlisted other pastors, missionaries, teachers, medical personnel, and others who travel at their own expense to help people who can’t help themselves.

ANS correspondent, Jeff Adams, in a previous ANS story about Jack Harris, wrote: “The results continue to amaze those who sacrifice their time and risk their lives, as well as though who pray for and partner with Harris.

“Several small evangelical Christian congregations now meet in various villages throughout the region of Kurdistan where Harris has built numerous homes for widows and orphans of the genocide committed at the direction of Saddam Hussein.”

To contribute, donate or partner with Harris go to www.iraqirelief.com and discover how you can make a difference. Donations may be sent to Jack Harris Ministries, Praise Chapel Missions (Iraq), PO Box 1769, Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91730, USA. Harris can be contacted by e-mail at: gkell@aol.com

Dan Wooding, 70, is an award winning British journalist now living in Southern California with his wife Norma, to whom he has been married for 48 years. They have two sons, Andrew and Peter, and six grandchildren who all live in the UK. He is the founder and international director of ASSIST (Aid to Special Saints in Strategic Times) and the ASSIST News Service (ANS) and was, for ten years, a commentator, on the UPI Radio Network in Washington, DC. He now hosts the weekly “Front Page Radio” show on KWVE in Southern California which is also carried throughout the United States. The program is also aired in Great Britain on Calvary Chapel Radio UK and also in Belize and South Africa. Besides this, Wooding is a host for His Channel Live, which is carried via the Internet to some 200 countries and also provides a regular commentary for Worship Life Radio on KWVE. You can follow Dan Wooding on Facebook under his name there or at ASSIST News Service. He is the author of some 44 books. Two of the latest include his autobiography, “From Tabloid to Truth”, which is published by Theatron Books. To order a copy, press this link. Wooding, who was born in Nigeria of British missionary parents, has also recently released his first novel “Red Dagger” which is available this link.