How a Catholic Mission Supports Converts from Islam to Christianity

Introduction to Father Carl Valer: [00:03] The video introduces Father Carl Valer, an Austrian Cistercian monk who served as the director of Missio Austria (a department of the Vatican’s Pontifical Mission Societies) from 2016 to 2026.

The Founding of Project Hananius: [00:30] During his tenure, Father Carl founded a special initiative in Vienna called Project Hananius (also referred to as Project Hanas) to support newly baptized men and women who have fled from Iran and Afghanistan. The project offers free physical training, weekly gatherings, and catechesis to help these young immigrants grow in their Christian faith while connecting body and soul [00:49].

Personal Testimonies of Persecution: [01:19] Several converts share the harrowing reasons behind their departure from their home countries and Islam. One participant recalls witnessing the public execution of a man who had converted to Christianity [01:19].

Anna Maria Jalalifar's Story: [02:12] Anna Maria Jalalifar, who fled Iran for Austria years ago, now heads Project Hanas. She shares her breaking point with Islam—being forced by her Quran teacher to throw stones at mourners gathered at a cemetery for an executed person [02:29]. Despite ongoing fears and the dangers involved in helping former Muslims, she emphasizes a dedication to loving Jesus above all else [02:57].

Marta's Journey to Faith: [03:13] The video highlights the story of Marta, a woman who suffered severe trauma after being raped at age 22 and facing a legal and social system where her family would have disowned her over the incident [03:21]. After being disowned by her family, she fled to Austria [03:43]. She contrasts her experience in Islam—where prayer was restricted to Arabic—with Christianity, noting the personal comfort she finds in speaking to Jesus in her native language while hiking in the mountains [03:58].

Baptism and Conclusion: [04:30] At the time of EWTN's visit, Marta was preparing for her baptism, having accepted that her faith means she can never return to Iran or see her biological family again, viewing Christ as her new father and family [04:38]. The video concludes on Easter Eve 2025, when Marta was officially baptized in Vienna [05:40], symbolizing the dangerous yet profound journeys undertaken by many converts to Christianity.

The numbers are small, but Approximately 100 to 200 former Muslims are baptized into the Catholic Church in Austria each year.

The Catholic Church in Austria baptizes around 250 to 400 adults and older adolescents annually across all nine dioceses (e.g., approximately 240 to 400 nationwide).

The vast majority of former Muslims converting in Austria originate from Iran and Afghanistan, where conversion from Islam is illegal or dangerous

Bump! And thanks for good news in a sea of someone else’s demoralizing posts.

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