Five Christian Converts to Stand Trial in Iran

 

 

Answering Muslims

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• Five Christian Converts to Stand Trial in Iran
• Two U.S. Service Members Dead in Latest Afghan Insider Attack
• Christian Missionary Ezzat Atallah Dies in Libyan Prison

Five Christian Converts to Stand Trial in Iran Posted: 11 Mar 2013 02:19 PM PDT Muslim organizations like CAIR and ISNA assure us that Islam is a religion of peace and tolerance, and that Westerners should have absolutely no concerns about the spread of Islam. Yet, wherever we see Muslim majorities holding power over non-Muslim minorities, we see a never-ending stream of violence, oppression, and cruelty. Isn't it amazing that Muslims from so many different countries (Pakistan, Iran, Iraq, Egypt, etc.) all seem to misunderstand Islam in exactly the same way? Iran (FoxNews)--Five Iranian Christian converts who were detained late last year will reportedly begin trial in Iran's Revolutionary Court this week, according to a human rights group following the case. The five men were among seven arrested in October when security forces raided an underground house church in the city of Shiraz during a prayer session. They will be tried at the Revolutionary Court in Shiraz's Fars Province on charges of disturbing public order, evangelizing, threatening national security and engaging in Internet activity that threatens the government, according to Christian Solidarity Worldwide, a religious persecution watchdog group. "Judging from recent cases, it is likely that, at the very least, those detained may face lengthy prison sentences," said CSW spokesperson Kiri Kankhwende. According to Kankhwende, the crackdown against Christian converts and house churches parallels a general increase in repression against many, including journalists, religious and cultural minorities and others as the government is leading up to June's presidential elections. The five imprisoned men, Mohammad Roghangir, Surush Saraie, Eskandar Rezaie, Shahin Lahooti and Massoud Rezaie are members of the Church of Iran denomination, one of the country's largest house church movements. "There has been a noticeable increase in the harassment, arrests, trials and imprisonments of converts to Christianity, particularly since the beginning of 2012," Kankhwende said. "Any movement that differs from or offers an alternative to orthodox Shia Islam, and any persons who chooses to follow an alternative belief system, are interpreted as a challenge to the very state itself." The underground church network has been rapidly growing in Iran as a place where converts from Islam to Christianity can pray as they are forbidden to attend services at formal churches. (Continue Reading.)

Two U.S. Service Members Dead in Latest Afghan Insider Attack Posted: 11 Mar 2013 09:15 AM PDT Some soldiers fight like men. Others pretend to be your friend, hang out with you, get to know you, have lunch with you, and then open fire when you least expect it. As Muhammad said, "War is deceit." KABUL, Afghanistan -- Two U.S. service members were killed and at least eight others injured Monday in a possible insider attack at a special forces site in Afghanistan, U.S. and Afghan officials said. The shooting occurred at a U.S. special operations outpost in Wardak province in eastern Afghanistan, U.S. officials said. The shooter, who was dressed in an Afghan military or police uniform, was shot and killed. "We have two confirmed dead, but the toll could rise," one U.S. official said. A senior official in the Afghan Defense Ministry said that at least three Afghans were also killed. The Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack in a text message sent by Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid. The group has falsely claimed responsibility for attacks in the past. (Continue Reading.)

Christian Missionary Ezzat Atallah Dies in Libyan Prison Posted: 11 Mar 2013 07:04 AM PDT Western nations backed Libyan Islamists in their effort to overthrow Muammar Gaddafi. Now those same Islamists are arresting Christians. Anyone surprised? CAIRO -- An Egyptian Foreign Ministry official says a man suspected of trying to spread Christianity in Libya has died in prison there. The diplomat says Ezzat Atallah, who suffered from diabetes and heart ailments, likely died of natural causes. He spoke anonymously Sunday in line with regulations. Atallah was among five Evangelical Christian Egyptians detained in Libya for allegedly proselytizing in the predominantly Muslim nation. Last week, Egypt's Foreign Ministry intervened to win release from Libya of 55 Egyptians who were also suspected of proselytizing. Thirty-five of them were deported for illegally entering the country, while 20 were cleared to stay in Libya. Also, four foreigners under investigation for alleged espionage and proselytizing remain in a Libyan prison. They are a Swedish-American, a South Korean, a South African and an Egyptian. (Source)