Iraq: Reporter revisits Christian refugee child who forgives ISIS

Myriam and Sandra at school

An 11-year-old Iraqi refugee whose song and video message of forgiveness for Islamic State (IS) went viral worldwide has given startling advice on how world leaders should respond to a Middle East in crisis: "Walk with love and mercy in your hearts."

A year ago, Christian satellite television channel SAT-7 KIDS first showed an interview with Myriam by their Egyptian reporter Essam Nagy, in a Christmas special from Northern Iraq. The film was seen by over 2.5 million people around the world.

Despite losing her home, her school and her friends after ISIS drove her family out of their hometown of Qaraqosh, Myriam said that God loves ISIS, she forgives them and prays that God forgives them too.

Living in an unfinished shopping mall structure in Erbil, she had three wishes - that she could return to school, that she could be reunited with her best friend Sandra - she didn't even know where she was. And she wanted her message of love and forgiveness would reach the world.

Today, all three prayers have been answered as she sits at the same desk as her friend Sandra at a school in Erbil. She has a new message for the world and shared this last month when reunited with reporter Essam Nagy again. When asked what message she would give world leaders, she said, "Walk with love and mercy in your hearts."

Her friend Sandra, said, "I want to tell them to pray to Jesus because He is everything in life. He is the one who gave them life and shields them during the hard times."

Watch the new film here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mn87iJztbkw

See the original interview from last year, with Myriam's song: www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ige6CcXuMg