A Christian convert in Southeast Asia recently claimed that many others like him who hail from Muslim backgrounds pretend to fast during the Islamic month of Ramadan so as to avoid persecution. Open Doors, a nonprofit organization that offers assistance to persecuted minorities across the world, spoke with the man to better understand what his Ramadan experience was like before and after converting.
The man, who agreed to speak on the condition of anonymity, said he has fasted during Ramadan since he was 12 years old. However, since converting to Christianity, he only pretends to fast during Ramadan in fear of the consequences.
“To do otherwise would result in suspicions and questionings,” he said. “Many secret believers like me dare not reveal their faith. If we are caught, we will be sent to Islamic rehabilitation centers.”
The Christian man said he was terrified of the stories he had heard about other converts being tortured, brainwashed and mentally abused until they agreed to renounce their newfound religion.
“It is only when I'm alone or with other secret believers that I can be myself. It is not easy to live such a double life,” he added.
He went on to explain the concept of pahala (spiritual merits) that determines whether or not a Muslim will find a place in heaven after death. According to Islam, Muslims must earn as many spiritual merits as possible in order to outweigh their sins by the end of their lives. This is what forms the basis for certain common practices among adherents of Islam, such as praying five times a day, giving alms to the underprivileged and even converting adherents of Christianity. While explaining pahala, the Christian convert expressed concern, saying he was not sure if he had done enough or could do enough in his lifetime for Allah to accept him.
That is what led him to convert to Christianity, following which his reasons to fast during Ramadan also changed, said the man.
“But praise God I am now a Christian, and I have Christ's assurance that my sins are washed away by his blood,” he said. “I don't have this nagging fear anymore. Now I fast to deepen my relationship with God and to know Christ more.”
As the number of Christian converts keeps increasing across the world, a global prayer campaign targeting Muslims in the United States, Europe and the Middle East was organized last month. Christian groups such as 838 Ministries, Iran Alive, Voice of Martyrs, Crescent Project, Isık Abla Ministries and Global Hope came together to organize the prayer campaign that reportedly reached out to at least seven million Muslims worldwide.
The 10-day prayer campaign, which commenced on June 26 and ended on July 5, coincided with the last 10 days of Ramadan and invoked Christ to visit all Muslims through visions or dreams.
“Ramadan is the perfect season to pray that Muslims will experience the forgiveness of Christ, and even forgiveness from those they persecute,” wrote Jason Peter, associate vice president of Connection for The Voice of the Martyrs. “Our Christian family is being persecuted today. We will not let them suffer in silence. We will not let them serve alone.”
Speaking with Atheist Republic, Albert Hickman from Center for the Study of Global Christianity at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, said the number of Muslims converting to Christianity is likely underreported because most Christian converts from Muslim backgrounds tend to keep their decisions a secret in fear of persecution.
Photo Credits: Salon
