President Obama Encouraged to Address Religious Freedom Issues in Muslim World Talk on Thursday
SANTA ANA, Calif., June 1 /
Christian Newswire/ -- The president of the U.S.-based affiliate of an international organization that supports persecuted Christians around the world is encouraging President Obama to address religious freedom issues in his talk to the Muslim World. The speech is scheduled Thursday from Egypt.
"Open Doors founder Brother Andrew always says we in the West should reach out in love to Muslims," said Open Doors USA President/CEO Carl Moeller. "In his book Secret Believers (Revell 2007), he encourages us to go to Muslims with humility and share Christ.
"But we also need to support, advocate and pray for those 'secret believers' or Muslim Background Believers in countries like Iran, Saudi Arabia and Somalia. Those who convert from Islam to Christianity likely face isolation, interrogation, arrest, torture, kidnapping and even death for their faith in Jesus Christ. In some countries with Shariah Law (strict Islamic law) Muslims who convert to Christianity could be sentenced to death. However, it is legal for a Christian to convert to Islam.
"Speaking on behalf of persecuted Christians around the world, I encourage President Obama to address the issue of freedom of religion and other basic human rights in the Muslim World. Islamic governments should allow people to practice their faith of choice, without retaliation."
Open Doors has been ministering in the Muslim World for years. The outreach includes delivery of Bibles and Christian materials, training of Christian leaders and community development projects. Islam is the majority religion in seven of the top 10 countries on this year's Open Doors World Watch List of the world's worst persecutors of Christians – Saudi Arabia, Iran, Afghanistan, Somalia, Maldives, Yemen and Uzbekistan.
An estimated 100 million Christians worldwide suffer interrogation, arrest and even death for their faith in Christ, with millions more facing discrimination and alienation. Open Doors supports and strengthens believers in the world's most difficult areas through Bible and Christian literature distribution, leadership training and assistance, Christian community development, prayer and presence ministry and advocacy on behalf of suffering believers. To partner with Open Doors USA, call toll free at 888-5-BIBLE-5 (888-524-2535) or go to our Website at www.OpenDoorsUSA.org.
If you would like to arrange an interview, please contact Open Doors USA Media Relations Director Jerry Dykstra at 616-915-4117 or email
jerryd@odusa.org.
