Aid workers accused of trying to convert Muslim refugees at Greek camp

The Guardian ^ | 2 Aug 2016 | Patrick Kingsley

[Cronos]

Christians working in Greece’s most notorious asylum detention centre have tried to convert some of the Muslim detainees, who have been held under the terms of the EU-Turkey migration deal.

On at least two occasions in recent months, aid workers have distributed conversion forms inside copies of Arabic versions of the St John’s gospel to people held at the Moria detention camp on Lesbos.

The forms, seen by the Guardian, invite asylum seekers to sign a statement declaring the following: “I know I’m a sinner ... I ask Jesus to forgive my sins and grant me eternal life. My desire is to love and obey his word.”

Muslim asylum seekers who received the booklet said they found the aid workers’ intervention insensitive.

“It’s a big problem because a lot of the people are Muslim and they have a problem with changing their religion,” said Mohamed, a detainee from Damascus. “They were trying this during Ramadan, the holiest Muslim month.”

A second Syrian, Ahmed, said: “We like all religions, but if you are a Christian, and I give you a Qur’an, how would you feel?”

Detainees alleged that the forms were distributed by at least two representatives of Euro Relief, a Greek charity that became the largest aid group active in Moria after other aid organisations pulled out in protest against the EU-Turkey deal. The camp is overseen by the Greek migration ministry, but aid groups perform most of the day-to-day management.

...The Greek migration ministry did not respond to requests for comment.

[ViLaLuz]

I’ve been evangelized by Muslims more than I can count. We’ve had some very good discussions, some very creepy. What’s heartening is there are Muslims, under penalty of death, who are followers of Christ.

[Elsie]

What’s heartening is there are Muslims, under penalty of death, who are followers of Christ.

HUH?

[ViLaLuz]

It was confusing to me at first, too. There are Islamic countries that by law everyone is Muslim. Yet some hear the Good News and believe. For that they can be sentenced to death, even for something like reading bible verses online. So technically they are Muslim, but Jesus Christ is their Lord and Savior.

[HarleyD]

Euro Relief’s director, Stefanos Samiotakis, said: “I have already taken action, so that our volunteers know very well that they should not distribute any kind of literature. Our code of conduct … says clearly that this is something they simply cannot do and if somebody does we are going as an organisation [to] take disciplinary actions.”

I don't understand Christians that want to submit themselves to organizations that refuses the spread of the gospel. There are a number of these groups our church volunteers for each year that I refuse to participate in. If they won't let you share the gospel, what is the point of giving time and/or money to the group?

[Elsie]

I see.

[Elsie]

Good point!

[daniel1212]

I don't understand Christians that want to submit themselves to organizations that refuses the spread of the gospel. There are a number of these groups our church volunteers for each year that I refuse to participate in. If they won't let you share the gospel, what is the point of giving time and/or money to the group?

Apart from $, the point is to share the gospel using such orgs, for those orgs that do evangelize cannot get the access these secular ones do. Thus certain Christians are as undercover agents, not so simply giving time to these groups humanitarian works, but using such as cover to share the Truth of the Lord Jesus. Brave souls of faith in my eyes.

[HarleyD]

I understand “missionaries” who go under the guise of doctors, teachers, etc. That is understandable and commendable. But each year at our church we stuff boxes for children overseas. We donate time and resources for this activity (to name but one), yet we are not allowed to put any religious material in the box or they will confiscate it (the organization). I’m not sure what is the point.

[daniel1212]

I understand “missionaries” who go under the guise of doctors, teachers, etc. That is understandable and commendable. But each year at our church we stuff boxes for children overseas. We donate time and resources for this activity (to name but one), yet we are not allowed to put any religious material in the box or they will confiscate it (the organization). I’m not sure what is the point.

It should be a means to the end, meaning showing Christian charity in temporal matters in order to adorn the presentation of the gospel. But typically the gospel is not even presented along with the act of charity, even if only by a tract and a word of exhortation which invites dialogue, and the temporal aspect takes upon a life of its own. Read Revolution in World Missions by (Indian) K.P. Yohannan.