Western Protests Against Court Decision Regarding Somali’s Conversion to Christianity [Archives:2000/30/Front Page]

Yemen Times has received well over 20 messages from Western citizens (UK, USA, France, Canada, etc.) protesting the Yemeni court’s decision of executing the Somali refugee, Mohammed Omer Haji, 27, who announced his conversion to Christianity, unless he returns to Islam.
Most of the letters appealed to President Ali Abdullah Saleh to permit the Somali to embrace his new religion. “Do Christians deserve to live? The world will not continue to ignore such human rights abuses.” said Todd Rogers, one of those who wrote to the Yemeni Parliament.
According to witnesses, there is an increasing wave of attempts to convert the vulnerable sectors of the refugees community to Christianity in an indirect way.
Haji’s lawyer, Omarawi, mentioned that Haji was converted to Christianity two years ago, and changed his first name to “George”.
According to Compass Direct News Service, two weeks ago Haji was reportedly beaten by police every night, to exert pressure on him to return to Islam. Analysts observe that the refugees’ conversion to Christianity is not for faith, but for the financial benefits they are promised.
It is reported that Haji suffered from severe financial problems before he was converted to Christianity.

——
[archive-e:30-v:2000-y:2000-d:2000-07-24-p:./2000/iss30/front.htm]