Thousands Sign Open Doors USA Petition Urging Obama Action on Naming Ambassador for Religious Freedom
Contact: Jerry Dykstra, Open Doors USA, 616-915-4117, jerryd@odusa.org
SANTA ANA, Calif., Feb. 4 /Christian Newswire/ -- It is only 35 days into 2010 and already there are reports of major atrocities against Christians and other people of faith around the world.
According to Compass Direct News, two pastors and 46 other Christians were confirmed killed, 27 believers still missing and 10 churches burned to the ground as a result of Muslim/Christian clashes in Jos, Nigeria, in mid-January.
Last week Open Doors reported another Christian, Hana Hagos Asgedom, died while serving time in one of Eritrea's harsh detention centers. Asgedom, who was allegedly beaten, was the 11th known Christian to die while imprisoned in Eritrea.
In Somalia, Islamic extremists shot the leader of an underground church to death on Jan. 1 and threatened to kill his wife, according to Compass Direct. Having learned that he had left Islam to become a Christian, Somali militants from the Islamic extremist group al Shabaab murdered 41-year-old Mohammed Ahmed Ali, Compass reported.
"It's apparent from these three reports of persecution -- and many more -- there is a pressing need for the Obama administration to immediately appoint an Ambassador at Large for International Religious Freedom," said Open Doors USA President/CEO Carl Moeller. "This key position has remained vacant for over a year."
The position was created in 1998 to monitor religious persecution, recommend and implement policies and advise the U.S. State Department and the administration.
Open Doors USA along with several other organizations recently sent a letter to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton urging her to work with President Obama to make the appointment a high priority.
Moeller adds: "It is so important that the United States fills the ambassador position in order to advance the rights of freedom of religion for every person and to denounce the violations of those rights. The appointment will show the world that the United States is committed to protecting and promoting those rights."
A recent Pew Research Center report found 70 percent of the people in the world live in countries with high levels of restriction on religion.
CBN News reported today that the White House said "the president is committed to filling this post with the most qualified person."
This morning at the National Prayer Breakfast, both President Obama and Secretary of State Clinton affirmed the importance of international religious freedom.
Having verbally recognized the importance of this issue, Open Doors USA is calling on the administration to back up these words by actions and appoint a qualified Ambassador for International Religious Freedom who has experience in international diplomacy and religious freedom issues.
Two weeks ago Open Doors USA started a petition drive urging President Obama to make the appointment of a qualified Ambassador at Large for International Religious Freedom a priority. The petition drive already has resulted in over 8,000 signatures, according to Open Doors USA Advocacy Director Lindsay Vessey. "The over 8,000 signatures in only two weeks demonstrates that people are really concerned about the delay in making this appointment and want action by the administration," says Vessey. "It also demonstrates that people have a real passion for freedom of religion around the world."
To sign the petition and read the letter to Secretary of State Clinton, go to www.OpenDoorsUSA.org.
An estimated 100 million Christians worldwide suffer interrogation, arrest and even death for their faith in Christ, with millions more facing discrimination and alienation. Open Doors supports and strengthens believers in the world's most difficult areas through Bible and Christian literature distribution, leadership training and assistance, Christian community development, prayer and presence ministry and advocacy on behalf of suffering believers. To partner with Open Doors USA, call toll free at 888-5-BIBLE-5 (888-524-2535) or go to our Website at www.OpenDoorsUSA.org.
(For more information or to set up an interview, contact Jerry Dykstra at 616-915-4117 or email jerryd@odusa.org).
