Inside or outside?

Being a foreigner in another country can be difficult, to say the least. When things get tough, you’re not necessarily the most popular person around.

On Sunday the BBC’s Tehran correspondent John Leyne was given just 24 hours to leave Iran. This came in the wake of huge demonstrations after the disputed presidential election. Iran has accused the BBC of meddling in its affairs.

Unofficial opposition to foreigners can be pretty unpleasant too. It reared its head in Belfast last week when 110 Romanians had to flee their homes and seek safety. This came after several days of racist incidents.

A local church gave them refuge, then later they were moved to another safe location by the council. Two teenagers – aged 15 and 16 – have been charged with intimidation.

The fear of difference often underlies these situations. It can produce unintended and bizarre consequences, as in the case of Phyllip Cadwaller. When he went to Blackburn Cathedral to light a candle for his mother, who died four years ago, he was ejected, and searched by police.

At the time of his visit, the BBC were broadcasting a live programme about Anne Frank. A previous service broadcast from the cathedral had been sabotaged. Unfortunately, Phyllip has a shaven head and a tattoo. Cathedral officials – who later apologised – were afraid that he was a BNP supporter wanting to disrupt the service.

Being in a minority can cause problems, whether it’s because of your nationality or your appearance. The issues faced by Abraham and his family were by no means unique. And being in the minority has been the experience of many, if not most Christians over the centuries.

Emlyn Williams