Christian from India Deported

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A Christian from India who had worked in Qatar for the past twenty-two years has been deported, along with his wife and twelve-year-old son. As of yesterday, authorities had given no reason for the deportation. Arokiyasamy Stanislas Chellappa, 51, worked in a hospital in Doha, as well as leading a fellowship of Tamil-speaking Indian Christians in his home. According to Compass, when he was arrested on December 9, he asked police what he had done. "We don't know," they replied. "It is just written that you have to go back home." All that anyone can surmise is that it is because of his religion. Despite advocacy from his employer and from the Indian embassy, Middle East Concern reported on January 21 that all appeals have failed and that the family is to leave Qatar today.

Qatar has been considered a leader in democratic rights in the Arab Gulf states. While non-Muslims cannot proselytize nor meet for public worship, private services such as Chellappa was leading have been permitted.

Pray for the family as they establish their life in India. Pray for the other Christians in Qatar who face similar uncertainty.

  • Country Information

    Qatar map and flagPopulation
    2,532,104 (2023 est.)

    Ethnicity (%)
    non-Qatari (88.4), Qatari (11.6)

    Religion (%)
    Muslim (65.2), Christian (13.7), Hindu (15.9), Buddhist (3.8)

    Leader
    Amir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani (2013)

    Government type
    Absolute monarchy

    Legal system
    Mixed legal system of civil law and Islamic law

    Source: CIA World Factbook

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  • Christian from India Deported

    A Christian from India who had worked in Qatar for the past twenty-two years has been deported, along with his wife and twelve-year-old son. As of yesterday, authorities had given no reason for the deportation. Arokiyasamy Stanislas Chellappa, 51, worked in a hospital in Doha, as well as leading a fellowship of Tamil-speaking Indian Christians in his home. According to Compass, when he was arrested on December 9, he asked police what he had done. "We don't know," they replied. "It is just written that you have to go back home." All that anyone can surmise is that it is because of his religion. Despite advocacy from his employer and from the Indian embassy, Middle East Concern reported on January 21 that all appeals have failed and that the family is to leave Qatar today.

    Qatar has been considered a leader in democratic rights in the Arab Gulf states. While non-Muslims cannot proselytize nor meet for public worship, private services such as Chellappa was leading have been permitted.

    Pray for the family as they establish their life in India. Pray for the other Christians in Qatar who face similar uncertainty.

    Read more...

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