Hussain Ali Khairkhoh is a twenty six year old Afghani who has recently converted to Christianity following many problems in Afghanistan. A member of the Hazara minority Hussain came to the UK in June this year after converting to Christianity. He had not been baptized in Afghanistan but after joining the Glasgow Iranian Church where several of the ministers spoke Farsi and attending many of their classes, Hussain was baptized in October this year.

Christians in Afghanistan face persecution especially those converting from Islam as this is considered apostasy and is punishable by death.

Hussain had his case refused because at the time of his interview he had not been baptized however since then, following a period of study imposed by the Iranian Church to ensure that people undergoing baptism are genuine believers.

In the Home Office"s own Country Guidance notes it states:

"UNHCR's Eligibility Guidelines for Assessing the International Protection Needs of Afghan Asylum-Seekers, published December 2007 stated that: "Afghans suspected or accused of having converted from Islam to Christianity or other faiths risk persecution. The risk emanates from family and/or tribe members as well as the broader community. Severe punishment within the legal system is also possible for those who do not recant their conversion."

It goes on to say: "The Foreign and Commonwealth Office noted in a letter dated 17 March 2008 noted that practising Christiananity in Afghanistan is considered extremely dangerous and is not discussed openly. However, in Kabul there may be small pockets of Afghan Christians who risk worshiping together in secret places."

The FCO further noted that Christianity is still not accepted. Christians are regularly discriminated against and face verbal and physical abuse from the authorities, former friends and also family members. Authorities do not generally investigate allegations of harassment or ill-treatment or bring those responsible to justice.

The US State Department (USSD) Report on Religious Freedom 2007, published on 14 September 2007, recorded that "Conversion from Islam is considered apostasy and is punishable by death under some interpretations of Shari'a. As in the case of blasphemy, an Afghan citizen who has converted from Islam (if a male over age 18 or a female over age 16, who is of sound mind) has three days to recant his or her conversion and is otherwise subject to death by hanging."

One of the Farsi speaking ministers at the Iranian Church has signed statement regarding Hussain‚s baptism.

Please do what you can to help Hussain. Go to Chater2ndDecember for bulletin/model letter