Pastor flees Christian persecution in Syria only to face death threats in faraway Norway

A new centre for refugees and migrants is pictured in Kirkenes, Norway. Reuters

This pastor thought he had escaped from the horrors of war in his native land, Syria.

Eventually ending up in faraway Norway after failing to find asylum in Russia, Pastor Saeed Ziadah thought he had found peace at last while sharing God's love to fellow Mideast migrants in the hope of leading them to Christ, CBN News reports.

He thought no one could do him harm in the sleepy Norwegian city of Finnsnes located above the Arctic Circle.

Sadly, he was mistaken.

After he started sharing Christ on social media and comparing biblical teachings to Quranic doctrine, in the hope of warning Norwegians about the dangers of militant Islam, Saeed began receiving death threats through Facebook.

It appeared that his social media posts angered Muslims both inside and outside of Norway. As a result, Pastor Saeed started receiving death threats, with one of them warning him "that they are so close to us," living in the same immigrant housing centre where he and his wife Rana are staying and could easily kill him if he did not stop posting his thoughts and beliefs on the Internet.

But Pastor Saeed has gotten used to receiving such threats and refused to allow himself to get intimidated.

"I didn't stop writing on Facebook because I believe in free speech, I also believe in the power of God's Word. The Western world has to know what is inside the Quran. The world is in trouble and chaos because of radical Muslim teachings. A lot of them are coming to Europe and America," he said.

Dismissing the death threats, Saaed and Rana still venture outside their immigrant apartment house to meet new friends and share the love of Christ with other immigrants.

Refugees with serious illnesses invite him to their houses to pray with him, knowing his reputation as a healing evangelist when he was still conducting his ministry in Syria.

Saeed and Rana say despite the challenges of adapting to life in a foreign country, they have actually grown to love their new home.

"A lot of Norwegian people have drifted far from Christ. But I believe they will return to Him and they will not allow other cultures and religions to destroy this beautiful society which was built on biblical, Christian principles of peace, love, charity, forgiveness and human rights," Saeed says.

related articles
Pastor forgives Muslim extremists who attacked his church, citing Exodus 14:14: \'The Lord shall fight for you\'
Pastor forgives Muslim extremists who attacked his church, citing Exodus 14:14: 'The Lord shall fight for you'

Pastor forgives Muslim extremists who attacked his church, citing Exodus 14:14: 'The Lord shall fight for you'

Christian refugees in Germany hiding their Bibles from Muslim extremists in migrant camps
Christian refugees in Germany hiding their Bibles from Muslim extremists in migrant camps

Christian refugees in Germany hiding their Bibles from Muslim extremists in migrant camps

ISIS uses Iraqi families as \'human shield wall\' in Mosul in preparation for looming siege
ISIS uses Iraqi families as 'human shield wall' in Mosul in preparation for looming siege

ISIS uses Iraqi families as 'human shield wall' in Mosul in preparation for looming siege

News
Christians redouble efforts to stop assisted suicide
Christians redouble efforts to stop assisted suicide

Christians are doubling down on efforts to stop assisted suicide becoming legal in England and Wales after Kim Leadbeater's bill was debated in Westminster on Friday. 

Christian leaders unite in Westminster to kick off 2025 ‘Shine Your Light’ evangelism campaign
Christian leaders unite in Westminster to kick off 2025 ‘Shine Your Light’ evangelism campaign

More than 100 Christian leaders recently came together at a parliamentary reception in London for the launch of Shine Your Light 2025 — a bold evangelistic initiative aiming to bring the message of Christ to streets, neighbourhoods, and marketplaces across the UK.

Darlington nurses still waiting for single-sex changing space despite Supreme Court ruling
Darlington nurses still waiting for single-sex changing space despite Supreme Court ruling

An NHS trust has been accused of continually flouting the law around women’s rights by requiring female nurses to get changed in front of a biologically male nurse who goes by the name of “Rose”. 

CofE mission funding has brought in 37,000 people since 2017
CofE mission funding has brought in 37,000 people since 2017

The Church of England is happy with the progress being made by strategic mission and ministry investments.