Burnt church in Indian state of Orissa, photo via intercedenow.ca.jpg

Indian Muslim extremists threaten to burn Christians alive

Muslims in Nutangram, West Bengal attacked Christian converts from Islam and threatened to burn them alive if they don’t return to Islam, reports Jeremy Reynalds, correspondent for ASSIST News Service.

The incident occurred on Dec. 18 2009.

According to a news release from International Christian Concern (ICC), the Muslims verbally abused the members of a church designed for believers with an Islamic background, and also threatened to burn their homes.

ICC said the alleged perpetrators also called for a social boycott against the believers and forced all area store owners not to sell anything to Christians or give water to them. They also urged the Muslim relatives of Christians not to allow any Christians to use their bathrooms.

On Dec. 19, the Christians lodged a complaint at Nurshidabad police station. On visiting the site, the police confirmed that the report was true.

ICC said a source told the organization, “The recent incident left the 100 church members shaken.”

ICC said the source added that calm has now returned to the area after police talked to the attackers and warned them not to disturb the Christians again.

ICC’s Regional Manager for Africa and South Asia, Jonathan Racho said in the news release, “We condemn the attacks and the threats against Christian converts in Nutangram. We call upon officials of India to protect the Christian converts from further attacks and bring the perpetrators of the attacks to justice.”

ICC asked those concerned to pray for the Christians, and added, “Please call the Indian embassy in your countries and politely ask Indian officials to protect the Christians and bring the perpetrators of the attacks to justice.”

ICC is a Washington-DC based human rights organization that exists to help persecuted Christians worldwide.

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TAGS: India persecution anti-Christian violence burn Christians alive Muslim extremists International Christian Concern

[01/12/2010]

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