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Father Ghazwan is a priest in Alqosh, northern Iraq. Only a few kilometres away from Islamic State territory, no church bells were ringing in the whole of the Nineveh plains during the height of IS’ power.

That was until Father Ghazwan decided to defy persecution and stay put – soon, many members of his congregation followed suit. Alqosh has become the only Christian stronghold in Iraq to survive IS.

Now he hopes that those who fled and have become refugees will be able to return to their church.

(Photo credit: Â鶹ԼÅÄ)