Evangelical Alliance

The Evangelical Alliance has this week commented on the Home Office ban on US Pastor Terry Jones entering Britain, and also called on a leading UK politician to flag up a growing intolerance against Christians in Islamic countries.

Only last month, Steve Clifford, general director of the Evangelical Alliance, made personal contact with the Florida-based pastor asking him to refrain from visiting Britain on the grounds that his entry could incite hatred and tensions among different religious and ethnic groups.

Mr Clifford said: "I had hoped Terry Jones would see sense and decide for himself not to come as his visit risked inflaming tension and inciting violence so I understand why the Home Secretary has taken this step."

Mr Clifford points out that Pastor Jones' understanding of the Christian faith is at odds with all but a very small minority of believers, adding: "Christians are called to be passionate peacemakers, challenging any attitude that would lead to violence and respecting even those with whom we would disagree."

The Home Office barred the preacher from entering the UK on grounds of his 'extremism' after he was invited by a far-right group to take part in a series of demonstrations against the expansion of Islam and the construction of mosques in the UK.

Meanwhile, Christians are hoping that Baroness Warsi's denouncement of Britain as "a less tolerant place for Muslims" will also flag up a growing intolerance against Christians in the UK and Islamic countries.

Baroness Warsi, who is the first Muslim to serve in the Cabinet as co-chairman of the Tory Party, is set to use her speech tonight (Jan 20) at Leicester University to address bigotry against Muslims in the UK.

Mr Clifford said: "We too oppose all forms of religious bigotry and prejudice at home and abroad. And in doing so, we hope that Muslim leaders in Britain will also defend the rights and freedoms of Christians in the countries of their origin as this requires a unified, global response."

In the past two months alone, violence between Christians and Muslims across the world has intensified. In November, 112 people were murdered in a church in Baghdad, and on New Year's Eve, 21 Christians were killed and dozens injured in a targeted bomb attack at a church in Alexandria, Egypt. There have been further attacks and threats on Christians in Nigeria, Iraq, Pakistan, Burma, China, Somalia, Indonesia and Afghanistan.

In response to these atrocities, the Evangelical Alliance has partnered with Release, Christian Solidarity Worldwide and Open Doors, international charities that defend Christians from around the world who are persecuted for their faith.