A Christian school which was overrun by ISIS militants has reopened and welcomed back some 130 students into class.
St Joseph’s primary school in Qaraqosh was seized by ISIS forces back in 2014 after the group invaded the local area. Tragically, the school had only just been completed when the terrorists stormed into town — it was so new that students were not yet attending at the time it was destroyed.
The facility was looted and turned into an ISIS base of operations. Finally, after the group had been forced out by an army offensive, the ruined school was retaken.
After some hard work and dedication from the locals and persecution Christian charity Open Doors, the school is reopening and welcoming students back into its classrooms.
“Recently, the children have been able to return to their city, and thanks to your support the former IS army base was transformed back into its original purpose: a school,” Open Doors said in a recent story.
“Because of you, these courageous children can dream again.”
The charity featured the dreams and aspirations of many of those students coming back to start their academic year at St. Josephs.
“My dream is that we have peace in our country, and we collaborate,” said 11-year-old Basma. “I hope that many people from all over the world will come to visit our city.”
Yousif said he hoped ISIS would never, ever return to the place he calls home. Whatever the future holds, however, he is placing his trust in Jesus. “When the storm comes, Jesus tells his disciples not to be afraid,” he explained.
“Many houses, schools and churches destroyed by IS have already been renovated or rebuilt with your support,” Open Doors added. “Advocacy projects have started, and our trauma care projects are up and running, thanks to you.”
“If you give students good education, they will be the leaders, doctors, engineers of many parts of Iraq, they will be the people who will bring changes for Qaraqosh in future,” said Father Ammar Siman, who oversees the school, according to Christian Today. “That is why we need to invest in education.”
Faithwire has reached out to Open Doors for further comment on the school reopening.