On Wednesday, November 22, the Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) and the Special Envoy for FoRB, Fiona Bruce MP, hosted a Red Wednesday drop-in event in Parliament. Red Wednesday is an event dedicated to raising awareness of Christian persecution throughout the world. This year, the ACN focused on ongoing persecution in Africa, raising awareness among parliamentarians about humanitarian and conflict situations throughout the continent.
As part of the event, ACN hosted a special guest, Margaret Attah. Margaret lost both of her legs and an eye during an attack on her church on Pentecost Sunday in Ondo State, Nigeria. During the drop-in session, she and her husband spoke powerfully on the need for protective action and justice proceedings in Nigeria.
Last month, ACN published a report titled “ACN’s Africa Update: Religious Freedom in the World – Report 2023,” which detailed the state of FoRB throughout the continent, with a major focus on Nigeria. The report can be accessed at ACN’s website or through this link.
Many at the event and on the parliamentary estate wore red in honour of the occasion. During Prime Minister’s Questions, Fiona Bruce MP asked the Prime Minister about the need to commemorate Red Wednesday with action, particularly through the application of FoRB recommendations found in the FCDO’s recently released International Development White Paper. The Prime Minister agreed, emphasising the need for application of each recommendation in a strategic manner.
FCDO buildings were lit-up in red lights on the night of the 22nd, capping a day of commemoration and renewed resolve to protect the rights of the marginalized throughout the world.