The Persecution & Prayer Alert
The Voice of the Martyrs, Canada
www.persecution.net
Wednesday, March 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.
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In this week’s edition: reports from Pakistan, India and Malaysia, with an update from China.
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1. Pakistani Christian killed, other believers injured in mob violence
A Christian woman was killed and at least 16 people injured in an attack on the predominantly Christian village of Sangowali, Punjab province on March 2. According to reports from Sharing Life Ministries Pakistan, the attack was led by a local Muslim, Waseem Butt, in retaliation for charges of robbery and assault placed against him by a Christian family in late February. At approximately 8:00 p.m., Butt and a group of his Muslim friends and family members attacked a Presbyterian church and the homes of believers nearby. Attackers kept ambulances away by firing shots into the air. Shakeela Bibi was beaten in the head with a bamboo rod and succumbed to her injuries before reaching the hospital. Other believers, including Shakeela’s mother-in-law, remained in hospital at last report.
Pray for those mourning the loss of Shakeela. Ask God to help those affected by the attack remain steadfast as they suffer (Revelation 2:10).
For more information on the persecution of Christians in Pakistan, go to www.persecution.net/pakistan.htm.
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2. Pastor shot in Bihar state, India
On March 8, the Prarthana Bhawan church in Rothas district, Bihar state, India was attacked by a 25-year-old man who threw a bomb through the window, according to a March 10 report from Compass Direct. As church members fled, the assailant, Rajesh Kumar Singh, entered the building and shot Pastor Vinad Kumar (35). Singh was apprehended by church members before he could inflict more harm. In a statement given to authorities, Singh revealed that he had intended to kill Pastor Kumar in an effort to stop conversions to Christianity in the area and had planned to take his own life. Local Christians claim that the presence of Hindu nationalist groups has increased in the area in recent weeks and the pastor had received a threatening letter from militants demanding that he stop preaching. At last report, Pastor Kumar was hospitalized with serious injuries but was expected to make a full recovery.
Pray for healing for Pastor Kumar. Pray that Singh would understand the truth about Jesus and come to faith in Him. Pray that the bold faith of Christians in India will be a light that draws others to Jesus (Matthew 5:14-16).
For more information on the persecution of Christians in India, go to www.persecution.net/india.htm.
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3. Malaysian Christian’s faith recognized by Islamic court
In a rare victory for religious minorities in Malaysia, a Christian man was legally recognized as a non-Muslim by an Islamic court on March 6. Mohammad Shah (60), who goes by the alias Gilbert Freeman, brought his case to the Sharia court in Negeri Sembilan state after the National Registration Department refused to acknowledge his Christian faith when he applied for a new identity card. Freeman was raised a Christian by his mother after his Muslim father abandoned the family when Freeman was only two months old. As a result, the judge ruled that Freeman had never been a Muslim and his identity card could therefore be changed. The court also found no evidence that Freeman’s parents were ever legally married.
Praise the Lord that Freeman’s faith has been recognized in this way. Pray for increased religious freedom in Malaysia.
To find out more about the plight of Malaysian Christians, go to www.persecution.net/malaysia.htm.
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4. Update: “Insufficient evidence” found against Chinese pastor
Pastor Lou Yuanqi, who was arrested in May on charges of “inciting separatism” (see www.persecution.net/cn-2008-05-21a.htm), remains imprisoned despite a judge’s verdict of “insufficient evidence,” according to a March 6 report from ChinaAid. After Pastor Yuanqi’s trial on December 15, his 18-year-old daughter was beaten by court police when she tried to speak to him. Pastor Yuanqi suffers from hepatitis B and the harsh prison conditions have reportedly worsened his health.
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5. In this week’s VOMC weblog (www.persecution.net/weblog.htm)
Check out the latest posts by VOMC staff:
a) Find out how, by declaring human rights and religious freedom off the table before she set foot in Beijing, Hillary Clinton jettisoned the first leg of smart power — how governments treat their own — in “Clinton’s not so ’smart power.’”
b) Learn about a special VOMC offer in “Spread the news, receive a free copy of special edition ‘Tortured for Christ.’”
c) Get informed about the trials facing young Christian women in Pakistan and other Islamic countries in “Thirteen year old Christian girl violated for two days by Muslim man.”
d) VOMC CEO Glenn Penner argues against the UN resolution on the defamation of religions, which extends human rights protections to religions, in “Religions don’t have rights — people do.”
e) What do the two most common commands in the Book of Revelation have to say to those struggling to overcome fear? Find out in “Behold!”
To make comments on these and previous VOMC weblogs, go to persecutedchurch.blogspot.com.
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