British Court Finds that Muslims Converting to Christianity Qualify for Asylum

In a potentially wide ranging decision a British immigration court has ruled that a Syrian young couple who converted to Christianity from Islam are entitled to asylum due to the likely threats against their lives. Some Muslim clerics insist that any such converts must be killed. Six Republican members of Congress encouraged the court to rule in favor of asylum.

The couple converted to evangelical Christianity a few years ago – the husband in 2003 and the wife in 2005. Under Sharia law, such conversion is viewed as apostasy under Sharia law and punishable by death.

The intervening members were Rep. Robert Aderholt (R-Ala.), Rep. Todd Akin (R-Mo.), Rep. Tom Feeney (R-Fla.), Rep. Trent Franks (R-Ariz.), Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), and Joe Pitts (R-Pa.).

The same grounds were raised in this year by an Iranian in an petition in Australia but denied, here.

The decision could add stress between the West and conservative Muslim countries like Saudi Arabia, lPakistan, Iran, and Iraq. It would suggest that anyone converting to Christianity would have a per se demonstrable claim for asylum.

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