As a young soldier in the Iraqi army, Zanyar had fought in the Iran-Iraq War (1980–88) and participated in numerous other wars and conflicts, eventually rising to the rank of general. He became a part of the armed forces of Iraq’s Kurdish minority, a group hated by the country’s oppressive leader Saddam Hussein. When U.S. forces invaded in 2003, Zanyar was not involved in the fighting. Later, he fought side-by-side with U.S. soldiers against Islamic extremists.
By 2010, he was in command of 350 soldiers and had earned commendations from the U.S. Army for his assistance. But in 2017, a conflict erupted between the main Iraqi army and the Kurds, and Zanyar’s hometown fell into the Iraqi army’s control. Zanyar and his family, along with 12 other Kurdish families, were suddenly homeless. As they headed to another part of Iraq without any belongings, few people helped them.
During that crisis, the only people offering aid were some followers of Christ, and their care deeply touched him. “I saw the people who help are Christians and they are different. During the war, when we had a need, they helped,” Zanyar said. “I wanted to know why.”
Throughout his life, Islamic leaders had told Zanyar that Christians are dirty people to be despised and that their churches are filthy. But he had personally experienced love and care.
“I saw the people who help are Christians and they are different.”
Zanyar
Zanyar’s spiritual struggle reached its apex on Oct. 16, 2017, when he stood at the door of a church wearing his full military uniform and went inside. That day he placed his trust in Christ.
Zanyar’s attitude toward others, including his wife, changed dramatically. “Now I understand that God loves us,” he said. “I understand now how joyful we can be and [that] God wants to rescue all sinners.” Through his testimony, his wife, Noor, and other family members also became Christians.
When his superiors learned of his decision to follow Christ, they ordered him to fill out a form declaring his religion. “I was in the army for 31 years and nobody called me for a conversation like that,” he said. Though he knew it would likely result in a backlash, Zanyar formally identified himself as a Christian.
After completing the form, he didn’t hear from his superiors for several months. Eventually they called him. “They said to me, ‘This is really bad. You are a kafir [an infidel]; you are a traitor!’”
Zanyar knew that if they wanted to, his superiors or anyone in the government could order him to be killed. Still, he refused to recant. So they immediately demoted him and assigned him to menial tasks like taking out the trash. They also significantly reduced his pay. Though Zanyar’s new salary was barely a living wage, he accepted his new role because he would not turn his back on Christ. And even this has become an avenue of blessing. To help compensate for his reduced pay, Zanyar’s church connected him with members of the global body of Christ who have since helped him and his family.
“I am learning that our life is to share the gospel.”
Zanyar
Zanyar’s understanding of God’s love has altered his personality as much as his religious beliefs. “In the past I was very angry; now I am not. Until your heart changes, you are not a believer. I changed a lot. Thousands of changes.”
He loves to tell others the reason why his anger was replaced with love. “I am learning that our life is to share the gospel,” he said. “This is what God wants from us. If faith doesn’t change you inside, there is no faith.”
Zanyar asked for prayer for his ministry and for his family. Having lived as a soldier for so long, he isn’t afraid to carry out Christ’s Great Commission. But he does have concerns for his family and asked for prayer for their safety.