Adventist Leader Addresses 3,000 Adventist Members

Collegedale, TN... On January 26, Dr. John Graz, director for the Department of Public Affairs and Religious Liberty (PARL) of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, spoke before the Collegedale Church at Southern Adventist University to a congregation of 3,000 members. Taking two preaching slots at 9:30 and 11:30 a.m. respectively, Graz spoke on "Persecution, What Could We Do?" Reading excerpts of religious persecution experiences around the world since September 11, Dr. Graz gave seven practical answers as a response to religious persecution.

The afternoon special meeting was organized under the theme, "Persecution: A World Report." Introducing the recently published Religious Freedom World Report 2001 by PARL, Dr Graz explained how 193 countries were listed into five categories from the most protective of religious freedom, to the most repressive. Out of the 193 countries, 10 do not have religious freedom. Graz underlined that intolerance may be dominant in every religion. Islam was the more tolerant during the Middle Ages than Christianity, but it's the opposite today. Graz ended the meeting with the promotion of the Fides et Libertas and the Liberty magazine that seeks to raise awareness on religious liberty issues. [Viola Hughes]

Dr. Jonathan Gallagher, Dr. C. Welton Gaddy (Northminster Baptist Church), Dr. William White, (PARL director, Westlakes Adventist Church), Rabbi David Kline (B'nai Israel)

Religious Freedom Receives Multi-faith Support

Monroe, Lousiana... January 27, 2002. Religious freedom received support from three different faiths this past weekend, reports associate director Jonathan Gallagher.

"I was delighted to be able to be part of a religious freedom celebration that brought together Jews, Baptists and Seventh-day Adventists," says Jonathan Gallagher, associate director for the Public Affairs and Religious Liberty department. "Through aspects that are common to the heritage of all three faiths, we recognize the vital importance of continuing to fight against religious intolerance and state encroachment on the essential matters of freedom of conscience."

Services were held in the temple of B'nai Israel, the Northminster Baptist Church, and the Westlakes Adventist Church, and received positive media attention.

Mayor of Monroe Jamie Mayo and his wife attended the Sunday morning service and expressed their interest in this inter-denominational action for religious liberty. The local news report promoting the weekend events can be found at :

http://www.thenewsstar.com/html/9BF6AF06-23DE-4FAF-88E2-DC5B011678D9.shtml

Sudan: Christian Convert Prevented From Leaving Country

Istanbul...While trying to board a plane at Khartoum Airport, Aladin Omer Agabni Mohammed was turned back by Sudanese authorities, reports Compass Direct.

Mohammed who converted to Christianity 11 years ago while studying at Gezira University, was listed a criminal and expelled from the university. Sources say that his family has been disgraced by his actions and have denounced him for apostasy, which is classified as a crime under Sudanese law.

Compass reports that Mohammed has been arrested, interrogated, imprisoned and tortured many times, and was planning to travel to Uganda to study theology at the St. Paul Theological Seminary in Limuru, Kenya.

Under Section 126 of the Sudan Penal Code, a Muslim who commits apostasy by deserting Islam for another faith is subject to the death penalty. However, non-Muslims who convert to Islam are given celebrity status, often including media coverage and financial benefits. [Viola Hughes]

Media inquiries:

Viola Hughes
Phone: 301-680-6683
Fax: 301-680-6695
E-mail: HughesV@gc.adventist.org