BosNewsLife – A Human rights official has expressed concern that Thailand ‘s reported ban on visit visas for citizens of Muslim countries will effect Christians fleeing persecution there, including Bangladesh , where two evangelists and health workers were reportedly hacked to death. Jim Jacobson, president of advocacy group Christian Freedom International (CFI) said the move would “have a chilling effect on many Christians in nearby Muslim countries fleeing persecution–especially since it is now almost impossible for persecuted Christians in Islamic countries to obtain visas to come to the United States .”

Jacobson, a former White House analyst, spoke shortly after the Daily Times Pakistan online newspaper reported Thursday, September 1, that the government imposed the ban “for security reasons” amid concern about growing Islamic extremism in southern Thailand, were 800 people died in clashes and bomb attacks since last year. The Daily Times said Thailand has also suspended its honorary consul Zia Hassan Rizvi who issued visit visas in Lahore . The Foreign Ministry of Thailand has not yet confirmed the reports. CFI Jacobson suggested that this will make it more difficult for Christians in Southeast Asia to obtain refugee status in a nearby country at a time of fresh concern over Islamic extremism across the region…[Go To Full Story]