The UK Home Office has launched an investigation after claims emerged that 40 men on the Bibby Stockholm asylum seeker barge are being baptized into Christianity.
Muslim men aboard the vessel, Bibby Stockholm, in Portland, Dorset, have engaged with Weymouth Baptist Church regarding their faith. However, concerns have arisen amidst the ongoing search for Clapham attack suspect Abdul Ezedi, an Afghan who obtained asylum after claiming conversion to Christianity. There's apprehension that religion might be exploited to support immigration claims.
Sussex MP Tim Loughton raised questions in Parliament about declining Christian attendance and baptism rates juxtaposed with reported surges in conversions among asylum seekers. He highlighted the Church of England's purported issuance of clandestine guidance to clergy aiding asylum applications based on religious conversions, raising accountability and taxpayer concerns regarding the archbishop's role.
Responding to Loughton, Rishi Sunak mentioned that James Cleverly, the home secretary, seeks further information on conversions.
Conversion from Islam is a grave matter, potentially serving as grounds for claiming asylum due to fears of persecution upon return to their home countries.
In a statement on its website, Weymouth Baptist Church affirmed its support for asylum seekers from the Bibby Stockholm barge and emphasized its collaborative efforts with local churches. They detailed various activities, including services attended by approximately forty asylum seekers, with translations aiding participation. The church clarified its stance, emphasizing compassion and justice while disavowing complicity in fraudulent asylum claims.
The church asserted that most asylum seekers had converted to Christianity in hostile environments, precluding safe baptism in their home countries. Seven individuals have been baptized since their arrival, with others undergoing a 10-week evangelical course. They underscored efforts to minimize the risk of insincere conversions through personal relationships and discernment.
Dave Rees, an elder at the church, expressed confidence in the sincerity of the asylum seekers. Meanwhile, the case of Ezedi, who secured asylum despite prior criminal convictions, including sexual assault, has stirred controversy. Authorities continue to search for him in connection with the Clapham attack, amid suspicions of assistance from others or potential injuries sustained during the incident.
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