Christian Today ran a telling piece, featured below, that originally was published by Open Doors, Australia, a Christian advocacy and persecution watchdog. The report reveals what most people already know, but many choose to turn a blind eye to, about what Muslims “all over the Middle East and North Africa” typically lose if they convert to Christianity. The population of these regions is about 355 million, of which approximately 317 million are Muslims.
For starters, one message to glean from this article is that it is not discussing a brand of Islam such as that practiced by the Islamic State or al Qaeda, groups that the West typically view as anomalies of Islam. The article depicts the reality for Muslims, living under historic Islamic jurisprudence (Sharia law), that is, normative Islam.
Another point to consider in reading the report: in all other non-Muslim mainstream religions, when a believer converts to Christianity (or some other religion), there may be ostracism that takes place due to the fact that adherents of the abandoned religion are personally offended. This can be exacerbated by practicalities related to the new convert’s place of worship and proximity to fellow believers, but certainly not religiously sanctioned death sentences or threats to the personal safety of the person that converted.
As the article notes:
Any apostate from Islam is, in theory, punishable by death if they do not recant. This is based upon the prophet Muhammad’s saying, as quoted in the Hadith (Islamic tradition), “Whoever changes his religion, kill him.”
Yet still there are those in the West who remain in steadfast denial of the truth. They cannot bear even to entertain the shattering prospect of Islamic literalists streaming into the West through massive, unchecked Muslim immigration; prominent imams boldly preaching about the ummah in mosques and advancing Sharia, while — when the media is present — outwardly condemning the not-so-pretty actions of the Islamic State in order to cover up their real intentions; calls by al Qaeda and the Islamic State to attack Westerners on their home soil; and a Muslim Brotherhood drive for conquest.
Deniers of truth (usually leftists) and outright liars (usually Islamic supremacists) are quick to level accusations of racism, Islamophobia and the like against others (including against sincerely peace-loving Muslims) who speak about the full range of global threats to infidels and apostates. Yet it is becoming increasingly obvious that leftists and Islamic supremacists have no comeback when asked in public forums what real evidence they have to present for their accusations of Islamophobia and racism. Such accusations have served as an effective ploy to beat down critics.
“5 common things Muslims lose by accepting Jesus”, Christian Today, September 10, 2016:
All over the Middle East and North Africa, Muslims who have converted to Christianity struggle with their new identity in Christ. Islam is not just a part of their lives, it is their entire life. From praying in a set direction 5 times a day, to setting aside an entire month to fast, the actions required to be a Muslim are all consuming. And society is not always kind to those who disagree.
Following Christ as a former Muslim might cost you these five things:
1. Your Family
Often, direct relatives are the first and heaviest persecutors of believers from a Muslim background. For many Muslim families, leaving Islam and converting to another religion brings “shame” to the family. In moderate families, a new Christian may be ignored or excluded. In stricter families; forced separation, divorce or the removal of children are all common.
In cultures with a strong sense of shame and honour, new believers face the most pressure. Family members in this situation can feel that killing the converted family member is the only way to remove the shame from their name.
2. Your Friends
Old friends quickly become the most vocal opposition. Entire communities pressure new believers to renounce their faith in Jesus. In Iran for example, Christians from a Muslim background are considered to be unclean. Particularly in rural areas, Muslims will not shake hands with Christians, touch them in any way, or eat food they prepare.
In many Muslim countries, it’s legally impossible for Christian men to marry women from Muslim families. In Yemen, if a Muslim finds out a woman has started following Christ, she will most likely be forced into marriage with a Muslim man or placed under house arrest. This causes most converts to keep their faith in Christ completely hidden.
3. Your Church
Almost nowhere in the Middle East and North Africa is it possible for former Muslims to meet at a church. In Saudi Arabia, there are no church buildings at all. Meetings of former Muslims who have accepted Christ can only take place in secret and in very small groups. Algeria is probably the most ‘relaxed’ country in this regard but believers still face a high degree of persecution.
In Iran, fear among believers is rising, as the government has recently increased surveillance of the house church movement. In 2015, several house churches were raided by the police. More than a hundred Christians were arrested, with many being sentenced to prison terms of varying lengths and the additional punishment of torture.
4. Your Country
All over the Muslim world, Christians who convert from Islam feel there is no option but to leave their home countries. This is especially true for Christians in Iran and the Arabian Peninsula. Death threats, constant discrimination and assassination attempts all lead Christians to feel there can be no future for them in the country of their birth. It is believed that there are currently more Saudi believers living outside of the country than there are left within it due to this.
Migrant churches in Europe and North America have seen their attendance rise as refugees from the Middle East (former Muslims among them) worship with them in freedom.
5. Your Life
Finally, people who convert to Christianity from a Muslim background come to be known as ‘Apostates’ and may pay the highest price of all. Some Muslims are convinced that everyone who leaves Islam should be killed. In Saudi Arabia and Iran, this is enshrined in law. In other countries like Egypt, Pakistan and Malaysia the majority of supporters for Sharia law also support death sentences for apostates.[1]
Any apostate from Islam is, in theory, punishable by death if they do not recant. This is based upon the prophet Muhammad’s saying, as quoted in the Hadith (Islamic tradition), “Whoever changes his religion, kill him.”
Is Christ Worth It?
According to our brothers and sisters who risk everything for His sake, the answer is a resounding, “yes.”