On Friday, the al Qaeda splinter group issued an ultimatum to Iraqi Christians living in Mosul -- by Saturday at noon (5 a.m. ET), they must convert to Islam, pay a fine or face "death by the sword."A total of 52 Christian families left the city of Mosul early Saturday morning, with an armed group prohibiting some of them from taking anything but the clothes on their backs.
"They told us, 'You are to leave all of your money, gold, jewelry and go out with only the clothes on you,'" Wadie Salim told CNN.
Images obtained exclusively by CNN show that the phrase "property of ISIS" scrawled in black paint on a number of the homes that were abandoned.
A Jewish friend of mine was an ardent stamp collector. Curious as to how the attraction began, he explained that it began with his parents who fled the Nazis. As in this situation, the Jews left everything behind. His father converted their valuables into the purchase of one very rare stamp. He carved a niche inside the heel of his shoe and literally walked out of the country with his fortune intact.
Ping!
And people wonder how the Crusades started....
Where is the modern-day Pope Urban II?
Nehmen sie den Leib,
Gut, Ehr’, Kind und Weib:
Lass fahren dahin,
Sie haben’s kein’n Gewinn,
Das Reich muss uns doch bleiben!
When it happens here, may we remain as strong in the gospel. Father, keep them safe as the apple of Your eye, protected in the palm of Your hand.
Very ingenious.
“See you in New York.”