Some countries openly express only wanting Christian refugees
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While the migrant crisis in Europe rages on, more countries have voiced their preference of only accepting Christian refugees into their territories.
Highlights
Catholic Online (https://www.catholic.org)
9/11/2015 (9 years ago)
Published in Middle East
Keywords: Syria, Refugees, Christians, Nations, Asylum, Acceptance, Migrants, Culture, Religion, Integration, Infiltration
MUNTINLUPA, PHILIPPINES (Catholic Online) - This week, officials from Cyprus and the French town of Roanne joined other nations in the stand against accepting Muslim migrants, The Blaze reported.
Meanwhile, Australian officials are still debating.
According to Cypriot Interior Minister Socrates Hasikos, their country is willing to accept 300 refugees but prefer that they are Orthodox Christians. Via state radio, he claims "It's not an issue of being inhuman or not helping if we are called upon, but to be honest, yes, that's what we would prefer."
His reason for preferring Christians over Muslims was that he believed Christians would "integrate better."
The Czech Republic and Slovakia are also considering religion and culture when they claim they only want to allow Christians.
Roanne has also decided to accept Christians persecuted in Syria due to their religion.
Mayor Yves Nicolin said that through the preferential acceptance, he can assure that the migrants are not "terrorists in disguise."
The sentiment is shared by Poland where officials worry they might be infiltration by the Islamic State.
Miriam Shaded, head of the Polish foundation Estera, told Financial Times, "They [non-Christian refugees] can be a threat to Poland. I think it is a great way for ISIS to locate their troops . . . all around Europe."
Last week, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban insisted the country's position against Muslims is centuries old. He said his country has the right to choose who to accept and they are not in favor of giving asylum to Muslims due to their centuries-old experience under the Ottoman Empire.
An unidentified Australian parliament member said officials in their country are quietly displaying the same reluctance against Muslim men.
Julie Bishop, Australian Foreign Minister, stated the Syrian minorities should be given priority, including the Christians, Druze and Yazidis.
However, the opposition Labor Party argued that the religious filter is even more dangerous.
"Being a victim of war doesn't know a particular religion. If you're a woman facing terrible crimes to be committed against you, if you're a child, a little child, potentially drowning at sea, I'm not interested in their religion, I'm interested in their safety," said opposition leader Bill Shorten.
In America, press secretary Josh Earnest said the United States is "actively considering additional steps" to help refugees but they are keeping the "basic security of American citizens ... at the forefront."
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