Trade, blasphemy and safe havens

"If you've converted to Christianity and feel like you need to watch your back, Safe Haven can give you a safe place to stay."

Fiaz welcomed the launch of Safe Haven saying "if outsiders think that this is not happening in Britain, then they need to wake up because it is. An individual who has turned away from Islam will get killed. It hasn't happened yet but it will happen. The Safe Haven project is long overdue. It's time to act now," he warns.

Co-founder of Christian Concern and member of the Safe Haven team, Pastor Ade Omooba, also spoke at the launch event, saying: "The compassion of Jesus Christ drives us. Love demands that we do not turn a blind eye but stand with those who want to leave Islam. We want to see people set free from fear. At Christian Concern, we have heard of these appalling experiences too often. Something needs to be done."

Andrea Williams, Chief Executive of Christian Concern adds: "We are very grateful to all those who have given money and offered practical help to enable us to get this far. Please continue to pray for and support this vital initiative."

Meanwhile in Melbourne a Memorial Service will be held at 6.30 pm on 20th December at at All Saints Urdu-Hindi Church, 466 Glenferrie Rd., Kooyong, for Shahzad Masih and his pregnant wife Shama Bibi, who were burnt alive in a brick kiln in Pakistan on alleged charges of "blasphemy". The couple also had three young children.