The Weekly
Persecution & Prayer Alert
The Voice of the Martyrs, Canada
Thursday, May 31, 2012
Against the persecution of a tyrant the godly have no remedy but
prayer.
- John Calvin
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In this week's edition: reports from Pakistan, Azerbaijan,
Indonesia and Laos.
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1. Update: Blasphemy conviction overturned in Pakistan
(Source: Compass Direct News)
A court has acquitted a Christian couple in Pakistan sentenced to
life in prison for blasphemy. The couple's lawyer said the judge
accepted the couple's appeal because prosecutors failed to prove
allegations that 32-year-old Munir Masih and his wife Ruqqiya
defiled the Qur'an or insulted Muhammad in December 2008
The allegations came under sections of Pakistan's blasphemy laws
which are often used to exact revenge on Christians over personal
disputes. In this case, the Christian couple's children had fought
with the family of Muhammad Yousaf, who then directed his driver
to file the blasphemy charges.
A trial court exonerated them of blasphemy against Muhammad in
2010 due to a lack of credible evidence, but sentenced them to
life imprisonment, which is 25 years in Pakistan, for allegedly
defiling the Qur'an. Munir was released on bail in December 2010,
while Ruqqiya, a mother of six, had been awaiting the decision in
jail.
Praise God that Ruqqiya is now home with her family. Please pray
that the unsuccessful prosecution of this false charge would deter
others from making false accusations against other Pakistani
Christians. Pray that this family will continue to serve Jesus
Christ, despite the hostility they have faced.
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2. Church swarmed and raided by police in Azerbaijan
(Source: Forum 18 News Service)
Police in Azerbaijan have denied the recent raiding of a church,
even though at least 20 police officers, including the police
chief and the local head of the State Committee for Work with
Religious Organizations, participated.
During the raid, police first searched for foreigners. After
finding none present, they began questioning about 50 children to
make sure they had permission from both parents to be there. At
least one congregation member has been fined without being tried
by a court.
A harsh Religion Law was adopted in the country in 2009 with new
offenses and punishments that many in the international community
say are vague and dangerous. There are limitations on
conscientious objection, the distribution of literature, and the
criticism of other religions.
Please pray that Christian brothers and sisters in Azerbaijan will
rely on the spirit of power provided to them through Jesus, and
that they will be bold and loving despite the adversity they face
(2 Timothy 1:7-12). Pray that God will enable Christian parents in
Azerbaijan to demonstrate an unwavering commitment to Christ so
that their children will be encouraged to walk closely with the
Lord as they grow up (Deuteronomy 11:18-20).
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3. Islamist mob hurls urine, rotten food at Christians in
Indonesia
(Source: Compass Direct News)
About 600 Muslims threw bags of urine and filthy water at 100
members of a church in Indonesia and threatened to kill the
pastor. No arrests have been made. The mob, which included the
chairman of the Bekasi chapter of the extremist Islamic Defenders
Front (FPI), attacked members of the Philadelphia Batak Christian
Protestant Church while police looked on.
The Christians were peacefully worshipping on the street of a
community in Bekasi, near Jakarta, on May 17 when they were
accosted. The angry throng began to throw urine, ditchwater,
rotten eggs, stones and dirt when Pastor Palty Panjaitan came to
speak to his congregation. The congregants were forced to
disperse. Pastor Palty received a death threat and filed a police
complaint.
The church had been denied a permit to construct a church five
years ago, and the local administration asked it to shut down in
December 2009 . The Supreme Court overruled the administration's
decision in July last year, saying the church was eligible for a
permit, but due to pressure from Islamist groups, officials insist
the congregation meet elsewhere.
Please pray that members of this church will soon be able to
freely worship the one true God. Please pray for the protection of
Pastor Palty. Pray that those who oppose this church will come to
know salvation through Jesus Christ. Pray that these believers
will rejoice in the opportunity to grow in Christlikeness through
the ongoing opposition they face (James 1:2-4).
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4. Mother in Laos expels Christian children from home
(Source: VOM-USA)
An 18-year-old son and 20-year-old daughter have been expelled
from their home because of their Christian faith. When their
mother became extremely ill, village elders claimed that the
spirits were displeased because the two Christian children were
living in the house. An older son tried to persuade his brother
and sister to recant their faith, but they refused. Their mother
then accused them of hating their older brother and wishing him
dead. She threw their belongings out of the house and told them to
leave. The two siblings immediately moved to a Christian village
where they originally heard the gospel, where they were welcomed
with open arms.
Pray for these two brave Christians as they begin a new life away
from their family. Pray that they will rest in the knowledge that
the Good Shepherd walks with them through this difficult time
(Psalm 23). Pray that their family members will come to know Jesus
Christ and that the family will reconcile.
l.
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