This Muslim Connect email is emerging as I sit in a Q & A session at a big church with Larry Osborn. Do you know of him? The guy’s pastored a cool church for decades and has the scars to show it. He also seems to have the sort of humility (with an amusing dose of cynicism) you love to see in long-term followers of Jesus. I’d encourage you to buy one of his books and watch some talks on YouTube.
Fascinating and Heartbreaking Migration Data Points
Increased numbers
According to the UNHCR, as of April 14, 2024, a total of 48,618 refugees arrived in Europe via one of the Mediterranean routes. Of these, 46,629 used one of the three main sea routes and 1,379 came overland. An estimated 473 died or went missing trying to reach Europe.
Increased deaths
According to international media outlet Deutsche Welle, a total of 8,565 migrants died in 2023, 20% more than in 2022 and the highest total since 2014. The Mediterranean remains the deadliest route with more than 3,100 deaths. A little more than fifty percent of the deaths worldwide resulted from drownings.
Who’s Hosting Syrian Refugees?
Statista reports the top three nations hosting Syrian refugees in 2022 are in the Middle East: Turkey, Lebanon, and Jordan which collectively hosted over 5 million Syrians. In Europe in 2022, Germany, Sweden, and Austria hosted the largest number of Syrians with a combined total of nearly 708,000 people.
Beautiful Image
Violins, violas, and cellos made from the wood of boats used by refugees to reach Italy were premiered at Milan’s La Scala opera house in a concert performed as a tribute to those who perished trying to reach Europe. The violins used in the performance were made by inmates at one of Italy’s high-security prisons. The performers at La Scala hope to perform at other concert halls across Europe.
Thank you once again to the good folks at Dimitrov Research Center for the Crescent Reading email from which these points were drawn.