IRFN (July 18-25): Egypt's Grand Mufti Backtracks on Support for Religious Freedom

Jul 26, 2007

International Religious Freedom Archive
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1. Police Continue to Raid House Churches in China (July 19)
2. Church of England Sued for Discrimination (July 19)
3. Turkmenistan: Conscientious Objector Sentenced (July 20)
4. Kazakh Police Threaten to Seize Baptist Home (July 23)
5. Egypt's Grand Mufti Retracts Support for Religious Freedom (July 24)
6. India: New Law Restricts non-Hindu Religious Activity (July 25)

Features:
Malaysia threatens to impose serious restrictions on free speech, warning bloggers that they could face jail without trial for writing "recklessly" about religion, from the International Herald Tribune

On Tuesday, July 17, Becket Fund International Director Angela C. Wu testified before the Congressional Human Rights Caucus Task Force for International Religious Freedom and the India Caucus.

Her testimony was on the state of human rights and religious freedom in Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, and the implications these conditions have on U.S. foreign policy.

To read her testimony in full, click here.

1. Police Continue to Raid House Churches in China
July 19
China
China Aid Association reports that on July 11, members of the Public Security Bureau and local policemen raided a house in Jianhu City, Jiangsu Province, taking away eight people and injuring two others who were present. The leader of the church, Pastor Zeng Zhengliang, had been a pastor for the Chinese government's Committee of Three-Self Patriotic Movement, but had left to found a house church following disagreements with the government over theology. Elsewhere in the country, in Anhui province and the Inner Mongolia Autonomous region, at least five house church members were detained this week for their religious activity.

2. Church of England Sued for Discrimination
July 19
Hereford, UK
The Telegraph reports that the Church of England was found to have unlawfully discriminated against John Reaney, who was refused a job with the Church as a youth worker. The bishop of Hereford, the Rt. Reverend Anthony Priddis, explained that he had made clear that any person in a committed relationship, regardless of orientation, would not be considered for the job, and that he was disappointed that he had been found to have discriminated against Mr. Reaney on the grounds of his sexual orientation.

3. Turkmenistan: Conscientious Objector Sentenced
July 20
Turkmenistan
Forum 18 reports that Nuryagdy Gayyrov, a Jehovah's Witness from Turkmenistan, was sentenced to one and a half years of labor for refusing to serve in the country's military. Gayyrov, whose faith forbids him from participation, was not offered any alternative civilian service. Gayyrov was tried in secret; this is the second time he has been sentenced for such a charge. Two other conscientious objectors, Bayram Ashirgeldyyev and Aleksandr Zuyev, were given two-year suspended sentences.

4. Kazakh Police Threaten to Seize Baptist Home
July 23
Semey, Kazahkstan
Forum 18 reports that police threatened to seize a home inhabited by a family of 14 after the father, Baptist pastor Viktor Kandyba, refused to pay a fine for leading unregistered worship services. Though the government denies its involvement in such matters, items such as cars and pigs are routinely seized from other Baptists in punishment for the non-payment of fines. For the time being the Kandyba family remains in their house, though they fear it will be taken at any time.

5. Egypt's Grand Mufti Retracts Support for Religious Freedom
July 24
Egypt
When AFP reported that Egypt's Grand Mufti, Ali Gomaa, had opined that conversion is a matter between the individual and God, and that there should be no worldly punishment for rejecting ones faith, many viewed it as a landmark statement a in country where citizens have previously experienced legal hurdles in obtaining recognition for their conversions away from Islam. However, in a piece published by Gulf News, Gomaa retracted his statement, saying that "Islam prohibits a Muslim from changing his religion and that apostasy is a crime, which must be punished."

6. India: New Law Restricts non-Hindu Religious Activity
July 25
Andhra Pradesh, India
Asia News reports that a new law in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh will ban non-Hindus from propagating their religions in cities with important Hindu temples. On Monday, the Andhra Pradesh State Assembly adopted the bill, which aims to protect the feelings of Hindus and to maintain public order. However, there has been some criticism of the bill as many feel the government has overstepped its bounds and that the new law will have a negative impact on non-Hindus. On Tuesday, July 17, Becket Fund International Director Angela C. Wu testified before the Congressional Human Rights Caucus Task Force for International Religious Freedom and the India Caucus Her testimony was on the state of human rights and religious freedom in Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, and the implications these conditions have on U.S. foreign policy.