The Persecution & Prayer Alert
Pastor Dale Morgan
The Voice of the Martyrs, Canada
June 26, 2008
A weekly news digest on the Persecuted Church
***********************************
In this week's edition: Reports from Azerbaijan, Egypt, Sri Lanka,
Nigeria and Turkey, with updates from China and Canada
***********************************
1. Pastor Arrested in Aliabad, Azerbaijan
Pastor Hamid Shabanov was arrested after police claimed to find an
illegal weapon while searching his home in Aliabad on June 20, according
to a June 21 report from Forum 18. Pastor Shabanov's family and
congregation insist that police planted the gun they claimed to
discover. Shabanov's brother sees the arrest as a direct attack on the
pastor's Baptist church and an attempt to halt Christian activity in the
area. Shabanov's home was among those searched when another local pastor
arrested on fabricated charges, Pastor Zaur Balaev, was detained in May
2007.
Pray that the truth of this situation will be made known and that Pastor
Shabanov will be released. Pray that Christians in Azerbaijan will be
emboldened to follow in their Saviour's footsteps (1 Corinthians 4:9-14,
16).
***********************************
2. Muslims Attack Christian Homes and Businesses in Egypt
A mob of local Muslims attacked shops and homes belonging to Coptic
Christians in the village of Al Nazla, Fayoum province, on June 19. When
a convert from Christianity to Islam left that day on a three-day trip
to Cairo, local Muslims concluded that she had gone missing. Rumours
circulated that she had been abducted by her Christian family members. A
mob of Muslims then went on a rampage in the village, beating and
injuring Christians and destroying property.
Ask God to strengthen those affected by the mob violence to remain
steadfast as they suffer (Revelation 2:10). Pray that the perpetrators
of this attack will come to repentance and salvation.
***********************************
3. Pastor Assaulted in Ampara, Sri Lanka
The pastor of a Methodist church was attacked by three members of the
Department of Civil Defense in the village of Uhana in Ampara district
at approximately 4:40 p.m. on June 23, according to a June 24 report
from the National Christian Evangelical Alliance of Sri Lanka. The men
accosted him while he was walking home from a church meeting and asked
him to accompany them to a house to speak with people who were
interested in Christianity. Sensing it was a trap, the pastor requested
that these individuals come to his church and talk with him there. The
men then beat him and threatened him against returning to the village.
The pastor was hospitalized with serious injuries to his head and nose.
Pray for healing for the injured pastor. Pray that he and other
Christians in Ampara will remain faithful to the task that God has given
them at all cost (I Peter 5:1-4).
***********************************
4. Government Authorities Demolish Church in Kano State, Nigeria
State Environmental Protection Agency (KASEPA) employees along with
police officers demolished a Catholic church in Naibawa, Kano state on
the morning of June 19, according to a June 20 report from Christian
Solidarity Worldwide. According to local sources, Christ the King Church
had received an official letter in early June ordering them to vacate
their property. Church officials had subsequently written a letter of
appeal to local authorities and were awaiting a response when KAPESA
workers and police officers turned up unexpectedly. Musical instruments
and other objects were stolen, the building was bulldozed and the
remaining property was set on fire.
Pray for the continued ministry of church fellowships in Kano, despite
the opposition they face. Pray that, in the face of their property loss,
they will know that they have "better and lasting possessions" (Hebrews
10:36, 37).
***********************************
5. Pastor Facing Imprisonment on False Charges in Turkey
Pastor Orhan Picaklar is facing imprisonment on three false charges in
Samsun, Turkey, according to a June 18 report from International
Christian Concern. On June 15, Pastor Picaklar found a notice from the
public prosecutor at his church informing him that he was a suspect in a
court case and requiring him to come immediately to give testimony. He
arrived at the prosecutor's office to find a handwritten document, which
included a false identity number, accusing him of insulting the prophet
Mohammed, insulting the police and performing a marriage ceremony in the
church. He denies all three charges. Pastor Picaklar was previously
targeted for his faith in January 2008, when he received telephone death
threats from a local youth.
Pray that the charges against Pastor Pickalar will be dropped and that
he will be released. Ask God to thwart the attempts of those who seek
to intimidate Christians in Turkey through violence, threats and false
accusations.