Jordan: Update to JOR20250.E of 13 April 1995 on the treatment of persons who have converted to Christianity from Islam
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 19 August 1999 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | JOR32509.E |
| Reference | 7 |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Jordan: Update to JOR20250.E of 13 April 1995 on the treatment of persons who have converted to Christianity from Islam, 19 August 1999, JOR32509.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6ad5944.html [accessed 17 September 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
Both a Christian sociologist at the University of Amman and the Deputy Editor of the Amman-based Jordan Times, an English-language newspaper covering Jordanian and Middle Eastern issues, stated that they were unaware of cases of mistreatment of Muslims who converted to Christianity (14 July 1999; 29 July 1999).
According to AP, "Jordan will offer Christian education in government schools for the first time starting December 1, [1998]" (24 Nov. 1998). AP states that "the Christian Bishops Council and the Education Ministry reached agreement for compulsory classes on Christianity for the 3,000 Christian students in government schools" (ibid.). The classes will be taught three times a week in seven districts with concentrations of Christians (ibid.). Books for the classes will be distributed for free to students and the teachers paid by the Ministry of Education (ibid.). The Atlanta Journal and Constitution stated that "the Hashemite Kingdon [of Jordan] has largely protected the rights of its Christian minority, guaranteeing Christians eight seats in the 100-member Parliament (29 Mar. 1997).
Information on the forcible conversion of Christians to Islam is available in JOR28169.E of 26 November 1997.
This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.
Associated Press (AP). 24 November 1998. "Jordan to Offer First Christian Classes in Public Schools." (NEXIS)
The Atlanta Journal and Constitution. 29 March 1997. "Focus on Middle East Christians." (NEXIS)
Deputy Editor, Jordan Times, Amman, Jordan. 29 July 1999. Telephone interview.
Sociologist, University of Amman, Jordan. 14 July 1999. Telephone interview.
Additional Sources Consulted
The Middle East [London]. November 1988 - 1997. Monthly.
Middle East International [London]. January 1991 - 1997. Bi-weekly.
Middle East Report [Washington]. September 1990 - 1997. Bi-monthly.
Monde Arabe Maghreb-Machrek [Paris]. January 1989 - 1997. Quarterly.
News From Middle East Watch [New York].
Electronic sources: DIRB Databases, Global News Bank, Lexis/Nexis, Internet, REFWORLD (UNHCR database), World News Connection (WNC).