19th May, 2015
The US-based arm of persecuted church ministry Open Doors is calling for people to sign a petition asking US President Barack Obama to appoint a Special Envoy for Religious Minorities in the Near East and South Central Asia.
A bill creating the State Department position was passed by the US Congress last year and was subsequently signed into law by President Obama. But the position still remains vacant, despite the fact that Open Doors says there has never been a "more critical time in our history for such a role within the US Department of State".
The role of the Special Envoy – who would answer directly to the Secretary of State – would see them monitor and combat acts of religious intolerance and incitement targeted against religious minorities throughout these areas of persecution.
The petition also calls on the Obama administration to "protect Christians in the most at-risk areas, to preserve ancient Christian communities, and to ensure the safe futures of hundreds of thousands of believers".
Emily Fuentes, a spokeswoman for Open Doors USA, told Mission Network News, that the role was vital. “In the past year, we”ve seen an unprecedented amount of persecution against Christians – not just in one country, but the entire region. And it”s spreading through countries where it wasn”t really an issue before.”
Follow this link to sign the petition.
– DAVID ADAMS
