Iran: Muslim Convert to Christianity condemned to hanging on apostasy charges

A detained pastor of a major network of Christian house churches in Iran will be executed by hanging for “apostasy”, or abandoning Islam, according to translated court documents seen by Worthy News Wednesday, November 24. The 11th Chamber of The Assize Court of the province of Gilan said Iranian pastor Yousef Nadarkhani had proved his “apostasy” by “organizing evangelistic meetings and inviting others to Christianity, establishing a house church, baptizing people, expressing his faith to others and, denying Islamic values".

More here.

Honour Killings Soar As Islamic Fundamentalism Spreads It's Wings

From the Telegraph via Vlad Tepes:

Tulay Goren murder: ‘honour’ crimes doubling every year, figures show

“Honour killings” are now running at the rate of one a month, it has emerged, following a shocking rise in violent crimes committed in Britain in the name of religion.

The number of murders, rapes and assaults on people who dare to break strict religious or cultural rules is doubling every year, police figures show, with up to two violent “honour crimes” being committed every day.

But charities which help victims of honour crimes say the true extent of the problem is far worse than the statistics show, as every year hundreds of vicitms – normally women – are too frightened to report attacks or to give evidence in court.

The escalating problem was highlighted yesterday as an Old Bailey jury convicted Mehmet Goren, 49, of the cold-blooded and premeditated murder of his 15-year-old daughter Tulay after she fell in love with someone from the “wrong” branch of Islam.

Miss Goren disappeared 10 years ago after telling a friend she might be pregnant but justice caught up with her father after his wife “courageously” testified against him and lifted what was described as the “cloak of secrecy” which surrounds honour crimes.

A prosecutor said the case was a “wake-up call” to the authorities over the extent of the problem in this country, which campaigners say is growing because of the rise of religious fundamentalism.

Miss Goren and her family had nine contacts with police in the days before her death, during which they complained of violence by Goren, but officers had little understanding at the time of the concept of honour crimes and she was left at the mercy of her father.

The court heard that Miss Goren, whose Turkish Kurd family are Alevi Muslims, was drugged, tortured and then killed by her father after she fell in love with a Sunni Muslim twice her age. Her body has never been found.

Miss Goren’s sister Nuray Guler told the court, the teenager had been “caught in the middle of two clashing worlds” and pleaded with police to stop other women falling victim to “this primitive custom”.

She expressed fears for the safety of her mother Hanim, whose evidence against Goren had put her own life in danger. “No one should fail to realise what this means within our culture,” she said.

“These people do not forget.”

And some people wonder why Pamela Geller is making such a big deal over Rifqa Bary.

RRA to Ohio Gov's Media Flack: Protect Rifqa Or Prepare for the Wurst

Instead of filling out that cute little form to contact Governor Strickland of Ohio -- ask yourself, is this a person I want having my name, address, phone # and email? -- I emailed his media rep, Amanda Wurst, at amanda.wurst@governor.ohio.gov and gave her the irate RRA treatment in living CAPSLOCK. Not sure how much effect this will have, but if it gives her a bad dream or two (say, stark nekkid in front of the FOX News window on 6th Avenue, NYC, at 8 a.m. fielding questions from Pam and Robert) I will have done my duty.

Anyway:

Dear Ms. Wurst

Since nothing else seems to get through to the authories in Ohio with regard to the case of Rifqa Bary, let me suggest that Governor Strickland picture the following: "Something happens" to Ms. Bary as a result of her being returned to the family and Muslim community she has repeatedly stated wish to kill her for her "apostasy". Subsequently, the sidewalks in front of the Governor's office, the Franklin County Children Services, the Noor Mosque, and other places of intereSt, fill up with outraged Americans exercising their First Amendment rights (the ones the likes of CAIR would prefer to erase under Sharia law), carrying signs in which these words figure prominently: FRANKLIN COUNTY CHILD NEGLECT -- NO MORE HONOR KILLING -- NO SHARIA LAW IN US -- YOU SAID SHE WAS SAFE -- CAIR IS THE "MUSLIM MAFIA" -- with similar sentiments being shouted aloud ON CAMERA. FOX News at the very least will carry the story nationwide.

Think we won't show up? Check out the videos of the court hearings and the one from that little "Tea Party" march down in D.C. a few weeks back. I'm a retired lady on fixed income with a 10-year-old car but you can bet that if that child is harmed as a result of the neglect of the authorities and the vicious "cultural custom" known as "honor killing" and the arrogant Islamist belief that they have the right to murder "apostates", I will hit the road from here to Ohio to add my voice to the rest.

Now, don't waste time sending me any silly emails about "community harmony" or "moderate Muslims" or "religious tolerance" (they don't have any, in case you haven't noticed), because you have something better to do with your time: Tell Governor Strickland to consider if prostrating himself before the "Muslim community" by putting Ms. Bary at risk is worth the chance that he'll be wrong AND THE WHOLE COUNTRY WILL BE HEARING ABOUT IT LOUD AND CLEAR.

Respectfully and sincerely,

(me)
(my town)

Needless to say, this should not be used as a template but if you like the general gist of the sentiments, hey, knock yourselves out.

Meanwhile, I just keep wondering where that poor girl is now and what is going to happen to her. And yes, I will make good on my threat to show up on Amanda's boss's doorstep if this thing goes south. That is one of the perks of retirement: you can go annoy deserving people whenever you please.

A Song for Rifqa

FOX is reporting that the Florida investigators claim to have found "no evidence of a threat" to the life of Rifqa Bary if she returns to her family in Ohio. Hey, no evidence of conspiracy was found at the Noor Mosque ("who, us?"), the Barys deny that they have any intention of harming their daughter ("who, us?"), and Muhammad Bary denies he ever slapped his daughter upside the head for being reluctant to wear the hijab in public ("who, me?").

I hope and trust that Rifqa's legal and support team have been prepared for such a development and that there are still some brave souls amongst the Florida authorities who will not conclude that this relieves them of the responsibility to ensure Rifqa's safety.

I'm dedicating this song, "Braver Than We Are", by Jim Steinman to Rifqa. And to all of us.

Converting Muslims Into Christians

I'm not a Christian, but I consider Christians to be the most powerful force in the counterjihad. Someone just sent me this link:

www.rezasafa.com

It's the web site and ministry of an ex-Muslim who is now a Christian pastor, and he is having some significant success converting Muslims into Christians.

I've often thought that the real long-term solution to the problem will have to be Muslims becoming apostates one way or another. If that means converting to Christianity, that's great. Anyway, I thought this site might be of interest, maybe even deep interest to the Christians among us.

Iran Introduces Law that Imposes Death Penalty on Converts

RELIGIOUS INTELLIGENCE: LEGISLATION has been brought by the government of President Mahmoud Amadinejad before the Iranian Majlis that would mandate the death penalty for apostates from Islam. The law’s reach would be worldwide, the legislation says.

The Washington think tank, the Institute on Religion and Public Policy reported on Feb 5 the proposed “Bill for Islamic Penal” law will be the first time that Iran has by statute mandated the death penalty for conversion from Islam.


The legislation used the word “Hadd -- meaning that it explicitly sets death as a fixed punishment that cannot be changed, reduced or annulled. In the past, the death penalty has been handed down, and also carried out, in apostasy cases, but it has never before been set down in law,” the Institute’s president, Joseph Grieboski said. Iran introduces law that imposes death penalty on converts >>> By George Conger

Hat tip: Jim Ball

Mark Alexander (Paperback)
Mark Alexander (Hardback)