Christian archbishops from the Middle East are BANNED from the UK despite being invited to meet Prince Charles – yet 'extremist Islamic preachers are allowed in'

Source: Daily Mail

December 5, 2016

Archbishop Selwanos Boutros Alnemeh, of Homs and Hama in Syria, claims he was told his application was denied because it is policy not to issue visas to anyone in Syria Archbishop Selwanos Boutros Alnemeh, of Homs and Hama in Syria, claims he was told his application was denied because it is policy not to issue visas to anyone in Syria
Three Christian leaders from Iraq and Syria were denied entrance to the UK last week - despite a formal invitation to meet Prince Charles.

The men planned to travel to London for a consecration ceremony of Britain's first Syriac Orthodox Cathedral.

Archbishops Nicodemus Daoud Sharaf of Mosul, Timothius Mousa Shamani of St Matthew's in Nineveh valley of northern Iraq, and Selwanos Boutros Alnemeh of Homs and Hama in Syria reportedly missed the event as the Home Office deemed their visa applications unacceptable.

The three claimed that they were told their visas were denied because they 'did not have enough money to support themselves and might not leave the UK', according to the Sunday Express.

Archbishop Alnemeh claims he was told by the British embassy that they do not issue visas to anyone in Syria.

Prince Charles, Princes of Wales, pictured right, attended the event alongside His Holiness the Patriarch of Antioch the supreme head of the Syriac Orthodox Church , pictured left Prince Charles, Princes of Wales, pictured right, attended the event alongside His Holiness the Patriarch of Antioch the supreme head of the Syriac Orthodox Church , pictured left
  

The incident has been condemned by critics such as Dr Martin Parsons, who heads research at the Barnabas Fund, which aids Christians to escape war-torn countries.

He said: 'It's unbelievable that these persecuted Christians who come from the cradle of Christianity are being told there is no room at the inn when the UK is offering a welcome to Islamists who persecute Christians.

'There is a serious systemic problem when Islamist leaders who advocate the persecution of Christians are given the green light telling them that their application for UK visas will be looked on favourably, while visas for short pastoral visits to the UK are denied to Christian leaders whose churches are facing genocide.'

In August of this year, The Home Office released a statement which discussed asylum grants being given to members of Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood - which is characterised as a terrorist organisation in their own country.

At the joyous event, the first Syrian Orthodox Church in Britain was consecrated, and Prince Charles used the opportunity to discuss the grave suffering in Syria At the joyous event, the first Syrian Orthodox Church in Britain was consecrated, and Prince Charles used the opportunity to discuss the grave suffering in Syria
    

According to their statement: 'High profile supporters or those perceived to support the MB, such as journalists, may also be similarly at risk of persecution. In such cases, a grant of asylum will be appropriate.'

Dr Parsons also claims that two Islamic leaders from Pakistan who advocate the killing of Christians accused of blasphemy were granted UK visas in July.

The Home Office told the Sunday Express that 'all visa applications are considered on their individual merits and applicants must provide evidence to show they meet the requirements of the immigration rules.'

The Mail Online has contacted the Home Office for a response on the incident.

Daily Mail

5 декабря 2016 г.

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Комментарии
anthony 7 декабря 2016, 13:00
I'd expressed my surprise a couple of weeks back when HAH Patriarch Kyrilla was allowed into that soggy island alluding to the behaviour exhibited by whitey in the article above. They refuse visas to Christians but welcome their terrorist friends. Nothing changes sadly .
Sue 7 декабря 2016, 02:00
Unbelievable. Then MB has been supported by our allies in the Middle East and at one time I believe had offices in London. Under MB. Christians were crucified and murdered. Churches burnt. It is abhorrent that MB should be welcome and Pastoral visits by Christian bishops refused.
peter magee 7 декабря 2016, 00:00
Absolutely pathetic! But this is what happens when a nation turns away from it's Christian roots - the logical conclusion being, that it ends up persecuting those very people, who do continue to follow the Saviour, now largely rejected by Brittish bureaucracy and political leadership. May each of us be faithful to the One who was "despised and rejected by men" and... "as a Lamb before the slaughter, opened not His mouth." Whilst seeking justice, may we maintain a heart void of resentment and bitterness, and may we too, learn to suffer in a gracious and dignified manner, as our Lord exemplifies for us. It's only going to get worse - right across most of the earth. (Feel free to share my e-mail.)
john mc gee 6 декабря 2016, 20:00
how sad when politics ( political pandering to Muslims) trumps the truth about Christians being persecuted in the M.E.
jose Allen 6 декабря 2016, 12:00
The persecution of Christians is widespread but subtle in the UK and the USA. It is a public scandal that Christian bishops should be denied entrance to Britain. In the USA there have only been a handful of Christians admitted (even though they are the persecuted ones) but thousands of islamic 'refugees' have been allowed in.
Malc Vernone 6 декабря 2016, 04:00
TotallY scandalous, the Home Office should be ashamed but are probably dismissing any uproar as a petty moan!! About time the establishment got its priorities right and stop trying to be PC and placate every minority of any persuasion that complains. Christians are NOT a minority and the persecuted should be allowed in regardless. Especially when all these good clergy want is to visit temporarily. Again Shame on the Home Office!!!!
Fr. K K John 6 декабря 2016, 03:00
Refusing visa to Christian prelates because they are from war torn area where Christians are brutally persecuted is the most despicable behavior on the part of British embassy. Another still extenuating fact is, UK a country, professing Christianity issue visas indiscriminately to Islam radicals who avowed to kill all Christians. This satanic policy is unimaginable and an onslaught on the basic Christianity. Yet another intriguing aspect is that these prelates were invited by the Prince of Wales; what is the kind of honor they give to the royalty? They do not realize that they on the suicide walk. With all these insults and onslaughts, I declare that no one can do anything to the ancient Church, the first Christian faith, except of this is tribulation period. Father!forgive them, for they know not what they do.
Ennio R Senese 6 декабря 2016, 02:00
I am more then happy to sponsor them coming to the Netherlands
George armstrong 6 декабря 2016, 01:00
What do yo expect from this crazy Country Allows enemies in but friends are always betrayed.
Vadim 6 декабря 2016, 00:00
Terrible injustice - shame that needs to be corrected!
William Bauer PhD 5 декабря 2016, 18:00
Bureaucracy. I am reminded of the incident when a friend of the queen mother , Mary, went to a government office to report the queen mother's death. The clerk filled out a report and then asked the name of the queen mother's deceased husband (which was given). The clerk then asked the occupation of the queen mother's husband.
Paul Linville 5 декабря 2016, 18:00
Disgrace!
Naseem John 5 декабря 2016, 16:00
Europe in general, UK & USA in particularly have to review their policies of visas and immigration for Asian Christians in light of terrorism and propagation of Islam with increase of population Muslim in these countries, which will be great threat to culture and European nations which will not be very long time but just next 20 to 30 years.
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