muslim

A Debt to the Voiceless

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Min JK crowdOn a long weekend sunny Monday, 200 people gathered in Mississauga at One Free World’s International’s conference to shed light on the persecution of Muslim populations across the Middle East and Asia. With Canada contributing over $940 million to fight ISIS and other violent extremist groups, it was a reminder for why such involvement is not only appreciated, but a crucial lifeline to populations living in the world’s most dire conditions. Arman Raster spoke first, of the Uyghurs Turkic Muslim minorities in China, which until the discovery of new resources in their region, enjoyed a distant relationship with the Chinese state that had moved into its region decades earlier. With rising immigration to the area, conflict has risen and the Muslim Minorities are being persecuted and isolated for defending their place in their homeland. The group is being marginalized more than ever before.

Nur Hashim spoke to the sentiments of the Muslim populations in Myanmar, that have faced mass genocide at the hands of Buddhist majorities that support the militant regime set on eradicating the small population from their homes. They face not only physical violence but emotional heartache as they are stripped of their citizenship and right to their homes.

Mr. Nader John Mohammed spoke next about the deportation of Ismailis from their homes in the Middle East and Pakistan. A constructive and peaceful group, their history is marred with attacks from the Taliban and other extremist groups, and being forced to flee and hide for their lives. Light was also shed on the continuing fight between the Kurds and ISIS, with further harm caused through Turkish politics to those suffering across Turkey, Iraq and Syria.

SpeakerKyan Naderi spoke for Iranian woman, whose past is glittered with freedom and equality, while the present is stained with sexist laws, brutal punishments, and a value that is literally half that of a man. Ahsan Gardevi’s reminded the crowd that violence was not the teaching of Islam, like any other religion. Extremists that use Islam as an excuse to commit violence against not only those of other faiths but also Muslims of other sects, he said, work against the intentions of Prophet Mohammed.

Salma Sadiqui, one of Canada’s most prominent activists, brought the issue home while addressing Canada’s role in security and protection of minorities at home and abroad. Advocating strict and disciplined action against the offenders, she was a reminder that Canada is not only a place of refuge, but also just action in times of chaos.

When guest of honour Minister of National Defence Jason Kenney followed, he detailed the cases of discrimination and abuse he has seen throughout his career. He also shared details of the initiatives taken by the Harper government to protect Canadians and those that seek its refuge through immigration. Most strikingly, as Canadians who sometimes take our peace for granted, he spoke of a duty owed to those who cannot speak for themselves.

Throughout the Middle East and beyond, from innocent children with a life yet to live, to those who fighting for the very survival of their people in traditional homelands, people suffer at the hands of those who hold and abuse power. That is why we must do all that we can to shine a light onto those perpetuating evil and committing atrocities. One Free World International will continue to be a voice to the world so they are not forgotten and take action to save lives.

Crowd  Quiet moment Majed Min JK

A Christmas miracle for Neeha and her family!

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A Christmas miracle for Neeha and her family!
Dear Friends and Partners,

At this Christmas season, we would like to rejoice with you in some wonderful news. After Neeha Free At Lastthree years of much hard work on behalf of little Neeha, we are thrilled to be able to report that One Free World International has finally succeeded in bringing her and her family to safety in Canada.

As we have reported several times before, Neeha was only two and a half years old when the son of her father’s employer brutally raped her and left her at the side of the road to die. These horrific events took place simply Christian Family Hiding Place Pakistanbecause her father, who was Christian, refused to give in to pressure from his Muslim employer to convert to Islam. Since then the family has lived for several years in hiding and in the constant fear of being discovered by the employer’s family or Islamic extremists.

On his latest visit to Pakistan, Rev. El Shafie succeeded in the extremely dangerous mission of bringing the family to Canada and Minister of Citizenship and Immigration Jason Kenney has granted them a Rev El Shafie and Neeha on the flight to safetyspecial ministerial permit. Immigration lawyer and OFWI partner Chantal Desloges worked tirelessly on this case and was instrumental in ensuring that all the paperwork was properly completed and Pastor Steven Long and Toronto Airport Christian Fellowship provided invaluable support and assistance in this matter. As a result, for the first time ever, Neeha and her family are finally able to freely celebrate Christmas in peace and without fear.

Neeha arriving in CanadaAs you celebrate Christmas this year, we hope that you will rejoice with Neeha and her family and in the part that you played in this wonderful Christmas blessing. Rev. El Shafie put his life on the line to rescue the family, but without your continued prayers and support for him and for our ministry this miracle would not have been possible.

Finally, we hope that at this season of celebration and reflection you would remember all the Christians in Pakistan and in so many other countries around the world who have no alternative but to celebrate Christmas in the midst of persecution and fear. Pray for them and thank God that as long as people have the courage to stand up for their beliefs, regardless of the consequences, hope and faith will endure and keep alive the dream that one day there will be peace on earth and goodwill to men.

Please pray:

• that Neeha and her family will be able to adjust to their new surroundings in Canada and that their new circumstances will allow them to heal and lead to a new beginning for the entire family; and,

• that all Pakistanis, regardless of their religion or beliefs, would be able to live and worship in freedom and equality and that the people of Pakistan would experience true peace and harmony that can only come from the Prince of Peace.

ACTION:

The Bible teaches that faith without action is dead, so please take action and write (contact details are included below):

• to Minister Kenney, thanking him for his invaluable gift to Neeha and her family and wishing him a special Christmas blessing.

Please remember to send us a copy of your correspondence at: info@onefreeworldinternational.org

Remember that the persecuted Christians are dying every day, but they are still smiling.  They are in a very deep dark night, but they have the candle of the Lord. The enemy can have a very strong weapon and a very strong army, but we have the Lord Almighty.

"They can kill the dreamer, but they cannot kill the dream" in the Lord’s name.

Be with God and may God be with you.

One Free World International

El Shafie Ministries

CTV Covered the story: http://www.ctv.ca/CTVNews/WFive/20100311/w5_saving_neha_100311/

CONTACT:

The Honourable Jason Kenney Minister for Citizenship and Immigration Citizenship and Immigration Canada Ottawa, ON   K1A 1L1 Tel: (613) 992-2235; Fax: (613) 992-1920 Email: Minister@cic.gc.ca

Nigeria: Christian Teacher Beaten to Death by Muslim Mob

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Nigeria: Christian Teacher Beaten to Death by Muslim Mob

Dear Friends and Partners,

Christianah Oluwasesin Christian Teacher Murdered because of her FaithOne Free World International has learned that a Christian teacher in a government high school in Gombe, Nigeria was brutally murdered on March 21, 2007 by a mob of Muslim students and local extremists. According to Compass Direct, Christianah Oluwatoyin Oluwasesin had been supervising an exam on Islamic Religious Knowledge in an all-girls’ class when she was accused of desecrating a Koran. She had collected the students’ belongings to the front of the classroom in accordance with routine procedure to prevent cheating when one of the students began to cry. She claimed that her bag contained a copy of the Koran and that the teacher, being Christian, had desecrated the Koran by touching the bag.

The class erupted in anger which very quickly spread throughout the school. Local Muslim extremists also arrived on the scene and joined the uproar. School authorities intervened and tried to protect the teacher but could not remove her from school property so they hid her in the principal’s office. They were unable to calm the students down and the mob eventually broke into the office. They dragged the teacher out of the office and beat her to death before burning her body. Afterwards they set her car on fire, engulfing one of the school buildings in flames. A few police officers and firemen called to the scene were pushed back by the mob and were not able to prevent the murder or fire damage. At least 12 students have been arrested and a committee has been set up to investigate the incident.

Nigeria MapNigeria is located in western Africa and its population consists mostly of Muslims in the north and Christians and animists in the south, with Christians accounting for close to 50% and Muslims 40% of the total population. Christians in northern Nigeria are facing serious challenges since twelve of the northern states enacted Islamic shariah law beginning in 1999 and the situation appears to be getting worse. Two days after Mrs. Oluwasesin was killed, Muslim extremists in the same town set a church on fire destroying the sanctuary and forcing the congregants to meet out in the open. According to reports, fifteen other churches in the state are also targeted for attack. Christians have difficulty purchasing property and obtaining permits to build churches while mosques are common. Muslim converts to Christianity in the area must flee for their lives to safer towns. In the town of Sokoto in the northwest, Christians fear for the safety of their children in the face of reports of kidnappings and forcible conversions of children. In an alert dated July 18, 2006 about a Christian woman who was stoned to death for evangelizing in Niger state, One Free World International indicated that the Nigerian government has been criticized for not doing enough to ensure respect for human rights in the country. The arrests and investigation in Mrs. Oluwasesin’s murder are an important first step. However, the state and federal governments must follow through and work together to ensure that justice is served and that respect for human rights becomes a reality for all Nigerians. Canada and the United States must use our diplomatic, aid, and trade relations with Nigeria to ensure that the Nigerian government does not avoid its responsibility in this area.

Please PRAY:

• for Femi Oluwasesin, Mrs. Oluwasesin’s husband, who was looking forward to his wife joining him after exams in their hometown where he had moved to take up a new job. Pray that he would be comforted at this time of loss and that in the midst of sorrow his faith would be strengthened;

• pray for the Christians in Gombe and elsewhere in northern Nigeria as they face persecution, threats, and challenges in daily life. Pray that they would be strengthened in their faith and that they would respond to their persecutors with the love and forgiveness of Christ; and,

• pray for the Muslim extremists in Nigeria that they would experience and be touched by the love of Christ and put away violence and persecution and that the people of Nigeria would be able to live in mutual respect and harmony.

ACTION:

The Bible teaches that faith without action is dead, so please take action and write (contact details are included below):

• to the High Commissioner or Ambassador of Nigeria, urging the Nigerian government to ensure that Mrs. Oluwasesin’s killers face justice and insisting that the government take strong action to enforce equality, religious freedom, and human rights throughout Nigeria; and,

• to the Minister of Foreign Affairs or Secretary of State encouraging your government to use its relationship with Nigeria to push for equality, religious freedom, and human rights for all Nigerians.

Please remember to send us a copy of your correspondence at:info@onefreeworldinternational.org

Remember, that the persecuted Christians are dying every day, but they are still smiling. They are in a very deep dark night, but they have the candle of the Lord. The enemy can have a very strong weapon and a very strong army, but we have the Lord Almighty.

"They can kill the dreamer, but they cannot kill the dream" in the Lord’s name.

Be with God and may God be with you.

Rev. Majed El Shafie President and Founder One Free World International El Shafie Ministries

 

CONTACT:

His Excellency Olufemi Oyewale George High Commission of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 295 Metcalfe Street Ottawa, ON K2P 1R9 Tel.: (613) 236-0521/3; Fax: (613) 236-0529 E-mail: chancery@nigeriahcottawa.com

The Honourable Peter MacKay Minister for Foreign Affairs Foreign Affairs Canada 125 Sussex Drive Ottawa, ON K1A 0G2 Tel.: (613) 992-6022; Fax: (613) 992-2337 Email: MacKay.P@parl.gc.ca

In the United States:

His Excellency Professor George A. Obiozor Embassy of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 3519 International Court, NW Washington, DC 20008 Tel: (202) 986-8414/8415; Fax: (202) 362-6552 Email: gobiozor@nigeriaembassyusa.org

Secretary Condoleezza Rice U.S. Department of State 2201 C Street NW Washington, DC 20520 Tel.: (202) 647-4000 (Main switchboard) Webform