‘N’, or ن in Arabic, is the symbol used by the Islamic State (IS or ISIS) to identify who is a Nazarene – a Christian. It has been drawn on doorways and in front of houses in captured Iraqi cities, allowing militants to quickly assert where the loyalties of the inhabitants lie.
Christianity has now become the most persecuted faith in the world. Beheadings, torture, rape, kidnappings, mass killings, forced starvation, imprisonment and even crucifixions attest that the persecution of Christians did not end at the foot of the cross or the closed gates of the Roman
Coliseum. Last year alone, sources indicate that an estimated 165, 000 Christians died because of religious or ethnic clashes.
International condemnation has not been reciprocated by any concerted effort to eradicate the growing societal malaise, that is tearing communities apart. Instead we are seeing the festering of hatred within our own communities, fostered by years of ignorance and apathy. Extremists burnt poppies on ‘Remembrance Day’ – a day when most of the world is focused on peace was blemished. 9/11 and London 7/7, the murder of Lee Rigby in the UK, other soldiers in Canada and the US illustrate that many extremists are seeking to destabilize community cohesion in the western world, through fear and intimidation.
The latest killing in Pakistan of innocent Christian couple Shama and Shahzad, by over 1000 Muslim’s, illustrates the mob mentality that is easily induced, in countries where religious zealots hold great authority through ongoing illiteracy, hate propaganda and defective government. In sympathy with our persecuted global Christian community we have designed some T-shirts that label us all as one body. Paul in his letter to the Romans, tells us;
“So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.”
Romans 12 v 5
This verse was the inspiration behind the design of the T-shirts. We hope the unity and solidarity we express will not alienate those of other faiths, but galvanise them around our cause.
A social media campaign led by, Christians of Iraq led to thousands changing their profile image to the ‘N’ or Noon sign in Arabic changing it’s meaning from a symbol of hatred and persecution to one of solidarity. The we are ‘N’ campaign was a strong political message, and we now through our T-shirts hope to bring some spirituality into context. Yes we are ‘N’ each one of us is a Nazarene – Christian, but more importantly we are one!
“If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honoured, every part rejoices with it.”
1 Corinthians 12 v 26
Read about our chairman’s successful day of witness whilst wearing the T-shirt (click here)
The T-shirts are being sold at our memorial service and protest on the 22nd November 2014, outside 10 Downing Street, from 11am. (click here)
Please join us and buy yours to show solidarity with persecuted Christians. Each T-shirt will cost £20 and any profits will go towards our permanent benevolent fund for the orphaned children of Shama and Shahzad.
After the protest T-shirts will be for sale via our website, but will incur a postage and packaging cost. We can send them out globally and bulk order discounts will apply.