~The Weekly
Persecution & Prayer Alert
The Voice of the Martyrs, Canada
Thursday, February 23, 2012
In all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who
loved us."
-- Romans 8:37 (NASB)
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In this week's edition: reports from Iran, Pakistan, Sudan and
Kazakhstan.
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1. Update: Execution orders may have been issued for Iranian
pastor Youcef Nadarkhani
(Source: American Center for Law and Justice)
According to contacts in Iran, the execution orders for Christian
Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani may have been issued. Pastor Youcef's
situation -- an innocent man convicted and sentenced to death for
becoming a Christian -- has reportedly not been this dire since
his story was first reported
It is unclear whether Pastor Youcef would have a right of appeal
from the execution order. The head of Iran's Judiciary, Ayatollah
Sadegh Larijani, must approve publicly held executions, but only a
small percentage of executions are held public -- most executions
in Iran are conducted in secret.
Please pray that the Lord will intervene and that Pastor Youcef
will be freed from prison. Pray that Youcef and his family will
remain faithful to the Lord in all situations. Pray that the Lord
will be exalted through Pastor Youcef, whether in life or in death
(Philippians 1:20).
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2. Evangelist in Pakistan harassed and under attack
(Source: VOM-USA)
An evangelist supported by The Voice of the Martyrs in the
Afghan-Pakistan border region says he is being harassed by a local
Muslim leader and is also under attack by spiritual forces.
After some local Muslims attended a church service last Christmas,
the evangelist received a letter warning him that his congregation
was not respecting the Muslim call to prayer. Police have
monitored the Christian man's activities, and the local mullah --
a Muslim man trained in religious law and doctrine -- has said the
evangelist's Christian activities "must be stopped." The
evangelist says the region has been difficult for mission workers
in the past, and that he is impacted spiritually when he goes on
prayer walks.
Please pray that God will grant supernatural strength to this
brother and to his church. Pray that the Muslims who attended the
Christmas church service will be fertile soil for the seeds that
have been planted. Pray that the gospel will spread and flourish
in this hostile area.
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3. Christians abducted by militia groups in Sudan
(Source: Compass Direct News)
Christians in Sudan are under threat by South Sudanese militias
rebelling against the new South Sudan government. South Sudan
seceded from Sudan in July 2011. Christians in the primarily
Islamic Sudan said that abductions are increasing as the
government supports militias as part of an effort to rid the
country of Christianity. The militias have been forcibly
conscribing South Sudanese into rebel militias loyal to Sudan's
Islamic government. Christian sources say hundreds of young men
have been forcibly conscripted, while older men are either killed
or ransomed.
Two priests who were abducted at gunpoint last month in Rabak,
Sudan, have been released. The assailants, South Sudanese
militants loyal to Sudan, accused the Rev. Joseph Makwey and the
Rev. Sylvester Mogga of ties to South Sudan's military. The
kidnappers demanded 500,000 Sudanese pounds for their release
(approximately $186,000 CAD), but press reports said no ransom was
paid. The kidnappers tortured the two priests, who are now
receiving medical treatment.
Please pray that Joseph and Sylvester will fully recover from
their injuries and that the Lord will flood their hearts with
forgiveness and peace. Please pray that God will command His
angels to guard our brothers and sisters who have been abducted or
fear abduction (Psalm 91:11).
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4. Harsh new punishment enforced in Kazakhstan
(Source: Forum 18 News Service)
A shoe repairman and father of 10 in eastern Kazakhstan has been
fined the equivalent of 18 months' average monthly salary. Aleksei
Asetov was fined for leading the small congregation that meets in
his home. The judge also banned the congregation.
Aleksei is the fifth member of a religious community known to have
been fined since the harsh new Religion Law and associated
punishments were adopted. However, he is the first to be tried
under the new penalties.
Please pray that Aleksei and his family will find joy in their
sufferings (Romans 5:3). Pray that God will provide for all their
needs. Please pray that God will intercede in Kazakhstan,
softening the hearts of the political powers and causing them to
cease their persecution of Christians.
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5. Man charged with blasphemy in Pakistan
(Source: VOM-USA)
Dildar Yousaf, 28, was arrested and charged with blasphemy after
defending his eight-year-old nephew who was being attacked by a
group of Muslim boys last June. Dildar's nephew, Ehtasham, was
passing by a "madrassa," a school where Islamic students study the
Qur'an, when seven boys surrounded him and tried to force him to
say, "There is no god but Allah and Muhammad is his prophet."
Ehtasham refused, and the boys began to verbally and physically
assault him. Dildar happened by and pulled his nephew away and
took him home.
A rumour then spread that Dildar had disgraced the Muslim
proclamation of faith. Crowds gathered and began to demand his
death. Police picked up Dildar from his workplace, put him in
protective custody and charged him with blasphemy. This particular
charge carries a potential three-year sentence with the
possibility of parole, unlike other blasphemy charges in the
country that can result in a death sentence.
Dildar's wife, Naseem, and their two children, as well as Ehtasham
and his family, have all had to leave their village. VOM is
supporting the family and providing legal assistance to Dildar.
Dildar's village has a history of persecution. In the past, a
Christian's house was burned, a pastor was killed, and another
believer was charged with blasphemy.
Please pray that Dildar and Ehtasham's families will be able to
safely return to their homes with God's protection. Please pray
that the charges against Dildar will be dropped. Please pray that
God will reach out to the seven young boys who attacked Ehtasham
so that they will hear and heed His call.
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