Iranian man beaten unconscious in German refugee camp for converting to Christianity

An Iranian man has been severely beaten for converting to Christianity inside a German refugee camp.

The man is thought to have to told some Afghan migrants that he had embraced Christianity, German newspaper Die Welt reports. A few days later one Afghan beat him unconscious with a baton, declaring that his conversion was a "sin."

It is thought the assailant was one of those he told about his conversion.

Officials in Hamburg-Eidelstedt, Germany, have said they are investigating the incident after it took between 15 and 20 people to pull the attacker away.

A study on violence in migrant centres was published earlier this month and revealed that conflict is part of "everyday life" for the inhabitants and is only likely to increase.

Religious tensions, researchers said, were the "ultimate and primary cause" of violence in German refugee camps.

"Violent behaviour and aggressive verbal confrontations, threats or insults and serious damage to property were very commonly reported, indicating they are part of everyday life in the hired accommodation," the report read.

Indeed examples of fighting fuelled by religious tensions in refugee camps are easy to find.

Riots broke out in another German refugee camp in August after an Afghan tore out pages from a Qu'ran and threw them in the toilet.

The man was chased by 20 Syrians and at least 17 people were injured in he violence, including the camp's security guards who tried to protect the alleged offender.

Other examples of violence include clashes at a camp near the German city of Kassel on 28 September which left 14 people injured, including three policemen.

Furthermore, 300 refugees brawled in a camp in another German city, Braunschweig, on 7 October in violence that was allegedly sparked by a theft.

Angela Merkel, the German chancellor, has been praised for her open-door acceptence of refugees but is now facing a backlash from within her own party who criticise her policy as unsustainable. 

related articles
Thousands join anti-Islam march as Merkel criticised for welcoming refugees

Thousands join anti-Islam march as Merkel criticised for welcoming refugees

Hungary shuts border to refugee to preserve \
Hungary shuts border to refugee to preserve "Christian values"

Hungary shuts border to refugee to preserve "Christian values"

Merkel heads to Turkey to ask for help with refugee crisis
Merkel heads to Turkey to ask for help with refugee crisis

Merkel heads to Turkey to ask for help with refugee crisis

20,000 flood Dresden for anti-Islam Pegida rally
20,000 flood Dresden for anti-Islam Pegida rally

20,000 flood Dresden for anti-Islam Pegida rally

News
The first Christmas song to be sung in churches
The first Christmas song to be sung in churches

Every Christmas, people sing the song “While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks by Night”. Unlike many other songs and carols that include elements of non-biblical tradition and myth, this song is pure Scripture. It was the first Christmas song authorised to be sung in the Church of England. This is the story …

The story of the Christmas Truce of 1914
The story of the Christmas Truce of 1914

On Christmas Eve in 1914, many men were in the trenches fighting the war, but the spirit of Christmas halted the conflict for a brief period. This is the story …

Report highlights injustices experienced by Christians in the Holy Land
Report highlights injustices experienced by Christians in the Holy Land

Jerusalem Church leaders have released a report detailing the struggles and challenges currently faced be Christians living in the Holy Land.

Have you lost the wonder of Christmas?
Have you lost the wonder of Christmas?

For you who have been followers of Jesus Christ for a long time, maybe the pain and suffering of this world and the darkness you have had to live through this past year has gotten you down to the point of complete and utter discouragement. But all is not lost.