Germany: Christian Refugees Persecuted by Muslims
"Incidents are deliberately downplayed and even covered up."
by Soeren Kern • May 15, 2016 at 5:30 am
- Thousands of Christians in German refugee shelters are being persecuted by Muslims, sometimes even by their security guards, according to a new report by the NGO Open Doors.
- "A major obstacle to the survey was that many victims were afraid to participate. ... Their concern was not only on the possible consequences for them personally and for their families in Germany, but also for their relatives who continue to live in the countries of origin." — Open Doors report.
- "I came to Germany after fleeing my own country in the hope my life would be safer in the face of growing dangers. But in Germany I've been threatened more." — Christian refugee in Germany.
- "Despite increased reports about this problem by the media, charities, human rights organizations, church leaders and Christian organizations, German authorities and politicians have hardly ever launched an investigation. Instead, we believe that incidents are deliberately downplayed and even covered up. ... Even in police stations, religiously motivated attacks on Christian refugees are not documented as such." — Open Doors report.
Representatives of the NGO Open Doors, along with other NGOs, hold a press conference to present the Open Doors report "Religiously Motivated Attacks on Christian Refugees in Germany," in May 2016.
Thousands of Christians in German refugee shelters are being persecuted by Muslims, sometimes even by their security guards, according to a new report, which asserts that in most cases German authorities have done nothing to protect the victims.
The study alleges that German authorities and police have deliberately downplayed and even covered up the "taboo issue" of Muslim attacks on Christian refugees, apparently to avoid fueling anti-immigration sentiments.
The report, "Religiously Motivated Attacks on Christian Refugees in Germany" (Religiös motivierte Übergriffe gegen christliche Flüchtlinge in Deutschland), was produced by the German branch of Open Doors, a non-governmental organization supporting persecuted Christians, worldwide.
Wanted: New Grand Vizier for Turkey's Sultan
by Burak Bekdil • May 15, 2016 at 4:45 am
- Erdogan could just well choose a computer or an advanced office machine to appoint as the new prime minister.
- What many critics call a "Palace coup" illustrates that the Turkish constitution is, effectively, null and void.
Turkey's prime minister, Ahmet Davutoglu, publicly announced on May 5 that he would step down. (Image source: Al Jazeera video screenshot)
Why would a prime minister, who only a few months ago won a general election with 49.5% of the vote, step down? Corruption allegations? A soaring opposition? Plummeting public approval for this or that reason? A scandalous affair that fell into the public domain? None of those applies to Turkey's prime minister, Ahmet Davutoglu, who on May 5 announced that he would take the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) to an extraordinary general convention, where he would not run for chairman or prime minister. After barely 20 months in office, Davutoglu was abruptly quitting.
At the press conference where he announced his decision to stand down, Davutoglu said this was "not my choice but a necessity." He then blamed the AKP's central executive committee for not having exhibited the "comradeship" he would expect of them.
Jihad on Christian Church Tents
by Raymond Ibrahim • May 15, 2016 at 4:15 am
- After waiting 44 years, the Christians of Nag Shenouda were issued the necessary permits to build a church. Because of this, local Muslims rioted and burned down their church tent they had been using. Then, when a Christian allowed some of the congregation to use his home, a Muslim mob attacked it.
- Sometimes when the mob does not torch the church tents, the authorities do it themselves: Egyptian police destroyed the tent structure of St. Joseph Church under the pretext that it was built without a license.
- In Indonesia in 2012, the St. Johannes Baptista church tent was sealed off by authorities. The congregation had been using it since 2006 as a temporary location, as they had not received a church permit since they applied in 2000.
- In Pakistan, Muslim students sprayed bullets on Christian homes, shouted, "Convert to Islam or leave this neighborhood," and sexually harassed Christian girls as they left after services.
The church tent in Egypt that belonged to the congregation of Christian priest Fr. Jonathan Adel is pictured as it burns on May 12, 2016.
A Christian church in Egypt was just torched to the ground at the hands of "extremists" on May 12. A video shows the structure burning as Christians scurry to throw pails of water on it.
The church consisted of a large tent that had been consecrated and contained all the material of a "normal" church — an altar, icons, and crosses — and was led by Fr. Jonathan Adel. The Christians of the region had been meeting there for all regular church services, functions, and celebrations, and authorities had agreed to its existence and use as a church.
A statement condemning this attack, written by Bishop Macarious, closed with: "May God protect the Church, and preserve Egypt and Egyptians from all adversity."
Why were these Christians meeting in a large "church tent" in the first place? Because the church they had built in 2009 was sealed off by authorities after local Muslims protested and rioted.
