May 10, 2019 05:27 AM
Christian begs Home Office not to deport him to his death in Pakistan (UK)
https://metro.co.uk/2019/05/09/christian...n-9475990/
EXCERPT: A Christian man fears the Home Office is deporting him to his death in Pakistan after he fled the country four years ago. Azeem Wazir, 45, left his wife and two children behind in Lahore after a fatwah was issued against him for his ‘Stop Killing Christians’ protests. He was campaigning against Pakistan’s blasphemy laws which prevent anyone speaking out against any recognised religion.
The father-of-two has applied for asylum ever since arriving in Bristol, where he has been working as a church cleaner, but his applications have been denied. Azeem was arrested last week and is being held in Colnbrook immigration detention centre, near Heathrow Airport. His lawyers have launched an appeal to get the Home Secretary, Sajid Javid, to reconsider the case, as they fear he may be deported as soon as Friday. Bristol Mayor Marvin Rees said he was ‘very disturbed’ by Wazir’s case and is calling on the Home Secretary to halt his deportation.
Dave Mitchell, senior pastor at Woodlands church, where Azeem has been working and living, said Azeem believes he will face the death penalty for blasphemy if he returns to Pakistan, or will be murdered by Islamic extremists. He said Azeem’s wife has also received threats against him and people have fired weapons on their home. Pastor Dave described Azeem as a ‘warm and funny character’ who has ‘enriched’ the Bristol community. (MORE)
History is at risk of repeating itself, UN special adviser warns religious leaders
https://www.christiantoday.com/article/h...132368.htm
INTRO: Signs of the anti-Semitism, xenophobia and intolerance that overshadowed Europe in the lead-up to the Second World War are "resurfacing", a UN summit of religious leaders has heard. Adama Dieng, UN special adviser on the prevention of genocide, issued the warning at the Second Global Summit on Religion, Peace and Security held in Geneva last week.
"Signs of the '30s are resurfacing," Dieng, a lawyer from Senegal, told the summit. "We are witnessing anti-Semitism rising. We see anti-Muslim hatred. We are seeing the persecution of Christians [...] xenophobia and incitement. Unless we are blind or of bad faith, we should admit that it's time to stand up, it is time to speak out." He said that religion was not the problem but rather people "simply manipulating religion" to commit crimes. (MORE)
Seven Kings mosque shooting: Hunt for 'masked' gunman who opened fire during prayers
https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/br...n-15023525
INTRO: A mosque is on lockdown after a man believed to be carrying a gun tried to make his way inside during prayers. Police say the suspected gunman was ushered outside before a shot was fired at Seven Kings mosque in Ilford, London. The Metropolitan Police are not treating the incident as terrorist-related and believe the weapon used was a blank firing handgun. People at the mosque reportedly 'chased' the suspected gunman out of the building, according to multiple posts on social media. Police have launched a manhunt for the suspected shooter. No-one was injured in the incident and police said officers will stay at the scene overnight. (MORE)
https://metro.co.uk/2019/05/09/christian...n-9475990/
EXCERPT: A Christian man fears the Home Office is deporting him to his death in Pakistan after he fled the country four years ago. Azeem Wazir, 45, left his wife and two children behind in Lahore after a fatwah was issued against him for his ‘Stop Killing Christians’ protests. He was campaigning against Pakistan’s blasphemy laws which prevent anyone speaking out against any recognised religion.
The father-of-two has applied for asylum ever since arriving in Bristol, where he has been working as a church cleaner, but his applications have been denied. Azeem was arrested last week and is being held in Colnbrook immigration detention centre, near Heathrow Airport. His lawyers have launched an appeal to get the Home Secretary, Sajid Javid, to reconsider the case, as they fear he may be deported as soon as Friday. Bristol Mayor Marvin Rees said he was ‘very disturbed’ by Wazir’s case and is calling on the Home Secretary to halt his deportation.
Dave Mitchell, senior pastor at Woodlands church, where Azeem has been working and living, said Azeem believes he will face the death penalty for blasphemy if he returns to Pakistan, or will be murdered by Islamic extremists. He said Azeem’s wife has also received threats against him and people have fired weapons on their home. Pastor Dave described Azeem as a ‘warm and funny character’ who has ‘enriched’ the Bristol community. (MORE)
History is at risk of repeating itself, UN special adviser warns religious leaders
https://www.christiantoday.com/article/h...132368.htm
INTRO: Signs of the anti-Semitism, xenophobia and intolerance that overshadowed Europe in the lead-up to the Second World War are "resurfacing", a UN summit of religious leaders has heard. Adama Dieng, UN special adviser on the prevention of genocide, issued the warning at the Second Global Summit on Religion, Peace and Security held in Geneva last week.
"Signs of the '30s are resurfacing," Dieng, a lawyer from Senegal, told the summit. "We are witnessing anti-Semitism rising. We see anti-Muslim hatred. We are seeing the persecution of Christians [...] xenophobia and incitement. Unless we are blind or of bad faith, we should admit that it's time to stand up, it is time to speak out." He said that religion was not the problem but rather people "simply manipulating religion" to commit crimes. (MORE)
Seven Kings mosque shooting: Hunt for 'masked' gunman who opened fire during prayers
https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/br...n-15023525
INTRO: A mosque is on lockdown after a man believed to be carrying a gun tried to make his way inside during prayers. Police say the suspected gunman was ushered outside before a shot was fired at Seven Kings mosque in Ilford, London. The Metropolitan Police are not treating the incident as terrorist-related and believe the weapon used was a blank firing handgun. People at the mosque reportedly 'chased' the suspected gunman out of the building, according to multiple posts on social media. Police have launched a manhunt for the suspected shooter. No-one was injured in the incident and police said officers will stay at the scene overnight. (MORE)