Iraqi Christians are protesting the parliament's decision to stop seating minorities on the country's 18 provincial councils.

Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki sent a letter to lawmakers appealing to them to restore the quota system for all minorities.

Hundreds of Christians protested in the streets following church services Sunday.

Militants have targeted Christians since the U.S.-led invasion in 2003. The violence has forced many Christians to flee the country.

Keith Roderick of Christian Solidarity International told CBN News that parliament's action will probably cause more to leave.

"It sends a clear message that really we don't want you here," Roderick said. "That indeed our whole idea is that you should not be part of the social fabric of Iraq and the whole idea that iraqi society is inclusive and it would be pluralistic is really undermined by, by those actions."

There are currently about 400,000 Christians in Iraq.

*Original broadcast October 3, 2008.