(Belgrade. 29 January 2010. Bojana Barlovac) A Kosovo foreign ministry delegation couldn't attend the African Union council session in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia because the delegation members were denied entry visas, according to reports from the Serbian embassy.
Kosovo's foreign ministry has dismissed the claims as untrue.
Fonet news agency reported that it learned from the Serbian embassy in Addis Ababa that the decision not to issue visas to the Kosovo delegation came after Serbia’s intervention.
Serbian Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremic reportedly thanked his Ethiopian counterpart Seyoum Mesfin on this principled gesture.
Kosovo's Foreign Ministry has dismissed the report as untrue. Albana Beqiraj, a spokesperson for the ministry, told Balkan Insight that there was no invitation sent to the ministry for the event and that Kosovo officials did not apply for visas to Ethiopia.
“We understand the nervousness and frustration of Serbia in relation to Kosovo and the irreversible process of Kosovo’s independence,” Beqiraj said. She added that Kosovo’s foreign ministry is in contact with the African Union.
Speaking at the opening of the session, Jeremic welcomed the fact that as many as 80 per cent of the member-states of the African Union have not recognised Kosovo's independence and called on them to maintain their stance.
"We ask all the countries represented in this room which have not recognized Kosovo to stay the course by not accepting Kosovo's attempted secession. We do so not only in the name of our traditional ties of friendship, but in the name of working together to consolidate a rules-based international order for the 21st century- one in which secession is clearly seen as a dangerous threat, and one in which reaching agreement between the parties is the only legitimate, sustainable way forward," Jeremic said.
He also recalled the history of strong ties between Serbia and the Non-Aligned Movement, the first session of which was held in Belgrade in 1961.
Friday, January 29, 2010
Islamic Militants in Somalia Murder Christian Leader
NAIROBI, Kenya, January 26 (CDN) Islamic extremists shot the leader of an underground church to death outside the capital city of Somalia this month and have threatened to kill his wife, his tearful widow told Compass.
Having learned that he had left Islam to become a Christian, Somali militants from the Islamic extremist al Shabaab murdered 41-year-old Mohammed Ahmed Ali at about noon on Jan. 1, Amina Ibrahim Hassan said.
He was killed sometime after leaving his home in Hodan, on the outskirts of Mogadishu, she said. She and other family members were not immediately aware that he had been killed.
“We waited for him that day, but he did not turn up,” said Hassan, who has since fled to Nairobi. “The following day, on Jan. 2, I was informed by the fellowship that my husband had been killed.”
Ali led an underground church. Christian sources said members of al Shabaab, said to have links with al Qaeda terrorists, had been monitoring Ali and his wife for indications that they had left Islam.
Ali had organized New Year’s Day festivities for Christians to take place in Medina, about 15 kilometers (nine miles) outside of Mogadishu. Al Shabaab extremists killed him after word of the planned party leaked to them, Hassan said.
Hassan, who worked for a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) before leaving the country, said she received threatening calls from members of al Shabaab on Jan. 3.
“We know who you are working for,” Hassan said one extremist told her. “We also know your home and that you are a follower of the Christians, and we are going to kill you the way we killed your husband.”
Aware of the Islamic extremist militia’s determination to carry out their threats, Hassan called a relative in Nairobi and informed him of the death of her husband and her intention to flee to Nairobi.
She set out for Kenya early the next morning by bus with her only child, 2-year-old son Abdi Asis Mohammed Ahmed. They reached Ifo, one of the Dadaab refugee camps on the Kenya side of the border, on Jan. 11. She stayed there for a few days before continuing on, arriving at Nairobi on Jan. 20.
“I am thankful that I was able to reach Kenya safely having lost everything – my husband and property,” Hassan said.
Having learned that he had left Islam to become a Christian, Somali militants from the Islamic extremist al Shabaab murdered 41-year-old Mohammed Ahmed Ali at about noon on Jan. 1, Amina Ibrahim Hassan said.
He was killed sometime after leaving his home in Hodan, on the outskirts of Mogadishu, she said. She and other family members were not immediately aware that he had been killed.
“We waited for him that day, but he did not turn up,” said Hassan, who has since fled to Nairobi. “The following day, on Jan. 2, I was informed by the fellowship that my husband had been killed.”
Ali led an underground church. Christian sources said members of al Shabaab, said to have links with al Qaeda terrorists, had been monitoring Ali and his wife for indications that they had left Islam.
Ali had organized New Year’s Day festivities for Christians to take place in Medina, about 15 kilometers (nine miles) outside of Mogadishu. Al Shabaab extremists killed him after word of the planned party leaked to them, Hassan said.
Hassan, who worked for a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) before leaving the country, said she received threatening calls from members of al Shabaab on Jan. 3.
“We know who you are working for,” Hassan said one extremist told her. “We also know your home and that you are a follower of the Christians, and we are going to kill you the way we killed your husband.”
Aware of the Islamic extremist militia’s determination to carry out their threats, Hassan called a relative in Nairobi and informed him of the death of her husband and her intention to flee to Nairobi.
She set out for Kenya early the next morning by bus with her only child, 2-year-old son Abdi Asis Mohammed Ahmed. They reached Ifo, one of the Dadaab refugee camps on the Kenya side of the border, on Jan. 11. She stayed there for a few days before continuing on, arriving at Nairobi on Jan. 20.
“I am thankful that I was able to reach Kenya safely having lost everything – my husband and property,” Hassan said.
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Who hijacked who? Why?
Muslims worldwide are on a proselytizing campaign. They have joined the ranks of the J.W's, and the Mormons in "picking off" poor ignorant "almost Christians", and uninformed naive Christians.
Many different types of Muslims claim to be true Muslims. Some Muslims make the claim that other Muslims are not really Muslims. The fundamentalist Muslims issue religious proclamations, or fatwas, against secular and moderate Muslims. Sunni True Muslims kill Shiite True Muslims, and Shiite True Muslims kill Sunni True Muslims, while the "lost" Muslims, the Bahai, have to be slaughtered by ALL TRUE Muslims.
Meanwhile moderates of various stripes claim that the fundamentalists have "hijacked Islam," which is a rather strange concept when you think about it for a while. Understanding different kinds of Muslims within the theological and ideological framework of Islam is a way for non-Muslims to gain perspective and insights about the Islamic world-view as lived out by Muslims today.
The following list is intended to be a starting point and a frame of reference for non-Muslims to gain awareness and understanding about different types of Muslims. The list does not cover the various sects of Islam (Sunni, Shia, Ahmadiyya, Bahai, Druze) nor the schools of thought (Hanafi, Maliki, Shafi, Hanbali).
The loyal, well-informed fundamentalist
This type of Muslim supports his views with detailed explanations from the Quran and gives examples from the life and teachings of Mohammed as recorded in the Hadith. He tries to live a life which is consistent with the character and life example (sunna) of Mohammed, which include details of how to dress, bathe, and groom among other things. These Muslims include the religious leaders. They are considered to be conservative in their theology and world-view.
The savvy fundamentalist
This is the Muslim who pretends to be a well informed moderate. At best they “proof-text” some of their claims by emphasizing certain verses and texts from the Quran. They try to position Islam as compatible with freedom and democracy and seem very intellectual. They are often well spoken. well educated and very pleasant personalities. The savvy fundamentalist understands the non-Muslim mind and culture very well and can present Islam effectively in it's best light to the non-Muslim audience. They will use vague generalities about what is or is not Islam. They attempt to make Islam seem benign. These are often Muslim leaders in the west and are held up as moderate Muslims. They are quick to make the point that Muslims are victims and they have conspiracy theories to explain how Muslims are innocent.
The ignorant fundamentalist
This type of Muslim can’t always point to chapter and verse in the Quran and Hadith, but believes the teachings of the loyal, well-informed fundamentalist. Can be easily manipulated by both the fundamentalists and the moderates depending on the context of an issue.
The well-informed moderate
The well-informed moderate understands fundamentalist Islam and understands that a moderate form of Islam is contradictory to the orthodox teachings of Islam. They don't want to have anything to do with fundamentalist Islam, are often secular in their lifestyle, and trying to position Islam and influence the Muslim masses into a moderate and tolerant world-view. They are often highly educated in the west and may view Islam from a cultural rather than a religious perspective. Some Muslim political leaders are in this category and they struggle to keep the loyal, well-informed fundamentalists from gaining too much power by opposing them at times and appeasing them at other times. The savvy fundamentalist tries to position himself as the well-informed moderate, and thus the two are often difficult to distinguish from one another without a careful examination of their statements and actions.
The self-deceived moderate
This is a non-religious, secular Muslim who doesn’t like Islamic theology. He is self-convinced that his view of Islam is the correct view and believes that his view ought to be developed by Muslims in the non-Muslim world. He has given some serious thought to his world-view and if pressed would be shown to be one who has actually broken his ties with Islam. He may not really believe Mohammed is a prophet of God but would never say so. Will often go along with the well-informed moderate, sometimes an active opponent of the loyal, well-informed fundamentalist, and sometimes ignorantly works in partnership with and lends credibility to the savvy fundamentalist.
The ignorant moderate
This type of Muslim has a belief system, world-view, and life-style which is unsubstantiated by the Quran and Hadith. The vast majority of Muslims in a non-Muslim majority country fit into this category. They are often very friendly, nice, easy-going. They don't want to give too much time and attention to understanding Islamic theology. Neither an active opponent of fundamentalist Islam nor an active supporter of secular forms of Islam. They just want to be left alone and live in peace. Although they are somewhat theologically and ideologically passive, they will sometimes go along with the self-deceived moderate when required to take a stance.
There are a few things in common between these different types of Muslims. The biggest commonality is that they all are sensitive about protecting what they perceive to be the honor of Mohammed, the one Muslims call a prophet. Even the well-informed moderate is reluctant to say anything that could be construed as dishonorable to the prophet of Islam. On a practical level, one of the greatest sins a Muslim could ever commit is to deny the prophethood of Mohammed, especially by becoming a Christian. For this reason, even moderate Muslims never speak out for freedom of religion to the extent that they support Muslims leaving Islam.
Many different types of Muslims claim to be true Muslims. Some Muslims make the claim that other Muslims are not really Muslims. The fundamentalist Muslims issue religious proclamations, or fatwas, against secular and moderate Muslims. Sunni True Muslims kill Shiite True Muslims, and Shiite True Muslims kill Sunni True Muslims, while the "lost" Muslims, the Bahai, have to be slaughtered by ALL TRUE Muslims.
Meanwhile moderates of various stripes claim that the fundamentalists have "hijacked Islam," which is a rather strange concept when you think about it for a while. Understanding different kinds of Muslims within the theological and ideological framework of Islam is a way for non-Muslims to gain perspective and insights about the Islamic world-view as lived out by Muslims today.
The following list is intended to be a starting point and a frame of reference for non-Muslims to gain awareness and understanding about different types of Muslims. The list does not cover the various sects of Islam (Sunni, Shia, Ahmadiyya, Bahai, Druze) nor the schools of thought (Hanafi, Maliki, Shafi, Hanbali).
The loyal, well-informed fundamentalist
This type of Muslim supports his views with detailed explanations from the Quran and gives examples from the life and teachings of Mohammed as recorded in the Hadith. He tries to live a life which is consistent with the character and life example (sunna) of Mohammed, which include details of how to dress, bathe, and groom among other things. These Muslims include the religious leaders. They are considered to be conservative in their theology and world-view.
The savvy fundamentalist
This is the Muslim who pretends to be a well informed moderate. At best they “proof-text” some of their claims by emphasizing certain verses and texts from the Quran. They try to position Islam as compatible with freedom and democracy and seem very intellectual. They are often well spoken. well educated and very pleasant personalities. The savvy fundamentalist understands the non-Muslim mind and culture very well and can present Islam effectively in it's best light to the non-Muslim audience. They will use vague generalities about what is or is not Islam. They attempt to make Islam seem benign. These are often Muslim leaders in the west and are held up as moderate Muslims. They are quick to make the point that Muslims are victims and they have conspiracy theories to explain how Muslims are innocent.
The ignorant fundamentalist
This type of Muslim can’t always point to chapter and verse in the Quran and Hadith, but believes the teachings of the loyal, well-informed fundamentalist. Can be easily manipulated by both the fundamentalists and the moderates depending on the context of an issue.
The well-informed moderate
The well-informed moderate understands fundamentalist Islam and understands that a moderate form of Islam is contradictory to the orthodox teachings of Islam. They don't want to have anything to do with fundamentalist Islam, are often secular in their lifestyle, and trying to position Islam and influence the Muslim masses into a moderate and tolerant world-view. They are often highly educated in the west and may view Islam from a cultural rather than a religious perspective. Some Muslim political leaders are in this category and they struggle to keep the loyal, well-informed fundamentalists from gaining too much power by opposing them at times and appeasing them at other times. The savvy fundamentalist tries to position himself as the well-informed moderate, and thus the two are often difficult to distinguish from one another without a careful examination of their statements and actions.
The self-deceived moderate
This is a non-religious, secular Muslim who doesn’t like Islamic theology. He is self-convinced that his view of Islam is the correct view and believes that his view ought to be developed by Muslims in the non-Muslim world. He has given some serious thought to his world-view and if pressed would be shown to be one who has actually broken his ties with Islam. He may not really believe Mohammed is a prophet of God but would never say so. Will often go along with the well-informed moderate, sometimes an active opponent of the loyal, well-informed fundamentalist, and sometimes ignorantly works in partnership with and lends credibility to the savvy fundamentalist.
The ignorant moderate
This type of Muslim has a belief system, world-view, and life-style which is unsubstantiated by the Quran and Hadith. The vast majority of Muslims in a non-Muslim majority country fit into this category. They are often very friendly, nice, easy-going. They don't want to give too much time and attention to understanding Islamic theology. Neither an active opponent of fundamentalist Islam nor an active supporter of secular forms of Islam. They just want to be left alone and live in peace. Although they are somewhat theologically and ideologically passive, they will sometimes go along with the self-deceived moderate when required to take a stance.
There are a few things in common between these different types of Muslims. The biggest commonality is that they all are sensitive about protecting what they perceive to be the honor of Mohammed, the one Muslims call a prophet. Even the well-informed moderate is reluctant to say anything that could be construed as dishonorable to the prophet of Islam. On a practical level, one of the greatest sins a Muslim could ever commit is to deny the prophethood of Mohammed, especially by becoming a Christian. For this reason, even moderate Muslims never speak out for freedom of religion to the extent that they support Muslims leaving Islam.
Egypt's anxious Copts 'await next catastrophe'
Worshippers arriving for mass at St Mary's Church in central Cairo say they were shocked but not surprised by a deadly attack against Coptic Christians in southern Egypt earlier this month.
"Copts have been suffering for a long time," comments Magda accompanying her teenage son to the service.
"There have been a lot of tensions between Christians and Muslims, particularly in Upper Egypt, and a lot of attacks."
There are warnings that the authorities must do more to deal with Christian grievances, including complaints about restrictions on building churches and a school curriculum focused on Islam.
MORE
"Copts have been suffering for a long time," comments Magda accompanying her teenage son to the service.
"There have been a lot of tensions between Christians and Muslims, particularly in Upper Egypt, and a lot of attacks."
There are warnings that the authorities must do more to deal with Christian grievances, including complaints about restrictions on building churches and a school curriculum focused on Islam.
MORE
Ethiopian 737 failed to maintain correct heading before crash
Preliminary information about the final few minutes of yesterday's ill-fated Ethiopian Airlines flight out of Beirut indicates that the aircraft was struggling to comply with air traffic control instructions to change heading.
The Boeing 737-800, bound for Addis Ababa as flight ET409, departed towards the south from Beirut's runway 21 in darkness, but initial information suggests that the jet turned north, and was cleared to climb to a minimum crossing altitude to transit through Syrian airspace.
An air traffic control source familiar with the event tells ATI that an early exchange with Beirut centre focused on the aircraft's navigating relative to the VOR beacon identified as CAK, which lies on the Lebanese coast north of Beirut.
But he says that air traffic control needed to ensure separation between ET409 and two aircraft which were on approach to Beirut's runway 16 at the time.
In order to maintain separation, he says, ET409 was instructed to turn left onto a heading of 270° but the crew apparently failed to comply.
"Instead it turned left, further," says the source, adding that the turn continued until the 737 reached a heading of about 140°, a course which took the aircraft towards high terrain.
Controllers tried ordering the aircraft to turn right, warning that it was proceeding towards a mountainous area, but the source says that radar contact was lost with the jet shortly afterwards.
It came down off the Lebanese coast south of Beirut. Ninety passengers and crew were on board the jet but rescue teams have not found any survivors.
MORE
The Boeing 737-800, bound for Addis Ababa as flight ET409, departed towards the south from Beirut's runway 21 in darkness, but initial information suggests that the jet turned north, and was cleared to climb to a minimum crossing altitude to transit through Syrian airspace.
An air traffic control source familiar with the event tells ATI that an early exchange with Beirut centre focused on the aircraft's navigating relative to the VOR beacon identified as CAK, which lies on the Lebanese coast north of Beirut.
But he says that air traffic control needed to ensure separation between ET409 and two aircraft which were on approach to Beirut's runway 16 at the time.
In order to maintain separation, he says, ET409 was instructed to turn left onto a heading of 270° but the crew apparently failed to comply.
"Instead it turned left, further," says the source, adding that the turn continued until the 737 reached a heading of about 140°, a course which took the aircraft towards high terrain.
Controllers tried ordering the aircraft to turn right, warning that it was proceeding towards a mountainous area, but the source says that radar contact was lost with the jet shortly afterwards.
It came down off the Lebanese coast south of Beirut. Ninety passengers and crew were on board the jet but rescue teams have not found any survivors.
MORE
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Church in Nigeria set on Fire With Worshippers in it
The recent list of Churches under attack by Muslims is as follows. Algeria, Egypt, and Malaysia. Today we unfortunately get to add Nigeria to the list. This will only get worse, as Islam is a religion of war.
Angry Muslim youths set fire to a church filled with worshipers, armed with guns, machetes, torches, and bows and arrows, Christian and Muslim antagonists in central Nigeria’s religiously volatile city of Jos have been fighting for three days in sporadic clashes that have left dozens dead, witnesses and local news accounts said Tuesday.
MORE
Angry Muslim youths set fire to a church filled with worshipers, armed with guns, machetes, torches, and bows and arrows, Christian and Muslim antagonists in central Nigeria’s religiously volatile city of Jos have been fighting for three days in sporadic clashes that have left dozens dead, witnesses and local news accounts said Tuesday.
MORE
Sunday, January 17, 2010
A call to Ethiopian Christians in DC area and beyond
Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves,
for the rights of all who are destitute” - Proverbs 31:8
Egyptian Copts to demonstrate at White House against Muslim persecution of Christians
As the persecution of the Coptic Christians in Egypt heats up, Copts in the U.S. are beginning to call for action:
Please join us at a peaceful demonstration in front of the White House on Thursday January 21, 2010 from 11:00AM to 2:00PM to protest the persecution and violence against the Copts which are increasing in frequency and brutality.
For your convenience, buses will move to the White House from the parking lots of St. Mark Coptic Church (11911 Braddock RD Fairfax, VA 22030) and St. Mary Coptic Church (8340 Woodward St. Savage, MD 20763) at 10:00 AM. Be there 15-20 minutes earlier.
Thank you
for the rights of all who are destitute” - Proverbs 31:8
Egyptian Copts to demonstrate at White House against Muslim persecution of Christians
As the persecution of the Coptic Christians in Egypt heats up, Copts in the U.S. are beginning to call for action:
Please join us at a peaceful demonstration in front of the White House on Thursday January 21, 2010 from 11:00AM to 2:00PM to protest the persecution and violence against the Copts which are increasing in frequency and brutality.
For your convenience, buses will move to the White House from the parking lots of St. Mark Coptic Church (11911 Braddock RD Fairfax, VA 22030) and St. Mary Coptic Church (8340 Woodward St. Savage, MD 20763) at 10:00 AM. Be there 15-20 minutes earlier.
Thank you
Saturday, January 16, 2010
Jihad in Kenya
At least five people have died after Kenyan police opened fire at supporters of a Jamaican-born Muslim cleric notorious for preaching racial hatred.
Police also fired tear gas at hundreds of stone-throwing protesters calling for Abdullah al-Faisal to be freed.
Faisal is in detention in Nairobi after Kenya failed to deport him.
Kenya wants to expel him citing his "terrorist history". He was jailed for four years in the UK for soliciting the murder of Jews and Hindus.
An unnamed senior police officer told the AFP news agency that five people had died, while one of the protest organisers told AP that seven people had lost their lives.
MORE
Police also fired tear gas at hundreds of stone-throwing protesters calling for Abdullah al-Faisal to be freed.
Faisal is in detention in Nairobi after Kenya failed to deport him.
Kenya wants to expel him citing his "terrorist history". He was jailed for four years in the UK for soliciting the murder of Jews and Hindus.
An unnamed senior police officer told the AFP news agency that five people had died, while one of the protest organisers told AP that seven people had lost their lives.
MORE
Egypt's Soccer national team: Only for Muslim players
The coach of Egypt's national soccer team says he only wants players who observe Islam and the selection of his squad is based equally on religious piety and skill.
The comments by Hassan Shehata, published Thursday in Egyptian newspapers, show how sports and religion are increasingly mixing in the overwhelmingly Muslim nation of some 80 million.
The intrusion of religion into sports is part of the country's gradual movement toward religious conservatism over the last few decades, with more people praying at mosques, most women adopting the Islamic veil in public and diminishing tolerance for secular Muslims or minority Christians. There are no Christians in the current national soccer squad.
For years, Egyptian athletes have demonstrated their religious piety in front of fans and the media - kneeling down to offer a prayer of thanks after scoring a goal or winning a game, or praying before games to implore God to come to their team's aid.
But Shehata's comments take religion in sports to a whole new level.
He was quoted by several Cairo newspapers as saying skill alone won't guarantee anyone a place on the national team, which is currently defending its African continental title in Angola.
MORE
The comments by Hassan Shehata, published Thursday in Egyptian newspapers, show how sports and religion are increasingly mixing in the overwhelmingly Muslim nation of some 80 million.
The intrusion of religion into sports is part of the country's gradual movement toward religious conservatism over the last few decades, with more people praying at mosques, most women adopting the Islamic veil in public and diminishing tolerance for secular Muslims or minority Christians. There are no Christians in the current national soccer squad.
For years, Egyptian athletes have demonstrated their religious piety in front of fans and the media - kneeling down to offer a prayer of thanks after scoring a goal or winning a game, or praying before games to implore God to come to their team's aid.
But Shehata's comments take religion in sports to a whole new level.
He was quoted by several Cairo newspapers as saying skill alone won't guarantee anyone a place on the national team, which is currently defending its African continental title in Angola.
MORE
Egypt’s sectarian shame
"Long live the cross" chanted a crowd Copts, members of Egypt's oldest Christian community, as they marched in the funeral processions of six of their number shot after leaving Christmas Eve mass last week in the Egyptian town of Nag Hammadi. The attack, which has shocked the country and the region, was followed by riots, civil unrest and an escalation in the tensions between the two communities.
Believed to have been carried out to avenge the rape of a Muslim girl by a Christian man, it is the latest outbreak of violence in an increasingly tense relationship. In a series of events over the past few years, Christians and Muslims have have clashed over plays, bumper stickers and land. Copts have been asserting their identity in the face of the promotion of an increasingly monolithic national character. While there are some cases where there is obvious discrimination, there are others where the Egyptian government's characteristically slapdash approach to public health and safety has fuelled a sense of persecution. The entirely unnecessary slaughter of hundreds of thousands of pigs, kept by Christian farmers, did nothing to allay concerns that the minority is being targeted.
MORE
Believed to have been carried out to avenge the rape of a Muslim girl by a Christian man, it is the latest outbreak of violence in an increasingly tense relationship. In a series of events over the past few years, Christians and Muslims have have clashed over plays, bumper stickers and land. Copts have been asserting their identity in the face of the promotion of an increasingly monolithic national character. While there are some cases where there is obvious discrimination, there are others where the Egyptian government's characteristically slapdash approach to public health and safety has fuelled a sense of persecution. The entirely unnecessary slaughter of hundreds of thousands of pigs, kept by Christian farmers, did nothing to allay concerns that the minority is being targeted.
MORE
Massive New Year and Christmas Attacks In Arab World, Africa, Asia
Investigators said Wednesday, January 13, there has been "a surge of attacks" against Christians since December, with deaths, detentions and destruction reported in the Arab world, Africa and Asia.
Religious tension was "particularly high this season" because the main Shia Muslim festival of Ashura, which moves with the Islamic calendar each year, "almost coincided with Christmas, falling around 27 December," BarnabasFund said in a report obtained by Worthy News and its partner agency BosNewsLife.
Barnabas Fund, which supports Christians in especially Muslim-majority nations, said the bloodiest attacksoccurred in Iraq, where several Christians were killed in church bombings since last month, and Egypt where seven Christians reportedly died in attacks since January 6.
Iraqi Christians are still coping with the aftermath or two car bombs that detonated near churches in the northern city of Mosul on December 16, "causing extensive damage, wounding nearby schoolchildren and killing at least three" Christians, Barnabas Fund reported. "Words cannot describe what has happened ... but we will pray in the streets, in homes, in shops. God is everywhere, not just in churches, Christians reportedly said.
Later on Christmas Day, December 25, armed Shabaks, a Kurdish minority group, allegedly attacked the Christian-majority town of Bartilla, near Mosul, taking over a check-point for more than five hours and tearing down Christmas decorations in shops. "They also tried to enter a church in the middle of the market to perform an Islamic self-flagellation ritual inside the building. The church was successfully defended by its security guards,but four Christians including a policeman received gunshot wounds," Barnabas Fund said.
EGYPT CHRISTIANS KILLED
Elsewhere in the Arab World, in Egypt, six Christian worshipers and a security guard were killed by three gunmenduring a Christmas Eve service in the town of Nag Hamadi on January 6. "This attack followed threats to the bishop who was leading the service, apparently because of his protests about the large-scale anti-Christian violence inthe neighboring town of Farshoot in November," Barnabas Fund recalled.
The violence was reportedly triggered by areport that a Christian man had sexually abused a Muslim girl. Further anti-Christian violence broke out in the town of Bahgoura, Friday, January 8, outside Nag Hamadi, where a Muslim mob "armed with swords and gas cylinders" looted and torched Christian-owned homes, shops and cars. One woman died after being overcome by fumes when her home was set alight, Barnabas Fund said.
"Residents from the village also report that water and electricity were disconnected during the fires, and when the fire brigade arrived, 90 minutes after being called, the vehicles that came had empty tanks."Christians are also under pressure in Iran where Christian leader Keyvan Rajabi was detained last week because he had led Christmas and New Year services at his church, following a crackdown on Christian converts last month, Barnabas Fund added. No more details surrounding the January 7 arrest were immediately available.
Earlier in Iran, security forces raided a meeting of 70 Christian converts from Islam who gathered to celebrate Christmas and New Year; two leaders were reportedly arrested in the December 17 raid, Christians said.
ASIA VIOLENCE
Fresh attacks have also been reported across Asia, including in Malaysia, where up to 10 Churches and Christian buildings were attacked by angry Muslims since Friday, January 8, following a court ruling allowing Christians to use the word 'Allah', in reference to God. No injuries were reported.
In Indonesia, the world's largest Muslim nation, a newly constructed church building in Bekasi Regency, near the capital Jakarta, which was scheduled to be ready by Christmas, was attacked by a mob of motorcyclists on December 18, Barnabas Fund and other groups said.
Elsewhere in Asia, in China, Barnabas Fund and other investigators said police detained several elderly Christians in Korla City, Xinjiang province, as they gathered to celebrate Christmas on December 25. "A 71-year-old woman was thrown roughly against a police car. In another incident, police raided the home of an ailing Christian woman who is confined to her bed," Barnabas Fund told Worthy News. "They seized Bibles and other Christian literature and publicly burned them in a bonfire outside her home."
Chinese officials did not react to the allegations, but Chinese authorities have said they will allow only authorized worship, banning "unauthorized" services at for instance home churches.
In Pakistan, "a massive government security operation protected Christians attending Christmas services",but in several areas Christmas celebrations were scaled down or canceled on police advice because of security concerns, Barnabas Fund and other reports said. Intimidating text messages had been circulating threatening Christians with "a special gift at Christmas," which reportedly led to the increased security precautions.
AFRICA ATTACKS
Additionally. Barnabas Fund reported more troubles in Africa where in Zimbabwe a cathedral in the capital Harare and three churches were reportedly raided by police. "Police burst into a communion service in the cathedral,beat up worshipers and forced them out of the building," on December 25, said Barnabas Fund which is involved in aid programs in that country.
In northern Algeria the Protestant Tafat church was looted and burned by Muslims over the weekend, church leaders said this week. It followed another attack against the 300-strong church in the city of Tizi-Ouzou last month, Worthy News and BosNewsLife established."Times of Christian celebration often bring intensified anti-Christian violence, and in the last few weeks we have seen a surge of attacks in a wide range of countries over the Christmas period, said Barnabas Fund International Director Patrick Sookhdeo.
Religious tension was "particularly high this season" because the main Shia Muslim festival of Ashura, which moves with the Islamic calendar each year, "almost coincided with Christmas, falling around 27 December," BarnabasFund said. "The Western New Year on 1 January is also a frequent focus of anti-Christian violence, as it is believed by many in other parts of the world to be a Christian festival."
He said his group had urged its supporters to pray for protection and "those who seek to bring terror and destruction to Christians at these special times will see the peaceful, loving and forgiving attitude of their victims and that their own hearts will be changed."
Religious tension was "particularly high this season" because the main Shia Muslim festival of Ashura, which moves with the Islamic calendar each year, "almost coincided with Christmas, falling around 27 December," BarnabasFund said in a report obtained by Worthy News and its partner agency BosNewsLife.
Barnabas Fund, which supports Christians in especially Muslim-majority nations, said the bloodiest attacksoccurred in Iraq, where several Christians were killed in church bombings since last month, and Egypt where seven Christians reportedly died in attacks since January 6.
Iraqi Christians are still coping with the aftermath or two car bombs that detonated near churches in the northern city of Mosul on December 16, "causing extensive damage, wounding nearby schoolchildren and killing at least three" Christians, Barnabas Fund reported. "Words cannot describe what has happened ... but we will pray in the streets, in homes, in shops. God is everywhere, not just in churches, Christians reportedly said.
Later on Christmas Day, December 25, armed Shabaks, a Kurdish minority group, allegedly attacked the Christian-majority town of Bartilla, near Mosul, taking over a check-point for more than five hours and tearing down Christmas decorations in shops. "They also tried to enter a church in the middle of the market to perform an Islamic self-flagellation ritual inside the building. The church was successfully defended by its security guards,but four Christians including a policeman received gunshot wounds," Barnabas Fund said.
EGYPT CHRISTIANS KILLED
Elsewhere in the Arab World, in Egypt, six Christian worshipers and a security guard were killed by three gunmenduring a Christmas Eve service in the town of Nag Hamadi on January 6. "This attack followed threats to the bishop who was leading the service, apparently because of his protests about the large-scale anti-Christian violence inthe neighboring town of Farshoot in November," Barnabas Fund recalled.
The violence was reportedly triggered by areport that a Christian man had sexually abused a Muslim girl. Further anti-Christian violence broke out in the town of Bahgoura, Friday, January 8, outside Nag Hamadi, where a Muslim mob "armed with swords and gas cylinders" looted and torched Christian-owned homes, shops and cars. One woman died after being overcome by fumes when her home was set alight, Barnabas Fund said.
"Residents from the village also report that water and electricity were disconnected during the fires, and when the fire brigade arrived, 90 minutes after being called, the vehicles that came had empty tanks."Christians are also under pressure in Iran where Christian leader Keyvan Rajabi was detained last week because he had led Christmas and New Year services at his church, following a crackdown on Christian converts last month, Barnabas Fund added. No more details surrounding the January 7 arrest were immediately available.
Earlier in Iran, security forces raided a meeting of 70 Christian converts from Islam who gathered to celebrate Christmas and New Year; two leaders were reportedly arrested in the December 17 raid, Christians said.
ASIA VIOLENCE
Fresh attacks have also been reported across Asia, including in Malaysia, where up to 10 Churches and Christian buildings were attacked by angry Muslims since Friday, January 8, following a court ruling allowing Christians to use the word 'Allah', in reference to God. No injuries were reported.
In Indonesia, the world's largest Muslim nation, a newly constructed church building in Bekasi Regency, near the capital Jakarta, which was scheduled to be ready by Christmas, was attacked by a mob of motorcyclists on December 18, Barnabas Fund and other groups said.
Elsewhere in Asia, in China, Barnabas Fund and other investigators said police detained several elderly Christians in Korla City, Xinjiang province, as they gathered to celebrate Christmas on December 25. "A 71-year-old woman was thrown roughly against a police car. In another incident, police raided the home of an ailing Christian woman who is confined to her bed," Barnabas Fund told Worthy News. "They seized Bibles and other Christian literature and publicly burned them in a bonfire outside her home."
Chinese officials did not react to the allegations, but Chinese authorities have said they will allow only authorized worship, banning "unauthorized" services at for instance home churches.
In Pakistan, "a massive government security operation protected Christians attending Christmas services",but in several areas Christmas celebrations were scaled down or canceled on police advice because of security concerns, Barnabas Fund and other reports said. Intimidating text messages had been circulating threatening Christians with "a special gift at Christmas," which reportedly led to the increased security precautions.
AFRICA ATTACKS
Additionally. Barnabas Fund reported more troubles in Africa where in Zimbabwe a cathedral in the capital Harare and three churches were reportedly raided by police. "Police burst into a communion service in the cathedral,beat up worshipers and forced them out of the building," on December 25, said Barnabas Fund which is involved in aid programs in that country.
In northern Algeria the Protestant Tafat church was looted and burned by Muslims over the weekend, church leaders said this week. It followed another attack against the 300-strong church in the city of Tizi-Ouzou last month, Worthy News and BosNewsLife established."Times of Christian celebration often bring intensified anti-Christian violence, and in the last few weeks we have seen a surge of attacks in a wide range of countries over the Christmas period, said Barnabas Fund International Director Patrick Sookhdeo.
Religious tension was "particularly high this season" because the main Shia Muslim festival of Ashura, which moves with the Islamic calendar each year, "almost coincided with Christmas, falling around 27 December," BarnabasFund said. "The Western New Year on 1 January is also a frequent focus of anti-Christian violence, as it is believed by many in other parts of the world to be a Christian festival."
He said his group had urged its supporters to pray for protection and "those who seek to bring terror and destruction to Christians at these special times will see the peaceful, loving and forgiving attitude of their victims and that their own hearts will be changed."
Monday, January 11, 2010
Is it War?
Yes!
We need to remember the following facts:
While Muslim population remains around or under 2% of that of any country, they will be seen as a peace loving minority, and not as a menace against the rest of the citizens. That is the case of US (0.6% of Muslims); Australia (1.5%); Canada (1.9%); China (1.8%); Italy (1.5%); Norway (1.8%).
[That's why Fort Hill is pictured as an exception].
With a Muslim population between 2 and 5%, Muslims will begin proselytizing among other minorities and unhappy groups of the place, often with big recruitments in prisons and in street gangs. That is happening in Denmark (2%); Germany (3.7%); United Kingdom (2.7%); Spain (4%); Thailand (4.6%).
[But we shouldn't forget terrorism: that develops at the same time: Spain and Thailand, on the first line].
Above 5% of Muslim population, Muslims have a disproportionate influence considering the percentage of population they represent. For example, they will insist in the introduction of halal meals (cleaned accordingly to Islamic law), employing themselves then as handlers for Muslim meals. They will begin pressing supermarkets and distribution firms to offer haal meals among their stands, menacing them is they do not. This is happening in: France (8%); the Philippines (5%); Sweden (5%); the Netherlands (5.5.%); Trinity and Tobago (5.8%). They will also make pressure on Govt to let them be regulated only by Sharia Law, the Islamic Law, inside their ghettos, being the last goal of Islamists to establish Sharia in all the world.
When Muslims are around 10%, they normally make anarchy grow as a method of complaint about their situation in that country. In Paris we have seen the unstopping riots with burned cars and street furniture. In this situation, any non-Muslim action offends Islam and results in more riots and menaces as those of Amsterdam after opposition to Mohammed cartoons and films against Islam. These tensions are seen on a daily basis, particularly in the Muslim quarters of Guyana (10%); India (13.4%); Israel (16%); Kenya (10%); Russia (15%).
To understand the actual amount of these percentages, we have to consider that the Black population of the US represents 13% of the total population.
After the percentage have grown up to a 20%, nations could hope for frightening riots, Jihadi militia’s creation, sporadic murders and churches’ burning. Examples: Ethiopia (32.4%). When that percentage gets to a 40% of total population, the nations begin to experiment generalized massacres, chronic terrorist attacks and unstoppable wars between militias, like Bosnia (40%); Chad (53.1%); Lebanon (59.7%).
In countries in which total Muslim population rises to 60%, there are countless persecutions against non-believers of the rest of the religions (including unorthodox Muslims), sporadic ethnic cleansing (genocides), use of Sharia Law as a tool and the establishment of Jizya, the “infidels tax”, as happens in Albania (70%); Malaysia (60.4%; Qatar (77.5); Sudan (79%).
When the Muslim population reaches 80%, we can hope for intimidations and violent jihad against non-Muslim population, some kind of ethnic cleasing carried on by the State, while they expell the ever diminishing Infidel population, as they are headed towards the target of a 100% Muslim state, as it’s happening already or has happened by now in Bangladesh (83%); Egypt (90&; Gaza (98.7&); Indonesia (86.1%); Iran (98%); Irak (97%); Jordan (92%); Morocco (98.7); Pakistan (97%); Palestine (99%); Syria (90%); Tajikistan (90%); Turkey (99.8%); United Arab Emirates (96%).
When they finally reach a 100% of Muslim population, the Peace of “Dar-es-Salaam” (Paradise of Islamic Peace) begins. Peace is supposed to exist now as everyone is Muslim, the only schools are Madrassas and the Quram is the only word, as happens in Afghanistan (100%); Saudi Arabia (100%); Somalia (100%; Yemen (100%).
More report:
Christians are fleeing from Middle East, where they get beheaded and their churches burned (T&P adds: they also get persecuted by Islamic Mafias). More than half of the Lebanese Christians have fled. In Iraq, the main Christian Chaldean church was destroyed: his value is similar to the Bamiyan’s Buddhas but it was much less mentioned by the MSM. There are martyrs who are never mentioned, like Brian Savio O’Connor, Indian Catholic who was imprisoned and tortured in Saudi Arabia for preaching the Gospel (Or the kidnapping and murder of Archbishop Rahho). Monsignor Antoine Audo, Chaldean Bishop of Aleppo, maintains openly that “the fanatics want to get rid of Christians finally” (and he is not the only one who has said that). Of 700,000 Christians, more than half have fled from Iraq.
In Ethiopia Christians are murdered every day (violence is increasing). In Egypt, Copts can’t even build churches nor repair them and pay dhimmies’ taxes (and if they want to build “prayer rooms”, they are rewarded with death fatwas). In Sudan, from 1992’s fatwa, which says that “a non-Muslim is a non-believer who opposes to Islam’s expansion and the latter gives freedom to kill them all”, women and girls’ rapes, infidels’ murder (more than 2 million till today) and slaves’ capture have boomed. In Nigeria, the church, the mission and the village of Gani were attacked and the Christian teacher Danyaro Bala killed in 2006: and the situation is worsening. In Somalia, as a measure against the Pope’s statement considering that Islam is imposed by force, an Italian nun and Consolation’s Missionary, was murdered.
In Indonesia, en 2005, three Christians were beheaded in 2005 because they didn’t want to convert to Islam. In 2006, there was an official execution of three Christians accused of planning attacks on “believers”. In Philippines and in East Timor -video- (assault in 2007 to the orphanage of San Juan Bosco in Baucayn, with rape of some schoolgirls, murder of 15 priests and 100 people in a church by the Revolutionary Front of East Timor), everywhere the same story. But it isn't on the newspapers or in homilies. And of course, it is not compensated by the conversion to Christianity in Egypt (where preaching and having Gospel literature is forbidden) of 20,000 people in this century.
We need to remember the following facts:
While Muslim population remains around or under 2% of that of any country, they will be seen as a peace loving minority, and not as a menace against the rest of the citizens. That is the case of US (0.6% of Muslims); Australia (1.5%); Canada (1.9%); China (1.8%); Italy (1.5%); Norway (1.8%).
[That's why Fort Hill is pictured as an exception].
With a Muslim population between 2 and 5%, Muslims will begin proselytizing among other minorities and unhappy groups of the place, often with big recruitments in prisons and in street gangs. That is happening in Denmark (2%); Germany (3.7%); United Kingdom (2.7%); Spain (4%); Thailand (4.6%).
[But we shouldn't forget terrorism: that develops at the same time: Spain and Thailand, on the first line].
Above 5% of Muslim population, Muslims have a disproportionate influence considering the percentage of population they represent. For example, they will insist in the introduction of halal meals (cleaned accordingly to Islamic law), employing themselves then as handlers for Muslim meals. They will begin pressing supermarkets and distribution firms to offer haal meals among their stands, menacing them is they do not. This is happening in: France (8%); the Philippines (5%); Sweden (5%); the Netherlands (5.5.%); Trinity and Tobago (5.8%). They will also make pressure on Govt to let them be regulated only by Sharia Law, the Islamic Law, inside their ghettos, being the last goal of Islamists to establish Sharia in all the world.
When Muslims are around 10%, they normally make anarchy grow as a method of complaint about their situation in that country. In Paris we have seen the unstopping riots with burned cars and street furniture. In this situation, any non-Muslim action offends Islam and results in more riots and menaces as those of Amsterdam after opposition to Mohammed cartoons and films against Islam. These tensions are seen on a daily basis, particularly in the Muslim quarters of Guyana (10%); India (13.4%); Israel (16%); Kenya (10%); Russia (15%).
To understand the actual amount of these percentages, we have to consider that the Black population of the US represents 13% of the total population.
After the percentage have grown up to a 20%, nations could hope for frightening riots, Jihadi militia’s creation, sporadic murders and churches’ burning. Examples: Ethiopia (32.4%). When that percentage gets to a 40% of total population, the nations begin to experiment generalized massacres, chronic terrorist attacks and unstoppable wars between militias, like Bosnia (40%); Chad (53.1%); Lebanon (59.7%).
In countries in which total Muslim population rises to 60%, there are countless persecutions against non-believers of the rest of the religions (including unorthodox Muslims), sporadic ethnic cleansing (genocides), use of Sharia Law as a tool and the establishment of Jizya, the “infidels tax”, as happens in Albania (70%); Malaysia (60.4%; Qatar (77.5); Sudan (79%).
When the Muslim population reaches 80%, we can hope for intimidations and violent jihad against non-Muslim population, some kind of ethnic cleasing carried on by the State, while they expell the ever diminishing Infidel population, as they are headed towards the target of a 100% Muslim state, as it’s happening already or has happened by now in Bangladesh (83%); Egypt (90&; Gaza (98.7&); Indonesia (86.1%); Iran (98%); Irak (97%); Jordan (92%); Morocco (98.7); Pakistan (97%); Palestine (99%); Syria (90%); Tajikistan (90%); Turkey (99.8%); United Arab Emirates (96%).
When they finally reach a 100% of Muslim population, the Peace of “Dar-es-Salaam” (Paradise of Islamic Peace) begins. Peace is supposed to exist now as everyone is Muslim, the only schools are Madrassas and the Quram is the only word, as happens in Afghanistan (100%); Saudi Arabia (100%); Somalia (100%; Yemen (100%).
More report:
Christians are fleeing from Middle East, where they get beheaded and their churches burned (T&P adds: they also get persecuted by Islamic Mafias). More than half of the Lebanese Christians have fled. In Iraq, the main Christian Chaldean church was destroyed: his value is similar to the Bamiyan’s Buddhas but it was much less mentioned by the MSM. There are martyrs who are never mentioned, like Brian Savio O’Connor, Indian Catholic who was imprisoned and tortured in Saudi Arabia for preaching the Gospel (Or the kidnapping and murder of Archbishop Rahho). Monsignor Antoine Audo, Chaldean Bishop of Aleppo, maintains openly that “the fanatics want to get rid of Christians finally” (and he is not the only one who has said that). Of 700,000 Christians, more than half have fled from Iraq.
In Ethiopia Christians are murdered every day (violence is increasing). In Egypt, Copts can’t even build churches nor repair them and pay dhimmies’ taxes (and if they want to build “prayer rooms”, they are rewarded with death fatwas). In Sudan, from 1992’s fatwa, which says that “a non-Muslim is a non-believer who opposes to Islam’s expansion and the latter gives freedom to kill them all”, women and girls’ rapes, infidels’ murder (more than 2 million till today) and slaves’ capture have boomed. In Nigeria, the church, the mission and the village of Gani were attacked and the Christian teacher Danyaro Bala killed in 2006: and the situation is worsening. In Somalia, as a measure against the Pope’s statement considering that Islam is imposed by force, an Italian nun and Consolation’s Missionary, was murdered.
In Indonesia, en 2005, three Christians were beheaded in 2005 because they didn’t want to convert to Islam. In 2006, there was an official execution of three Christians accused of planning attacks on “believers”. In Philippines and in East Timor -video- (assault in 2007 to the orphanage of San Juan Bosco in Baucayn, with rape of some schoolgirls, murder of 15 priests and 100 people in a church by the Revolutionary Front of East Timor), everywhere the same story. But it isn't on the newspapers or in homilies. And of course, it is not compensated by the conversion to Christianity in Egypt (where preaching and having Gospel literature is forbidden) of 20,000 people in this century.
Sunday, January 10, 2010
Because they hate Christians
The 2009 Western and Eastern Christmas season begun with the attempt of a Nigerian Muslim to blow up Northwest Airlines flight 253, with 300 passengers, just before it landed in Detroit on th 25th of December.
On this very day, Christians in Iraqi opted not to celebrate Christmas, since Ashura, a major Shi'ite day of mourning, falls on the same day. So out of "respect" for the local Shi'ites, Chaldean Catholic Bishop Imad Al Banna asked all Christians in cities like Basra not to engage in any public celebration of Christmas, and not even to entertain guests or show any joy in the day. A week earlier, Islamic jihadists attacked churches and Christian schools in Mosul, with forty people killed in bomb attacks and random Christians targeted for violence on the streets. "It is terrible," one Mosul Christian told the Times of London: "Most of the Christians are staying at home, or when they go out they watch their backs." A member of another religious minority, the Yazidis, who lives in a Christian village remarked: "You cannot live in Mosul. Every day you find Christians being killed. Very few are still going to church. The women have to wear hijabs. They send someone first in a car to check if there is someone outside the church."
The Christians in Turkey are facing a similarly somber Christmas. In an interview with the American CBS, the Ecumenical Patriarch of 300 million Orthodox Christians, his holiness Bartholomew I said, "We are treated," as citizens of second class. We don't feel that we enjoy our full rights as Turkish citizens." Yet "we prefer to stay here, even crucified sometimes."
And in Egypt, Christian Solidarity International and the Coptic Foundation for Human Rights released a new report detailing rampant abuse of Christian women by Muslims: Cases of abduction, forced conversion and marriage are usually accompanied by acts of violence which include rape, beatings, deprivation of food and other forms of physical and mental abuse. The US State Department's 2009 report on international religious freedom noted that the Egyptian government often turns a blind eye to crimes committed against Copts -- and government officials have on occasion even participated in those crimes.
In their quest of religious war to finish off the Christians in Egypt, Muslims yesterday sprayed automatic gunfire into a crowd of churchgoers in southern Egypt as they left a midnight Mass for Coptic Christmas, killing at least six Christians in a drive-by shooting.
And, these days, Christian churches are set on fire in Malaysia amid increasing religious discrimination against minorities.
Christian persecution continues on a daily basis, and the non-denominational American Christian group, Open Doors USA, which is dedicated to supporting persecuted Christians, brings out a list annually. This list is dominated year after year by Islamic states.
The top 10 persecutors for 2009 on the Open Doors list were:
1.North Korea
2.Iran
3.Saudi Arabia
4.Somalia
5.Maldives
6.Afghanistan
7.Yemen
8.Mauritania
9.Laos
10.Uzbekistan
On this very day, Christians in Iraqi opted not to celebrate Christmas, since Ashura, a major Shi'ite day of mourning, falls on the same day. So out of "respect" for the local Shi'ites, Chaldean Catholic Bishop Imad Al Banna asked all Christians in cities like Basra not to engage in any public celebration of Christmas, and not even to entertain guests or show any joy in the day. A week earlier, Islamic jihadists attacked churches and Christian schools in Mosul, with forty people killed in bomb attacks and random Christians targeted for violence on the streets. "It is terrible," one Mosul Christian told the Times of London: "Most of the Christians are staying at home, or when they go out they watch their backs." A member of another religious minority, the Yazidis, who lives in a Christian village remarked: "You cannot live in Mosul. Every day you find Christians being killed. Very few are still going to church. The women have to wear hijabs. They send someone first in a car to check if there is someone outside the church."
The Christians in Turkey are facing a similarly somber Christmas. In an interview with the American CBS, the Ecumenical Patriarch of 300 million Orthodox Christians, his holiness Bartholomew I said, "We are treated," as citizens of second class. We don't feel that we enjoy our full rights as Turkish citizens." Yet "we prefer to stay here, even crucified sometimes."
And in Egypt, Christian Solidarity International and the Coptic Foundation for Human Rights released a new report detailing rampant abuse of Christian women by Muslims: Cases of abduction, forced conversion and marriage are usually accompanied by acts of violence which include rape, beatings, deprivation of food and other forms of physical and mental abuse. The US State Department's 2009 report on international religious freedom noted that the Egyptian government often turns a blind eye to crimes committed against Copts -- and government officials have on occasion even participated in those crimes.
In their quest of religious war to finish off the Christians in Egypt, Muslims yesterday sprayed automatic gunfire into a crowd of churchgoers in southern Egypt as they left a midnight Mass for Coptic Christmas, killing at least six Christians in a drive-by shooting.
And, these days, Christian churches are set on fire in Malaysia amid increasing religious discrimination against minorities.
Christian persecution continues on a daily basis, and the non-denominational American Christian group, Open Doors USA, which is dedicated to supporting persecuted Christians, brings out a list annually. This list is dominated year after year by Islamic states.
The top 10 persecutors for 2009 on the Open Doors list were:
1.North Korea
2.Iran
3.Saudi Arabia
4.Somalia
5.Maldives
6.Afghanistan
7.Yemen
8.Mauritania
9.Laos
10.Uzbekistan
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