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Devastating reports could provoke persecution against Christians

Open Doors says various news agencies report that a member of the Afghan government has called for the public execution of Christian converts from Islam, reports MNN.

This is in response to a video broadcast on the Afghan television network which showed footage of Christian men being baptized and praying. Hundreds of students in northern Afghanistan burned an effigy of the pope while protesting against the alleged proselytizing by two Christian aid groups.

In addition, the government suspended operations of U.S.-based World Church Service and Norwegian Church Aid.

The constitution states "no law can be contrary to the beliefs and provisions of Islam." In light of that, the deputy secretary of the Afghani parliament was quoted as saying, "Those Afghans that appeared in [the footage] should be executed in public."

The video clip, along with inflammatory statements against the Christian faith, has repeatedly been broadcast on several television stations.

Proselytizing is illegal, and apostasy is punishable by death. Most Christians are secret believers, unable even to own a Bible. Because of this threat, many Afghan believers have gone into hiding while others have fled.

Afghan Christians want the world to know about their situation, that in a country where they have few rights and no voice, they want their voice to be heard.

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TAGS: Afghanistan persecution anti-Christian violence Norwegian Church Aid public execution of Christians

[06/14/2010]

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