The Weekly Persecution & Prayer Alert
The Voice of the Martyrs, Canada
August 30, 2010
A weekly news and prayer digest on the Persecuted Church.
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In this week's edition: reports from India, Ethiopia, Tanzania,
Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
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1. Twelve Christians arrested in India
On August 15, police arrested 12 believers in Mandya district,
Karnataka state, India. Pastor Satish and Ravi, an evangelist with
India Campus Crusade for Christ, were conducting a service in a
believer's home when approximately 30 people entered the building and
started to accuse them of forcibly converting locals. Later that day,
10 of the believers were released; Pastor Satish and Ravi remained in
detention at last report. (Source: VOM-USA, Christian Persecution
Update India)
Pray for the release of these believers. Pray that their testimonies of
faithfulness amid adversity will draw non-believers into fellowship
with Christ. Pray that the Word of God will continue to be declared
with clarity, boldness, love, and power in India (Ephesians 6:19-20).
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2. Muslims attack Somali church leader in Ethiopia
Mohamed Ali Garas, a prominent Somali church leader and convert from
Islam, was beaten recently by Muslims in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Mohamed, who fled to Ethiopia from Somalia in 2005 after Somali
authorities attempted to arrest him, recently moved to a new
neighbourhood in Addis Ababa because Somali Muslims had threatened to
attack him. While he was walking to his new home on the evening of
August 21, he heard two men calling his name. When he approached them,
they struck him on the head with a wooden club and knocked him to the
ground. The two Somali Muslims then continued to assault him, hitting
and kicking him in the chest and stomach. They fled when a neighbour
arrived on scene. At last report, Mohamed was being treated at a local
hospital for his injuries, which included a damaged kneecap.
Somali Christians living in Ethiopia have come under increased attacks
from Somali Muslims in recent months, including a Christian man who was
assaulted in July for reading a book critical of the Prophet Muhammad
A Somali pastor in the Ethiopian capital has described this latest
attack as "an apparent attempt to scar the Somali Christian community
in Addis Ababa who consider Ethiopia a safe haven from religious
persecution." (Source: International Christian Concern)
Ask God to give Mohamed healing. Pray that his attackers will be
brought to justice. Pray that he and other Somali believers facing
persecution in Ethiopia will continue to trust in the Lord to guide and
embolden them as they serve Him.
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3. Evangelist arrested in Zanzibar, Tanzania
Security agents have reportedly arrested Peter Masanja, an evangelist
in Zanzibar's southeastern town of Paje. Earlier this year, Peter
invited fellow members of the Pentecostal Church in Zanzibar to hold
religious activities in his home. Local Muslims grew angry, believing
that he was planning to establish a church on his land.
In early August, Peter failed to return home and his wife grew
concerned. After several days of searching for him, his wife learned
that he had been arrested and imprisoned in Kilimani. Local pastors
have tried to meet with prison authorities about Peter's arrest, but
were told that the person in charge of the prison was away on business.
(Source: Compass Direct)
Pray that Peter will be released. Pray also for his family, that their
faith in Christ will grow stronger during these difficult days. Ask God
to equip Christians in Tanzania through His grace to demonstrate His
love and forgiveness amid great opposition.
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4. Pakistani family in hiding following accusations of blasphemy
A Christian man, Tanvir Masih, and his family are in hiding after
Muslim militants accused him of blasphemy. On July 28, Muslims in
Bahawalnagar district, Punjab province discovered Tanvir, who is a
cleaning worker, using a broom covered with a pharmaceutical firm's
advertisement cards bearing a verse from the Qur'an in Arabic that
read, "God is the best healer!" They then accused Tanvir of "defiling
Muhammad." Tanvir tried to explain that others had given him the cards,
which were written mostly in English, and that he did not understand
English. The Muslims continued to verbally abuse him and brought the
matter to Tanvir's employer, a physician, and a district health
officer. The two decided that Tanvir committed no blasphemy -- a
decision his accusers appeared to accept. However, as Tanvir came out
of the clinic he found irate Muslims had swarmed the road. In fear for
his life, Tanvir fled the scene. At last report, he and his family have
gone into hiding at an undisclosed location. (Source: Compass Direct)
Pray for safety and courage for Tanvir and his two young sons. Pray
that Tanvir will be able to stand firm in his faith, despite the
difficulties he is facing. Pray that those who falsely accuse
Christians of blasphemy will repent of their unjust ways and come to
know Christ as Lord.
To find out more about Christians suffering for their faith in
Pakistan, visit
www.persecution.net/pakistan.htm.
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5. Pray for Christians in India and Sri Lanka
Two VOM staff members recently returned from India and Sri Lanka, where
they met with partners and visited with persecuted Christians in need
of prayer as they serve Christ amid great opposition. In India, reports
of violence against believers, village churches being destroyed, and
church leaders being threatened by local Hindus continue to be a daily
reality. Converts to Christianity are often cast out of their families,
denied inheritance rights and face poverty and ostracism. In Sri Lanka,
Christians often face opposition from militant Buddhists intent on
ridding the nation of Christianity. Churches have been burned,
believers beaten and Christian leaders killed.
Pray for lasting fruit from the time VOM staff spent in India and Sri
Lanka as projects are developed. Pray that the suffering believers they
met with will look to the Lord for encouragement. Pray also that VOM
will be effective in equipping Canadian Christians to understand the
situation facing Christians in India and Sri Lanka and stand in
solidarity with them.
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6. Hearing their cry: The International Day of Prayer for the
Persecuted Church
"You hear, O LORD, the desire of the afflicted; you encourage them, and
you listen to their cry" -- Psalm 10:17
In countries around the world, Christians are following Jesus at great
cost and risk. Many face violence, imprisonment and harassment and even
death. Every November, Christians join in The International Day of
Prayer for the Persecuted Church (IDOP) -- a time set apart for us to
remember thousands of our Christian brothers and sisters who suffer
persecution, simply because they confess Jesus Christ as Lord.