Christian Minister reprieved in UAE.

Image

Rev Fernando Alconga has been found guilty of "Abusing Islam, and Christian missionary activity", but has been given a suspended sentence. Fernando Piedad Alconga, a Filipino Christian serving in the United Arab Emirates, was arrested for distributing Christian literature on 12 November 2002. After being held in prison for over a month he was released on bail. His first court hearing was on Sunday 16 February and the witness, an Egyptian to whom he had given the literature, testified that he was not pressured by Rev Alconga in any way. Subsequently a report was commissioned to answer the question "Do the materials given by Rev Alconga to an Egyptian man in November 2002 defame Islam or not?" At his final hearing on Sunday 27 April Middle East Concern reports that the judge found him guilty of "Abusing Islam, and Christian missionary activity", but has suspended the sentence for three years. Traditional Islamic law holds that a Muslim who converts to another faith is committing a terrible crime against Islam and should be put to death. As a result, most Islamic countries are very severe in restricting anything that could be construed as mission, evangelism or promoting the Christian faith to Muslims. This stands even in states like the UAE, widely considered one of the most moderate Muslim countries, and even when Christians simply live out their faith in an open and sensitive way and do not engage in anything that could be considered as aggressive proselytism. Rev Fernando Alconga always made it clear that he was offering Christian material and asked for the recipient's consent.

You May Also Like

Image

Innocent and Imprisoned: Prison Visit Reveals The Blasphemy Case of Basharat Mas A report by Hannah Chowdhry

Pakistan: A Christian man named Basharat Masih was arrested on blasphemy charges based on accusations of sharing blasphemous content on social medi

Image

A Christian Farm Worker Brutally Beaten by Muslim Landlords in Sheikhupura. A report by Juliet Chowdhry

Pakistan: A Christian farm worker was brutally assaulted by his Muslim landlords in Sheikhupura, suffering severe injuries, including a broken arm

Image

Zafar Bhatti’s Fight for Justice: Court Denies ‘Delay Tactic’ Evidence as Health Concerns Mount for Nawab Bibi. A Report by Juliet Chowdhry

London: (By Hannah Chowdhry) The British Asian Christian Association (BACA) is issuing a crucial update on the ongoing legal situation of Zafar Bha



"Trial of Pakistani Christian Nation" By Nazir S Bhatti

On demand of our readers, I have decided to release E-Book version of "Trial of Pakistani Christian Nation" on website of PCP which can also be viewed on website of Pakistan Christian Congress www.pakistanchristiancongress.org . You can read chapter wise by clicking tab on left handside of PDF format of E-Book.

nazirbhattipcc@aol.com , pakistanchristianpost@yahoo.com