A Muslim baptism often means a baptism by fire.

From Advocates For The Persecuted

January 18, 2008: We are concerned that Middle Eastern Christians fleeing persecution are having more difficulty obtaining asylum in the United States.

On November 29, 2007, Justice Michael Phelan of the Federal Court of Canada, found that the United States is no longer a safe haven for refugees, and that it is "unreasonable to conclude that the US complies with its ... obligations under the Refugee Convention and the Convention against Torture." Essentially, a Canadian judge has codified into his ruling what refugee advocates already knew for some time: The U.S. is no longer a safe place for Christians fleeing persecution.

This ruling may result in asylum seekers who are denied refuge in the United States being allowed to apply to Canada for asylum, although it will take some time for the ruling to work its way through the Canadian legal system.

For those Egyptian Muslims who have converted from Islam to Christianity, baptism is not just an immersion into a tub of water signifying a new life in Christ. In all likelihood, it will also mean a baptism by fire if they are accused of violating laws against apostasy. Even Egyptian Christians who were born into Christian families, but who have undergone persecution and pressure to convert to Islam may find themselves charged with violation of Egypt's Article 98, which allows prosecution for the crime of "insulting a heavenly religion." These Christians may also be charged with various crimes against the state, falling under a variety of laws that cover such issues as upsetting the social order, or maligning the reputation of Egypt. All these offenses mean a risk of arrest and torture at any moment.

Egyptian police regularly incite public violence against Christians by encouraging devout adherents to Islam to punish apostates and those accused of insulting Islam. When individuals are forcibly kidnapped, threatened with death, or, are seriously assaulted by other members of the general population, police often refuse to enforce justice, and as a result, they allow perpetrators to continue to molest, threaten, torture and even kill members of religious minorities. Thus, by their actions, they actively encourage vigilantism.

These are the kinds of pressures regularly facing Egyptian Christians.

Although the Statue of Liberty's wording still holds hope for freedom and mercy, recent political events over the past several years show that this message is more symbolic than effectual. At least for now, the U.S. is no longer a safe haven for these Christians. It is ironic since our country was founded, in part, by Christians fleeing their persecutors in Europe.

Even though leaders of underground churches comprised of Muslim-background believers want to see these Christians stay in the Middle East and spread the gospel, there are certain cases where individuals may die if they cannot exit the country.

Despite U.S. State Department assurances that Egypt's promises not to torture citizens who have fled, been denied asylum, and are being forcibly returned to Egypt are credible, Canada is admitting the truth. Egypt's promises not to torture Christians are simply not believeable based upon numerous, credible reports by many people over the years. One convert whose asylum application was denied in Italy returned to Egypt recently only to be arrested and forcibly held in a mental hospital until he recants his Christian faith. This is eerily reminiscent of what Christians endured under Communist regimes in the Soviet Union.

It is difficult enough for advocates of the persecuted to secure safe exit for those fleeing for their lives, but it is truly tragic to have those who have managed to flee their persecutors being forced by the U.S. State Department to return to a place where they will likely face torture and even death.

There is a need for serious prayer for these victims of persecution.

If you want to write congressional officials and share your concern regarding the need for a haven for Christians fleeing persecution, you may click here for a congressional directory.