citizens of Muslim countries will effect Christians fleeing persecution there, including Bangladesh, where two evangelists and health workers were reportedly hacked to death.
Jim Jacobson, president of advocacy group Christian Freedom International (CFI) said the move would "have a chilling effect on many Christians in nearby Muslim countries fleeing persecution–especially since it is now almost impossible for persecuted Christians in Islamic countries to obtain visas to come to the United States."
Jacobson, a former White House analyst, spoke shortly after the Daily Times Pakistan online newspaper reported Thursday, September 1, that the government imposed the ban "for security reasons" amid concern about growing Islamic extremism in southern Thailand, were 800 people died in clashes and bomb attacks since last year.
The Daily Times said Thailand has also suspended its honorary consul Zia Hassan Rizvi who issued visit visas in Lahore. The Foreign Ministry of Thailand has not yet confirmed the reports.
CFI Jacobson suggested that this will make it more difficult for Christians in Southeast Asia to obtain refugee status in a nearby country at a time of fresh concern over Islamic extremism across the region.
CHRISTIANS SHOCKED
In Bangladesh Christians are still reeling from the murders of Tapan Kumar Roy, 27, and Liplal Marandi, 21, who were "hacked to death" by Islamic militants about 150 kilometers (94 miles) from the capital, Dhaka, said human rights group Open Doors.
The two evangelists worked for the Christian Life Bangladesh organization and often showed the “Jesus Film” about Jesus Christ besides other films on arsenic poisoning, mother-and-child health care and AIDS prevention.
Open Doors said an Islamic school official and villagers had threatened to kill the two Christians if they would continue showing the "Jesus Film."
ARREST MADE
Police reportedly arrested a man named Monir Hossain in connection with the murders, which they were still investigating.
"Bangladesh is facing an overall deterioration in human rights, both for the Muslims who form 83 percent of the population and for religious minorities," Open Doors said. Bangladesh is among several Southeast Asian nations where persecution of minority Christians has increased human rights watchers say.
CFI officials say that Thailand was seen as a safe heaven for Christian refugees, as there are also many missionaries based there. (With reports from Pakistan and Thailand).
