Religious Liberty Prayer Bulletin

Tuesday, March 30, 2021

RLPB 591. March 2021 Update, Incl. Burma (Myanmar), Algeria, Armenia-Azerbaijan, Indonesia, Iran, Kazakhstan, Sri Lanka.

Religious Liberty Prayer Bulletin | RLPB 591 | Wed 31 Mar 2021
RLPB is published weekly to facilitate strategic intercessory prayer.

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EASTER: DEEP TRAUMA; GREAT EXPECTATION

The Easter season provides the perfect paradigm for strategic intercessory prayer for the persecuted Church. Intercessors bury themselves in the suffering of God's people precisely so they might fight for them in prayer. However, though our prayers involve lament and more often than not tears, we do not pray as those who have no hope! Precisely because God has promised, Christ has risen and the Holy Spirit has come, we can be assured that the horror of persecution and the agony of what seems like divine silence, will ultimately be overtaken by joy and praise as God's purposes unfold and his promises are fulfilled. In Jesus Christ all the promises of God are 'Yes'; which is why we can say 'Amen' (so be it) (2 Corinthians 1:20) to prayers prayed in hopeful anticipation and then watch for the answer with great expectation.

In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly (NIV) / watch (ESV) / keep watch (Hebrew: sapa) (Psalm 5:3).

DIARY

Western Easter (Catholic and Protestant): Friday 2 to Sunday 4 April.
Ramadan (Muslim month of fasting): 12/13 April to 12 May.
Eastern Easter (Orthodox): Friday 30 April to Sunday 2 May.

Please pray!

All four devotions from Easter 2020: Prayer Fuel from the Servant Songs of Isaiah (pdf)

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MARCH 2021 UPDATE
By Elizabeth Kendal

DURING THIS PERIOD, WE PRAYED CONCERNING:

click on map to enlarge.

* BURMA (MYANMAR), where Christians are imperilled [RLPB 587 (3 March)] now the Tatmadaw (Burmese military) - which has raped, killed, displaced, plundered and terrorised Christians for decades - has seized power in a military coup and where a 'Christian Crisis Looms' [RLPB 590 (24 March)] as the front-line moves outwards, from the Burman-dominated centre to the ethnic minority periphery. In the east, the Karen (including Karenni) are around 40 percent Christian, while in the north and west the Kachin and Chin are predominantly Christian. Burma's Christians are mostly Baptist, the legacy of American Baptist pioneer missionary Adoniram Judson (1788-1850).

BURMA UPDATE

ON THE GROUND: At 6am on Thursday 25 March, anti-coup protesters were preparing sandbags in Hpa-an (the capital of Burma's eastern Karen/Kayin State) when security forces swept in and cleared the streets using stun grenades, rubber bullets and live ammunition. Two young male Karen were shot and seriously wounded. Military violence was also unleashed in Taunggyi (the capital of Shan State, also in the east) and in Mawlamyine (the capital of Mon State, in the southeast). On Sunday 28 March more than 100 people were killed as the Tatmadaw moved to put down protests in several cities across the country, including Hpakant, the jade-mining hub in Kachin State (in the north). An ethnic Chin woman, Ah Khu (38) - a leader of civil society group 'Women for Justice' - was killed in the north-western Sagaing Region.

In scenes reminiscent of Omar al-Bashir's
war in Sudan's Nuba Mountains,
Karen civilians are sheltering in
caves to escape aerial bombardment.
photo: Free Burma Rangers

FROM THE SKY: On Saturday morning 27 March, the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) seized control of a hilltop outpost formerly held by the Tatmadaw, killing 10 and capturing eight Burmese soldiers in the process. That afternoon, Karen villagers in Papun District noticed Burmese military aircraft encircling overhead. The first reprisal came at between 8:20 and 8:30pm when four bombs were dropped on the Day Pu No village area, just seven miles from the border with Thailand. This was followed by a second bombardment between 1am and 2am. Free Burma Rangers reports that three villagers were killed and six wounded, and that more than 2500 have fled their homes and are now hiding in the jungle. A civilian was also killed by an artillery shell in a punitive attack against the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) in Hpakant, Kachin State, after KIA troops seized control of several strategic outposts. Ongoing aerial bombardment in Karen State has forced more than 12,000 people to flee their homes and hide in the jungle. Please pray.

* ALGERIA [RLPB 588 (10 March)], a fragile state within which rages an intense spiritual battle. On 21 January poultry farmer Hamid (43) - a Christian convert, married with four young children - was tried for blasphemy because of a cartoon he naively re-posted some three years earlier. For this, Hamid was handed the maximum punishment of five years in prison. On 27 February Pastor Rachid Seighir and Nouh Hamimi were convicted in absentia of 'proselytising'. Both were fined and sentenced to two years in prison.

UPDATE: On 22 March an appeals court in Oran upheld Hamid's five-year sentence. His lawyer, Farid Khemisti had expected the sentence would be greatly reduced. 'I expected at the worst, six months in prison,' he said. Khemisti is weighing-up whether to appeal to a court of cassation or to the supreme court. He is convinced Hamid only received the maximum penalty because he is a convert to Christianity. Please pray. Meanwhile, Pastor Rachid Seighir and Nouh Hamimi (who managed Pastor Seighir's Christian bookshop in Oran) will have their appeals heard on Sunday 18 April. Please pray.

* ETHIOPIA [RLPB 589 (17 March)], where massacres of Orthodox Christian ethnic Amhara - seemingly with the complicity of Oromo ethnic-nationalists inside the Oromia regional government, police and security forces - continue unabated in Oromia Region. Tensions will continue to escalate as parliamentary elections, scheduled for 5 June, approach. Please pray.

MARCH 2021 ROUND-UP - also this month:

* ARMENIA-AZERBAIJAN: NEW WAR LOOMS

War looms over Syunik

Azerbaijan held massive military drills from 15 to 18 March with the stated aim of preparing Azeri troops to wage war in mountainous wooded areas. In response, Armenia staged its own military drills from 16 to 20 March. The escalation comes a mere month after Turkey and Azerbaijan held massive joint military exercises near the city of Kars in eastern Anatolia, close to the border with Armenia. During that time, Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev accused Armenia of 'obstructing the creation of the Zankezur corridor', adding, 'they will not succeed; we will force them'. Aliyev also claimed that 'Zankezur' - the Azeri name for Armenia's southernmost province of Syunik - is 'a historic territory of Azerbaijan'. Aliyev's claim has raised alarm in Armenia. Furthermore, the Russia-brokered agreement signed on 9 November 2020 makes no mention of a 'corridor' through Syunik. [The term 'corridor' implies a degree of sovereignty.] It states only that Armenia will guarantee the safety of transport and the unimpeded movement of Azeri citizens between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic. Armenians suspect Aliyev is looking for a pretext to go to war over Syunik. Please pray.

NOTE: Back in 2012, Stratfor Worldview explained (while using the Azeri name for the Armenian province!) the strategic importance of 'Zangezur' (i.e. Syunik): 'Whoever controls the Zangezur Corridor can project power into the Turkish sphere of influence in Anatolia, the Russian sphere of influence in the intra-Caucasus and directly into the Persian core territories... Although Turkey, Russia and Iran have not paid much attention to the Zangezur Corridor in recent years, they are certain to revisit the Zangezur issue in time.' Armenians fear that time may have arrived.

* INDONESIA: CHURCH BOMBED IN MAKASSAR, SOUTH SULAWESI

On Sunday 28 March, a newly married young couple rode their motorbike to the entrance gates of Makassar’s Sacred Heart of Jesus Cathedral. When the church security guard declined to let them through, they detonated their explosives, killing themselves and wounding at least 20 church officials and members, many critically. According to Cathedral pastor, Wilhelmus Tulak, it was 10:30am, the Palm Sunday worship service had just finished, and people were mingling outside when the explosion occurred. Police arrive to find shrapnel and body parts strewn across the church compound and street. President Widodo immediately instructed the police to increase security at churches over the Easter season. Police suspect the bombers were members of Islamic State-aligned Jamaah Ansharut Daulah (JAD). Please pray.

CONCERNING CHURCH SECURITY

Western Christians sometimes complain about all the various rosters they are required to be on in order to keep their church running smoothly: morning tea, welcoming, cleaning, lawn mowing, maintenance, technical etc. Before ever complaining again, we should all give a thought to Christians in Indonesia, Egypt, Pakistan, Iraq, Nigeria and elsewhere, who must contemplate having their name on the security roster that will require them to stand guard at the gate. The guard does not have to bake or sweep or put on a smile or push a mower through wet grass. He does however need to be prepared to tackle a suicide bomber or gunman to the ground, and in doing so, courageously and selflessly give his life that his Christian brothers and sisters might live. Please pray that God would foil every evil plot to bring terror and grief to churches this Easter. May God bless and protect every father, husband and son serving on a church security roster this Easter season.

* IRAN: COUPLE SUMMONED TO PRISON

Homayoun Zhaveh (62) with wife, Sara Ahmadi (42).

Christian converts Homayoun Zhaveh (62) and his wife Sara Ahmadi (42) have been summoned to begin their prison sentences for belonging to a house church. The couple were first arrested in June 2019. They were imprisoned initially in Sari, near Amol on the Caspian Sea coast, where they were holidaying with friends, and then in Evin Prison in Tehran. Homayoun was released after a month, but because Sara is alleged to have a leadership role, she was held for 67 days (includes 33 days in solitary confinement) during which time she was subjected to severe psychological abuse. In November 2020 Homayoun was sentenced to two years' prison for house church membership, while Sara was sentenced to 11 years due to her alleged leadership role. On 30 December Sara's prison term was reduced to eight years in prison on appeal. The couple received the summons on 19 March and were given just days to report to the prison. Grave concerns are held for Homayoun's health, for he suffers from advanced Parkinson's disease which, apart from anything else, will render him exceedingly vulnerable to COVID-19 in prison. Expressing dismay and indignation that a house church could be construed as an 'illegal organisation', their lawyer has requested a retrial. Please pray.

* KAZAKHSTAN: CHURCH AT RISK

Christian charity Open Doors (OD) reported on 15 March that Kazakh authorities with the Astana city police have charged the 400-member Shanyrak Church with insulting the feelings of Muslims, after individual members allegedly made negative comments about the Muslim community. As the pastor notes: 'This is a very serious charge with difficult, big consequences ... Our goal is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ without blaming or judging others. Today, we were called by the police and city hall. It is not yet clear [when] it will all end. The worst possible scenario is that the church will be closed, and several people may be jailed. Now a lawyer is helping us in this process.' Please pray.

For a very helpful and truly beautiful short video (4:33 mins) see: ‘Prayercast Video: KAZAKHSTAN’ (Aug 2017).

* SRI LANKA: ANTI-CONVERSION LAW LOOMS

On Monday 22 March Sri Lanka's multi-faith International Religious Freedom Round-table sent a letter to Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, urging him to abandon the planned introduction of anti-conversion legislation. Signed by 36 religious dignitaries, the letter affirms the fundamental human right of freedom of conscience on matters of faith and religion, while denouncing unethical conversion through force and violence. It also points out that anti-conversion laws are notoriously ambiguous, giving emboldened intolerant elements a weapon they can use against religious minorities for doing nothing other than worshipping together, sharing their faith, or performing charitable works. According to the Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious, and Cultural Affairs, which is drafting the legislation, complaints are on the rise, especially against 'Born Again Christians'. The Church has grounds to be alarmed. In February 2020 PM Mahinda Rajapaksa signalled his intention to revisit the issue of anti-conversion legislation when he identified the conversion of 'traditional Buddhist families to other religions' as one of the greatest 'threats facing the Sinhala Buddhist Nation' [see RLPB 544, 'Easter Devotion and Prayer for Sri Lanka,' (8 April 2020)]. Please pray.

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Elizabeth Kendal is an international religious liberty analyst and advocate. She serves as Director of Advocacy at Canberra-based Christian Faith and Freedom (CFF) and is an Adjunct Research Fellow at the Arthur Jeffery Centre for the Study of Islam at Melbourne School of Theology.

She has authored two books: Turn Back the Battle: Isaiah Speaks to Christians Today (Deror Books, Melbourne, Australia, Dec 2012) which offers a Biblical response to persecution and existential threat; and After Saturday Comes Sunday: Understanding the Christian Crisis in the Middle East (Wipf and Stock, Eugene, OR, USA, June 2016).

See www.ElizabethKendal.com

Tuesday, March 23, 2021

RLPB 590. Burma (Myanmar): Christian Crisis Looms

Religious Liberty Prayer Bulletin | RLPB 590 | Wed 24 Mar 2021
RLPB is published weekly to facilitate strategic intercessory prayer.

BURMA (MYANMAR): CHRISTIAN CRISIS LOOMS
as front-line moves outwards, from Burman-dominated centre to ethnic minority periphery.
By Elizabeth Kendal

click on map to enlarge

Burma is hurtling towards a very risky, high-stakes, civil war. The junta is digging in and the toll of civilians killed, injured and arrested is soaring. Despite this, a defiant population steadfastly refuses to surrender to military rule. These are days of great danger and opportunity for Burma's long-persecuted ethnic Chin, Kachin and Karen who comprise most of Burma's nearly nine percent Christian minority.

On Saturday 13 March the appointed acting head of the Committee Representing Pyidaungsu Hluttaw / Union Parliament (CRPH; a parallel government of elected MPs), Mahn Win Khaing Than, delivered a speech on Facebook in which he called for Burma's long-persecuted ethnic groups to join the 'revolution' to 'form a federal democracy' and 'end the dictatorship for good'. Few ethnic Burman have ever cared about the plight of Burma's ethnic-religious minorities as they suffered for decades under the Tatmadaw's (Burmese military's) jackboot. Yet, as Aljazeera notes, 'Public opinion appears to be changing. Apologies to ethnic minorities have proliferated on social media, while calls are growing for the establishment of a federal army to protect the people and overthrow the military regime.' While suspicions remain, 'In a sense,' as Burma expert Benedict Rogers notes, 'the coup is a leveller. Whether you are Burman or Rohingya, Karen or Kachin, you face the same enemy now.'

Two of the most powerful ethnic armed organisations (EAOs) - the mostly Christian and Christian-led Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) and Kachin Independence Army (KIA) - have supported the pro-democracy protesters from the outset. Whilst stating their preference for 'peaceful negotiation', they have vowed to protect 'all the people of our country'. Not only are these EAOs stepping in to protect protesters, but ethnic states are providing sanctuary to imperilled activists - including members of the CRPH - and facilitating their escape into safe havens in Mizoram, India (via Chin State in the west) and in Thailand (via Karen and Karenni States in the east; renamed by the junta as Kayin and Kayah State respectively). Currently more than 1000 people - strike leaders, government officials and police deserters - are sheltering on the Thai border under the protection of the Karen National Union (KNU).

Karen Villagers on the Run
Free Burma Rangers, 17 Feb 2021

In retaliation for the KNU's support for the resistance, the Tatmadaw has been shelling villages in Karen State. In recent weeks, some 8000 ethnic Karen have been driven from their homes, forced into the jungle without food, medical aid or shelter. Meanwhile, armed confrontations erupted on 11 March between the Tatmadaw and the KIA in resource-rich Kachin State (in the north, bordering China) as the junta moves to secure its economic assets, in particular its jade mines in Hpakant and amber mines in Tanai. Conflict has also erupted in N'Jang Yang (Injangyang; a township on the northern outskirts of the capital Myitkyina) and at the site of the suspended Myitsone Dam, a China-junta project which would dam the Irrawaddy to produce hydro-electric power for sale to China. Driven from their homes and farms, displaced Kachin civilians are taking refuge in churches, monasteries and church-run camps. A humanitarian crisis looms.

An ethnic Chin woman named Lianzuali (34)
lies dead after soldiers raid the 6th floor office of charity
We Love Yangon, Sunday 21 March 2021.

A day after Mahn Win Khaing Than's Facebook speech, the worst violence seen so far erupted in Hlaing Tharyar (Hlaingthaya), a large and densely populated industrial township on the western edge of Yangon. Two Chinese-owned garment factories were torched with Chinese staff trapped inside. China responded, insisting the junta take 'effective measures' to restore order and threatening that 'China might be forced into taking more drastic action to protect its interests'. Between 14 and 18 March, at least 74 people were killed (40 on Sunday 14th alone) and multitudes wounded, many seriously, while a total of 32 Chinese-invested factories were vandalised or torched. Martial law has been declared; thousands have fled. The attacks on Chinese citizens and interests raises the stakes considerably, for it gives non-interfering China grounds to intervene in defence of its own citizens. Many are deeply suspicious, questioning how anyone could have torched a Chinese-invested factory when they are so heavily guarded. Many suspect a 'false flag', i.e., that Burmese soldiers may have torched the factories to draw China into the fray.

PLEASE PRAY SPECIFICALLY THAT:

* YAHWEH SABAOTH (the Lord of Hosts, the commander of Heaven's angelic armies) will protect, preserve, sustain, vindicate and glorify his precious Church in Burma.

* JEHOVAH JIREH (God our provider) will provide the Church's needs (such as food, medicines, shelter, security) and fill every Christian leader with 'the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so [they might] walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy ...' (excerpt from Colossians 1:9-14 ESV)

* GOD OUR REDEEMER will intervene to break the chains of military and spiritual oppression and pave the way for Burma to establish itself as a free, open and democratic federation ... for the sake of the Church and all Burma's 'harassed and helpless... sheep without a shepherd' (Matthew 9: 35-37).

SUMMARY FOR BULLETINS UNABLE TO RUN THE WHOLE ARTICLE
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CHRISTIAN CRISIS LOOMS IN BURMA (MYANMAR)

Most of Burma's nine percent Christian minority hail from the long-persecuted Chin, Kachin and Karen ethnic minorities. From the outset, Kachin and Karen ethnic armies have been protecting protesters and providing sanctuary to Burman resistance leaders and elected MPs and facilitating their escape to India (via Chin State) and Thailand (via Karen State). The Burmese military is retaliating by shelling Karen villages, driving some 8000 Karen into the jungle. Furthermore, the Burmese military has opened a front in resource-rich Kachin State to protect its economic interests there. Thousands of displaced Kachin are now sheltering in churches, monasteries and church-run camps. A humanitarian crisis looms. Not only is the front-line moving outwards from the Burman-dominated centre to the ethnic minority periphery, but China is threatening 'drastic action to protect its interests'. Please pray.