Mandatory Closure Of All Churches & Mosques
Fear is a powerful thing, and this latest virus threat has gripped the whole earth, it seems. I just received a notice from Pastor Layth that the Kurdistan Regional Government is taking precautions to prevent an epidemic by the closure of all public gatherings; this includes Churches and Mosques. As far as I know, this is an unprecedented action.
It started with a case of Coronavirus in Sulemania on the other side of Kurdistan, near the Iran border. There’s been no sign of it spreading, but the K.R.G. is taking no chances. Businesses are being closed, schools, all but the most essential gatherings. Pastor Layth told me that the Streets of Duhok are deserted. If I heard him correctly, Kurdistan has closed its borders, and the Capitol city of Erbil has put restrictions on travel there as well. The economic impact on the region is going to be considerable.
I read a report on the virus by the World Health Organization, which stated that 80 percent of those who contract the virus will recover with no medical attention at all; that its main danger is too small children, the elderly, and those affected with ill health. According to the W.H.O., the symptoms are milder than many of the flu viruses already out there. If this is true, one wonders at the reactions and the press this is getting. Perhaps it’s too early to tell what the impact of this virus will be on health, but the Fear of it is costing millions and throwing whole regions of the world into a meltdown of Fear and social paralysis. Before it’s said and done, it may prove that the Fear of the disease did more damage than the disease itself.
Nothing has ever caused us to close the doors of our church until now, not the insurgency, ISIS, the war in Syria, or other troubles foreign or domestic. What those forces couldn’t do has been accomplished by Fear. We’ve seen similar actions here in Seattle. Armed police guards were turning people away from the hospital if they had a cough or exhibited any apparent viral infections. Ignorant me! And here I always thought that the hospital was where sick people were supposed to go for help.
Pastor Layth has returned from Upper Egypt because of this closure of our church is dealing with the situation and holding up the morale of our people by broadcasting services via Facebook Live and organizing small home meetings until the crisis is past. Our team in Iraq has taken on this current challenge with both skill and ingenuity. Thank GOD for dedicated men and women who know how to respond in every crisis the region can throw at its people.
This situation is going to affect the already economically challenged region with even more hardship. I ask you to pray for the work in Kurdistan and our people. Please continue to help us with your support. We serve the GOD who works all things together for our good not the spirit of Fear. Somehow all this will work toward an ongoing victory in the Middle East.
Thank You!
Jack Harris, PC Global Network
Jack Harris Ministries https://jhmin.com/donate
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