Persecution

My Way News - UNESCO chief: IS systematically destroying heritage sites
My Way News reports: "On Friday, witnesses said the militants bulldozed St. Elian Monastery which houses a 5th century tomb and served as a major pilgrimage site. [...] A Catholic priest, the Rev. Jacques Mourad, who had lived at the monastery, was kidnapped in May and remains missing.  [...] Mourad sheltered both Muslim and Christian Syrians fleeing the fighting elsewhere in Homs province. Activists said that shortly after capturing Qaryatain, the Islamic State group abducted 230 residents, including dozens of Christians. Activists said some Christians were released, but the fate of the others is still unknown."