News reports have highlighted the fact that the so-called Islamic State has released 22 elderly Assyrian Christians that it had kidnapped from villages in the North-East of Syria.

The captives were taken earlier in 2015 , though according to the UK based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, estimates put the remaining group at about 150 people.

The captives were taken when Islamic State fighters captured over a dozen villages in the Hasaka region. Christian communities have resided in this area for over a millennia and many of the residents are of Kurdish heritage.

There are differing views as to whether a ransom had been paid for the release of the 22 individuals and this release follows a further release of captives that took place in March 2015.

The post Islamic State Releases 22 Assyrian Christian Captives appeared first on Religious Reader.

The Our Faiths and Our Shared Futures booklet is the culmination of 1 years work with imams, priests and rabbis in Derby. The booklet looks at scriptural narratives that underscore the need for (1) the respect of difference (2) the protection of life (3) countering extremism.

The booklet is made up of the work of many within the City and is a local narrative against division and extremism and against those who want to separate communities. Faith Matters worked with local religious leaders in looking at relevant religious texts in relation to the themes above and also facilitated interfaith meetings. The text was then edited by local young people in Derby and Faith Matters faciliated and supported local Derby young people in putting together the booklet. This is a booklet developed by local residents in Derby to tackle issues of extremism. Truly Big Society in Action!

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