The following is the statement issued by the “Council of Church Leaders in Jordan” regarding an article published on 29/1/2008 by the American News Agency, “Compass Direct News,” about Christians in Jordan. The press release was published in the Jordanian Embassy on the USA web site – and was later removed, but it is still widely distributed in the Jordanian press.

In this press release, Evangelical Churches are labeled as “groups” and not churches, for these groups “came under the guise of charitable organizations, and have started to call themselves as churches -which they are not – and to ask for the same rights that the Constitution stipulates for formal churches. They also have proselytized among Jordanians, in a manner that has given rise to religious animosity, disrespecting the freedom of conscience, and thus disturbing the relations between Christian and Muslim Jordanian citizens. In short, they have become a threat to public security”.

Special For Come and See, Feb 15, 2008

It was recently my great privilege to witness a groundbreaking moment in American evangelical history. Bob Roberts, pastor of Northwood Church in Keller, Texas welcomed Bishara Awad, president of Bethlehem Bible College to his church for a face to face interview in front of his congregation. During this interview, Roberts tackled some of the most daunting and unacknowledged issues that face the church in the west today: those of our Palestinian brothers and sisters in Christ who so often remain ignored and even discriminated against by fellow Christians.

Hannah Byrd, Special For "Come and See", Feb 14, 2008

On the 12th of February, 2008, Professor Aaron Ciechanover, the 2004 Nobel Prize winner for Chemistry, visited the Nazareth Baptist School at the invitation of the Principal of the school, Dr. Ousama Moalem.

Professor Ciechanover shared with his listeners a touching encounter he had after he won the Nobel Prize. A cancer victim approached him at a reception and told him that he has been dying from the disease just a few weeks before, but thanks to the medicine that was developed as a result of his discovery, he overcame the disease and recovered.

Special For "Come and See", Feb 14, 2008

The purpose of this book is to respond to the claim that the land of Palestine belongs to the Jewish people.

The strength of Khoury's book lies in asking the right questions and in analyzing the sociopolitical Palestinian struggles. However, Khoury fails to provide any convincing answers. In fact, his book is a monologue that does not seriously engage any arguments against his perception.

Rev. Yohanna Katanacho, Ph.D., Special For "Come and See", Feb 14, 2008

The Arab emirate of Qatar witnesses the building of the first church since the coming of Islam. Conservative Muslims are furious, but the reform-minded emir of Qatar thinks it is time to show that Islam is a tolerant religion.

"If all goes well, we will celebrate Easter in our new church", says father Yashun of the almost completed church of the Virgin in the Qatari capital Doha. The Catholic church, which will open next month, is the first church to be built in Qatar since the coming of Islam 14 centuries ago.

Radio Netherlands Website, Feb 8, 2008

Cairo’s highest civil court on Saturday ruled that 12 Christians who had converted to Islam could return to their original church, ending a bitter yearlong battle over identity and minority rights.

It was the second time in recent months that a court has upheld the rights of religious minorities, in a country that is 90 percent Muslim and where the distinction between civil law and religious principles is increasingly blurred.

By NADIM AUDI, NY Times, February 11, 2008

The Saga in the Anglican church in the Holy Land continues: After the ruling of the court that prevented Bishop Riah Abu Assal from entering the school named after his name, Bishop Abu Assal sends a letter to friends and leading clergy abroad.

In his letter Bishop Riah says that the new Anglican Bishop in Jerusalem did not honor what was agreed namely “Dignified Silence” and went ahead issuing statements with the intention of undermining the work and achievements of his predecessor”.

Come and See obtained a copy of the letter through the PalestinianChristians group where this letter was distributed. We bring the letter here to you.

Special For "Come and See", Feb 9, 2008

Jordan has increased pressure on foreign Christians living in the kingdom, expelling many long-time residents over the past 13 months in what local churches see as an attack on their legitimacy.

Authorities deported or refused residence permits to at least 27 expatriate Christian families and individuals in 2007, a number of them working with local churches or studying at a Christian seminary, Compass has confirmed.

In all but one case, officials refused to provide written explanations for the decisions. But many of those expelled told Compass that they had been questioned by intelligence officers regarding evangelism of Muslims.

by Peter Lamprecht, Compass Direct, Jan 29, 2008

A pro-Israel evangelist group from the US has decided to "adopt" Barzilai Medical Center in Ashkelon.

A few months ago, the group contacted the hospital, which copes with victims of Palestinian terror bombings from Gaza and sick Gazan civilians on a regular basis.

By JUDY SIEGEL-ITZKOVICH, The Jerusalem Post, Jan 30, 2008