The sign outside the church lists what most signs say: the times of both the Sunday service and the usual seasonal greeting. Underneath, however, on the last line it says simply, “Sanctuary Week 23.”
The concept of sanctuary comes from Numbers 35:13, 15 in which God directs Moses to establish six cities of refuge. During the Middle Ages, providing sanctuary in churches became a common practice that continued until the 15th and 16th centuries. At some point it was deemed illegal and died out. Later still, governments began to protect refugees themselves. In today's day and age, however, governments are becoming more and more exclusive in their immigration policies and many people are left with nowhere to turn.
On August 3, 2006, a family of eight was to be deported from Winnipeg to Pakistan. Friends of the Raza/Kausar family called church after church looking for a place of sanctuary. The first church to respond affirmatively was Crescent Fort Rouge United Church. The family arrived an hour before they were to be deported and since then has been living in one room of the church (with access to other areas when they are not in use). As this is being written, the Razas have been in sanctuary for more than 150 days, unable to leave the church building.
The Razas fear they will face extreme religious persecution if they return to Pakistan. The father, Hassan Raza, is a Shia Muslim while the mother, Sarfraz Kausar, is a Sunni Muslim. Pakistan is predominantly Sunni. The family came to the United States in 1998 but left after the events of Sept. 11, 2001, due to persecution. They have been in Canada for the past four years. Canada's federal court refused their claim for refugee status and began steps to deport them. Two of the Raza's six children were born in Canada and are Canadian citizens.
The 132nd General Assembly adopted a recommendation from the Life And Mission Agency stating, “Should a congregation of The Presbyterian Church in Canada desiring in obedience with God's word and its own conscience, offer sanctuary to an asylum seeker whose claim for refugee status has been rejected and who faces a risk of persecution if returned to his/her country of origin, it may consider [a list of steps to follow],” thus allowing churches to consider sanctuary for those who come to them in need.
As a Young Adult Representative at last year's General Assembly, I felt strongly about the idea of sanctuary but had no real-life experience to base it on. Last fall however, I attended a benefit concert on behalf of the Raza family and was able to hear first-hand the importance of sanctuary. As I sat in the church pew listening to the music I realized that I was proud to be a part of a church that supports sanctuary, proud to be a part of a church that stands up for what I believe is right even when it is standing against the majority. As governments come and go and policies change, the church must take a stand for the principles and values of Jesus Christ.
