A report by the European Centre for Law and Justice reveals that many people are persecuted in Europe for leaving Islam and converting to the Christian faith

Newsroom (27/09/2022 14:45 PM Gaudium Press) The European Center for Law and Justice (ECLJ) has published a new report that addresses the persecution against Muslims who convert to Christianity in Europe, and more particularly in France.

Published under the title “The persecution of ex-Muslim Christians in France and Europe,” it came to light last July.

The document estimates that up to 30,000 people may suffer some kind of persecution in France for having left Islam and embraced the Christian faith.

The figures are based on statistics from the French Bishops’ Conference which estimates at 300 the number of ex-Muslims who are baptized annually in the Catholic Church.

Interviews with converts

The ECLJ report questioned the heads of French, Belgian, Austrian and English associations that are dedicated to caring for Muslims who abandon Islam to join Christianity.

To carry out the study, interviews were also conducted with the new converts. The interviews made it possible to collect the example of hundreds of cases and to verify the persecution and violation of fundamental rights in relation to the new converts.

It is important to note that none of the interviewees, with the exception of those in charge of the associations, accepted that their identity be revealed.

Different types of persecution

“It is not because we are in France that we are protected from persecution, whether physical, mental or psychological,” these words of the Protestant pastor, Saïd Oudjibou, seem to sum up the various types of persecution suffered by former Muslims in France and Europe.

In fact, the report explains that many people suffer from contempt and are sometimes beaten within their own families when they announce their conversion, and can even be expelled from their homes.

For women the violence can be even worse. Women can be forced into a marriage, be raped, or sent back to their family’s home country.

In addition to family persecution, there is social persecution

In addition to persecution within one’s own family, converts suffer intimidation and threats in social circles.

Looting of property, loss of employment, lynchings are also other types of persecution compiled by the report. There is an urge to decree the “social death” of the convert.

Persecution on social media is another strong point of the report. In interviews, many converts say that they prefer to stay off social media for fear of censorship from radical Muslims.

The isolation of converts and the rise of persecution in Europe

The study reveals that if not all converts suffer from the most violent persecution, it is because they can distance themselves from family and social circles more easily than others, as one woman convert confessed: “My luck is that I am alone.”

Despite reporting in more detail on Muslims who have converted in France, the report points out that in the rest of Europe the situation is no less serious.

In addition, the report warns that many associations are concerned with defending persecuted Christians in the East and Africa, but few are dedicated to preventing the persecution of new Christians in Europe. (FM)

Compiled by Angelica Vecchiato