WorldNetDaily - Couple Who Fled Islam Granted Asylum; Threats Included Video of Beheading

by WorldNetDaily

A couple whose conversion from Islam to Christianity prompted threats, including the delivery of a video of a beheading, has been granted asylum in the United Kingdom because of the dangers they would face should they return to their home in Syria, according to the European affiliate of the American Center for Law and Justice.

In a landmark decision, an immigration court of appeals in the UK has confirmed that a true commitment to evangelical Christianity requires evangelism, so the circumstances of such converts would pose a serious threat to life in the Muslim world.

The couple, whose identities are being withheld by their counselors to protect their safety, had been in the UK, but had been scheduled for a return to Syria. The court, however, found "they would face very real physical threats that could result in their deaths."

The couple had been assisted by the European Center for Law and Justice, the American organization's counterpart.

The husband and wife used to follow Islam but converted to Christianity in 2003 and 2005 "and thereafter became open witnesses of the Christian faith to Muslims through Internet chat rooms," the organization reported.

"As a result of their conversion, which is deemed apostasy under Shariah law and subject to death, the couple began receiving death threats which included a video of a beheading," the organization report. "The husband's family told him that if he did not return to Islam the family would move against him and 'wash their shame,' a phrase that he was told meant that he would be put to death."

Jay Sekulow, chief counsel of both groups, called it a "significant and groundbreaking decision that clearly puts the focus on the fact that many converts to Christianity from Islam face real danger including the ultimate penalty of death."

"This important decision will not go unnoticed in the international arena and we're delighted that it provides protection for Christian converts who are at great risk because of their faith and their desire to share it," Sekulow said.

Roger Kiska, who represented the couple for the ECLJ, said, "This is truly a landmark day in the United Kingdom as a nation awakens to the ever-growing threat of radical Islam and the plight of Christians in the Middle East. I couldn't be happier with the decision."

The groups had enlisted the help from six members of the U.S. Congress who sent a letter to the UK appeals court last month urging help for the couple.

Robert Aderholt, Todd Akin, Tom Feeney, Trent Franks, Jim Jordan and Joe Pitts said in the letter, "Based upon the United Kingdom's strong history of protecting religious refugees, we strongly urge the government of the United Kingdom to spare (the couple) and grant religious asylum."