From a concerned friend:

Dear Rowland,
Earlier in the year I forwarded an email regarding Samer who was facing charges of apostasy in Jordan. The decision has come through and I have attached it for your information.
I am planning on writing an article on this for publication in different Christian newspapers as I believe the Christian public needs to hear about this!
~~~

AFTA Urgent Prayer Requests

“Since ancient times no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides you, who acts on behalf of those who wait for him.” Is 64:4

Thank for being willing to stand with us at this time of trial. Especially for Samer, his wife and child.

We have just received the written sentence of the judge of Samer’s case, and with that, is has been signed and approved by the Appeal Court. The sentence is far worse than we thought.

The following is a summary of the sentence given in the name of King Abullah II of Jordan –

Because Samer has refused to return to Islam and he is therefore an apostate:-
a.. He is stripped of all rights
b.. His marriage is annulled, whether his wife is Muslim or of another religion
c.. All documents he has signed including his marriage certificate are annulled
d.. Because he is a backslider, he has no religion, he cannot follow any religion, and can only return to Islam
e.. He has not right to have an inheritance from anyone
f.. He has no right as a husband as he has been separated from his wife
g.. He cannot re-marry his wife unless he returns to Islam
h.. The judgement would not take effect until it was signed the Appeal Court
i.. It was signed by the Appeal Court on 25/1/2005

What this means is:-

That all his rights have been removed (i.e. no human rights), including his right to marriage (not even stay with his present wife), his right of having children (therefore his child can be taken and given to Muslim), he be placed in a mental institution, and his life is in very real danger. When he needs to renew his Identify Card it would be marked to reflect the above. This also means that authorities will be likely to take further action against other MBBs. Although he has some safety being in another nearby country, he can be deported to Jordan or found by his brother who seeks to harm him.

Please pray that –
a.. all of us in the Jordanian Church will know the Lord’s leading in what steps to take and have courage to do so
b.. Samer, his wife and child will be safe and know his leading
c.. all believers, especially MBBs, will not be afraid and will stand firm in the Lord
d.. all will be encouraged as they see how the Lord can turn this situation around
e.. this will not hinder church growth, but cause increasing growth
f.. this will bring glory to our Lord and Saviour
g.. the verdict will be overturned by some means