.The Weekly Persecution & Prayer Alert

[-Pastor-Dale-Morgan-]

.The Weekly Persecution & Prayer Alert

The Voice of the Martyrs, Canada

Thursday, May 17, 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 Mauritania, Kuwait, Uzbekistan and India.
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1. Muslims demand investigation of Christians in Mauritania
(Source: VOM-USA)

Muslim protesters in Mauritania have called on the government to investigate all Christians in the country, claiming that Christians were involved in the burning of a Qur'an after Islamic prayers on April 27. The protesters said other Islamic books were also burned on the same day and that many copies of the gospel were distributed, insinuating that Christians had some part in what they consider one of the worst offenses possible. They called on the government to investigate Christians to determine their part in the event and, if found guilty, to punish them. Desecrating a Qur'an is punishable by life in prison or even death in some Islamic countries.

Christians make up one-quarter of 1 per cent of the population, and the vast majority of Mauritanian peoples essentially remain unreached. Believers in Mauritania have at times been imprisoned, beaten for their faith, or endured ostracism by family or tribe. Expatriate Christians suspected of proselytizing Mauritanians are subject to harassment, interrogation, brief imprisonment, expulsion and even murder. The murder of a foreign Christian by Islamic terrorists in 2009, as well as extremist activities, has led to many expatriate believers leaving the country.

Pray that God will strengthen and grow the Church in Mauritania. Pray that believers will not be timid, but will be filled with the Spirit's power, love, and self-discipline (2 Timothy 1:7). Pray God will use this situation as an opportunity to spread the gospel.

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2. Update: Kuwait parliament approves death penalty for blasphemy
(Source: International Christian Concern)

A new law may soon allow courts in Kuwait to sentence those convicted of blasphemy to death. Muslims who insult Allah, the Qur'an, Muslim prophets, or Muhammad's wives may receive the death sentence if the bill, which was approved by 40 members of Parliament while only six opposed it, is approved by Kuwait's leader, Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah. Christians and other non-Muslim minorities will be sentenced to a minimum of 10 years for the same offense under the new law. Right now, blasphemy carries a sentence of one year and is defined as slander by Kuwait's penal code.

The amendment was introduced soon after the arrest of a Shiite Muslim accused of cursing Muhammad on the social networking site Twitter. A parliamentarian said that incidents of blasphemy on social networking site are on the rise and the new legislation is "needed to deter them." The increased penalties for blasphemy follows legislation introduced earlier this year to prohibit the construction of churches and other non-Islamic places of worship.

Please pray that Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah will not pass this bill into law. Please also pray that Kuwaiti believers will be emboldened to share the gospel despite threats of persecution. Pray that, despite increasing restrictions, believers will continue to meet together for worship and encouragement (Hebrews 10:23-25).

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3. Christians harassed in Uzbekistan
(Source: Forum 18 News Service)

Police in Uzbekistan recently raided a home where Christians were meeting, allegedly searching for a bomb which was never found. Christian books and a laptop were confiscated, however, and 14 members of the church were fined for holding an "unsanctioned meeting in a private home." Natalya Kim, who was hosting the meeting, received a fine equivalent to 60 times the minimum monthly salary in Uzbekistan.

In another incident, three Christians were fined for not declaring their personal Bibles while crossing the border from Kazakhstan into Uzbekistan, and the Bibles were confiscated.

All religious literature in Uzbekistan is under tight, state censorship, and courts frequently order the destruction of religious literature. Some churches are standing against the unjust laws, refusing to register with the state since requiring registration is a violation of the international human rights agreements Uzbekistan has formally promised to implement. Recently, Christians from two separate church locations were fined for the unregistered exercise of freedom of religion or belief.

Please pray that Natalya Kim will be rewarded for exhibiting such faith and for opening up her home to Christian brothers and sisters despite the risks to her own security and safety. Pray that the Lord will protect and encourage believers who are standing against unjust laws in Uzbekistan. Pray that Christians in Uzbekistan will rejoice in the opportunity to grow in Christlikeness through the ongoing opposition they face (James 1:2-4).

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4. Hindu extremists attack Christians in India
(Source: Compass Direct News)

Hindu villagers in Chhattisgarh state, India, recently attempted to prevent the burial of a convert to Christianity by brutally attacking a group of believers. Jaikant Pawar, 31, of Balgal village, Kanker district, died in April. When more than 40 Christians at the family's house were taking his body out for burial, about 300 Hindu villagers surrounded the house and attacked. The assault continued for about six hours.

"The extremists were mocking us and said that Jesus, who calmed the storm, sent rain and who also raised up the dead, must also raise up Jaikant Pawar, and they forced us to pray," said a Christian leader. "They threatened to pull off my skin if Jesus did not make Pawar alive again."

The villagers also beat two women -- Ganga Bhai and Suki Bhai -- both 60 years old. Two Christian children who were about 10 years old were also pushed and thrown until they fell unconscious.

Later that night, the Hindu extremists told the Christians to remove the body from the village or be killed, so the believers carried the body to a police station about 10 km away. However, police were unwilling to register a report. Officials eventually summoned the attackers, who then falsely accused the Christians of beating them. Police warned the villagers not to disturb the Christians again, but reports indicate that Christians are being threatened again.

Please pray that these brothers and sisters will receive God's protection from their attackers and that their faith will be a witness to their assailants. Please pray that all believers in India will rely on the Lord as their strength and their shield, and that they will be empowered to take the gospel to every corner of India for His glory. Pray for healing for those wounded in these attacks.

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