According to the Secretary General of the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem in a letter to the DIRB, cases of people who would be legally liable to prosecution in a Shari'a court, because they converted from Islam to Christianity, have not been reported to the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate (29 March 1995). Country Reports 1994 indicates that
Muslims who convert to other faiths complain of social and government discrimination. The Government does not fully recognize the legality of such conversions. Under Islamic law, converts are regarded as apostates and may, in principle, be legally denied their property and other rights, although this does not happen. Converts from Islam do not fall under the jurisdiction of their new religion's laws in matters of personal status and are still considered Muslims under Shari'a law (1995, 1119).

For general information on Christians in Jordan, please refer to the attached documents.

This response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB within time constraints. This response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please find below the list of sources consulted in researching this information request.

Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 1994. 1995. United States Department of State. Washington, DC: United States Government Printing Office.

Greek Orthodox Patriarchate, Jerusalem. 29 March 1995. Letter received by the DIRB from the Secretary General.

Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 1994. 1995. United States Department of State. Washington, DC: United States Government Printing Office, p. 1119.

Greek Orthodox Patriarchate, Jerusalem. 29 March 1995. Letter received by the DIRB from the Secretary General.

Horner, Norman A. 1989. A Guide to Christian Churches in the Middle East. Elkhart, Ind.: Mission Focus, pp. 58-61, 84-87.

MECC Perspectives. October 1986. No 6/7. "Who are the Christians of the Middle East," pp. 8-22.

The New York Times. 7 January 1987. Late City Final Edition. Paul Lewis. "Jordan's Christian Arabs, A Small Minority, Play a Major Role." (NEXIS)

Valognes, Jean-Pierre. 1994. Vie et mort des chrétiens d'Orient: Des origines à nos jours. Paris: Fayard, pp. 614-635.