4. The Persecution & Prayer Alert (February 11, 2009)

The Persecution & Prayer Alert
The Voice of the Martyrs, Canada
www.persecution.net
Wednesday, February 11, 2009

A weekly news digest on the Persecuted Church and how you can respond.

Tough times require tough faith. Find out more at www.persecution.net/newsletter.

Subscribe to the RSS feed at www.persecution.net/pnp.xml.
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In this week’s edition: reports from Pakistan, Bangladesh, India and Armenia, with updates from Iran and China
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1. Christian accused of blasphemy in Pakistan

A Pakistani Christian, Hector Aleem (51), is under fire after being accused of sending a blasphemous text message, according to a February 5 report from Compass Direct. On January 22, police arrested Aleem for blasphemy and abetting a crime after a religious scholar allegedly received a text message from him in November that insulted Muhammad. Although he was acquitted of the blasphemy charges at a hearing on February 2, he was not cleared of abetting. Local Christians believe the judge’s decision was influenced by the approximately 150 people protesting and yelling threats outside the courthouse. Sources claim that Aleem was targeted because he directs an organization that lobbies for the rights of Christians in Islamabad.

At last report, Aleem was detained at the Adiyala Jail in the city of Rawalpindi, where he has been denied adequate food, medicine for his heart condition and visits with his family. His family has gone into hiding due to threats from Muslim militants.

Pray that Aleem will be acquitted of all charges. Pray for protection for him and his family. Pray that Muslims in Pakistan will come to know Christ’s love through the lives of Christians (Romans 12:14, 21).

Find out more about suffering Christians in Pakistan at www.persecution.net/pakistan.htm.
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2. Bible student beaten and threatened by Muslims in Bangladesh

Rajen Murmo (20) was attacked by a mob of approximately 50 Muslims in the town of Uttara, Bangladesh, where approximately four million Muslims had gathered for an annual Islamic conference on February 1. According to a February 5 report from Compass Direct, Murmo and some fellow students from Believers’ Church Bible College were distributing Christian literature when a man approached them and said that the Quran had superseded the Bible, rendering it outdated. Some men then grabbed Murmo and demanded to know who gave him the Christian literature. They also demanded that he give them the addresses of religious leaders and of his school. When he refused, the attackers beat him and threatened to kill him unless he gave them the information. Officials eventually arrived and were able to rescue Murmo. The mob pressured the officials into sending Murmo to a local police station where he was held until the principal of his school secured his release.

Pray for healing for Murmo. Ask God to strengthen him to remain steadfast in the midst of opposition (1 Peter 5:12).

For more information on the persecution facing Christians in Bangladesh, go to www.persecution.net/bangladesh.htm.
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3. Christians threatened and mistreated in Kandhamal, India

Despite government assurances of stability in Kandhamal district, Orissa state, the tension remains high for Christians returning from the relief camps to what remains of their homes, churches and livelihoods. According to a February 6 report from AsiaNews, approximately 17 people visited the village of Jhimangia in Kandhamal on February 2 to survey the damage before moving back. However, when they arrived, they were surrounded by Hindu villagers who warned them that they could not return unless they converted to Hinduism. Other Christians who have moved back to the district are reportedly facing harassment and discrimination. Elsewhere in the district, a foundation for a Hindu temple has been laid on the site of a church that was burned to the ground in August.

Pray for boldness for Christians returning to their homes in Kandhamal district. Pray that the believers will be a light that draws their Hindu neighbours to Christ (Matthew 5:14-16).

Learn more about the persecution of Indian Christians at www.persecution.net/india.htm.
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4. Religion Law amendments proposed in Armenia

On February 5, proposed amendments to Armenia’s Religion Law and Criminal Code began passage through the nation’s parliament, according to a February 9 report from Forum 18. Under the amendments, leaders of religious communities involved in evangelism could face up to two years in prison. Those caught evangelizing could be imprisoned for up to one year or fined 500 times the minimum monthly wage. The amendments propose a five-fold increase in the number of members required to register as a religious organization.

Pray that these amendments will not be approved. Ask God to work in the lives of Armenia’s leaders so that they too will turn to Him.
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5. Update: Christians released in Iran

Iranian Christians who were arrested in Tehran on January 21 (see www.persecution.net/ir-2009-01-28.htm) have been released from detention, according to a February 9 report from Compass Direct. Jamal Ghalishorani and his wife, Nadereh Jamali, were recently released on bail. Local Christians are fearful that the couple will be charged with apostasy, which could potentially carry the punishment of execution. Another believer who was arrested along with the couple, Hamik Khachikian, was released without charges after a week in detention.
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6. Update: Shuang Shuying released from prison in China

Shuang Shuying (79), who was sentenced in February 2007 to two years in prison on charges of “willfully damaging private property” (see www.persecution.net/cn-2007-02-28.htm), was released from detention on February 8. According to ChinaAid, Shuying suffered poor health and was tortured while in detention. Upon her release, Shuying went to be with her dying 91-year-old husband, who passed away the next day without regaining consciousness.
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7. Update: Prominent Christian lawyer seized by officials in China

Gao Zhisheng, a Chinese human rights lawyer who has come under fire in recent years for his work defending underground Christians (see www.persecution.net/cn-2007-01-03c.htm for more details), was forcibly taken from his hometown in Shaanxi province on February 4. According to ChinaAid, his current whereabouts are unknown and there is serious concern for his safety. On February 9, a letter written by Zhisheng detailing the brutal treatment he endured while detained for over 50 days in 2007 was released to the international community. To read this letter, go to www.tinyurl.com/gao-letter.
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8. In this week’s VOMC weblog (www.persecution.net/weblog.htm)

Check out the latest posts by VOMC staff:

a) Read the latest updates on an imprisoned Christian blogger in Saudi Arabia in “Saudi weblog back online” and “Testimony of Hamoud bin Saleh.”

b) Glenn Penner highlights a news report about a U.S. organization recently thrown out of Sudan’s Darfur region in “Aid group expelled from Sudan over Bibles.”

c) Read about a welcome development in the incident involving a nurse suspended from her job for offering to pray for an elderly patient in “British nurse reinstated.”

d) Find out about a radio program based on a popular VOM book in “Jesus Freaks online.”

e) Adele Konyndyk responds to the results of an online survey we had available about The Persecution and Prayer Alert in “Thank you, survey participants!”

f) Erin Vandenberg urges continued prayer for Shuang Shuying, the elderly Chinese Christian recently released from prison, in “Pray without ceasing.”

To make comments on these and previous VOMC weblogs, go to persecutedchurch.blogspot.com.