''Our second mother': Iran's converted Christians find sanctuary in Germany' diff viewer (0/1)

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'Our second mother': Iran's converted Christians find sanctuary in Germany	'Our second mother': Iran's converted Christians find sanctuary in Germany
2014-05-12 12:10:27 UTC	2014-05-13 13:05:24 UTC (1 day later)
On	On
a breezy Sunday morning, 17 Christian converts are being baptized	a breezy Sunday morning, 17 Christian converts are being baptized
into a Berlin congregation just in time for Christmas. The yellow,	into a Berlin congregation just in time for Christmas. The yellow,
stained-glass windows, situated high enough to catch the sun’s	stained-glass windows, situated high enough to catch the sun’s
beams, are glowing. The old wooden pews creak as more people, Bibles	beams, are glowing. The old wooden pews creak as more people, Bibles
in hand, shuffle in to take a seat. Pastor Gottfried Martens, in an	in hand, shuffle in to take a seat. Pastor Gottfried Martens, in an
emerald green-colored liturgical garment, addresses the converts as	emerald green-colored liturgical garment, addresses the converts as
his congregation looks on.	his congregation looks on.
“Do	“Do
you recant the devil and his evil words?”	you recant the devil and his evil words?”
Marten's voice bellows	Marten's voice bellows
through the church on a quiet residential street in the city's	through the church on a quiet residential street in the city's
Zehlendorf district. “Do	Zehlendorf district. “Do
you recant Islam? Do you believe in Jesus Christ and The Holy	you recant Islam? Do you believe in Jesus Christ and The Holy
Spirit?” One	Spirit?” One
by one, they answer “yes,”	by one, they answer “yes,”
as heads are dunked in	as heads are dunked in
holy water. A member	holy water. A member
of the church slips a cross pendant around the neck of each fresh	of the church slips a cross pendant around the neck of each fresh
convert. One looks at once amazed and unsure of her new identity and faith. A sea of smartphone cameras capture the moment by those	convert. One looks at once amazed and unsure of her new identity and faith. A sea of smartphone cameras capture the moment by those
in the crowd waiting for their own confirmations in the weeks ahead.	in the crowd waiting for their own confirmations in the weeks ahead.
Then,	Then,
Bible	Bible
verses are read - in Farsi.	verses are read - in Farsi.
East	East
Berlin is considered one	Berlin is considered one
of the most “godless”	of the most “godless”
places in the world.	places in the world.
Over 50% of its population identify as atheist. But membership	Over 50% of its population identify as atheist. But membership
numbers at St Mary’s	numbers at St Mary’s
Lutheran church are booming, up by more than 300 thanks to the growth of a	Lutheran church are booming, up by more than 300 thanks to the growth of a
phenomena several congregations throughout Berlin and other cities in eastern Germany have been experiencing for the last few years.	phenomena several congregations throughout Berlin and other cities in eastern Germany have been experiencing for the last few years.
Iranian,	Iranian,
and occasionally Afghan, émigrés	and occasionally Afghan, émigrés
have become emerging faces in what is considered to be waning	have become emerging faces in what is considered to be waning
religious life in Germany.	religious life in Germany.
After	After
paying up to $30,000 to be smuggled into the country with fake	paying up to $30,000 to be smuggled into the country with fake
passports, they've taken on western names, doubled congregation	passports, they've taken on western names, doubled congregation
numbers in several independent Lutheran, Evangelical and Presbyterian	numbers in several independent Lutheran, Evangelical and Presbyterian
churches,	churches,
and eagerly await their baptism ceremonies while attempting to	and eagerly await their baptism ceremonies while attempting to
rebuild their lives as refugees.	rebuild their lives as refugees.
Germany	Germany
hasn’t	hasn’t
seen since an Iranian migrant population this large since after the	seen since an Iranian migrant population this large since after the
1979 revolution. The association of Iranian refugees in Berlin says the number of Iranians	1979 revolution. The association of Iranian refugees in Berlin says the number of Iranians
coming to Germany has doubled every year for the last five years,	coming to Germany has doubled every year for the last five years,
from less than 1,000 in 2008 to 4,348 in 2012. Figures from the federal office for migration and refugees in Germany confirms this	from less than 1,000 in 2008 to 4,348 in 2012. Figures from the federal office for migration and refugees in Germany confirms this
trend: with over 3,500 Iranians granted asylum last year, Iran was one of five countries from which Germany saw a rise in asylum applications.	trend: with over 3,500 Iranians granted asylum last year, Iran was one of five countries from which Germany saw a rise in asylum applications.
Spread	Spread
across multiple churches and asylum camps, Muslim-	across multiple churches and asylum camps, Muslim-
to-Christian	to-Christian
converts from Iran make up a noticeable population of asylum seekers	converts from Iran make up a noticeable population of asylum seekers
who	who
say a	say a
growing crackdown on Muslim-born Christian converts back home,	growing crackdown on Muslim-born Christian converts back home,
and disillusion from decades of living under Islamic law,	and disillusion from decades of living under Islamic law,
have led	have led
them to Germany. Though Iranian converts can be found in The	them to Germany. Though Iranian converts can be found in The
Netherlands, Sweden and Austria, Germany’s	Netherlands, Sweden and Austria, Germany’s
economic stability and reputation as a major refugee hosting country	economic stability and reputation as a major refugee hosting country
has made the European country the most desirable destination.	has made the European country the most desirable destination.
“The	“The
refugees themselves have already heard that Germany is a safe	refugees themselves have already heard that Germany is a safe
destination,” says	destination,” says
Rosemarie Gotz, a deaconess who has baptized close to 100 Iranians.	Rosemarie Gotz, a deaconess who has baptized close to 100 Iranians.
“Greece	“Greece
is broke, Italy is broke, France is broke and Germany isn’t,”	is broke, Italy is broke, France is broke and Germany isn’t,”
she says chuckling.	she says chuckling.
Despite	Despite
the risks of going through difficult mountainous terrain or getting	the risks of going through difficult mountainous terrain or getting
caught, leaving	caught, leaving
home has remained the only viable option for a growing group of	home has remained the only viable option for a growing group of
Iranians who say they will be jailed, tortured and at worst murdered	Iranians who say they will be jailed, tortured and at worst murdered
for their religious beliefs. Though there is no specific punishment	for their religious beliefs. Though there is no specific punishment
for apostasy, the rejection or abandonment of one’s	for apostasy, the rejection or abandonment of one’s
former religion, the act is left open	former religion, the act is left open
to lawmakers’ interpretation.	to lawmakers’ interpretation.
This means the price Iran’s	This means the price Iran’s
Muslim to Christian converts pay is unpredictable, and potentially	Muslim to Christian converts pay is unpredictable, and potentially
life-threatening.	life-threatening.
An underground movement	An underground movement
Christianity	Christianity
has been largely present in Iran throughout the country’s	has been largely present in Iran throughout the country’s
long spanning history, from ancient Persia when several regions were	long spanning history, from ancient Persia when several regions were
early centers of the religion,	early centers of the religion,
to the welcoming of Iran’s	to the welcoming of Iran’s
first Anglican Bishop since the 7th century - a former Muslim convert	first Anglican Bishop since the 7th century - a former Muslim convert
~~named Hasan Deqani ~~Taft~~ who went~~	named Hasan Deqani Tafti who went
into exile after 1978, when life for religious minorities like	into exile after 1978, when life for religious minorities like
Christians and most notably the marginalized Bahai community became	Christians and most notably the marginalized Bahai community became
increasingly difficult.	increasingly difficult.
Iran’s	Iran’s
Christians have traditionally been ethnic Armenians and Assyrians who	Christians have traditionally been ethnic Armenians and Assyrians who
are able to practice their religion freely as long as they do not	are able to practice their religion freely as long as they do not
proselytize.	proselytize.
In	In
the last five-	the last five-
to-10	to-10
years however, satellite television has ushered in a new era of	years however, satellite television has ushered in a new era of
Iranian Diasporan Christian pastors eager to spread their message of	Iranian Diasporan Christian pastors eager to spread their message of
faith to listeners back home. Ethnic Armenians and Assyrians have	faith to listeners back home. Ethnic Armenians and Assyrians have
also begun sharing Christianity with their Muslim neighbors and	also begun sharing Christianity with their Muslim neighbors and
friends.	friends.
The	The
proselytizing from Muslim-to-Christian converts in the Diaspora as	proselytizing from Muslim-to-Christian converts in the Diaspora as
well as Christian neighbors closer to home has	well as Christian neighbors closer to home has
led to the religion taking hold throughout Iran in numbers previously unseen.	led to the religion taking hold throughout Iran in numbers previously unseen.
The	The
underground nature of the Christian conversion movement has made	underground nature of the Christian conversion movement has made
numbers impossible to determine accurately.	numbers impossible to determine accurately.
Estimates	Estimates
range from 300,000	range from 300,000
to	to
500,000 by various sources.	500,000 by various sources.
Though	Though
these statistics cannot be independently verified, converts and	these statistics cannot be independently verified, converts and
pastors both in and out of Iran say the movement is strong and widely	pastors both in and out of Iran say the movement is strong and widely
spread.	spread.
Some converts have also been reported to travel to neighboring	Some converts have also been reported to travel to neighboring
Armenia to become baptized.	Armenia to become baptized.
In	In
Germany, hundreds have found a surrogate home in Martens’	Germany, hundreds have found a surrogate home in Martens’
church. An exuberant and	church. An exuberant and
lively pastor who speaks conversational Farsi and has new refugees	lively pastor who speaks conversational Farsi and has new refugees
appearing at his expanding church on Sundays, he has garnered a large	appearing at his expanding church on Sundays, he has garnered a large
following. In 2012, he was named “Pastor	following. In 2012, he was named “Pastor
of the Year” because	of the Year” because
of his work with Iranian refugees.	of his work with Iranian refugees.
“It	“It
is my impression that there is really a kind of Christian awakening	is my impression that there is really a kind of Christian awakening
in Iran at the moment with pretty large dimensions,”	in Iran at the moment with pretty large dimensions,”
he says. “People	he says. “People
who come to us have already had these contacts with house churches	who come to us have already had these contacts with house churches
and have had to flee because of that.”	and have had to flee because of that.”
Indeed,	Indeed,
the spread of Christianity to Muslim-born Iranians has not gone	the spread of Christianity to Muslim-born Iranians has not gone
unnoticed by the Islamic republic. Churches have come under pressure	unnoticed by the Islamic republic. Churches have come under pressure
to stop their Farsi-speaking services, are routinely monitored and	to stop their Farsi-speaking services, are routinely monitored and
required to submit lists of members.	required to submit lists of members.
At least 6,500 Bibles have been confiscated and security cameras	At least 6,500 Bibles have been confiscated and security cameras
installed outside churches, according to US state department international religious freedom reports	installed outside churches, according to US state department international religious freedom reports
for 2011 and 2012. Ahmed Shaheed, the UN special rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Islamic republic of Iran,	for 2011 and 2012. Ahmed Shaheed, the UN special rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Islamic republic of Iran,
has noted	has noted
in reports	in reports
from both 2013 and 2014 that since June 2010, more than 300	from both 2013 and 2014 that since June 2010, more than 300
Christians have been arrested, many on vague security crimes in which	Christians have been arrested, many on vague security crimes in which
they are accused of threatening national	they are accused of threatening national
security and the country.	security and the country.
Afsaneh,	Afsaneh,
a soft-spoken	a soft-spoken
woman in her 40s is part of Martens’	woman in her 40s is part of Martens’
congregation, says she	congregation, says she
was arrested because of her conversion and heavily abused in jail.	was arrested because of her conversion and heavily abused in jail.
Like other converts in this story, Afsaneh asked that only her first	Like other converts in this story, Afsaneh asked that only her first
name be used to protect her identity. She was only freed after using	name be used to protect her identity. She was only freed after using
her property deeds as collateral, after which she quickly escaped	her property deeds as collateral, after which she quickly escaped
the country.	the country.
Afsaneh	Afsaneh
says she struggled to accept Islam for most of her life but	says she struggled to accept Islam for most of her life but
ultimately and fundamentally disagreed with the religion. Her cousin,	ultimately and fundamentally disagreed with the religion. Her cousin,
a convert, secretly introduced her to Christianity in	a convert, secretly introduced her to Christianity in
which she found a better, spiritual fit. “I	which she found a better, spiritual fit. “I
felt so relaxed,” she	felt so relaxed,” she
says after attending Bible	says after attending Bible
study sessions held in the privacy of her house church. “I	study sessions held in the privacy of her house church. “I
felt safe. I was so excited about Christmas that I put up a tree in	felt safe. I was so excited about Christmas that I put up a tree in
my home and work.” Her	my home and work.” Her
public displays meant closer eyes and soon both her and her cousin	public displays meant closer eyes and soon both her and her cousin
were arrested receiving	were arrested receiving
more than 70 lashes in jail.	more than 70 lashes in jail.
“I	“I
want Iran to have respect for my perspective, about what religion I	want Iran to have respect for my perspective, about what religion I
choose,” she	choose,” she
says from the church	says from the church
basement	basement
where refugees gather after	where refugees gather after
Sunday mass for a communal lunch. “Not	Sunday mass for a communal lunch. “Not
just to tell me that I have to be a Muslim.”	just to tell me that I have to be a Muslim.”
In the last two years, two	In the last two years, two
high profile cases involving the	high profile cases involving the
jailing of converts	jailing of converts
have also reached international media: Pastor Youcef	have also reached international media: Pastor Youcef
Nadarkhani,	Nadarkhani,
who was released from prison after being tried for apostasy,	who was released from prison after being tried for apostasy,
and Saeed	and Saeed
Abedini,	Abedini,
an Iranian-American pastor,currently serving jail time for helping create the house-church	an Iranian-American pastor,currently serving jail time for helping create the house-church
movement in Iran.	movement in Iran.
As a result of the crackdown,	As a result of the crackdown,
converts like Afsaneh have opted	converts like Afsaneh have opted
to emigrate abroad rather	to emigrate abroad rather
than risk harassment or prison.	than risk harassment or prison.
Of the dozens of converts interviewed for this story, a majority	Of the dozens of converts interviewed for this story, a majority
recount	recount
how the	how the
shuttering of the	shuttering of the
house churches where they gather to worship and	house churches where they gather to worship and
the arrests of fellow church members prompted	the arrests of fellow church members prompted
them to flee Iran.	them to flee Iran.
A 2012	A 2012
European court of justice ruling granting	European court of justice ruling granting
asylum rights to targets of religious persecution has also spurred	asylum rights to targets of religious persecution has also spurred
the arrival of Iranian émigrés	the arrival of Iranian émigrés
in	in
Europe. The court rejected the argument that Christians could safely	Europe. The court rejected the argument that Christians could safely
bring their faith underground stating that the right to worship or practice one’s	bring their faith underground stating that the right to worship or practice one’s
faith in public is what constitutes full freedom of religion, a	faith in public is what constitutes full freedom of religion, a
principle upheld by the European convention on human rights.	principle upheld by the European convention on human rights.
Faith and family	Faith and family
Across town from Martens’	Across town from Martens’
church sits the	church sits the
unassuming Haus Gotteshilfe church or “House	unassuming Haus Gotteshilfe church or “House
of God’s	of God’s
Help,”	Help,”
nestled into	nestled into
Berlin’s	Berlin’s
Neukolln district, home	Neukolln district, home
to a large percentage of	to a large percentage of
Berlin’s Middle	Berlin’s Middle
Eastern immigrants.	Eastern immigrants.
Deaconess Gotz’s	Deaconess Gotz’s
congregation of Iranian converts has turned her small and humble	congregation of Iranian converts has turned her small and humble
church into a bustling center overflowing with fragrant Iranian tea and Farsi language Bibles. The onslaught began when she was	church into a bustling center overflowing with fragrant Iranian tea and Farsi language Bibles. The onslaught began when she was
introduced to an Iranian woman named Nadereh who came to her and	introduced to an Iranian woman named Nadereh who came to her and
asked to be baptized. One day Nadereh, who has lived in Germany for	asked to be baptized. One day Nadereh, who has lived in Germany for
20 years,	20 years,
brought five other converts with her and the numbers continued to	brought five other converts with her and the numbers continued to
grow until Gotz’s	grow until Gotz’s
congregation was doubled.	congregation was doubled.
Gotz has become a sort of	Gotz has become a sort of
maternal figure for the refugees who are often disowned by Muslim	maternal figure for the refugees who are often disowned by Muslim
families back home. Her maternal instinct to protect and care for them has earned her a	families back home. Her maternal instinct to protect and care for them has earned her a
special place in their new, strange lives away from home.	special place in their new, strange lives away from home.
“They	“They
say you are our mother, our second mother,”	say you are our mother, our second mother,”
she	she
says. “They’re	says. “They’re
looking for a homeland.”	looking for a homeland.”
One refugee who has been	One refugee who has been
almost completely cut off from her own family is Mojgan.	almost completely cut off from her own family is Mojgan.
“One	“One
day, I will kill you because you’ve	day, I will kill you because you’ve
changed,” her	changed,” her
sister back in Iran told her. “They	sister back in Iran told her. “They
hate me. They don’t	hate me. They don’t
want to see me anymore.”	want to see me anymore.”
She is especially close to Gotz, though her struggles with learning German makes their relationship slightly challenging. Along with her with teenage daughter, Mojgan has been part of this congregation since she arrived in Berlin less than a year ago after first fleeing from Iran to Malaysia.	She is especially close to Gotz, though her struggles with learning German makes their relationship slightly challenging. Along with her with teenage daughter, Mojgan has been part of this congregation since she arrived in Berlin less than a year ago after first fleeing from Iran to Malaysia.
Like	Like
other converts interviewed, Mojgan reported seeing a vision of	other converts interviewed, Mojgan reported seeing a vision of
Christ during a moment of desperation which led to her conversion. As	Christ during a moment of desperation which led to her conversion. As
her daughter lay sick at home with a rising fever, Mojgan, with the	her daughter lay sick at home with a rising fever, Mojgan, with the
help of a Christian neighbor, began praying.	help of a Christian neighbor, began praying.
“I	“I
said Jesus, Moses, Mohammed, all of you, help me. If each of you is real, come help me.”	said Jesus, Moses, Mohammed, all of you, help me. If each of you is real, come help me.”
It	It
was after this, she says, that Christ appeared to her. When she	was after this, she says, that Christ appeared to her. When she
checked on her daughter, the fever had disappeared. “It	checked on her daughter, the fever had disappeared. “It
was like she was in a freezer,” she	was like she was in a freezer,” she
says.	says.
They	They
both converted and began attending an underground house church but	both converted and began attending an underground house church but
the urge to share their faith publicly was too tempting.	the urge to share their faith publicly was too tempting.
“I	“I
was scared for my daughter, she says. “She’s	was scared for my daughter, she says. “She’s
young and she’s	young and she’s
a fighter, she couldn’t	a fighter, she couldn’t
keep quiet. She fought with Muslims and wanted to show them that	keep quiet. She fought with Muslims and wanted to show them that
Mohammed is not the holy prophet. I was scared for her and I thought	Mohammed is not the holy prophet. I was scared for her and I thought
- I think it’s	- I think it’s
better to run away from this country.”	better to run away from this country.”
After	After
the church was dismantled by authorities and arrests took place, she	the church was dismantled by authorities and arrests took place, she
left Iran for Malaysia, where she had worked intermittently as a	left Iran for Malaysia, where she had worked intermittently as a
guide for Iranian tourists. But troubles from back home followed her	guide for Iranian tourists. But troubles from back home followed her
to the southeast Asian country where Islam is the predominant	to the southeast Asian country where Islam is the predominant
religion. Iranian authorities frequented the church were refugees	religion. Iranian authorities frequented the church were refugees
attended and filmed members, she says. This prompted her to flee to	attended and filmed members, she says. This prompted her to flee to
Berlin, where she has been waiting for her asylum case to be	Berlin, where she has been waiting for her asylum case to be
processed ever since.	processed ever since.
“I’m	“I’m
missing my family,” she	missing my family,” she
says. “But	says. “But
I have something else, something very big and great - I have Jesus as	I have something else, something very big and great - I have Jesus as
my father.”	my father.”
Emmanuel,	Emmanuel,
a 20-year-old refugee who arrived in Germany a few months ago from	a 20-year-old refugee who arrived in Germany a few months ago from
Iran also left because of his inability to keep his faith private.	Iran also left because of his inability to keep his faith private.
Emmanuel is his western name and while he refuses to speak about	Emmanuel is his western name and while he refuses to speak about
details that led to his escape	details that led to his escape
fearing for the safety of family back home,	fearing for the safety of family back home,
he says he was first introduced to Christianity as a teenager and the	he says he was first introduced to Christianity as a teenager and the
religion ultimately soothed a difficult upbringing. “Our	religion ultimately soothed a difficult upbringing. “Our
family was really separated,” he	family was really separated,” he
says. “In	says. “In
our home, there was no peace or relaxed moments, but Jesus and	our home, there was no peace or relaxed moments, but Jesus and
Christianity brought peace into our family.”	Christianity brought peace into our family.”
A	A
member of the growing network of underground house church for years,	member of the growing network of underground house church for years,
as his interest in Christianity grew, his activities, which included	as his interest in Christianity grew, his activities, which included
publicly proselytizing, raised eyebrows from disapproving relatives.	publicly proselytizing, raised eyebrows from disapproving relatives.
“I	“I
knew they	knew they
couldn’t	couldn’t
do anything, but they could tell other people who could do	do anything, but they could tell other people who could do
something,” he	something,” he
says, referring to Iran’s	says, referring to Iran’s
paramilitary volunteer force known as the Basij. “If	paramilitary volunteer force known as the Basij. “If
your	your
name	name
comes up anywhere, anywhere that it shouldn’t,	comes up anywhere, anywhere that it shouldn’t,
then they will keep watching you.”	then they will keep watching you.”
Emmanuel’s	Emmanuel’s
vocal declarations of his faith raised the interest	vocal declarations of his faith raised the interest
of Iran’s government	of Iran’s government
and soon “they	and soon “they
intervened,” he	intervened,” he
says.	says.
For	For
Mojgan, Emmanuel and other Iranian refugees, Germany has presented a	Mojgan, Emmanuel and other Iranian refugees, Germany has presented a
new set of different,	new set of different,
yet	yet
overwhelming,	overwhelming,
challenges in an unfamiliar country so different from the one they’ve	challenges in an unfamiliar country so different from the one they’ve
left behind.	left behind.
The first step toward asylum is	The first step toward asylum is
a grueling interview process, when	a grueling interview process, when
a judge challenges them to prove	a judge challenges them to prove
the genuineness of their faith.	the genuineness of their faith.
Church	Church
leaders cry foul, claiming the line of questioning is often archaic, spanning obscure Christian history like the	leaders cry foul, claiming the line of questioning is often archaic, spanning obscure Christian history like the
Crusades or doctrines of the Roman Catholic Church about	Crusades or doctrines of the Roman Catholic Church about
which converts often have no clue.	which converts often have no clue.
“The	“The
kind of measurements they use is sometimes crazy,”	kind of measurements they use is sometimes crazy,”
Martens says. “In	Martens says. “In
many cases they really have little idea of Christianity and they have	many cases they really have little idea of Christianity and they have
no idea what we’re	no idea what we’re
teaching.”	teaching.”
Nele	Nele
Allenberg, an immigration lawyer with the	Allenberg, an immigration lawyer with the
Evangelical Church in Germany, or EKD, a	Evangelical Church in Germany, or EKD, a
collective federation of church bodies in Germany,	collective federation of church bodies in Germany,
says courts should examine more than	says courts should examine more than
just asylum seekers’ initial motives, but how they are actually living their beliefs in their daily lives	just asylum seekers’ initial motives, but how they are actually living their beliefs in their daily lives
- church	- church
attendance, sharing of their faith and adherence to Christian	attendance, sharing of their faith and adherence to Christian
principles, she says.	principles, she says.
After	After
noticing the influx of immigrant Christian converts coming to	noticing the influx of immigrant Christian converts coming to
Germany, Allenberg and her colleagues prepared a pamphlet for EKD	Germany, Allenberg and her colleagues prepared a pamphlet for EKD
member churches on how to deal with Iranian as well as Afghan,	member churches on how to deal with Iranian as well as Afghan,
Turkish, Syrian and Vietnamese asylum seekers who are filling up	Turkish, Syrian and Vietnamese asylum seekers who are filling up
empty churches as new Christians.	empty churches as new Christians.
The	The
pamphlet covers such issues as court hearings, deportation, probation	pamphlet covers such issues as court hearings, deportation, probation
periods before baptism and validity of conversions.	periods before baptism and validity of conversions.
Before	Before
they get called for the interviews, a process which has been delayed	they get called for the interviews, a process which has been delayed
extensively due to a large influx of migrants, they must also survive	extensively due to a large influx of migrants, they must also survive
in the cramped	in the cramped
asylum camps which are often converted schools or army barracks.	asylum camps which are often converted schools or army barracks.
Depression	Depression
and other psychological ailments are not uncommon among asylum	and other psychological ailments are not uncommon among asylum
seekers sharing	seekers sharing
these bleak and sometimes unsanitary spaces with strangers from a	these bleak and sometimes unsanitary spaces with strangers from a
host of different countries.	host of different countries.
After	After
the suicide of an Iranian asylum seeker who was found hanged in his	the suicide of an Iranian asylum seeker who was found hanged in his
apartment,	apartment,
Iranian	Iranian
refugees mobilized protesting the unsatisfactory conditions. Some in	refugees mobilized protesting the unsatisfactory conditions. Some in
Bavaria responded by sewing	Bavaria responded by sewing
their mouths shut.	their mouths shut.
In Munich protesters called a hunger strike.	In Munich protesters called a hunger strike.
Many	Many
Iranians	Iranians
Christian converts face harassment and attacks from Muslim refugees whom share their temporary living quarters.	Christian converts face harassment and attacks from Muslim refugees whom share their temporary living quarters.
Forbidden to work, travel too far outside the camp, and with no	Forbidden to work, travel too far outside the camp, and with no
formal opportunities to learn German, they remain isolated.	formal opportunities to learn German, they remain isolated.
Religion	Religion
and the German churches become essential places of socializing and interaction but even here	and the German churches become essential places of socializing and interaction but even here
the pressures of home cannot be forgotten.	the pressures of home cannot be forgotten.
Lurking	Lurking
among the joyful baptism ceremonies and shared after-Mass meals,	among the joyful baptism ceremonies and shared after-Mass meals,
however,	however,
is another, complicated challenge: an atmosphere laden with	is another, complicated challenge: an atmosphere laden with
overwhelming suspicion they've carried from Iran : fear of moles with ties to the Iranian government.	overwhelming suspicion they've carried from Iran : fear of moles with ties to the Iranian government.
“I	“I
don’t	don’t
feel safe in the church, between those people,”	feel safe in the church, between those people,”
Emmanuel tells me over	Emmanuel tells me over
coffee one day. “Maybe	coffee one day. “Maybe
someone inside the church is one of them. I have no idea who they	someone inside the church is one of them. I have no idea who they
are.”	are.”
The	The
refugees are careful to keep their distance from each other, never revealing information	refugees are careful to keep their distance from each other, never revealing information
about their cases or details of their lives back home.	about their cases or details of their lives back home.
Suspicions extend to outsiders	Suspicions extend to outsiders
like me.	like me.
Before sharing their stories	Before sharing their stories
they demanded paperwork and asked about my religious beliefs to make sure I wasn't a	they demanded paperwork and asked about my religious beliefs to make sure I wasn't a
government proxy.	government proxy.
They've	They've
gained the right to practice their faith, but can't shake the	gained the right to practice their faith, but can't shake the
pervasive fear of persecution instilled in them over a lifetime. In	pervasive fear of persecution instilled in them over a lifetime. In
some ways, freedom has evaded them, even 3,000 miles away.	some ways, freedom has evaded them, even 3,000 miles away.
The credibility of conversions	The credibility of conversions
Pastors,	Pastors,
missionaries and the refugees themselves admit that some converts	missionaries and the refugees themselves admit that some converts
escaping difficult	escaping difficult
social and economic pressures	social and economic pressures
in	in
Iran use Christianity as a way to legitimize asylum, knowing that	Iran use Christianity as a way to legitimize asylum, knowing that
they won't be sent back. Some exploit religion as a means to receive status in Germany after being	they won't be sent back. Some exploit religion as a means to receive status in Germany after being
rejected for asylum on political grounds.	rejected for asylum on political grounds.
“There	“There
were occasions where we were very deeply disappointed,”	were occasions where we were very deeply disappointed,”
says	says
Reverend Hugo Gevers who works with Iranian converts in Leipzig at	Reverend Hugo Gevers who works with Iranian converts in Leipzig at
St Luke’s	St Luke’s
Church, where the congregation is one-third former Iranian Muslim. “We	Church, where the congregation is one-third former Iranian Muslim. “We
were supporting them for years, they had the court case and a	were supporting them for years, they had the court case and a
positive answer and the same day they separated from us.”	positive answer and the same day they separated from us.”
But	But
Gevers and other church leaders are also quick to point out that	Gevers and other church leaders are also quick to point out that
retention rates are high and the number of faux converts remain low.	retention rates are high and the number of faux converts remain low.
Some pastors	Some pastors
have even adopted strict protocol that can last several months to	have even adopted strict protocol that can last several months to
weed out non-believers. Indeed, the small percentage who do come for	weed out non-believers. Indeed, the small percentage who do come for
paperwork often end up staying – a	paperwork often end up staying – a
combination of disillusionment with Iran and the loneliness of	combination of disillusionment with Iran and the loneliness of
refugee life pushes them to seek out prayer, they say.	refugee life pushes them to seek out prayer, they say.
“There	“There
are some people who	are some people who
obviously	obviously
come to us hoping for papers. But it’s	come to us hoping for papers. But it’s
very interesting - when they come to our baptismal classes, their	very interesting - when they come to our baptismal classes, their
hearts open,”	hearts open,”
Martens	Martens
says. “I	says. “I
say ‘Perhaps	say ‘Perhaps
some of you are here for papers, but I tell you the Holy Spirit will	some of you are here for papers, but I tell you the Holy Spirit will
work.’”	work.’”
At	At
Haus	Haus
Gotteshilfe, Mojgan refutes the idea that refugees may be	Gotteshilfe, Mojgan refutes the idea that refugees may be
participating in some sort of divine lie. “We	participating in some sort of divine lie. “We
have so many people here who already have their passports, but still	have so many people here who already have their passports, but still
they come and will continue to come because of what they know in	they come and will continue to come because of what they know in
their heart.”	their heart.”
With	With
the determination of the credibility of their faith virtually	the determination of the credibility of their faith virtually
impossible to determine, pastors as well as fellow	impossible to determine, pastors as well as fellow
converts prefer not to judge.	converts prefer not to judge.
Sadegh	Sadegh
Sepehri, an ethnic Iranian Reverend, former Muslim and once prominent	Sepehri, an ethnic Iranian Reverend, former Muslim and once prominent
figure in the Iranian Bible society in Tehran who fled to Germany 25	figure in the Iranian Bible society in Tehran who fled to Germany 25
years ago doesn't focus on the motivation of converts, a difficult	years ago doesn't focus on the motivation of converts, a difficult
and impossible judgement	and impossible judgement
he says he leaves up to God.	he says he leaves up to God.
“God,	“God,
you know them better,”	you know them better,”
he	he
says. “I	says. “I
will tell them the word of Salvation but how they react is up to You	will tell them the word of Salvation but how they react is up to You
and them.”	and them.”
Sepehri	Sepehri
has baptized hundreds of Iranians as a missionary from the American	has baptized hundreds of Iranians as a missionary from the American
Presbyterian mission agency, and can spot a non-believer better than	Presbyterian mission agency, and can spot a non-believer better than
most pastors now dealing with the changing nature of their	most pastors now dealing with the changing nature of their
congregations.	congregations.
“They	“They
are coming here, and receiving good things from Christianity,”	are coming here, and receiving good things from Christianity,”
he	he
says warily as his Sunday service begins with Christian hymns in	says warily as his Sunday service begins with Christian hymns in
Farsi. Soon images of Jesus will light up the overhead projector	Farsi. Soon images of Jesus will light up the overhead projector
screen in the prayer room of the Bethlehem Evangelical Reformed	screen in the prayer room of the Bethlehem Evangelical Reformed
Community church, host to Sepehri’s	Community church, host to Sepehri’s
congregation as well as Christian refugees from West Africa.	congregation as well as Christian refugees from West Africa.
“Even	“Even
if they are not accepting Christianity, in their whole life, they	if they are not accepting Christianity, in their whole life, they
will know that it was the church and Jesus helping them.”	will know that it was the church and Jesus helping them.”
This	This
story was made possible through a grant from the International	story was made possible through a grant from the International
Reporting Project.	Reporting Project.

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