Thousands of Muslims disillusioned by the violence and unrest in Mosul—ISIS’s last stronghold in Iraq—are embracing Christianity and “begging” Christ for healing after experiencing the love of Christ and hearing the truth of the gospel.

A ministry director working in northern Iraq’s autonomous region of Kurdistan told Christian Aid Mission that for more than two years his organization has been distributing Bibles, leading Bible studies, and holding discipleship training sessions for displaced people.

He said that before ISIS seized Mosul in 2014, it had the reputation as the Iraqi city most closed to the gospel. However, triggered by the lack of freedom in Islam and gratitude to Christians offering help to refugees fleeing war-torn countries, thousands have turned to Christianity.

“So now they see the true face of Islam, they saw the teachings of Islam, and they know what it means to be under the Islamic State,” he said. “I believe a lot of heart-breaking stories will come out of Mosul with people who are ready to leave Islam and beg for Christ to take their lives and give them healing.”

–Adapted from The Gospel Herald Ministries