The president of the World Jewish Congress, Ronald S. Lauder, asked, "Why is the world silent while Christians are being slaughtered in the Middle East and Africa?"
In the chaos since the American invasion of Iraq, the Christian population has fallen from 1.5 million to as few as 200,000. Over 1 million Christians have been killed or driven out. A small number have been forced to convert to Islam.
Around the world, people have adopted the Arabic letter ن (pronounced "noon") to stand with the persecuted Christians of Iraq. The letter is the first letter of Nazarene, another word for Christian.
Become informed. Read what the Anglican Vicar of Baghdad, Canon Andrew White has to report. Dr. Sarah Ahmed writes from the refugee camps in Iraq. Further reports from well-connected sources can be found here and here and here. Current information can be found by searching Google here or here .
Pray. Neither education nor military might will rid the world of evil. Pray for the protection of the persecuted. Pray that God will change the hearts of the persecuting. Pray for yourself. Think about your own response to persecution.
Write your politicians. Let your government know that this is an important issue. In the West, there is often little urgency until we, the people, put pressure on our politicians. Ask them to (1) provide immediate relief to the Christians and other minority religions in Iraq, (2) to allow those fleeing Iraq's persecution immediate entry as refugees; (3) engage with the international community to put a stop to this evil.
Raise awareness. When the Nazis invaded Denmark, the king wrote in his diary, and later told the BBC, that if Danish Jews were ever forced to wear a yellow Judenstern, everyone should wear it. Putting the ن character on your website, using it as your Facebook profile picture or wearing it will show solidarity with the persecuted Iraqis. As people ask about it, spread the word.
Give. Donate both to charities (UK, USA, Canada) providing aid and to the workers who are delivering that aid.