The Iranian who is trying to claim asylum in the UK on the grounds of Christian conversion received a letter this week saying his argument that he converted to Christianity after discovering it was a peaceful religion must be false due to various passages from the Bible with violent imagery, which the letter quotes.
The letter contains quotes from Matthew, Revelation and Exodus to argue that the claimant had made an error in assuming Christianity was : "about peace, forgiveness and kindness".
The refusal of an asylum offer stated: "These examples are inconsistent with your claim that you converted to Christianity after discovering it is a 'peaceful' religion."
Excerpt from a home office reasons for refusal letter for a convert to Christianity. I've seen a lot over the years, but even I was genuinely shocked to read this unbelievably offensive diatribe being used to justify a refusal of asylum. pic.twitter.com/R1wA1HMNwH
— Nathan Stevens (@nathestevens) 19 March 2019
Since then, the Church of England and Archbishop Angaelos from the Coptic Orthodox Church in London are among many to have called out the Home Office saying that they cannot refuse a case by simply criticising someone's religion.
To listen to Archbishop Angaelos speaking on this issue, click here:
Nathan Stevens, the Christian immigration case worker who is working on the Iranian national's case has now revealed that the Home Office are withdrawing their refusal and will be giving the case workers more opportunities to present further evidence in order to claim asylum in the UK.
Important news on the Iranian Christian conversion case I have been working on: the Home Office have agreed to withdraw their refusal and to reconsider our client's asylum application, offering us a chance to submit further representations. A good start, but more change is needed
— Nathan Stevens (@nathestevens) March 22, 2019
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