News has emerged of the latest attempt by Islamic extremists in India to force a non-Muslim to convert to Islam.
A 20-year-old Hindu woman who taught English in a madrassa in Uttar Pradesh, has described to police how she was kidnapped by a group of Muslim men, gang-raped and then forced to convert to Islam. The case has sparked fears in the province of an increase in forced conversions by militant Muslims.
The woman escaped from the Muslim gang last Sunday after five days in captivity during which she was repeatedly assaulted, given a Muslim name and made to wear a veil. She told police she met 20 other women being held captive.
Following her complaint police have arrested three people including her village's Islamic preacher.
Read more (Telegraph) >
Safe houses
Meanwhile in the UK, Christian Concern is supporting plans to provide safe refuge for those who face danger as a result of converting from Islam to the Christian faith.
It is hoped that the network, provisionally named "Converts to Jesus", will launch in the Autumn and be chaired by Nissar Hussain, a convert from Islam, who lives in Bradford.
Nissar, his wife and children, have all suffered as a result of following Jesus. He has been shunned by his family and labelled a "Christian Jew dog" while his wife has been sworn at and spat upon and his children have been ostracised by school friends.
Andrea Williams explained:
“We are motivated by a deep sense of love and compassion for those that feel trapped in a situation from which they cannot escape. The penalty for them at best is to be cut off from their family; at worst they face death. This is happening not just in India, Sudan and Nigeria but in east London. The government has failed to deal with the rise in anti-Christian sentiment.
"We need more churches and Christians sacrificially to offer welcome, support and safety for those Muslims who want to embrace Jesus Christ."
Listen to Ade Omooba on BBC Radio London discussing the need for safe refuge >
