RLPB 333. October update. Incl, Bangladesh, Assyrians in Sweden, Syria, Germany, Indonesia (Aceh), Nigeria, Uganda

Religious Liberty Prayer Bulletin | RLPB 333 | Wed 28 Oct 2015

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Supporting International Day of Prayer (IDOP)
   for the Persecuted Church
IDOP 2015: Sunday 1 or 8 November
   See Critical Prayer Requests (CPR)
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By Elizabeth Kendal

31 Oct 2015 is the 498th anniversary of the German Augustinian monk, Martin Luther, nailing his 95 theses to the door of Wittenberg Castle, triggering the Protestant Reformation. Luther was protesting the church's corrupt and exploitative practice of selling indulgences. To empower the people and facilitate reformation, Luther translated the Bible into German, thereby making the truth accessible to ordinary people. Martin Luther did not intend to divide the church -- he hoped for reformation, not division. Today we protest wide-scale church indifference to persecution, noting that Christian solidarity in the face of escalating persecution not only saves lives, it is a powerful witness to the world. PRAY for reformation through a return to scripture. PRAY for spiritual unity (John 17:20-23) and brotherly love (John 13:34-35), that we might stand together around the cross.

OCTOBER 2015 UPDATE -- During October we prayed concerning . . .

* BANGLADESH (RLPB 330), where Islamic State (IS) claims to be making inroads amongst the radicalised masses, while a local group boasting links to IS have claimed responsibility for the murders of four local bloggers. After IS claimed responsibility for the assassination of two foreigners -- described as 'nationals of crusader coalition countries' -- a call to prayer was issued on the expectation that the Church could be targeted as well.

UPDATE: Within hours of RLPB 330 being published, news emerged that Bangladeshi pastor Luke Sarker (52) had narrowly survived an attempted beheading. Rescued by family and neighbours, Pastor Sarker sustained wounds to his neck that required stitching but were not life-threatening. Praise and thank God for his merciful intervention! On 24 October Bangladesh suffered its first terrorist attack on Shi'ites when terrorists infiltrated the Ashura procession in Dhaka's Mughal quarter and left improvised explosive devices in the Hossaini Dalan Shi'ite shrine. A teenage boy was killed and some 80 Shi'ite worshippers were wounded in the explosions. Though IS has claimed responsibility, the police and government continue to insist that IS has no presence or influence in Bangladesh. The situation is dangerous. Pray for the Church in Bangladesh.

* ASSYRIAN CAPTIVES (RLPB 331) held by Islamic State (IS) in Syria after videos emerged in early October of captives in Qaryatayn signing dhimma contracts and of three Assyrian captives from Hasakah being executed.

RELATED: ASSYRIAN CHRISTIANS THREATENED IN SWEDEN

Assyrian protest
Gothenburg, Sweden.

Of the 300 Swedish citizens believed to be fighting with IS, at least half of them come from one city: Gothenburg.  [As a comparison, some 250 Americans are fighting with IS, as are around 120 Australians.] Of the 10,000 Assyrians living in Sweden some 3000 live in Gothenburg. On 13 October (just days after the IS videos were released), Assyrians in Gothenburg woke to find threatening messages graffitied on the walls of Assyrian-owned businesses. Messages included 'Convert or Die' and 'The Caliphate is Here', along with the IS logo and/or the Arabic letter 'N' for Nazrani/Nazarene (a follower of Jesus the Nazarene) -- the same symbol IS used to identify the homes of Christians in Mosul in July 2014. Pray for the Assyrian community in Sweden.

* RUSSIA IN SYRIA (RLPB 332), noting that Russia's bombing raids and provision of air cover were helping the Syrian government drive back al-Qaeda-linked Jaysh al Fateh in the north and Islamic State around Damascus, the population of which has swelled from two million to ten million as Syrians have flooded in to find sanctuary from the rebels.

UPDATE: The Syrian government is fighting two main enemies -- al-Qaeda (and its numerous affiliates, some US-armed and trained) and IS. It is also being forced to fight on multiple fronts. Committed as it is to regime change in Damascus -- no matter the cost -- the America-Turkey-Sunni Arab axis has dramatically escalated its support to 'rebels' (most of whom are aligned with al-Qaeda). Weapons are flooding in; in fact rebel use of US-made TOW anti-tank guided missiles has increased 850 percent since the Russian intervention began, causing serious problems for the Syrian government which happens to be the last line of defence for many millions of Syrians, including hundreds of thousands of Christians. Pray for East-West co-operation in the war against Islamic jihadists.   

ALEPPO CRISIS
Because the M5 Highway into Aleppo runs through Idlib, which is under the control of Turkey-Saudi backed, al-Qaeda-linked Jaysh al Fateh, the government has had to gain access to government-controlled western Aleppo via the Ethyra-Khanaser road approaching from the south-east. On Friday 23 October IS forces attacked that road, capturing at least ten government checkpoints and successfully severing the government's supply-line into Aleppo. This is a major catastrophe for government soldiers, Christians and other loyalists now besieged in the city. Pray for the Church in Aleppo, and that the road will be re-opened. Again, pray for East-West co-operation in the war against Islamic jihadists. 

'In the day of my trouble I seek the Lord ... I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your wonders of old ... You are the God who works wonders ...' (from Psalm 77).

OCTOBER 2015 ROUND-UP -- also this month ...

* GERMANY: CONVERT BASHED IN MIGRANT CENTRE
A 24-year-old Iranian national has been seriously bashed in a migrant camp in Hamburg for his 'sin' of converting to Christianity. By the time other migrants managed to restrain the attacker -- an Afghan refugee armed with a telescopic baton -- the Iranian convert was unconscious and seriously injured. Pray for Christians in Europe's migrant centres. Pray for a change in policy and that Christians will be housed separately. Of course this would require the authorities to end their ideological and fear-driven denial and admit that Islam really does endanger Christians. 

* INDONESIA: CHURCHES ATTACKED IN ACEH

photo: World Watch Monitor

On 13 October a mob of some 700 Muslims attacked and torched a Protestant church in Aceh's southern-most district of Aceh Singkil. They had been incited by hard-liners from the Islamic Defenders Front who are demanding that as most of Aceh Singkil's 22 churches do not have permits, they should be torn down. Permits for houses of worship in Indonesia are granted by local religious harmony forums, which tend not to permit churches in Muslim-majority areas. With tensions soaring, the police picked up sledgehammers and axes and tore down at least three more churches, supposedly to 'preserve harmony'. All church members could do was watch and weep. The pastor of one church with over 100 members said they had applied for a permit repeatedly, but were always refused. Ten churches have been listed for closure; some will be dismantled. With text messages circulating calling for Christians to be hunted and churches to be burned, an estimated 8000 Christians have fled across the provincial border into north Sumatra. Some 1300 security personnel have been deployed to the area. Pray for the Church in Aceh.

* NIGERIA: REMEMBERING THE GIRLS
Unbeknown to worshippers, the three veiled girls who entered their Maiduguri mosque on 16 October were strapped with explosives. When their vests were detonated, the explosion ripped through the mosque killing 26 and wounding dozens. Boko Haram, now an Islamic State (IS) affiliate going by the name Wilayat al Sudan al Gharbi, claimed responsibility. It was the second Boko Haram bombing using three girls in the space of three days. Global Stratfor Intelligence commented on Boko Haram's unprecedentedly high use of girls as suicide bombers, noting it had used 50 girls for this purpose so far this year. As Boko Haram comes under increased military stress it is returning to guerrilla tactics and terrorism. In this it is both exploiting its kidnapped girls (who have mostly been kidnapped from Christian communities) and relieving itself of burdensome captives. Pray for God to intervene to end this unmitigated evil. (See Isaiah 59:15b-19)

* UGANDA: INTENSE PERSECUTION CONTINUES
Morning Star News (MSN) reports that the mutilated body of Samson Nfunyeku, a long-time evangelist, apologist and convert from Islam, was found on 23 September not far from his home in Kalampete village, Kibuku District, Eastern Region. After Samson was killed, his brother, George Mwanika, also a convert to Christianity, started receiving death threats. On 19 October Muslims came to George's house, intending to kill him. George was not home, so they dragged his wife, Mamwikomba, out of the house threatening to kill her if she didn't divulged her husband's whereabouts. When George arrived home he found Mamwikomba unconscious in a pool of blood. Neighbours helped George rush her to hospital, but she was dead on arrival. Three of the couple's eight children were home at the time of the attack. The whole family is at risk. 'We really need prayers,' George told MSN.

'I will say to the Lord, "My refuge and my fortress, my God in whom I trust." For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge.' (Psalm 91:2-4 ESV)

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Elizabeth Kendal is the author of
Turn Back the Battle: Isaiah Speaks to Christians Today
(Deror Books, Dec 2012).

RLPB 249. February Update, Incl. Nigeria, Aceh (Indonesia), Iran, Zanzibar (Tanzania), Ukraine, Vietnam

Religious Liberty Prayer Bulletin | RLPB 249 | Wed 26 Feb 2014

By Elizabeth Kendal

May God arise, may his enemies be scattered; may his foes flee before him. Summon your power, God; show us your strength, our God, as you have done before. (Psalm 68:1,28 NIV)

FEBRUARY 2014 UPDATE -- During February we prayed concerning . . . 

* NIGERIA (RLPB 246), where the al-Qaeda-linked terrorist group Boko Haram (which regularly targets the Church) is waging a jihad against the Nigerian government with the aim of making Nigeria an Islamic state and northern Fulani Muslims (backed by Boko Haram and rogue military units) are waging a jihad to colonise and extend control deeper into the Christian-dominated south. 

UPDATE: In mid February, Borno State Governor, Kashim Shettima, warned that Boko Haram is better armed and more motivated than the Nigerian military. The government wrote off the governor's comment as 'civilian perception' and insisted it was winning the war against Boko Haram,

However, the killings continue and indeed have escalated, especially in Borno State where some 500 people have been killed in recent weeks. On the night of 15 February Boko Haram militants shouting 'Allahu Akbar [God is greater]' targeted the mostly Christian village of Izghe in Borno. The jihadis gathered the men of the village together and then turned on them. At least half the 106 men or more who were killed were Christian. The jihadis also looted and destroyed homes and shops. A week later Izghe was raided again and this time the militants burnt it to the ground. On Tuesday 25 February Boko Haram militants raided the boarding house at the Federal Government College in Buni Yadi in neighbouring Yobe State at 2 am and massacred at least 59 teenage boys. The militants also assembled the female students, ordering them to abandon their education and get married.

On 19 February Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau released a video statement, claiming responsibility for the killings and threatening more, saying, 'The reason why I will kill you is you are infidels. You follow democracy. Whoever follows democracy is an infidel.' Shekau also threatened to attack the oil-rich Niger Delta. 

* BURMA (RLPB 247), where the war between the autonomy-seeking Christian Kachin and the resources-craving Burman-Buddhist regime in Naypyidaw rages on.

* NORTH KOREA (RLPB 248), where Christians continue to suffer extreme persecution for refusing to bow to the cult of Kim.

FEBRUARY 2014 ROUND-UP -- also this month . . .

* ACEH, INDONESIA: SHARIA FOR EVERYONE

Aceh's provincial administration and legislative council have approved a new by-law that will force everyone in Aceh to abide by Sharia (Islamic) Law. The Qanun Jinayat (the by-law governing behaviour) will apply to the territory of Aceh as distinct from applying to Muslim individuals. Muslims and non-Muslims, local population and visitors, will all have to observe Sharia, following Islamic codes of dress and behaviour. Christians who violate Sharia will be tried under Islamic law and punished accordingly (usually  lashing). Councillor Abdulah Saleh said it was important to have one law for all so that Muslims did not feel they were being treated unfairly. Clearly Saleh fears that Christian liberty could cause fitna (strife or temptation for Muslims) and accordingly Christian liberty must end so that everyone suffers equally.


* ERITREAN REFUGEES IN SINAI: ALERT

Human Rights Watch (HRW) has released a new report: 'Egypt/Sudan: Traffickers Who Torture', HRW 11 Feb 2014. [Many if not most Eritrean refugees are Christians fleeing from persecution in Eritrea seeking religious freedom in Israel or in Europe.]


* IRAN: PASTOR IRANI RETURNED TO PRISON AFTER SURGERY

Sentenced to five years in jail on charges of 'crimes against national security', Pastor Behnam Irani (40 - photo) has since come close to death due to internal injuries caused by routine beatings and severe stress. There has been much prayer for his life. We thank God that on 22 February Pastor Irani finally received surgery to treat his internal injuries and painful bleeding stomach ulcers. He was returned to Ghezal Hesar Prison on 25 February. Please pray for Behnam Irani, his wife, children and congregation. Please pray for Iran's Christian prisoners and that God will continue to build his Church in Iran.

'. . . I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.' (Matthew 16:18 ESV)


* TANZANIA: CHURCHES TARGETED IN ZANZIBAR

On Sunday 23 February a home-made bomb reportedly containing a mixture of ball bearings and chemicals exploded at an Evangelistic Assemblies of God Tanzania (EAGT) Church in Zanzibar. The explosion shook the building just as worship was concluding and there were no casualties. The next day a bomb was remotely detonated outside Christ Church Anglican Cathedral in Stone Town, Zanzibar, about 1 pm. Minutes later, another bomb exploded at a nearby seafront restaurant popular with tourists. The attacks may or may not be connected to the news on 19 February that British police will now join the hunt for the attackers who doused two teenage British girls (both Jews) in acid while on a gap-year in Zanzibar in August 2013. The girls had been working in a local Catholic nursery school and were volunteering at a local charity.


* UKRAINE: JEWS THREATENED IN KIEV

Conservative Rabbi Reuven Stamov comments that, whilst anti-Semitism is not an official policy of the protest movement nor of the new government in Kiev, anti-Semitism is indeed flourishing as anti-Semitic elements exploit the chaos and advance their ideology.  Some Jews in Kiev have been threatened and some have received letters telling them to leave; many are afraid. Rabbi Moshe Reuven Azman, a Chabad rabbi in Ukraine, has advised his congregation to leave Kiev and the country, if possible. Representatives of Ukrainian Jewry report that they feel a general sense of unease. This is fuelled mostly by the prominent presence of the far-right, neo-Nazi Svoboda Party, as well as scattered sightings of swastikas spray-painted on walls and the emergence of anti-Semitic vigilante groups. Nevertheless, Jews in Ukraine plan to celebrate Purim on 15-16 March. [Purim celebrates the deliverance of the Jews in Persia at the time of Esther.] Despite the insecurity and volatility, the Ukrainian Church must speak out against anti-Semitism. Please pray for Ukraine.


* VIETNAM: CHRISTIAN LAWYER-BLOGGER JAILED

One of Vietnam's most prominent Catholic dissidents and human rights lawyers lost his court appeal on 18 February and will be jailed for 30 months for alleged tax evasion. In 2006-07, Le Quoc Quan (43) spent five months in Washington, DC, as a Fellow of the National Endowment for Democracy. He was first arrested in March 2007, four days after returning to Vietnam, for alleged subversion. He was subsequently disbarred. Quan was arrested again in December 2012 after the BBC published an article he wrote criticising the Communist Party's place in Vietnam's constitution. Quan was sentenced in October 2013 and on 18 February lost his appeal. On 2 February he began a hunger strike to protest the fact that he is not being permitted access to his religious books or to a priest for confession and communion. Outside the court, Quan's supporters sang hymns and prayed. Catholics held prayer vigils for Quan the following Sunday across Hanoi. Please pray for the Church in Vietnam.

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Elizabeth Kendal is the author of
Turn Back the Battle: Isaiah Speaks to Christians Today
(Deror Books, Dec 2012)

RLPB 183. Oct Update. Incl. North Korea, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Indonesia, Nigeria, Syria, Egypt

Religious Liberty Prayer Bulletin | RLPB 183 | Wed 31 Oct 2012

By Elizabeth Kendal

INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER (IDOP) FOR THE PERSECUTED CHURCH (4 or 11 November)

There is no such thing as a persecution-free day. Consequently, not a single day goes by when persecuted believers are not in need of advocacy in the courts of the Lord. And so we pray as the Apostle Paul exhorted: 'without ceasing' (1 Thessalonians 5:17). However, International Day of Prayer (IDOP) for the Persecuted Church provides an opportunity for believers and churches all around the world to contemplate the reality of persecution, take note of the global situation and respond together in prayer. IDOP is a day when Christian individuals, small groups and Church fellowships join their voices to petition the LORD on behalf of the persecuted Church. Various Christian advocacy groups have resources available -- please seek them out and make use of them. For Critical Prayer Requests (CPR) for the nations see here: CPR. 

'O my God, incline your ear and hear. Open your eyes and see our desolations . . . For we do not present our pleas before you because of our righteousness, but because of your great mercy. O Lord, hear; O Lord, forgive. O Lord, pay attention and act. Delay not, for your own sake, O my God, because . . . your people are called by your name.' (Daniel 9:18,19 ESV)

Please give special attention to the world's most severe persecutors: North Korea and Saudi Arabia.

In NORTH KOREA believers found witnessing or in possession of a Bible are executed while neighbours and other locals are forced to watch. Furthermore, many tens of thousands of Christians, deemed traitors for refusing to worship the Kim family, are perishing in concentration camps, the conditions of which rival Auschwitz. Further to this, tens of thousands of believers struggle with extreme poverty and famine while worshipping in strategically small, highly secretive fellowships. Once known as 'the Jerusalem of the East', this land of Christian revival (10-min documentary) has been captive to darkness for almost 60 years. 

'The earth is the LORD's and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein . . . Lift up your heads, O gates! And lift them up, O ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. Who is this King of glory? The LORD of hosts, he is the King of glory.' (Psalm 24:1,9,10 ESV)

In SAUDI ARABIA Christian witness and apostasy (leaving Islam) are absolutely forbidden. They are capital offences for Saudi nationals. Furthermore, after the failed Sunni fundamentalist revolution of 1979 (the Siege of Mecca), the Saudi royals brokered a survival pact with the Wahhabi (Sunni fundamentalist) clerics wherein the Royals would fund international jihad and the Wahhabi clerics' global dissemination of Wahhabi Islam in exchange for the backing of the clerics. This has facilitated a revival of pro-Sharia, pro-jihad, anti-Semitic, anti-Christian, supremely intolerant and repressive Sunni fundamentalist Islam across the globe: throughout Africa, Asia and South America as well as in the universities and mosques of the West. Accordingly Saudi Arabia (an 'ally' of the West) is directly responsible for the phenomenal escalation of Sunni fundamentalist hostility, repression, terrorism and jihad worldwide, including targeted persecution of Christians.

'In that day the LORD of hosts will be a crown of glory, and a diadem of beauty, to the remnant of his people, and . . . strength to those who turn back the battle at the gate.' (Isaiah 28:5,6 ESV)

OCTOBER 2012 UPDATE -- During October we prayed concerning . . . 

* INDIA (RLPB 179) where unrestrained Hindu nationalism results in unrelenting persecution.

* PHILIPPINES (RLPB 180) where the government has signed a 'framework agreement' with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) which, if implemented, will allow Sharia Law to be broadened and strengthened in a MILF-ruled sub-state on the southern island of Mindanao.

* INDONESIA, PAPUA formerly Irian Jaya, (RLPB 181) where predominately Javanese-Muslim Indonesian forces -- motivated primarily by racial-religious hatred and greed -- have been 'sweeping' Wamena, forcing thousands of indigenous, predominately Christian Melanesian Papuans out of their homes and into the inhospitable bush.

* PAKISTAN (RLPB 181) where another child has been accused of blasphemy. Ryan Stanten (16) and his family fled as soon as Ryan was accused, before Muslim mobs descended on their home in a secure Middle Class district of Karachi and burnt all their belongings.

UPDATE: ANOTHER CHRISTIAN ACCUSED. On 1 October, Barkat Masih, a sweeper and cleaner who is married with five children, was arrested in the eastern city of Bahawalpur on charges of blasphemy after two Muslim co-workers registered a complaint against him. The Muslims had asked Barkat to hand over keys to a shrine he was cleaning so they could retrieve the property papers. Barkat knew the men were seeking to seize the land illegally, so he refused. The Muslims vowed revenge and now Barkat is in jail, his life ruined.

* TANZANIA (RLPB 182): Where Islam is becoming increasingly intolerant, aggressive and assertive. On 10 October, after a child was accused of desecrating a Qu'ran, Muslims in the Mbagala Ward of Dar es Salaam rioted, and five churches were attacked. Such appalling criminal behaviour cannot be justified; it is pure intimidation. Pray for rule of law to prevail in Tanzania.

'And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness, while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus.' (Acts 4:29,30 ESV) 

OCTOBER 2012 ROUND-UP -- also this month . . .

* INDONESIA, ACEH: MORE CHURCHES CLOSED

In RLPB 169 it was reported that in April 2012 local officials in Aceh's Singkil Province (in the far south) had yielded to Islamist pressure and ordered the closure of some 20 mainly Protestant unlicensed house-churches. Most did not comply and some were subsequently attacked by armed militants. In mid-October, local government authorities in Banda Aceh (in the far north) ordered the closure of nine unlicensed churches and six Buddhist monasteries, warning that if they remain open the authorities will not guarantee their security. Nico Tarigan, the pastor of the Indonesian Bethel Church (GBI) which has been operating in Banda Aceh for eight years, said, 'We have 80 members who don't know where to pray.' Semi-autonomous Aceh is 98 percent Muslim. To get a licence to operate a place of worship in Aceh, a group needs the signatures of 150 members, plus 120 other local people (Muslims) who approve of the church's presence in their community. For most Christian groups, such requirements are unachievable. Because the house-churches do not have local licences, Indonesia's Home Minister defended the decision. The Islamic Defenders Front (FPI) has vowed to make sure the churches comply. The Islamic fundamentalists are determined to eliminate visible Christianity in Aceh, and the authorities are unable and/or unwilling to resist them.

* INDONESIA, CENTRAL SULAWESI: TERROR RETURNS

Indonesian Military (TNI) troops have been deployed to the Christian-majority regency of Poso, Central Sulawesi, following several terrorist attacks that included bombings and the murder of police officers. There are concerns the presence of the TNI might actually be counterproductive; many are anxious. Jamaah Ansharut Tauhid (JAT) extremist group in Poso is believed to be behind the recent terror. On Monday 22 October at 2 am, unidentified people spread gasoline over the Pantekosta di Indonesia church in Madale village, on the outskirts of Poso, and set it on fire, possibly in the hope of triggering a sectarian clash. However, local Muslims and Christians worked together to fight the flames until the fire brigade arrived. The re-emergence of terrorism in Central Sulawesi is of great concern, for as the Jakarta Post notes: 'A re-emergence of the conflict would also serve to fire up Muslim extremists across the country to wage war against Christians.'

* NIGERIA, KADUNA: ANOTHER CHURCH BOMBING

On Sunday 28 October a suicide bomber drove his SUV full of explosives to St Rita Catholic Church in Malali, a minority Christian enclave of in Kaduna North Local Government Area. When he could not gain access, he accelerated forward through the security checkpoint. He then drove his vehicle straight through the brick wall of the church right behind where the choir was situated, killing 10 and wounding 145. Parish Priest, Rev Fr Bonny Bazah had just finished delivering a sermon on exercising faith and was preparing to serve Holy Communion when the bomber struck. Fr Bonny has been hospitalised with facial injuries. According to one of the victims the bombing occurred 'when everybody was kneeling down. We were praying . . .' Nigerian Muslims are turning to Christ and an incredible spiritual battle is under way. We wrestle not against flesh and blood . . . (Ephesians 6:12).

* SAUDI ARABIA: updating RLPB 175. In July a 28-year-old Saudi convert to Christianity named Maryam fled the country. Subsequently, her boss, Henna Sarkees (51), a Christian Lebanese national, was charged with abusing his position to coerce her to convert, and an un-named Saudi national was charged with helping her leave the country clandestinely. On 14 October their trial was deferred yet again, to an unknown date in November.

* SYRIA: IS THE CHURCH FACING GENOCIDE?

ALEPPO: government forces are fighting to regain control of two Christian districts recently seized by rebel fighters. Kurds are also fighting to retake their territory back from rebel forces. Unlike the Arabs, who emanate from the Arabian Peninsula, Christians are indigenous to Syria and the wider region. Despite this, rebel Abu Mahar, who claims to control 200 fighters, says he does not regard Christians as true Syrians at all: 'Christians have no connection with the country,' he told AFP.

DEIR EZZOR: On Saturday 27 October a car bomb exploded outside the only Syrian Orthodox Church in the town of Deir Ezzor [or Deir el-Zour] in eastern Syria near the border with Iraq, damaging it severely and killing five local residents. In September the same church was desecrated and vandalised by Salafi groups reported to be operating freely. Deir Ezzor is currently under the control of the Free Syrian Army.

DAMASCUS: PASTOR TORTURED TO DEATH
On 19 October kidnappers seized Father Fadi Jamil Haddad, pastor of the Greek Orthodox church of St Elias in Qatana, Damascus, demanding his family and church pay a ransom of 50 million Syrian pounds (over 550 thousand euro). On 23 October kidnappers (possibly the same ones) kidnapped and killed the brother and cousin of another pastor, Father Salameh Salameh, of the Greek Catholic congregation in Damascus. On 24 October, the body of Fr Fadi Jamil Haddad was found not far from where he had been taken. An associate of the pastor reports: 'His body was horribly tortured and his eyes gouged out. It is a purely terrorist act. Fr Haddad is a martyr of our church.'

* EGYPT: INTOLERANCE ESCALATES

Assyrian International News Agency reports  that on Sunday 28 October a large mob of bearded Salafi / Wahhabi Muslims attacked St Georges Church in Tala village, in Beni Suef Governorate. The mob assaulted Coptic Christians as they left the church, five of whom were hospitalised with broken bones. Cars were torched. The pastor, Father Cheroubim Chehab, was besieged, unable to get out of the church for hours. Though he had contacted police, they did not respond until the head of the Egyptian Union of Human Rights Organization, Dr Naguib Gabriel, complained to the Ministry of Interior, telling them, 'I want the whole world to know that a priest and his congregation are presently held captive in their church, afraid of the Salafi Muslims surrounding the church.' The Salafis subsequently attacked believers in their own homes. The Muslims had demanded that the church only be used by local Christians (who comprise eight percent of population of the village) and were objecting to Christians travelling in from surrounding villages that do not have a church. Of course what they really want is closure of the church.

FOR YOUR ENCOURAGEMENT:

What do Egyptian Christian youths do when faced with existential threat? They gather in the desert for three days of prayer and worship. (See: SAT7 footage of 'OneThing 2012', 4-6 October.) Remember them next time you hear of intolerant fundamentalist Islam taking hold in Egypt.

'For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare [i.e. mission and prayer] are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds.' (2 Corinthians 10:3,4 ESV)

'Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the LORD of hosts.' (Zechariah 4:6b ESV)

RLPB 169. July Update. Incl. Kenya, Syria, Aceh (Indonesia), India, Iran

Religious Liberty Prayer Bulletin | RLPB 169 | Wed 25 Jul 2012
By Elizabeth Kendal

'Pour out your heart like water before the presence of the Lord! Lift your hands to him for the lives of your children . . .' (from Lamentations 2:19 ESV)

JULY 2012 UPDATE -- During July we prayed concerning . . . 

* KENYA (RLPB 166), where Islamic militants had attacked two churches in Garissa, eastern Kenya (80km from the Somali border), killing 17 worshippers and wounding over 60.

UPDATE: Stratfor Global Intelligence reports that the Somali-based terror group al Shabaab has threatened to carry out attacks in Kenya during Ramadan. On 20 July, the first day of Ramadan, the Nairobi Provincial Police chief urged the public to remain vigilant. Security has been intensified.

* SYRIA (RLPB 167), where the region's largest and oldest Christian communities -- remnants of indigenous communities that have survived Arab and Ottoman Islamic imperialism -- are now struggling to survive amidst civil war, regional sectarian conflict and international Islamic jihad.

UPDATE: Some of Syria's most senior Christian officials were recently assassinated by rebel forces. They included Defence Minister Gen. Dawoud Rajha, killed in the 18 July suicide bombing at security headquarters, possibly perpetrated by a bodyguard. Brig-Gen. Nabil Zougheib also was assassinated along with his wife and son at their home in a Christian neighbourhood of Damascus on 21 July.

Jesuit priest Father Dall'Oglio, who has spent time in Qusayr negotiating with rebel leaders for the release of Christian hostages, describes the rebels as Syrian men wearing long beards and Afghan-style traditional dress. He wrote they are not representative of the majority of Sunnis and are totally out of control (Wall Street Journal, 22 July).  The terror is causing massive displacement. Fides reports that jihadists ambushed and massacred an entire Christian family on 23 July in the Damascus suburb of Bab Touma.

Syria has become a magnet for international terrorist organisations, including al-Qaeda in Iraq, the al-Nusrah Front, the Abdullah Azzam Brigades, the al-Baraa Ibn Malik Martyrdom Brigade, the Omar Farouq Brigade and others. German intelligence estimates that in the first six months of 2012 'around 90' terror attacks were committed inside Syria 'by organisations that are close to al-Qaeda or jihadist groups'. Many of these are 'false flag' operations where the jihadists massacre unsympathetic civilians and then present them to the media as victims of government forces. One German MP has slammed this tactic as 'massacre-marketing'. Whilst the German government acknowledges receiving these reports, it explains that their content remains classified 'by reason of national interest' (i.e. along with France, the UK and the USA, the German government is supporting the rebels, terrorists, and jihadists).

Tragically, the sectarian nature of the conflict has inflamed Islamic zeal and radicalised many previously tolerant Sunnis. Christian refugees in Lebanon told Sam Dagher (Wall Street Journal, 22 July) they fear that Christians will have no place in Syria if Assad leaves power. 'They say the conflict has uncovered the true feelings their former neighbours had kept hidden for years. "We ate from the same plate," said one of the displaced Christians. "And then they stabbed us in the back." '

Further to this, thousands of Iraqis who fled al-Qaeda terror and sectarian war in 2005-06 for sanctuary in Syria are now fleeing back to Iraq. However, emboldened by advances in Syria, al-Qaeda has launched a new offensive in IRAQ named 'Breaking Down the Walls'.  On Monday 23 July, at least 28 attacks on 19 Iraqi cities left 111 dead and more than 230 wounded.

* NIGERIA (RLPB 168), where Fulani Muslims, Boko Haram terrorists and rogue elements within the military are co-operating in the escalating terror being inflicted upon Christians in the north.


JULY 2012 ROUND-UP -- also this month . . .

* ACEH, INDONESIA: CHURCHES ATTACKED (updating RLPB 159)
On 30 April local officials in Aceh's Singkil regency yielded to Islamist pressure and ordered the closure and demolition of at least 20 mostly Protestant 'undung-undungs' (prayer chapels and places of worship). Seeking redress, most have not complied with the demolition order. Frustrated by this lack of action and emboldened by the government's appeasement policies, Islamists have begun attacking the chapels. On Sunday 17 June some 300 Islamists invaded a store in Kuta Alam sub-district where some 60 Christians had gathered for worship. Whilst the ground floor was thoroughly ransacked, police arrived in time to prevent the attackers from reaching the besieged Christians on the third floor. No arrests were made but the Christians were taken in for questioning. According to the Jakarta Globe, this was yet 'another' attack on a 'storefront church'. Then on 18 July an Islamist mob launched a dawn attack on the Pakpak Dairi Christian Protestant Church (Gkppd) house of prayer in Singkil, dowsing the interior with petrol and setting it on fire. Furniture and musical instruments were destroyed but prompt intervention by local Christians saved the building from complete destruction.

* INDIA: HINDU NATIONALISM INCITES VIOLENCE

On 24 June the Indigenous People's Forum (IPF) in Imphal, Manipur (north-east India), conducted a one-day workshop entitled 'Lure and Proselytization and Constitutional Interpretation of Freedom of Religion'. The IPF is recommending that the Manipur state government enact the Manipur Freedom of Religion bill (Anti Conversion Act). There is little doubt that Hindu nationalist forces are behind the IPF's call. Hindutva forces want to ensure that the traditionally non-Hindu indigenous tribals do not become Christian while they are busy working to convince the tribals that they are actually Hindus. If the law is enacted it will rob all Manipur citizens of their religious freedom, cause Hindutva militancy to escalate and further entrench the racist Hindu caste system to the benefit of the Hindutva-promoting upper castes. Pray that the bill will be rejected.

The Evangelical Fellowship of India reports that on 6 July, in Ramagundahally village in Karnataka (south-west India), Hindu extremists forcefully entered a house church, accusing the Christians of forceful conversion. The Hindus tore up Bibles and savagely beat the believers before calling the police, who came and took Pastor Mounesh away for questioning. When Pastor Mounesh was released in the early hours of the following morning, the Hindutva forces were enraged. Returning later that day they bashed Pastor Mounesh and the believers praying with him. Four believers beaten unconscious required hospitalisation. Such violence is commonplace in states where Hindu nationalism holds sway.

* IRAN: TWO MORE IMPRISONED PASTORS NEED PRAYER

Protestant pastor Farshid Fathi Malayeri (33, married with two children) was one of many Christians arrested during the sweep of 26 December 2010. Tried in January 2012 for crimes against national security, a Revolutionary Court in Evin Prison in Tehran sentenced him to six years in prison on 5 March 2012. On 3 July, an Iranian court upheld both the verdict and six-year prison sentence. Farshid will serve the remainder of his sentence in section 350 of Evin Prison. He has already spent some 100 days in solitary confinement.

Protestant pastor Benham Irani (41, married with two children) is imprisoned in Karaj's notorious Ghezel Hesar Prison. Arrested in April 2010 for his Christian ministry, Pastor Irani was convicted in January 2011of crimes against national security and sentenced to one year in prison. That term was later extended to five years because of a previous conviction. The verdict denounced him as an apostate, a label that marks him out as one who may be killed. Due to frequent severe beatings from guards and inmates, Pastor Irani now has great difficulty walking and seeing. He has bleeding ulcers and other intestinal problems. Pastor Irani lost consciousness around 14 July due to declining health, a consequence of the harsh treatment he has endured. Though he has been transferred to the prison hospital, advocates fear he may not survive.

'If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. But all these things they will do to you on account of my name, because they do not know him who sent me.' (John 15:18,21 ESV)

RLPB 159. ACEH, Indonesia: new governor advances Islamisation

Religious Liberty Prayer Bulletin | RLPB 159 | Wed 16 May 2012

ACEH, INDONESIA: NEW GOVERNOR ADVANCES ISLAMISATION

By Elizabeth Kendal

Acehnese went to the polls on 9 April to elect a new governor. The incumbent, Irwandi Yusuf, running as an independent, had been favoured to win. However, in the end the people chose to put their loyalty behind the Aceh Party's candidate Zaini Abdullah (72). Founded in 2008, the Aceh Party (Partai Aceh, PA) has dominated the parliament since 2009. It is the political party of the now defunct separatist guerrilla Free Aceh Movement (Gerakan Aceh Merdeka, GAM). Both Irwandi and Zaini have their origins in GAM. But in 2006, after GAM put Irwandi forward as its candidate for governor, GAM strongman Malik Mahmud overruled and put his own man forward, splitting the movement and forcing Irwandi to run (and win) as an independent. The political rivalry continues. All through 2011, the PA tried but failed to have Irwandi banned from the contest. Furthermore, the increasingly autocratic and militant PA has been blamed for the deadly political violence that has struck Irwandi's team and supporters. Moreover, the PA played the populist 'religion card', vowing to advance a more 'pure' form of Quranic Sharia (Islamic law).

On 17 April governor-elect Zaini Abdullah pledged to 'strengthen peace across Aceh' and 'eradicate corruption'. Claiming that 'moderate Islam' is what is 'in line with the Koran and Prophet Muhammad's hadiths' (i.e. is fundamentalist!), he pledged to raise awareness of right and wrong by means of Islamic education, so that Islam in Aceh 'can return to where it was during the Sultan Iskandar Muda era'. (Iskandar Muda was a cruel 17th Century Islamic autocrat who shed much blood in making Aceh strong, expansive and Islamic.)   

Aceh is around 98 percent Muslim and one percent Christian (mostly Protestant). At the southern-most tip of Aceh, Singkil district has the highest proportion of Christians of any district or city in Aceh, with Christians making up about one-sixth of the 120,000 population. Despite this, the administration has ruled that Singkil is only permitted to have one church and four 'undung-undungs' (small prayer rooms without exterior crosses).

On 30 April hundreds of Islamic hard-liners from the Islamic Defenders Front (FPI) and the Aceh Singkil Muslim Forum held a rally in Singkil demanding the undung-undungs be closed. The administration subsequently shut down 17 Christian places of worship in four sub-districts of Singkil on the grounds that they were built without permits.

A spokesman for the group 'Pro-Democracy People', Agusta Mukhtar, denounced the administration for acquiescing to hard-liners and failing to promote religious tolerance. 'The religious peace here has been shattered,' he said, 'by this anarchistic action that seeks religious domination for an inflexible faith. This is a dark time in the history of religious freedom and tolerance in Aceh.' Everything indicates life is about to get even more difficult for Aceh's minority Christian community.
(source: Jakarta Globe)

PLEASE PRAY SPECIFICALLY THAT GOD WILL --

* fill Acehnese Christians with full assurance of his presence. May the find their security, wisdom and strength in HIM in these darkening days.

* embolden Aceh's many secular, moderate and folk Muslims, awakening them to the fact that Quranic Islam brings cruel repression and culture change (Arabisation), not the utopia the Islamists promise.

* work all things for good, so that repression will be replaced with beauty and liberty; may Aceh know revival, for ' . . . where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom' (2 Corinthians 3:17 ESV).

SUMMARY FOR BULLETINS UNABLE TO RUN THE WHOLE ARTICLE
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NEW GOVERNOR IN ACEH, INDONESIA, ADVANCES ISLAMISATION

Aceh, on the north-west tip of the Indonesian island of Sumatra, is around 98 percent Muslim and one percent Christian (mostly Protestant). Acehnese went to the polls on 9 April to elect a new governor. The winner, Zaini Abdullah (72) of the dominant and increasingly autocratic and militant Aceh Party, ran on a platform that included a vow to advance a more 'pure' form of Quranic Sharia (Islamic law). On 30 April hundreds of Islamists protested in Aceh's southern-most district of Singkil, which has the highest proportion of Christians of any district in Aceh. The Islamists demanded the closure of Singkil's supposedly 'illegal' churches and prayer houses. The administration quickly acquiesced and 17 places of Christian worship across Singkil have since been closed. Please pray for Aceh's minority Christian community.