CA: Muslim in Mall Tears Crucifix From Christian's Neck

While Muslims are constantly playing the victim card, they are the ones that continue to stir up trouble in the name of Islam.


Hat tip to Jihad Watch.

Man arrested for 'anti-Christian' mall disturbance
Kiosk employee allegedly tore a crucifix from someone's neck
by Emily West

Police arrested 22-year-old Abdul Walid Hamid of Hayward on the evening of Wednesday, Nov. 4, after he reportedly tore a crucifix from a person's neck and scared others at Stoneridge Shopping Center.

Hamid, an employee at a mall kiosk near Starbucks, has been charged with battery, terrorist threats and grand theft.

According to reports, Hamid was yelling "Allah is power" and "Islam is great" while holding a pen in a fist over his head. Witnesses said he shouted anti-Christian comments, said police.

Lt. Mike Elerick of the Pleasanton Police Department said the man was not provoked and didn't threaten violence, but he committed robbery when he grabbed and broke a crucifix off someone's neck.

Coworkers told police that Hamid's actions were out of the ordinary and that he had worked at the kiosk for years.

Police also said they weren't aware of a prior criminal history for the man.

"We had multiple people calling 911," Elerick said. "One female was crouching down and hiding from him. He definitely scared quite a few people."

Elerick said much of the man's speech was similar to the loud scene of the Christian activists who frequent downtown Pleasanton. The big difference, however, was that Hamid was on private property and had physical contact with someone.

"Mall management has the option of making a citizen's arrest on anybody and asking someone to remove themselves for any reason," he said. "If there was no physical contact between Hamid and the customers, with just his actions alone, the mall would have asked that he be removed."

Hamid was reportedly not cooperating and was arrested by force and taken to John George Psychiatric Pavilion in San Leandro for an evaluation. Police said the case would be forwarded to the District Attorney's Office for review and possible charges.

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Italy, Vatican in Uproar Over Court Crucifix Ruling

This update is Italy's reaction to the "European Court: No Crucifixes in Italian Schools" article. Way to go guys!

Italy, Vatican in uproar over court crucifix ruling
By Philip Pullella

ROME (Reuters) – The European Court of Human Rights ruled on Tuesday that crucifixes should be removed from Italian classrooms, prompting Vatican anger and sparking uproar in Italy, where such icons are embedded in the national psyche.

"The ruling of the European court was received in the Vatican with shock and sadness," said Vatican spokesman Father Federico Lombardi, adding that it was "wrong and myopic" to try to exclude a symbol of charity from education.

The ruling by the court in Strasbourg, which Italy said it would appeal, said crucifixes on school walls -- a common sight that is part of every Italian's life -- could disturb children who were not Christians.

Italy has been in the throes of national debate on how to deal with a growing population of immigrants, mostly Muslims, and the court sentence is likely to become another battle cry for the center-right government's policy to restrict newcomers.

"This is an abhorrent ruling," said Rocco Buttiglione, a former culture minister who helped write papal encyclicals.

"It must be rejected with firmness. Italy has its culture, its traditions and its history. Those who come among us must understand and accept this culture and this history," he said.

The Vatican spokesman said it was sad that the crucifix could be considered a symbol of division and said religion offered a vital contribution to the moral formation of people.

Members of Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi's government bristled, weighing in with words such as "shameful," "offensive," "absurd," "unacceptable," and "pagan."

MORTAL BLOW

Foreign Minister Franco Frattini said the court had dealt a "mortal blow to a Europe of values and rights," adding that it was a bad precedent for other countries.

Condemnation crossed party lines. Paola Binetti, a Catholic in the opposition Democratic Party, the successor of what was once the West's largest communist party, said: "In Italy, the crucifix is a specific sign of our tradition."

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European Court: No Crucifixes in Italian Schools

Once again we see Christianity under attack in Europe. The question is, will the pro-Christianity, anti-Islamic government of Italy, put up with this?

European court: No crucifixes in Italian schools
By ALESSANDRA RIZZO

ROME – Europe's court of human rights said Tuesday the display of crucifixes in Italian public schools violates religious and education freedoms, prompting an angry reaction from the Catholic Church and government officials in Rome.

The ruling could force a review of the use of religious symbols in government-run schools across Europe. Saying the crucifix could be disturbing to non-Christian or atheist pupils, the court rejected arguments by Italy's government that it was a national symbol of culture, history, identity, tolerance and secularism.

The Italian government immediately said it would appeal, with one minister saying the court should be ashamed and a conservative senator calling the ruling "absurd." Italian bishops said they were perplexed by the decision from the Strasbourg-based court.

"The multiple significance of the crucifix, which is not just a religious symbol but a cultural sign, has been either ignored or overlooked," the Italian Bishop's Conference said in a statement.

The court ordered the government to pay a euro5,000 ($7,390) fine to Soile Lautsi, the mother of two children who claimed public schools in her northern Italian town refused eight years ago to remove the Roman Catholic symbols from classrooms.

The seven-judge panel, however, stopped short of ordering Italy to remove the crucifixes, which are common in Italian public schools. The ruling can still be appealed to the European Court of Human Rights' Grand Chamber of 17 judges, whose decisions are binding.

Lautsi, who is of Finnish origins, had maintained that the crucifix violates the secular principles the public schools are supposed to uphold, and the right to offer her children a secular education. She filed her case with the European Court of Human Rights in July 2006, after Italy's Constitutional Court dismissed her complaint. Her efforts to rid public schools of religious symbols in a country that is predominantly Roman Catholic had not been welcomed.

In its ruling, the court said the presence of the crucifix "could easily be interpreted by pupils of all ages as a religious sign and they would feel that they were being educated in a school environment bearing the stamp of a given religion." It added that the presence of such symbols could be "disturbing for pupils who practiced other religions or were atheists."

The court said secular, state-run schools must "observe confessional neutrality in the context of public education," where attendance is compulsory.

Lautsi and her husband, Massimo Albertin, said they were satisfied.

"We believe the ruling is a positive signal from Europe to Italy, which seems to increasingly lose its secularism," Albertin was quoted as saying by the ANSA news agency from his home in Albano Terme. "The crucifix creates discrimination."

Still, the government maintained the crucifix is a symbol of Italian and European history and tradition

"In our country nobody wants to impose the Catholic religion, let alone with a crucifix," Education Minister Mariastella Gelmini said. But she added that "it is not by eliminating the traditions of individual countries that a united Europe is built."

Vatican spokesman, the Rev. Federico Lombardi, said he wanted to see the ruling and the reasons behind it before commenting.

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Egypt: "burn, vandalize and clean the country of these evil immoral infidels."

As most of the non-Muslim community continues to remain in denial, as to what Islam brings to the world, Muslims of Egypt continue to step up the their campaign of hate against the Coptic Christians there.

Hat tip to the The Religion of Peace.

Egyptian Christians Fear More Muslim Violence


Egypt (AINA) -- Egyptian security forces have intensified their presence in the Upper Egyptian town of Dairout, in anticipation of a recurrence of Muslim violence against Christians. Copts expressed their fear over leaflets entitled "These have to Die!" which are being distributed to all Muslims in Dairout and neighborhoods, enticing them to "burn, vandalize and clean the country of these evil immoral infidels."

Reports from Dairout, 313 km south of Cairo, confirm that Christian Copts are afraid to leave their homes and have stayed indoors since violence against them erupted on October 24, 2009. This collective punishment of Copts was caused by an illicit sexual relationship between a Muslim girl, Hagger Hassouna, and the Christian Romany Farouk Attallah. It was rumored that he sent videos of them intimately together to cell phones in Dairout before fleeing. This prompted the Hassouna family to kill his father, Farouk Attallah, on October 19, 2009, in revenge. Four of the Hassouna killers were detained by prosecution, leading to Muslim riots against the Copts (AINA 10-27-2009) .

According to Wagih Yacoub of the Middle East Christian Assosiation (MECA), Muslim-owned businesses are now displaying stickers with 'Allah Akbar' (Allah is Great) to differentiate between them and Coptic-owned businesses, as a form of pre-planning for a forthcoming wave of Muslim violence.

Handwritten leaflets (Arabic) have been circulated among Muslims in Dairout for the last two days; they call on Muslims to unite to take revenge for their religion and honor, claiming that Hagger Hassouna is innocent and that she was forced into vice, and "all Jews and Christians should come to learn that Muslim honor is precious." The fliers state that Muslims are the masters of the world since beginning of times until the present day, and entices them to "burn and vandalize and clean the country of the evil immoral infidels."

It also calls on Muslims to take revenge for the "rings of prostitution" which are the churches and in particular the church in the village of Ezbet Hanna. Those specifically named to be killed are Reverend Pavlos of the Church of the Virgin Mary, Coptic lawyer Gamal Youssef, two brothers who own an optometry practice, and a Copt who owns a beauty saloon and photography shop.

Muslims are asked to die for their honor and they will be rewarded with eternal paradise. "Do not say it is a matter of just a girl, no, it is a public and a serious issue, it is the biggest issue, it is Islam's issue." A transcript of the the leaflet (in Arabic) is published on Copts United website.

A video that surfaced yesterday entitled "Revenge for Honor," showing a half-naked girl, assumed to be a Copt, is being distributed all over Dairout on cell phones. Ezzat Aziz of Copts United reported on the contents of the video of the assumed Coptic girl by saying "Details of the video shows the fear experienced by the girl as four Muslim men were undressing her." According to Aziz the video seemed to have been shot in a secluded house and the girl was threatened to get undressed and was begging her captors to let her go as she was tired. She was half-naked, but refused to take off the rest of her clothes. The men repeatedly asked her if she "knew the Dairout Girl."

Comparing the videos, Aziz said that the first (of Hagger Hassouna) shows "a girl who knew what she was doing" while the second (of the assumed Coptic girl) was of "a girl forced to undress." Aziz did not say whether the Coptic girl was named in the video, but he mentioned that the four men forcing her to undress proudly gave their full names.

Coptic websites have refused to publish the video of Hagger Hassouna, saying it would be incompatible with Christian ethics.

On Saturday, October, 31 the four Muslims accused of killing Farouk Attallah are expected appear in court again. A repeat of the Muslim mob violence which took place on October 24 is anticipated should prosecution extend their detainment once again.

By Mary Abdelmassih

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Egypt Muslims Stone Coptic Churches

This is the continuation of the Muslim madness stemming from the "Egypt: Christian Murdered Over Rumored Affair With Muslim" story.

Egypt Muslims stone Coptic churches in sectarian clash

CAIRO — Muslims students stoned Coptic Christian churches and homes in a southern Egyptian village on Saturday after four Muslims suspected of killing a Copt were kept in custody, police said.

The unrest began when the prosecutor extended the detention of the Muslims in the village of Dairut who are suspected of killing an elderly Copt in his home last week, a police official said.

Stone-throwing Muslim students and Copts clashed before police deployed in the town, the official added.

The men in custody had allegedly sought to attack the Coptic man's son, who was dating a Muslim girl and was rumoured to have passed out a CD with explicit pictures of her. Instead they found only the father at home.

Copts account for six to 10 percent of Egypt's 80-million population. They complain of discrimination and have been the targets of sectarian killings and violence.

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Egypt: Christian Murdered Over Rumored Affair With Muslim

Ever since Obama's Islamic loving speech in Cairo, it appears that the attacks on Egyptian Christians are on the rise. Has Obama emboldened the enemy? Of course he has.


Hat tip to The Religion of Peace.

CHRISTIAN KILLED IN SOUTH EGYPT OVER SON'S AFFAIR
Monday, October 19, 2009

CAIRO, Egypt (AP) - A Christian man was killed in southern Egypt by attackers who accused his son of having an affair with a Muslim girl, police said yesterday.

The officials said that Farouk Henry Attallah, 61, was shot to death while strolling through his village of Attaleen in the southern Assuit province.

According to police, the murder was prompted by rumours that Attallah's son had taken intimate pictures of the girl and distributed them through cellular phones and CDs.

Two bystanders were also wounded in the attack.

The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to speak to the press.

Egyptian Christians, known as Copts, make up an estimated 10 per cent of Egypt's 78 million people and generally live in peace with the Muslim majority although clashes and tensions do occur, mostly over land disputes or church construction.

The government insists Christians enjoy the same rights as Muslims.

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Christian Arrested for Distributing Tracts in Egypt

While not intentionally focusing on Egypt today, the articles about the persecution of Christians there sadly keep rolling in.

Christian Arrested for Distributing Tracts in Egypt
Protestant Copt, 61, illegally detained then released without charges after four days.

ISTANBUL, October 6 (CDN) — An Egyptian Christian arrested in Cairo for handing out gospel leaflets and held in prison illegally for four days has been released, the freed Protestant Copt told Compass.

Abdel Kamel, 61, was arrested on Sept. 23 in downtown Cairo for handing out copies of a Christian leaflet. As they arrested him, police told Kamel it was “unlawful” to hand out religious information on public roads. When Kamel countered that Muslims commonly hand out Islamic literature, police told him it was “more unlawful” for Christians. Kamel also didn’t have his identification card with him.

Nabil Ghobreyal, an attorney who worked to gain Kamel’s release, said there is no law in Egypt forbidding the distribution of religious material.

Police handcuffed Kamel, put him into a police car and seized his leaflets. Authorities then took him to a police station for interrogation. While in custody, Kamel said, he remained in handcuffs for hours, was thrown to the ground, spit upon and threatened with violence.

Kamel said he wasn’t tortured, but when asked to describe his treatment, he wept uncontrollably.

The lay preacher said he was proclaiming repentance and forgiveness in Christ because he views it as a service to others.

“I love my people,” he said. “I love Egypt, and I feel my service is directed toward the people I love and the country I love.”

Authorities held Kamel for four days without charge and did not allow him to see family members or a lawyer. He said officers did allow him to receive food, medicine and written messages.

Attorney Ghobreyal said that Kamel was an “honest and innocent man” who was arrested illegally. When Ghobreyal approached an assistant attorney general to ask for Kamel’s release, the prosecutor asked him to wait for three days, which Ghobreyal immediately challenged. Ghobreyal said that in free speech cases involving religion, state attorneys are often “loathe” to keep police from breaking the law, or at best “complacent” about letting them make baseless arrests.

Sometime close to midnight on Kamel’s second day in jail, police continued their investigation by going through his apartment and removing all written materials in his house. Describing his apartment in Al-Nakhl as being “ransacked,” he said it was what most angered him about his arrest.

“[The gospel] is all about a message of love, a message of peace,” he said. “There is nothing illegal about it, and it is annoying that they know that, but in spite of that they came there in this manner. It is very bad.”

Kamel said there is a double standard in Egypt when it comes to freedom of religion. He said Muslims in Egypt are allowed to promote Islam using “books, pamphlets and loudspeakers,” but Christians are often forbidden from sharing their faith.

“Why, when we are doing it, are we not even allowed to put our view across?” he said. “Why aren’t we treated the same?”

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Forced Islamization of Christian Conscripts in the Egyptian Army

If Islam is so tolerant and peaceful, why do we see more and more instances like these? Any Islamic apologists care to explain?

This looks like an answer.........Muslims can terrorize anyone who even opposes Islam.

008.012
YUSUFALI: Remember thy Lord inspired the angels (with the message): "I am with you: give firmness to the Believers: I will instil terror into the hearts of the Unbelievers: smite ye above their necks and smite all their finger-tips off them."

008.013
YUSUFALI: This because they contended against Allah and His Messenger: If any contend against Allah and His Messenger, Allah is strict in punishment.

Forced Islamization of Christian Conscripts in the Egyptian Army

(AINA) -- Mistreatment of Christian conscripts in the Egyptian army, including beatings, psychological harassment and torture, at the hands of radical Muslim officers to force them to convert to Islam is widespread, but is rarely reported by conscripts for fear of reprisals.

In the latest incident, 22-year-old draftee Mubarak Masood Zakaria, a Coptic Christian, died in mysterious circumstances on August 15, 2009. Three days after his death the police in Mallawi summoned his father, Masood Zakaria, to inform him of his son's "sudden death" of "natural causes," and give him the body and burial permission. "We were not allowed to see the body," said the father, who works as a rope spinner and lives under the poverty line, in the Upper Egyptian village of Deir Abu Hennes, Mallawi, in Al-Minya Governorate.

Although the death certificate stated "cause of death still under investigation," permission for burial was granted.

On their way to the church for the funeral ceremony, the odor from Mubarak's corpse was so offensive the Zakaria family and some mourners decided to inspect the body before its burial. They discovered that Mubarak's body was riddled with bullets, his face was bruised and his abdomen was cut open and sewn.

The military prosecutor in Assiut summoned the father several days after the burial and tried to explain to him how his son shot himself during his sleep, with the weapon that was with him, reported Ms Nermine Reda, correspondent for Copts United advocacy.

The father believes that there is foul play, because his son was always complaining of ill-treatment by his superiors because of his religion "My son sustained multiple gunshot wounds, and what the persecutor told me is illogical," he told Ms. Reda

A mourner at the funeral voiced his fears that the booming clandestine human organs trafficking in Egypt could have found a new source of supply in poor Copts serving in the Egyptian army. "Why was his abdomen cut open and sewn if no autopsy was carried out. I believe they admitted him to hospital for a few hours to examine the state of his internal organs for harvesting."

He explained that conscripts who are targeted for enforced Islamization are those who have no school education and come from the villages, mostly from Upper Egypt; their families are poor and easily intimidated by the authorities should their sons be harmed. They have no awareness of how to seek human rights organizations or the means to pursue their grievances further.

Army officers have been previously accused by Coptic activists, based on documented evidence, of subjecting Christian draftees to persecution and extreme torture leading sometimes to their death, as a way to force them to convert to Islam.

One of these cases was that of Hany Seroufim, a Coptic draftee serving in the Egyptian army in Aswan, who was tortured and killed in August 2006, after refusing to convert to Islam. His body was thrown into the Nile near his home town Naga Hamadi. His family was told by the army that he drowned. Marks of torture covered his whole body, with the cross tattooed on his arm cut out with a knife.

Earlier, Hani had told his family that the unit commanding officer always humiliated and tortured him in front of his peer soldiers, because Hani was a Christian. When he asked him blatantly to convert to Islam, Hani refused and told him he would notify the military intelligence, to which the officer threatened Hany with revenge.

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Coptic Family Forced to Surrender Woman Rescued in Egypt

As I read online, I notice that there are plenty of people who believe that Egypt is some kind of "moderate" Islamic country where non-Muslims are treated fairly. The reality is that Muslims of Egypt, preach hatred towards Jews, and have been persecuting the Coptic Christians there for centuries. Yet the US government has poured billions of dollars into Egypt. Unfortunately we ask for little in return.

Coptic Family Forced to Surrender Woman Rescued in Egypt

With extortion and violence, authorities pressure father to return daughter to Muslim husband.

ISTANBUL, October 9 (CDN) — State Security Investigations (SSI) forces in Egypt arrested, abused and then extorted money from a Coptic Christian for rescuing his daughter from her Muslim husband, who was holding her against her will in Alexandria, according to sources in Egypt.

Security forces also arrested 10 people in Alexandria and tortured them in an attempt to find those involved in the rescue. Authorities are preparing to make a new wave of arrests, the sources said.

On Sept. 30, they said, the only daughter of Gamal Labib Hanna called home and asked her family to save her from her Muslim husband. How Hanna’s daughter, Myrna Gamal Hanna, came to marry Mohamad Osama Hefnawy is disputed, but sources said the now-20-year-old woman was 19 and under the age of marital consent when she and Hefnawy were wed 10 months ago.

According to Egyptian civil law, a woman under the age of 21 has to have approval of her father or another male member of her family if the father is deceased. In Myrna Gamal Hanna’s case, no such approval was given.

Moreover, sources said, the woman’s future father-in-law was inexplicably allowed to stand in place of her father in approving the marriage, in violation of Egyptian law.

Later, sources said, Hefnawy and his father converted the young woman to Islam.

The sources said that the elder Hanna went to Hefnawy’s apartment on Oct. 1 to get his daughter. En route he passed a café where he enlisted the help of Rafaat Girges Habib and at least four other men.

At the apartment, Hefnawy attacked the Copts with a metal pole but Hanna was able to retrieve his daughter, who was six months pregnant. He and his wife hid her at an undisclosed location.

After the rescue, Hefnawy and his neighbors filed a report with local police and the SSI, a powerful Interior Ministry agency accused of various human rights violations. Soon after, Hanna’s brothers, one brother-in-law and his mother-in-law were rounded up, charged with abduction and detained.

According to sources in Egypt, at least one of the family members was tortured until Hanna turned himself in. Authorities also ransacked his apartment.

The sources said security forces pressured Hanna until he agreed not only to hand his daughter back to Hefnawy but also to give him several thousand dollars.

“Cases like this are very common, they happen every day,” said Rasha Noor, an Egyptian human rights activist and journalist living outside of Egypt. “That’s usually what happens when families try to rescue daughters from their kidnappers in most of these kinds of cases.”

As part of terms forced upon Hanna, he is not allowed to see his daughter unless he meets her in a police station and is accompanied by SSI officer Essam Shawky. Additionally, phone calls to his daughter will be monitored.

“Once [a woman] becomes a Muslim, you can’t get her back,” Noor said.

Hanna and the members of his family were released on Oct. 2, but soon after authorities began seeking Habib. Police broke into Habib’s plumbing shop and demolished it.

On Saturday (Oct. 3) they rounded up at least 10 people, most members of Habib’s immediate family. Security forces tortured the men, but sources said Habib’s brother, Romany, bore the brunt of the brutality. When he was released the next day, they said, his clothes and those of the others were smeared with blood.

Habib and at least four other people remain in hiding in Egypt. Sources said authorities will make a third round of arrests in an attempt to flush him out.

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Ethiopia: 300 Muslims Attack Churches

In less than a week we have seen the massive persecution of Christians in Egypt, Somalia, and now Ethiopia. After 1400 years of Muslims persecuting Christians, will the Christian community ever take a serious stand for their own people? Or will we see more Christian "leaders", dhimmi up and and become a mouthpiece for Islam The clock is ticking....

Hat tip to The Religion of Peace.

Ethiopia: Islamic Supremacist Mob of 300 Attack Churches, Severely Injure Christians
October 2, 2009

“Washington, D.C. (October 2, 2009) – International Christian Concern (ICC) has learned that on September 11, 2009, a Muslim mob severely injured three Christians and ransacked two churches in Senbete, a town in the western Arsi zone of Ethiopia.”

“An estimated 300 Muslims ransacked Mulu Wongel Evangelical Church and set fire to church property. They also attacked the nearby home of Evangelist Gizachew, one of the church’s leaders, destroying his clothes, chairs, tables, sofa, bicycles, and TV.”

“The mob then marched to Kale Hiwot Evangelical Church where Christians were celebrating the Ethiopian New Year. They attacked the Christians with stones and sticks, broke the left arm of Aberash Terefe, and seriously wounded Tefera Bati and Desaleghn Eyasu. The three were taken to the nearby Kuyera hospital and were discharged after treatment. The Muslims pillaged the church’s property and caused 52,000 birr ($4,127) worth of damage.”

“The violence erupted after Muslim leaders called for attacks alleging that Mulatu Eyasu, a second year Bible school student, and Berhanu Abose, a farmer, desecrated the Qur’an. Sheik Hussein Mohammed, Imam Ahmed and a third unidentified Muslim leader instigated the jihad attacks. The officials of Ethiopia are searching for them but they remain at large. The police have arrested Sheik Qufa Wonjelo, Moti Motamo, Domba Atota, Sero Sheik Ahmedin, Bamudi Tulu and Bati Barasso for perpetrating the violence.”

“Mulatu Eyasu and Berhanu Abose are also under police custody on false allegations of desecrating the Qur’an.

“ICC sources identified Bati Wetiye, Lelisso Atota and Begelo as the masterminds of the attacks. The three are prominent Muslim business owners in the nearby town of Shashamane. They encouraged the mob to enforce jihad in order to eliminate Christians from the area.”

“Muslims are the majority in the small town of Senbete. Muslim leaders are incensed by Muslim conversion to Christianity. Some radicals are threatening to carry out further attacks against Christians.”

“According to the census conducted by Ethiopia’s Central Statistical Agency in 2007, Muslims make up 33.9% of Ethiopia’s population and Christians make up 62.8%. In the past few years, there has been an increase in the radicalization of Muslims in Ethiopia mainly due to the influence of Wahhabi Islam. Wahhabi Islam, which is sponsored and spread by Saudi Arabia, teaches intolerance and violence against Christians and other non-Wahhabis. Christians living in Muslim majority regions of the country have been victims of violent attacks by Wahhabi and other radical Islamic groups.”

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CAIR Whines About Bible Class, School Apologizes

The Hamas supporting Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR), has once again complained about an issue that supposedly "offended" Muslims. Once again non-Muslims have caved, but this is just a sign of times to come in Michigan.

Hat tip to The Religion of Peace.

OCT. 2, 2009
Permission slips for Bible class called mistake in Roseville school
BY NIRAJ WARIKOO
FREE PRESS STAFF WRITER

After complaints raised by a Muslim group, Roseville Community Schools said Thursday the district erred in allowing permission slips to be distributed to elementary school students that would allow them to attend Bible classes in a Baptist church.

And it will now review district policies on permission slips for religious classes.

"We shouldn't have made the slips available," said Michael LaFeve, assistant superintendent for the district.

Two weeks ago, students at Huron Park Elementary School in Roseville received permission slips to participate in Bible classes at Temple Baptist Church, also in the city. The classes were to be conducted once a month by RBM Ministries of Kalamazoo.

The parents of a Muslim student expressed concerns that the permission slips appeared to advertise a specific church, said Dawud Walid, head of the Michigan chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations. Walid wrote a letter Thursday to the school's principal and the district superintendent, alleging the district was favoring one religion and denomination.

Bob Goodenough, executive director of RBM Ministries, said that state law allows for children to be excused from class for religious services.

"I don't believe there's any violation. ... There's no discrimination." he said.

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Muslims Attack Egyptian Christians at Funeral

As non-Muslims across the world are eating up the Islam is tolerant con, we only have to look to the centuries long persecution of Egypt's Coptic Christians, to see the true face of Islam. This is what the Islamic world has in store for us, if Islam ends up dominating the planet. Is this what you want for your familys future generations? Of course not, take a stand against Islam before it is too late.

Muslim Kills Egyptian Christian, Villagers Attack Mourners At Funeral
9-30-2009

Egypt (AINA) -- Nayer Mansour Sahrab, a Muslim minibus driver, stabbed four Christian Copts on Sunday, September 27, in the village of Delga, Deir Mawas, Al Minya Governorate, killing one and seriously injuring the other three. The incident led thousands of angry Copts to rally and demand an end to the government's policy of indifference in dealing with Coptic issues. State Security forces have cordoned the village and are still heavily present near the church.

When a Coptic family desired to board a minibus other than the one owned by Mr. Sahrab (28) an argument ensued. Mr. Sahrab was apparently "offended" that his services were declined. The Copts were beaten by Mr. Sahrab, his brother and other Muslims. Mr. Sahrab stabbed Hanna Amir Rezq (26) in his back and abdomen several times with a knife, as well as his brothers Maurice and Amin and his 20-year old nephew Ashraf Maher Amir, who was stabbed several times in the head. Mr. Sahrab fled after committing the crime, but was later arrested.

The killing caused thousands of Copts to rally in front of Deir Mawas Hospital, where Hanna Amir Rezq was taken together with the other three wounded Copts. Hanna died shortly after his arrival. According Mariam Ragy, correspondent for the Middle East Christian Association (MECA), State security prevented Copts from going into the hospital to check on the status of the injured and dispersed them by force. "Angry Copts also rallied in the village of Delga holding banners demanding a stop to Coptic persecution," she said.

Reverend Abram, pastor of the village Saint Abram Church told the Egyptian Daily Masry el Youm that this is not just a fight between a Muslim and a Christian, "Copts are targeted and this is the second incident within one month that a Copt is killed during a fight with a Muslim. The first Coptic victim was murdered after an argument over planting some palm trees, and the second victim today was murdered over boarding a minibus."

His Grace Aghapius, Bishop the Holy Diocese of Deir Mawas and Delga, described the village of Delga, which lies 350 km from Cairo, as "the most violent and the least safe," giving the example of the village Muslims attacking the Copts as they entered the village church for the funeral service of the victim Hanna and on their way out to bury him. "They were pelting them with stones, cheering and singing accompanied by drum beats and Muslim women were letting out the traditional celebration sound. All this happened in the presence of security," he told Mariam Ragy.

Eyewitnesses reported that Copts were replying to Muslims chant of "Allah is Great" with "With our soul and our blood, we will defend our Cross."

Bishop Aghapius said that Copts were also assaulted after the burial, with Muslims smashing Coptic-owned cars, as well as attacking streets that are inhabited entirely by Copts, including El-Hamr Street, prompting Coptic inhabitants to remain inside their homes. "How could all this happen in the presence of seven State Security cars in the village, adjacent to the church?" he asks. "I am still waiting for State Security to carry out their promises of solving our problems."

Hegomen Selwanes of Deir Mawas Diocese told Wagih Yacoub, activist with MECA that this is the second killing of a Copt by a Muslim within one month. The first killing was Fathi Gayed leading to the arrest of numerous Muslims, but prosecution seeks to implicate a 12-year-old boy, which would let the real killer get off the hook. "This incident and similar ones has encouraged Muslims that they can get away without punishment by killing a Copt. This has led Copts to protest. We cannot accept that every few days a Copt gets killed." He also said that top Coptic attorney, Dr. Ihab Ramzy, will handle the case. "The government has to carry out an awareness campaign that the Copt is a citizen and has rights equal to the Muslim. They do not respect us." He also added that the Copts in Delga, who are nearly 30,000 out of a population of 100,000 inhabitants, are very peaceful citizens and are always on good terms with their Muslim neighbors.

"Copts are targeted because they are meek and unable to defend for themselves," Reverend Abram told Coptic News Bulletin. "Besides, Muslims know very well that they will never be prosecuted for killing a Copt.". He explained that they would not dare do the same things to a Muslim, because they would get killed. "Unfortunately Coptic blood is cheap. We demand fairness and equal application of the law, for homicides committed against Copts."

AINA

UK Nurse to Lose Job for Wearing Cross

The assault on Christianity in the UK continues, but at the same time Islam continues to grow stronger. The UK is quickly heading towards disaster and they need to put on the breaks before it is too late. At the end of the article, I have posted some interesting comments about this that were left on an Islamic site.

UK Nurse to Lose Job for Wearing Cross

CAIRO — A devout Christian nurse is being ordered to remove a cross or face suspension, The Sun reported Monday, September 21.

“Being told to take it off has completely and utterly shaken me,” Shirley Chaplin said.

"I don't want to have to decide between my faith and my job.”

The 54-year-old nurse, from the Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Trust, was asked to stop wearing a silver Cross openly or face suspension.

She was also taken off duty over her Cross and was offered to switch to an administrative role.

Hospital officials argue wearing the Cross violates the uniform policy and poses danger to patients.

“I've worn it for years and now, at the end of my career, I'm told to take it off,” said Shirley, who has worn her Cross for the 38 years.

"For about 30 years I have worked in the NHS and nursed patients day and night and on no occasion has my cross caused me or anyone else, any injury - and to my knowledge, no patient has ever complained about me wearing it.

"The trust even refused to test the 'breaking strain' on the necklace.

"I can't explain how important the cross is to me. My Christian faith is what motivates me to care for others.”

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Such a big deal

By SwordOfTruth on 2009-09-21 16:09 (GMT)


Why is the nurse being so stupid and making such a big deal out of it, and losing her job. The cross as every single denomination in christendom would say is not an article of faith, and a christian does not have to wear. Whilst a turban, a hijab, a skullcap, are all articles of faith for these religious communties.

Honestly who cares?

By Mohammed on 2009-09-21 15:43 (GMT)


Really who cares? There is a huge difference between the hijab and the crucifix. Hijab is obligatory and not simply a display of somebody's faith, while the crucifix is. It's a symbol of a false and way distorted religion loaded with contradictions! Centuries after the disappearance of the prophet Jesus (peace and blessing be upon) and out of the blue they decided to make him divine in a meeting. A gross distortion of his message, and a huge transgression on him.

UK:Two Christians Arrested for "Offending" a Muslim!

Once again we see just how backwards things in the UK are. Last week the Manchester Council was calling for an upcoming anti-Islam protest to be canceled. Now two Christians have been arrested for discussing Islam with a Muslim. Apparently non-Muslims there now have restrictions on their free speech, while Muslims can openly call for holy war.

Hat tip to Frank.

Christian hotel owners hauled before court after defending their beliefs in discussion with Muslim guest
By JONATHAN PETRE
20th September 2009

A Christian couple have been charged with a criminal offence after taking part in what they regarded as a reasonable discussion about religion with guests at their hotel.

Ben and Sharon Vogelenzang were arrested after a Muslim woman complained to police that she had been offended by their comments.

They have been charged under public order laws with using ‘threatening, abusive or insulting words’ that were ‘religiously aggravated’.

The couple, whose trial has been set for December, face a fine of up to £5,000 and a criminal record if they are convicted.

Although the facts are disputed, it is thought that during the conversation the couple were challenged over their Christian beliefs.

It is understood that they suggested that Mohammed, the founder of Islam, was a warlord and that traditional Muslim dress for women was a form of bondage.

They deny, however, that their comments were threatening and argue that they had every right to defend and explain their beliefs.

Mrs Vogelenzang, 54, who has run the Bounty House Hotel near Aintree racecourse in Liverpool with her husband Ben, 53, for six years, said: ‘Nothing like this has happened to us before. We are completely shocked.’

She added that the episode had damaged their business and they had been forced to lay off staff and run the nine-bedroom hotel by themselves, leaving them exhausted.

Sources said that a number of guests staying at the hotel, which charges £92 a night for a double room, were having breakfast in its restaurant on March 20 when comments were made about religion.

One of those involved was the Muslim woman, who was staying at the hotel while she received treatment at a hospital nearby.

The couple, who are members of the Bootle Christian Fellowship, and their solicitor, David Whiting, said they could not discuss the content of the conversation for legal reasons. But the independent lobby group, the Christian Institute, which has seen both the prosecution and defence legal papers, is supporting their defence.

Mr Whiting, who last year successfully defended street preacher Anthony Rollins in Birmingham, said: ‘There is a dispute as to the facts of the allegations, but Ben and Sharon do not accept they were threatening, abusive or insulting.

‘They are committed Christians and it is the defence’s contention that they have every right to defend their religious beliefs and explain those beliefs to others who do not hold similar views.’

After the incident, the couple voluntarily attended St Anne’s Street police station in Liverpool, where they were interviewed under caution.

In July they were arrested and charged under Section 5 of the Public Order Act 1986 and Section 31 (1) (c) and (5) of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998.

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Pakistan: Christian Held for Blasphemy ‘commits suicide’

"Tolerant" Muslims in Pakistan have once again gone on a rampage against Christians there. But hey, lets increase our financial aid to them, because what Muslims do to Christians just does not matter.

Hat tip to The European Alliance.

Christian held for blasphemy ‘commits suicide’

* Provincial minority affairs minister says body bore torture marks
* Asma Jahangir blames police for Fanish Masih’s death

LAHORE: A 25-year-old Christian accused of blasphemy died in a prison early on Tuesday, officials said, with rights activists saying they suspected he was tortured, AFP reported.

About 100 people, mostly youths, attacked a Catholic church in the Sambrial district near the Indian border on Friday after accusing the man, Fanish Masih, of desecrating the holy Quran, police said. Masih was arrested and a case of blasphemy registered against him. “Masih, being accused of blasphemy, was put in a separate cell where he committed suicide by using a string,” Sialkot District Jail Superintendent Farooq Lodhi said.

Torture marks: Punjab Minister for Minority Affairs Kamran Michael said the police had not handled the case properly. “I have seen the body and there were torture marks on it,” the minister said.

Responsibility: “This is death in custody and the police authorities are responsible,” said Human Rights Commission of Pakistan Chairwoman Asma Jahangir.

Meanwhile, a private TV channel reported that Masih’s family had claimed that he was tortured to death by the jail staff. Local Christians snatched the body from the police and shifted it to a private hospital for an autopsy, the channel reported. It said the police inspector general had constituted an inquiry committee to probe the death.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the commission demanded registration of a murder case against police officials concerned.

NCJP Chairman Archbishop Lawrence John Saldanha and Executive Secretary Peter Jacob also urged all sections of the society to realise the danger of the blasphemy laws and said they (laws) had proven to be a very expensive for religious minorities, as the laws were being misused. Minority rights activist Nadeem Anthony said the frequent attacks on minorities, especially Christians, had developed a sense of insecurity among the non-Muslims in the country. afp/staff report/ daily times monitor.

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Wave of Arrests of Christians in Iran

Just last week the Iranian Assembly approved a mostly hard line cabinet. With that taken care of, the insane Mullahs have placed their focus back on persecuting Christians in Iran. Yet the Islamic world is silent.

Wave of arrests of Christians in Iran
POSTED: 10 SEPTEMBER, 2009

Iran (MNN) ― Iranian Christians have seen a wave of trouble coming from the government over recent weeks.

Last month, authorities arrested 27 believers of a Muslim background (BMBs) at a home church, seven of whom are still being detained.

Glenn Penner of Voice of the Martyrs Canada says, "There does seem to be a certain pattern of deliberateness to this. Why again? We can only speculate. But we simply observe that this is taking place."

One BMB remains detained in Rasht after arrest in late July. Seven other BMBs from Rasht, arrested at about the same time, have been released.

Voice of the Martyrs Canada also notes that two BMBs, Maryam and Marzieh, remain detained in Evin prison following their arrest on March 5. They appeared in court in early August when they resisted pressure to renounce their faith. No charges have been filed. One new report concerns Mariah Fish's arrest on August 3. She too has had possessions confiscated and is being held in Evin prison.

Another report concerns a number of BMBs being ordered to attend hearings at their local Ministry of Information offices within the western Kordestan province.

Officials intensely questioned each one in a detainment that stretched into several hours. This has happened in several towns.

Apparently, hope has drawn eyes to believers. Penner explains, "Young people, in particular, are desperate to know more about Jesus Christ. The churches are growing. Iranian religious leaders we know are very concerned about this and it's sending a message of that concern. At the same time, we're not really receiving any reports that this is having any sort of detrimental effect on the spread of the Gospel."

Is it likely that the harassment will increase? "One never knows where Iran is going to go," says Penner. "It is a country that is unstable. We need to be praying that God will continue to be at work in this country."

Pray that those detained will know the presence and peace of Jesus. Pray that believers will be able to meet with others for worship, prayer, fellowship and teaching without fear of harassment.

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UK:Church School Tells Girl To Remove Cross Necklace

Considering that top Christian leaders in the UK actually backed the opening of the Sharia Courts there, I guess that this should come as no surprise. The slow suicide continues.

Hat tip to the Savvy one.

CROSS BAN FOR CHURCH SCHOOLGIRL

Young Lauren banned from wearing her necklace
By Emily Fox

A CHURCH of England school has ordered a pupil to remove her necklace with a cross even though children of other faiths can wear religious jewellery.

Lauren Grimshaw-Brown, eight, was told by St Peter’s School in Chorley, Lancs, to wear a brooch instead on safety grounds.

Her furious mother Laina, 27, says the pin would be more risky.

She added: “A letter said that if she had been a Sikh she would be allowed to wear bangles.

“I’ve got no problem with any other religion wearing bangles but why can’t my daughter wear a necklace with a cross?

“After all, it’s a church-led school.

Head teacher Helen Wright said: “The best solution would be a brooch.”

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Death Fatwa Against Egyptian Priest for Seeking to Open Prayer Hall

As we continue to fund the Islamic world, the persecution of Christians continues without our government saying a word. How about you President Obama, will you say anything about this on your next trip to Cairo? Of course you wouldn't. Because you just don't care.

Death Fatwa Against Egyptian Priest for Seeking to Open Prayer Hall
8-18-2009

Muslim village elders in Minia Governorate in Egypt have issued a death fatwa (ruling) against a Coptic priest Father Estefanos Shehata for requesting them to allow converting part of his family home to a prayer hall.

United Copts of Great Britain (UCGB) reported on Sunday that Father Estefanos Shehata had sent an urgent plea to Middle East Christian Association (MECA) on 14 August as the village elders issued a death fatwa (ruling) against him and has banned him from entering village Ezbet Dawood Youssef, which comes under Samalut, Minia Governorate.

He said that the village Muslim's reaction was absolute anger at his request to convert a space in his family's home to be used for conducting funeral services and for marriage ceremonies. "I know we are not allowed to have a proper church in Egypt, but until now I pray for the dead and hold marriage ceremonies in the street." Father Estefanos told Waguih Yacoub of MECA in an audio recording.

"I appeal to President Hosny Mubarak, Interior Minister, State Security and the human rights organizations, that we are Egyptian citizens and we have the right like everyone else to place our dead in a dignified place," said Rev. Estefanos.

He said that it took him nearly two years to prepare this 100 square meter room to be used for these rites, before approaching the state security for the necessary licenses to start using it.

"I went to the state security to get the necessary licenses for using this space in my family home, but they told me I need first to obtain the 'permission' of the village Muslims, as they (state security) want no problems in the village," said Father Estefanos. "I told them that there would be no problems in getting this permission as we have always had good relations with the village Muslims and we love and consider them as our brothers." Father Estefanos has been brought up in Ezbet Dawood Youssef.

When Reverend Stefanos told the villager Muslim elders what he was intending to do, they called for a meeting with the elders of the neighbouring villages. "They were extremely angry at my proposal and instead a death Fatwa was issued against me!"

"They told the Copts in the village to make me change my mind, and that it only takes a bullet to get rid of me since there is no 'blood money' for killing a Christian", Father Estephanos said. "I am banned from entering my village for over a month now, I cannot even go to see my mother," he said.

He said that he has not informed state security with this fatwa as they already know everything. "The Muslims understand very well that if the government requires their approval, so they are in a good position of being able to withhold it." he commented. "I would just like to know whether the Government governs the people, or the people govern the Government."

"I have not opened a church, it is only a hall. Were is the problem that I pray on the dead withing four walls; where is the problem that I conduct a wedding ceremony for a bride and bridegroom in a clean room, where is the crime in that?" Father Stefanos told MECA.

Commenting bitterly, he said: "Muslim said I have to give up using this hall for praying for the dead. Last year I conducted prayers for my deceased uncle in the street, and they know that very well. I pray in the street."

"Can't they see that as Egyptian citizens we have the right to show some respect to our dead and conduct pray on their bodies in a clean place instead of the street?" he asked.

"But I assume that if the state security gives them this authority, then they use it. I really am at a loss, who gives permissions now, is it the state security or the Muslim villagers?"

The village of Ezbet Dawood Youssef not far from the famed River Nile lies in Samalut, Minia Governorate and has a congregation of 800 Copts but no church. It has a big mosque and another one is in the process of being built.

"The Muslim elders also said that it is through a grace on their part that we are allowed to go to the neighbouring village to pray there." Rev. Estefanos explained that the next village is El-Tayebah which is a 5-kilometer walk away, and the children refuse to walk such a long way.

Egyptian Christians known as the Copts onumber about 12 million and are representing approximately 15 percent of Egypt's population of 80 million; yet, they have been neglected and marginalized and most commonly are targeted for systematic discrimination and persecution, according to a press statement made by U.S. Coptic Christians this week.

U.S. Coptic Christians in a letter sent to President Obama said Peace in the Middle East is inseparable to peace of Coptic Christians in Egypt ahead of President Mubarak's visit to the White House this week.

Yesterday, the Coptic panel, which included representatives from Voice of the Copts, National American Coptic Assembly, and Young People, held a press conference at National Press Club in Washington D.C. They decried Eyptian President over the grave human rights situation in the predominantly Muslim country and denounced his visit to the United States.

However, the letter sent by Coalition of Coptic Organizations to President Obama specially requested the U.S. President to speak to the Egyptian President to restore restore the human rights and give justice equally to all the citizens of Egypt.

UCGB said the question now which begs an answer: "Has the Muslim mobs taken over from the government when it comes to dealing with the Christian Copts' rights to exercise their religious rites, or is this a new policy on the part of the Egyptian State Security to delegate to the mobs the carrying out of their devious and illegal undertakings?"

The Coalition hopes that President Obama will do justice during his meeting with President Mubarak for the sake of the suffering Copts in Egypt.

Robert Williams
Christian Post

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Ohio:17 Year-old Apostate of Islam Pours her Heart out~Video

I encourage all readers to take the time to watch this short video in which 17 year-old apostate of Islam Rifqa Bary, pours her heart out to the world as her own father told her "that if you have this Jesus in your heart, you're dead to me. You are not my daughter. I will kill you". She also states that if she has to return back to the Muslim community in Ohio she will be dead within a week. If there are any Islamic apologists reading this I strongly suggest that you watch this video. You might learn something about the harsh reality of Islam. May God watch over this brave young girl.

Hat tip to Atlas Shrugs.

Ohio:17 Year-old Girl Threatened With Death for Leaving Islam

Usually when we think of Muslims wanting to or killing apostates of Islam we think of this happening in Islamic countries. Unfortunately this is another problem that Islam has brought to America. If Muslims are willing to turn on their own family members, do you really think that they care about us non-Muslims?

Muslim Teen Who Converted to Christianity Says Family Threatened to Kill Her
Tuesday, August 11, 2009

An Ohio teenager says she ran away from home to Florida because her family threatened to kill her for converting from Islam to Christianity, local media reported.

Rifqa Bary, 17, testified Monday at a custody hearing in Orlando that she'd recently changed religions and is worried her relatives will do something drastic, according to WFTV in Orlando and Central Florida News 13.

"They have to kill me because I'm a Christian. It's an honor (issue)," the girl told WFTV.

Such threats are common, even in the United States, her attorney, Rosa Gonzalez, told News 13.

"She says her life is in danger and she could be killed in an honor killing," Gonzalez said after the hearing — which was held because the teenager's parents are trying to regain custody of her.

Rifqa, a non-citizen whose parents are from Sri Lanka, has for several weeks been staying with an Orlando couple who are pastors of a new Christian church there. She met them on a Facebook prayer group.

Her father denied his daughter's allegations to NBC 4 in Orlando, saying he never threatened to kill his daughter because she rejected Islam.

He was in Florida for a court hearing, but was reportedly traveling back to Ohio Tuesday.

The Florida Department of Children and Families currently has custody of her, but ultimately, Ohio authorities will decide where the teen should live.

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