An Egyptian Christian surgeon is reportedly being detained by the Saudi Arabia government because of his faith, alerted a Washington-based Christian human rights group Wednesday.
Dr. Mamdooh Fahmy, who was working as a surgeon in Saudi Arabia, wrote a letter to International Christian Concern appealing for help to return home to Egypt. His prior attempts to go home for over two years have been futile with the Saudi government refusing to grant him the required exit visa.
The Christian surgeon was working at Albyaan Menfhoh Medical Center in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, before he was removed from his position at the center six months ago, according to ICC. Fahmy has since not been able to obtain another work permit because of his Christian faith.
Harassments targeted at Fahmy began early on when his Muslim colleagues at the medical center in 2004 repeatedly pressured him to become a Muslim. After becoming tired of enduring the taunts, Fahmy told his co-workers that he was a Christian and would not change his religion. In response, the group accused him of being a missionary.
In Fahmy’s letter to ICC, the doctor details the maltreatment he underwent because he publicly acknowledged his Christian faith in Saudi Arabia:
“On April 12, 2005, I had a surprised visit from three Saudi officials at work. Two were in civilian attire and one was a police officer. They informed me that they were from the morals policing organization (Muttawa). They proceeded to insult me publicly before the staff and patients of the medical center. They confiscated my wallet, cell phone and keys. They handcuffed me, shacked (sic) my legs and dragged me to a waiting car, then proceeded to my residence.”
Fahmy then told how the police officer allowed two civilians to raid his house and confiscate all his written and published materials.
“I was then taken to the police station … where I was formally accused of being a Christian missionary and of consuming alcoholic beverages at work,” recalled the persecuted Christian doctor. “I was placed in solitary confinement for five days. After my confinement they began the interrogation process. Each time I was questioned, I was cursed and insulted. The interrogator referred to me as ‘Infidel.’”
After his release Fahmy was told that his passport was now in the custody of the police.
The Saudi government has reportedly been leading Fahmy in circles, promising to let him leave the country but in the end blocking his path.
In the latest incident, he was told that all he needed to do to exit the country was file some departure applications after Egyptian officials raised his situation with the Saudi government. Fahmy filed the papers, but not only was the application rejected, but Saudi officials laughed in his face for attempting to leave, according to ICC.
Saudi Arabia is notorious for its religious freedom and human rights abuse. The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom, an independent, bipartisan government body established to monitor religious freedom in the world, recommended to the U.S. State Department again this year that Saudi Arabia be designated a Country of Particular Concern – the worst religious freedom violation label.
The State Department has often criticized Saudi Arabia for religious intolerance and human rights abuses including a legal system with punishments such as flogging and amputation.
Christian persecution watch group Open Doors this year listed Saudi Arabia as the world’s second worst Christian persecutor behind North Korea.
Moreover, the Saudi government is accused of propagating religious intolerance through its public textbooks, which teach Muslim children to hate all non-Wahhabi Muslims.
“What is being taught today in Saudi public school textbooks about how Muslims should relate to other religious communities will poison the minds of a new generation of Saudis,” said Nina Shea, then-director of Freedom House’s Center for Religious Freedom, during a news conference about Saudi textbooks earlier this year.
ICC and Fahmy are requesting that people contact the Saudi embassy to inform them of the growing awareness of Saudi Arabia’s human rights violation in this case.
Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia, US
601 New Hampshire Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20037
Phone: (202) 342-3800
info@saudiembassy.net
Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia, Canada
99 Bank Street Suite 901,
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, K1P 6B9
Telephone: (613) 237-4100
Fax: (613) 237-0567
Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia, UK
30 Charles Street, W1J 5DZ
Tel: +44 (0)20 7917 3000
ukemb@mofa.gov.sa
RSS
And one more thing, why didn't the writer of this article also point out that the Coptic doctor held in Saudi Arabia is on death row?
This just shows what kind of a hypocrit nation we've become. When a democratic country in Europe dares to draw a picture of an Islamic icon, the Sunni world becomes enraged and they break into a series of anarchy, burning down churches and everything non-Wahhabi in their path. But when a Christian dared to hold the Bible, he gets to sit on death-row. Our hypocrisy is that while we claim to fight terrorism, we fuel and support those behind the terrrorists! I mean, just look at Lebanon today for example. The Lebanese Army is fighting a terrorist organization with ties to Al Qaeda in North Lebanon, and who are being funded and supported by the Lebanese government, while at the same time, we support that same government and punish the Lebanese Christians who oppose that government and stand up against it!! Am I the only one wondering what's wrong with that picture?!
I have long stated that the US government is hypocritical. We condemn Putin for reversing the democratic gains, but we fail to confront the Saudis for their treatment of Christians. Imagine the outcry if any western country would do the same to a muslim. Just look at Guantanamo, where the US is considered evil because we imprison terrorists who wanted to cause us harm. We have sold our moral conscience for oil. I look forward to the day when we leave all muslim countries and buy our oil from Russia, at least they dont persecute christians and dont fly airplanes in to our buildings. It just occured to me that not only the Saudis persecute Christians, so does the ACLU! Loving our enemy doesnt mean turning a blind eye to what is clear persecution!
I have long stated that the US government is hypocritical. We condemn Putin for reversing the democratic gains, but we fail to confront the Saudis for their treatment of Christians. Imagine the outcry if any western country would do the same to a muslim. Just look at Guantanamo, where the US is considered evil because we imprison terrorists who wanted to cause us harm. We have sold our moral conscience for oil. I look forward to the day when we leave all muslim countries and buy our oil from Russia, at least they dont persecute christians and dont fly airplanes in to our buildings. It just occured to me that not only the Saudis persecute Christians, so does the ACLU! Loving our enemy doesnt mean turning a blind eye to what is clear persecution!
What Saudi govt is doing is absolutely correct and is in accordance to the Islamic teachings. Allah Ta'als says: "The Religion before Allah is Islam (submission to His Will). So if they dispute with thee, say: "I have submitted My whole self to Allah and so have those who follow me." And say to the People of the Book and to those who are unlearned: "Do ye (also) submit yourselves?" If they do, they are in right guidance, but if they turn back, Thy duty is to convey the Message; and in Allah.s sight are (all) His servants." By the way, there are about 2 million coptic christians in the Arab world. Why the Saudi govt only caught this fellow. The reason is simple. That doctor was a believer first but he turned as infidel and unbeliever later. We all should reflect to the teachings of Glorious Qur'an before making any decision. I pray that Allah showers His Mercy and guide the doctor back to the Straight Path. Ameen.
Why do we want this guy released? I mean, he was warned about persecution, wasn't he? It's obviously part of God's plan, since He promised it for us. And Saudi Arabia needs him even more than Egypt does. I, for one, am jealous. I wish that I could be living out God's promise of persecuted evangelism so clearly.
this world of war and tragedy was never intended. God had no plans for this world.of sin. Everyone needs to embrace this one fact in order to go beyond religion. One could easily embrace the muslim religion with this in mind. There is no place for RELIGION in heaven God had no intentions for man to ever be infected with SIN. The time has come to graduate from religion. God is absolute and will never change his plan of realizing a world where he dwells with all mankind.
www.interfaithquest.com
Let's take the issue seriously especially the appeal mentioned in the last para of the article :
" ICC and Fahmy are requesting that people contact the Saudi embassy to inform them of the growing awareness of Saudi Arabia’s human rights violation in this case "
This is the oppurtunity to step out and help those who wants to come out of " religious opression ". Who knows, there maybe many more out there who wants to come out to the arms of christ. once a legislation of freedom of religion is passed to practise, profess and preach, then mighty doors will be opened in that country. " Rivers in the desert will we see "
this is the true face of saudi arabia,you lay with dogs you get flees,at there heart they are muslims,muslims have proven-- for the pass 1700yrs - they on the whole should not be trusted,nor can the church of rome,there history is just as bloody and two faced,often what is said publicly is pacify the the ignorant.then they deal secretly to,kill steal and distroy,
It will be difficult to take this story for face value, as there might be another reason why this doctor is held which he is hiding. Saudi Arabia has at least 2 million christian guest workers in different parts of the country, and this has been going on for decades. Why would they pick on this doctor ?
The true face of this world spirit. Comfortable life has killed church in the West. May God's people wake up from the drugs of comfort, and remain awake, and in prayer.