Christians from Gaza Protest ‘forcible conversions’

Christians from predominantly Muslim Gaza staged a demonstration claiming that two 25-year-old community members, were forcibly converted to Islam

By Associated Press

 

Dozens of Christians in predominantly Muslim Gaza have staged a rare protest, claiming two members of their community were forcibly converted to Islam and are being held against their will.

Gazans celebrate Islamist victory is Egypt Photo: AFP

Gazans celebrate Islamist victory is Egypt – Photo: AFP

Gaza police say the two are staying with a Muslim religious official at their request, because they fear retribution from their families for converting.

Christians are a minority of about 1,500 people in Gaza, a territory with 1.7 million Muslim residents. Since the Islamic militant Hamas seized power five years ago, Christians have felt increasingly embattled but have largely kept silent.

Monday’s protest was a rare exception. Gaza’s Archbishop Alexious said the converts – a 25-year-old man and a woman with three children – should be returned to their families.

Forcible conversions have been unheard of in Gaza before.

 

View original Ynet publication at: http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4256454,00.html