Prayer Board Requests - Abdul Rahman, muslim who converted to Christianity is set free, thank the Lord

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Abdul Rahman, muslim who converted to Christianity is set free, thank the Lord
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Posted by: Shawn

Abdul Rahman, muslim who converted to Christianity is set free, thank the Lord.

Abdul Rahman had faced the death penalty for abandoning Islam for Christianity was freed from prison and went into hiding Tuesday in Kabul after Muslim clerics threatened his life. Italy said it may grant him asylum.

He, was released from the high-security prison on the outskirts of the capital late Monday after a court dropped charges of apostasy against him for lack of evidence and suspected mental illness. President Hamid Karzai had been under heavy international pressure to drop the case.

Muslim clerics condemned Rahman’s release, saying it was a “betrayal of Islam.” They threatened to incite violent protests.

Justice Minister Mohammed Sarwar Danish said Rahman was staying at a “safe location” in Kabul. He has appealed to leave Afghanistan and the United Nations said it has been working to find a country willing to take him.

The Italian government said Foreign Minister Gianfranco Fini will use a Cabinet meeting Wednesday to press for Rahman to be granted asylum there. Fini had earlier expressed Italy’s “indignation” over the case and Pope Benedict XVI had appealed to Karzai to protect Rahman.

Close ties with Italy
Italy has close ties with Afghanistan, whose former king, Mohammed Zaher Shah, was allowed to live with his family in exile in Rome for 30 years. The former royals returned to Kabul after the fall of the Taliban regime in 2001.

An Italian diplomat in Kabul, who spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the matter, said no one from the Italian mission had been in contact with Rahman, but they had been assured his health was all right.

The U.S. and Germany welcomed his release.

“Obviously it’s good news that he has been released,” White House press secretary Scott McClellan said.

Germany, a major donor with about 2,000 troops in the NATO security force in Afghanistan, also expressed satisfaction.

“I think this is a sensible signal to the international community but also for the situation in Afghanistan,” German Chancellor Angela Merkel said.

Rahman was put on trial last week for converting 16 years ago while he was a medical aid worker for an international Christian group helping Afghan refugees in Pakistan. He faced the death penalty under Afghanistan’s Islamic laws.

Rahman’s ordeal began as a custody dispute over his two daughters, now 13 and 14. The girls had been living with their grandparents their whole lives but Rahman sought custody when he returned to Afghanistan in 2002 after living in Germany for nine years. A custody battle ensued and the matter was taken to police.

During questioning, it emerged that Rahman was a Christian and was carrying a Bible. He was immediately arrested and charged.

The case caused an outcry in the United States and other nations that helped oust the hard-line Taliban regime in late 2001 and provide aid and military support for Karzai. President Bush and others had insisted Afghanistan protect personal beliefs. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice called Karzai last week and appealed for a “favorable resolution” of the case.

Clerics united against Afghan
But the outrage put Karzai in a difficult position because he also risked offending religious sensibilities in Afghanistan, where senior Muslim clerics have been united in calling for Rahman to be executed.

“This is a betrayal of Islam and the entire Afghan nation by our government,” said Hamiddullah, a senior cleric in Kabul. “This will have very dangerous consequences for the government. Muslim leaders will react very strongly.”

A cleric in northern Kunduz town, Ubuiddullah, said, “We will protest this. We are very angry.”

However, a preacher in the northwestern Badghis province said the country’s religious leaders should not incite violence.

“Clerics shouldn’t be calling for people to riot and damage our country,” Mohammed Usman said.

On Monday, 700 clerics, students and others in the northern city of Mazar-e-Sharif protested Rahman’s acquittal a day earlier. The demonstration ended peacefully and there have been no rallies since.

Posted by: john

Father I pray for protection and provision for this young man.
I pray his courage be a witness to the muslim world and his family.

I pray You be with him for the rest of his life in Jesus name.

Posted by: Frederik

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shawn

Clerics united against Afghan
But the outrage put Karzai in a difficult position because he also risked offending religious sensibilities in Afghanistan, where senior Muslim clerics have been united in calling for Rahman to be executed.

These crazy muslims..

Posted by: christythompson

Protect him and his family
Bless him and surround him with your Angels

Posted by: FriendOfGod

Hooray for Abdul!

Father I thank thee for blessing this man as he accepted you and your truth. Please continue to keep him safe and protected. Use him for your purposes and for the building of your kingdom. Use him to lead other Muslims to Christ. I ask of you in Jesus name I pray, Amen.

Posted by: JG

PRAISE THE LORD
PRAISE THE LORD
PRAISE THE LORD
PRAISE THE LORD

Posted by: Sulten

Dear Lord, I praise Thee for this turn of advents. May Abdul and his family be safe from those that might seek to retaliate or get revenge against the family. I pray that Christianity may go forward in these countries and the door may be opened, in Jesus Holy name amen.

Posted by: youngijp

www . wilmingtonstar . com/apps/pbcs . dll/article?AID=/20060328/NEWS/203280324/1055/yourlife04
Many Islamic nations ban conversion to Christianity
By Jasper Mortimer, Associated Press
CAIRO, EGYPT - In the Middle East, Jordan is known as a tolerant country, but when a Muslim man converted to Christianity two years ago, a court convicted him of apostasy, took away his right to work and annulled his marriage.
Such prosecutions are rare – because they’re hardly ever needed. The law heavily discourages – or outright forbids – conversion by Muslims in most nations in the region. But weighing against it even more heavily are the powerful influences of family and society.
The sensitivity of the issue is highlighted by the case of an Afghan man who faced the death penalty for converting from Islam to Christianity – creating an outcry in the United States and other nations, which pressured Afghanistan for his release.
After an Afghan court dropped the charges against Abdul Rahman, 41, Muslim clerics threatened to incite people to kill him and hundreds demonstrated against the court decision.
But Afghanistan isn’t the only U.S.-allied government where Muslim converts to Christianity are threatened with execution.
Saudi Arabia neither permits conversion from Islam nor allows other religions in the kingdom. There are no churches and missionaries are barred. Regular criticism in U.S. State Department reports on religious freedom have had no effect on Saudi policy.
While Islam accepts Christianity as a fellow monotheistic religion, Islamic Shariah law considers conversion to any religion apostasy and most Muslim scholars agree the punishment is death. Saudi Arabia considers Sharia the law of the land, though there have been no reported cases of executions of converts from Islam in recent memory.
The only other nation in the region which carries the death penalty for apostasy is Sudan. Though no executions have been reported recently, a Sudanese man who allegedly converted was arrested in 2004 and reportedly tortured in custody, according to the State Department.
In Kuwait, a court convicted a Shiite Muslim man who publicly proclaimed his conversion to Christianity, but didn’t sentence him since the criminal code did not set a punishment.
Other countries in the region, such as Egypt, do not have laws criminalizing apostasy, but those who do convert can still face prosecution.
In May, an Egyptian man who converted to Christianity was arrested on suspicion of "contempt for religion," a charge that entails a prison sentence of up to five years, said Hossam Bahgat, director of the Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights.
Authorities in Egypt and most other Arab countries will not allow a change in religion on official documents, such as identity papers, which usually state a person’s faith.
Even if a convert is not prosecuted, "the issue is the pressure they are going to face from their families, the religious establishment, their friends and associates," said Fadi al-Qadi, a Middle East spokesman for Human Rights Watch. "It would be overwhelming. They would be really isolated."
There are exceptions. In strongly secular Turkey, a convert can walk into a Demographic Records office, sign a declaration saying they have converted from Islam to Christianity and leave with a new identity card reflecting the change.

http://www.annointed.net/pn_vb.php?...ed=1#post204382
http://www.annointed.net/pn_vb.php?...uote=1&p=138980

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Posted by: youngijp

Quote:

Originally Posted by john

Father I pray for protection and provision for this young man.
I pray his courage be a witness to the muslim world and his family.
I pray You be with him for the rest of his life in Jesus name.
Amen!

Quote:

Originally Posted by christythompson

Protect him and his family
Bless him and surround him with your Angels
Amen!

Quote:

Originally Posted by FriendOfGod

Hooray for Abdul! Father I thank thee for blessing this man as he accepted you and your truth. Please continue to keep him safe and protected. Use him for your purposes and for the building of your kingdom. Use him to lead other Muslims to Christ. I ask of you in Jesus name I pray, Amen.
Amen!

Quote:

Originally Posted by JG

PRAISE THE LORD
PRAISE THE LORD
PRAISE THE LORD
PRAISE THE LORD
Amen!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sulten

Dear Lord, I praise Thee for this turn of advents. May Abdul and his family be safe from those that might seek to retaliate or get revenge against the family. I pray that Christianity may go forward in these countries and the door may be opened, in Jesus Holy name amen.
Amen!

Dear God, the only God, our Heavenly Father, we agree in prayer for Abdul Rahman and his family. We praise Thee for his life being spared. May Your peace which passeth all understanding keep his heart and mind through our Lord Jesus Christ, his joy be complete in You, and he be used mightly as Your instrument to bring other Moslems to Thee. We pray for religious freedom in Afghanistan -- and also in Iraq, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, and other places where freedoms are wanting. May Abdul continually know the joy of thy salvation, have safety in Italy, find comfort among Christians there, and be able to stand fast in the faith. May those in his family who are lost be saved and they be reconciled and comforted together with mutual faith. We pray in the all powerful and merciful name of Jesus, Amen.
(Psalm 51:12-13; Matthew 18:18-20;28:18; Luke 1:50; Romans 1:12;15:10-11; 1 Corinthians 16:13; Ephesians 5:20; Philippians 4:6-7; Colossians 2:6-10;4:11-12)

"...We pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God. For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him."
2 Corinthians 5:20-21 KJV

"Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord, According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises...."
2 Peter 1:2-4 KJV

"The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them."
Psalm 34:7 KJV

"They that sow in tears shall reap in joy."
Psalm 126:5 KJV

"...Your sorrow shall be turned into joy."
John 16:20 KJV

"...The joy of the LORD is your strength."
Nehemiah 8:10 KJV

"Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation." Habakkuk 3:18 KJV

"Thou shalt increase my greatness, and comfort me on every side."
Psalm 71:21 KJV

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Posted by: guardianangel

Father, I thank You for the safety of our brother Abdul. You are the One God with power above all. I ask for protection for him and his family. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Posted by: youngijp

From: The Voice of the Martyrs
Afghan Christian Freed But No Change to Laws

While international attention has centered on Abdul Rahman's specific case, the constitutional law under which he was arrested has not changed. It remains illegal for Afghans to convert from Islam. Those who convert face the death penalty.

On March 22, Compass Direct reported on the arrest of two other Afghan Christians. The names and locations of these converts remain confidential for their safety. Other Christians have recently been beaten, threatened and subjected to police raids.

While VOM is thankful that the life of Rahman has been saved, we urge Christians to continue to pray for Afghanistan's Christians and urge government leaders to pressure the Afghan government to change the laws restricting religious freedoms in this tumultuous country.

Pray that Rahmad will maintain a heart of forgiveness for those who have persecuted him. Pray that he will find continued opportunities to share his faith with others wherever he lives. Pray that Christians who remain within Afghan prison walls because of their love for Christ will also be released soon. Pray that the government of Afghanistan will honour individuals' religious rights, including the right to convert.

The Voice of the Martyrs was born in prison, in the heart of Pastor Richard Wurmbrand, as he languished in the inhumane prisons of communist Romania during the 1950's and 60's, so considerable effort is dedicated in putting together resources to assist in the valuable ministry of serving the Persecuted Church through writing letters to, and on behalf of, Christians who are in prison for the their faith -- with links that provide practical opportunities to pray, protest and participate by writing to governments and the media on behalf of persecuted Christians and even writing to Christian prisoners themselves. [persecuted(net)]

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Posted by: youngijp

U.S. Releases 2006 International Religious Freedom Report

U.S. finds religious freedom threatened worldwide
Two U.S. allies called 'of particular concern' for intolerance

• On May 3, 2006 CNN reported, "A U.S. government report warned on Wednesday that threats to religious freedom in Iraq and Afghanistan are mounting, and included Washington allies Saudi Arabia and Pakistan among countries 'of particular concern' for religious intolerance.
The annual report by the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom urged Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice to designate 11 nations as "countries of particular concern" for violations of religious freedoms. Those were Burma, North Korea, Eritrea, Iran, China, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Vietnam, Pakistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.
In a letter to Rice, included in the report, commission chairman Michael Cromartie said the panel is trying to draw attention to "countries whose governments have engaged in or tolerated systematic and egregious violations of religious freedom."
"The situations in Afghanistan and Iraq serve to underscore the precarious state of this fundamental freedom," Cromartie wrote. The report said Afghanistan and Iraq were two countries where "the universal right to religious freedom is imperiled."
"Religious extremism, even in official circles, is an increasing threat to democratic consolidation in Afghanistan," the report said.
President Bush has said U.S. troops were deployed to Afghanistan in 2001 and Iraq in 2003 in part to overthrow tyrannical governments and to protect basic human rights.
Two months ago an Afghan man faced possible execution as punishment for abandoning Islam to convert to Christianity. In Iraq, sectarian violence between Sunni Muslims and Shiite Muslims has been escalating, as well as attacks on non-Muslim religious groups.
"There has been an ongoing stream of violence and extremism in Iraq driven by religious intolerance," the report said.
The commission, an independent body appointed by the White House and Congress, cannot mandate any specific action. However, last year the United States denied the export of some defense items to Eritrea, according to Reuters. It was the first action to be taken against another country as a result of its designation by the commission as a "country of particular concern," Reuters reported.
Although its violations are not egregious enough for the "particular concern" designation, Afghanistan was placed on the commission's "Watch List," which means the situation must be monitored closely. Afghanistan joins Bangladesh, Belarus, Cuba, Indonesia, Nigeria and U.S. ally Egypt as nations where "discrimination, intolerance and other human rights violations affect a broad spectrum of religious groups," the report said, including Coptic Christians, Bahais, Jews and members of minority Muslim communities.
The panel annually assesses "the facts and circumstances regarding violations of religious freedom around the world" each year, as part of the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998.
On Saudi Arabia, the commission said "freedom of religion does not exist" and that the Saudis financed "extreme religious intolerance and hatred."
The commission criticized the Bush administration for failing to punish Saudi Arabia for violations listed in last year's report and urged it to take action this year.
The performance of Pakistan, a U.S. ally against terrorism, improved its efforts to protect minorities but still fell short, the report said.

http : //www . cnn . com/2006/POLITICS/05/03/religious . freedom/
http : //www . pluralism . org/

4 Detained House Church Leaders in Sichuan Likely Sent to Labor Camp;
10 Church Believers in Hubei Formally Detained
Bob Fu, China Aid Association, Inc., 267-205-5210, info (at) ChinaAid . org

MIDLAND, Tx., July 25 /Christian Newswire/ -- CAA learned 4 well-known House Church leaders in Sichuan (western inland area) are Likely Sent to Labor Camp after they were detained on June 27, 2006. 10 House Church believers in Hubei (situated in the middle reaches of the Yangtze River with Sichuan to the west)received formal administrative detention from 10 to 15 days respectively. The four Pastors LI Ming, W A N G Yuan, LI Mingbo and JIN Jirong are major leaders of the Chinese House Church Alliance. They were detained on June 27 after they went to the local police station to try to free the other 14 believers who were taken away when they had a Christian worship service early that morning. The four didn’t receive their detention notice until July 16 which is a direct violation of the relevant Chinese law which states the detainee should be notified within 24 hours of the detention. 7 of the 14 believers received formal administrative detention for more than 5 days. Dr. Li Baiguang, well-known Christian rights defender who met with President Bush in the White House in May went to Langzhong city and filed the legal administrative appeal in behalf of the 7 believers. Sources told CAA the PSB of Langzhong city has been pressuring and threatening the 7 believers to withdraw their appeal by accusing them “engaging open smear campaign against government offices.” The 4 leaders will likely be sentenced to re-education through labor which means they usually have to work up to 12 to 18 hours a day for three years in a labor camp.
(Read the full reports and legal paper written by Dr. LI Baiguang at www . ChinaAid . org at “Special Report” section).
According to eyewitness reports, in the morning of June 27, 2006, house church leaders, Li Ming, W A N G Yuan, Li Mingbo and Jin Jirong went to reason with the Langzhong Police. The witnesses recalled that 66-year-old Jin Jirong was beaten and his ankle was injured. Li Ming requested the Police to send Jin Jirong to the hospital for treatment, but the policemen refused and required the Christians to send Jin to hospital. Then the policemen went to another room after a police car arrived. Soon after, the policemen went out, saying they would give them an answer, and concentrated all the people in a big room. After all the people entered the room, the policemen blocked the backdoor, then they pulled down the roller shutter in the front of the room, three of them blocked another door in the front. At that time, four more police cars arrived. After that, someone outside shouted, “Who is Li Ming?” Li Ming answered, “I am.” Upon his words, three policemen pounced at him, beat and kicked him violently, then dragged him out the door, threw him to the ground and beat him. The witnesses present said they only heard Li Ming’s crying “You are killing me!” The police immediately choked Li to silence him, then pushed him into a police car and sent him to the First Detention House of Langzhong. Witnesses said when the police beat Li Ming, and he cried “you are killing me,” Jin Jirong went to stop the police, without saying a word, he pounced at Jin Jirong. Among them, one policeman swung his fists to hit Jin’s head and shoulder. Three policemen beat Jin in turn, and then dragged him into a car and sent him to the First Detention House of Langzhong. Witnesses described the circumstances when Wan Yuan was arrested: At the time, three policemen sprang at W A N G Yuan and beat him. When W A N G Yuan cried out, they choked him to silence him, then threw him on the ground and continued to beat him until he couldn’t move. Then, they dropped W A N G Yuan in an enclosed vehicle painted with “garrison.” After W A N G Yuan arrived at the Public Security Bureau, he could not stop vomiting. W A N G Yuan asked the Police to send him to the hospital; they said W A N G was pretending to be hurt. At last he was sent to the First Detention House of Langzhong instead of the hospital. At the end of June 2006, the Public Security Bureau of Langzhong announced that they would hold a citywide Cultural-Revolutionary-style - thousand-man conference criticizing Li Ming, W A N G Yuan, Li Mingbo and Jin Jirong, the leaders of the house church of Langzhong. At the conference, they would announce criminal detention, reeducation through labor or arrest against the four. Dr. LI Baiguang went to Langzhong from Beijing, in order to witness the “pomp.” The Christians of the house church of Langzhong also fully prepared for the conference, planning to record it. Maybe because international media revealed the persecution against local house churches in advance, the Public Security Bureau of Langzhong has yet to hold the conference. CAA also learned that 10 believers in Hubei province received 10 to 15 days administrative detention after they were detained in July 21. The raid and arrests happened around 1 PM on July 21st, when 43 Christians were having their fellowship meeting at a reception family in Shen Fan village, Chen Dian Town, Anlu city, Hubei province. The police also confiscated at least 5 mobile phones, an unknown amount of cash still in the tether box, and all the Christian books at site. All these were just taken away without any receipt.
Following is some detailed information of the Christians who were taken to the Public Security Bureau in Anlu City:
2 were punished by 15 days of detention and imposed fines of 1000 yuan, they are:
Chen Zhongxin, male, 48 years old, from 2nd team, Bailian village, Paifang township, XiaoChang county
Gong Quan , male, 53 years old, from Liangzhuang team, Nanquan village, Sanlihe township, Queshan county, Zhuamadain city, Henan province
8 were punished by 10 days of detention, they are:
Luo Shishu , female, 48 years old, from 12th team, Zhangdian villag, Jidian township, XiaoChang county
Zhang Jianfang, female, 51 years old, from 1st team, Dasheng villag, Huaxi township, XiaoChang county
Hu yuzhen, female, 43 years old, from 1st team, Dasheng villag, Huaxi township, XiaoChang county
Sun Yaozhou, male, 33 years old, from 1st team, Shen Fan village, Chen Dian township, Anlu city
Fang Aiwen, male, 27 years old, from 4th team, Shen Fan village, Chen Dian township, Anlu city
He Guiwan , male, 49 years old, from 5th team, Hehu village, Chen Dian township, Anlu city
He Yuhua , male, 52 years old, from 3rd team, Hehu village, Chen Dian township, Anlu city
Shi Gane , female, 47 years old, from 1st team, Sanhe village, Fushui township, Anlu city
3 were imposed fines of 500 yuan, they are:
Wu Jianfang from Shangzhou village, Chen Dian township, Anlu city
Xiongzaixu, from Shangzhou village, Chen Dian township, Anlu city
Zhu Wenfeng, from Mingjian village, Huaxi township, Xiaochang county
“To file the legal appeal in accordance with the Chinese and international laws should be encouraged instead of suppressed,” said Bob Fu of CAA. “Even facing these illegal detentions and injustice, the Chinese House Church believers are determined to pursue the true religious freedom in the spirit of rule of the law.” CAA called for the immediate release of these innocent Christian leaders. Letters of protest and concern can be sent to the Chinese Embassy.
Ambassador Zhou Wenzhong,
Embassy of the People’s Republic of China
2300 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington DC 20008
TEL: 202-7456743
Fax:202- 588-0032; 202-7457473
Director of Religious Affairs: 202-328-2512

http : //www . chinaaid . org/english_site/press_release_detail . php?id=689
http : //www. christiannewswire . com/

Posted by: youngijp

From: The Voice of the Martyrs
Subject: VOM-USA News & Prayer Update (August 01, 2006)
CHINA
(China Aid Association)
On July 25th, four well-known house-church leaders in Sichuan were formally sentenced to two years "re-education through labor." In the labor camp they usually have to work 12-18 hours a day. According to eyewitness reports, on the morning of June 27, 2006, house-church leaders Li Ming, W a n g Yuan, Li Mingbo and Jin Jirong went to reason with the police concerning an earlier arrest of 14 believers. Witnesses report the men were brutally beaten and then taken to a detention house instead of a hospital.
(VOM sources)
August 4th a team of Christians will be meeting with Chinese President, President Hu Jintao in Beijing to ask for more religious access and religious freedom for the Chinese. They have already met with Chinese Ambassador Zhou in Washington D.C. with this request.
Pray the Chinese Christians in prison will be a bright light in the spiritual darkness around them. Pray they will lead others to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. Pray the authorities will relent of the severe punishment they ordered and will shorten the time of their sentences. Pray also for the team visiting the President of China. Pray they will have discernment and wisdom as they speak. Pray our Lord will give President Hu ears to hear. Mark your calendars for August 1st to begin praying for this team. Be in prayer all day on the 3rd as it will be August 4th in Beijing.
INDIA
(Compass Direct)
In spite of a national minority panel report confirming violence against Christians in the North-central state of Madhya Pradesh, the state government today passed an amendment making stricter the "anti-conversion" law that has increased persecution of Christians. The amendment, introduced in the House assembly on July 21st, requires clergy and "prospective converts" to notify authorities of the intent to change religion one month before a "conversion ceremony." Currently the Madhya Pradesh Freedom of Religion Act of 1968 requires that notice be sent within seven days of conversion. Under the amendment, once advance notification has been received, authorities will decide whether the conversion is "forced" or "by allurement." The amended law must be signed by the governor before becoming law. "This violates the fundamental right of the people, as it is the government which would decide if a person can be converted or not," Indira Iyengar, member of the Madhya Pradesh Minorities Commission, told Compass.
Pray Christians will continue to boldly share the Good News of salvation and bring many new converts into God's Kingdom. Pray God will protect new believers as they trust in Him. Pray the Holy Spirit will bring a great revival to India, leading Hindu authorities to repent of their brutal attacks against Christians.
INDONESIA
(VOM sources)
Noviana Malewa, the only girl to escape the malicious beheadings that took place in Indonesia on October 29, 2005, in Central Sulawesi, will receive treatment from VOMedical. The surgery is to alleviate the constant pain she still endures from a sword slash to her face and neck by militant Muslims. Walking through a cocoa plantation on the way to her private Christian high school in Poso Kota subdistrict, 15-year-old Noviana and three fellow students were ambushed by six masked Islamic terrorists. Theresia Morangke, 15, Yarni Sambue, 15, and Alfita Poliwo, 17, were all decapitated and their heads found in bags on the steps of a church and along the road to a police station with the message, "We will murder 100 more Christian teenagers and their heads will be presented as presents." Their bodies were discarded at different locations.
Give thanks to God that VOMedical will be able to relieve the physical pain that Noviana has suffered. Pray our gracious Father will comfort her mind and heart as He takes away the emotional trauma of painful memories. Pray the Muslim extremists who brutally attacked the girls will repent and seek Jesus who died for the ungodly.
UZBEKISTAN
(Compass Direct)
Uzbekistan has closed down another Western-funded aid agency, ordering the complete liquidation of the Central Asian Free Exchange (CAFE) and ouster of its foreign staff. A final appellate court judgment against CAFE was handed down by Tashkent courts on July 11th, less than four months after a rash of local court cases were launched against branch CAFE offices in six cities across Uzbekistan. Like 20 other humanitarian groups closed down on scant hearsay evidence within the past two years by the authoritarian Central Asian state, CAFE was charged with various procedural laws it had allegedly violated. But the most serious accusation against CAFE was that the nonprofit group was doing covert missionary work among Uzbekistan's predominantly Muslim citizens. Due to "conditions in Uzbekistan," the lengthy verdict claimed, "missionary activity will have fatal consequences."
Pray Christians in Uzbekistan will remain faithful to the One who called them. Pray God will give humanitarian agencies creative ways of bringing aid into Uzbekistan. Pray the Lord of all creation will show Himself victorious to Uzbek authorities.

http://www.annointed.net/ForumTopic_31890__15.htm
Another Pakistani Christian Pastor Kidnapped and Beaten please pray

http://www.annointed.net/ForumTopic_45368__15.htm
President Bush upset over Christian Afghans trial. Please Pray

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Posted by: youngijp

NIGERIA: Muslim Riots in Jigawa Displace 5,000 Christians and Burn 18 Churches
September 29, 2006
The Voice of the Martyrs www . persecution . com
As a result of a religious dispute, nearly 5,000 Christians were displaced and six were injured on September 20th, when Muslim rioters destroyed and torched at least 18 churches, 20 Christian homes, and 40 Christian shops in Dutse, the capital of Jigawa state in Northern Nigeria. After an Islamic young man made several unsuccessful advances on Jummai, a female Christian, he angrily reacted by calling her a fake Christian who follows a “useless Jesus.” Jummai responded by telling the boy he followed “a useless prophet—Muhammad.” Furious, the Muslim boy raised alarm through the town by proclaiming that a Christian lady blasphemed Muhammad. She was quickly taken to the local police station where she was kept in custody to diffuse the potentially volatile situation.
The Muslim teen returned to the police station several hours later after mobilizing a militant band of Muslim youth. He incited them to attack the police by claiming they arrested Jummai, but did not inflict any punishment on her for insulting Mohammed. After this rampage, Muslim youth rampaged throughout the capital and other regions of Jigawa state by hurling violence and destruction on Christians and their churches, homes, cars and places of business. At least six Christians were wounded in the mayhem, with one receiving severe injuries. Thousands of believers were forced to stay in refugee camps, police barracks and schools due to the merciless rioting. Nighttime curfews were enforced and government troops were deployed in tanks and trucks to deter further upheavals.
Mr. Aderemi Ogunmola was one of the Christians caught in the violence. While visiting the home of Pastor Adeyinka (of Christ Apostolic Church), rioters ransacked the church compound using knives, sticks, stones and other weapons. Once they poured gallons of gasoline all around, they surrounded the compound, throwing flaming projectiles and rocks inside. While other Christians were able to escape from the attack in time, Aderemi was captured by the Muslim militants. After catching him, they nearly beat him to death, slashing his head with a machete. They proceeded to douse him with gasoline, but failed to set him ablaze when he broke away and managed to jump over a wall in front of the church and escape. Meanwhile, as the entire church was burning to the ground Pastor Adeyinka attempted to flee in his station wagon. When the mob caught up with him, he was able to flee on foot before his car was engulfed in flames.
VOM is mobilizing workers to assist in a relief effort for Christians affected by the riots. Many buildings were looted before they were torn down and torched. Some of the destroyed churches include: Calvary Life Church, Divine Life Church, Assemblies of God Church, Living Faith Church, Christ Apostolic Church, The Apostolic Church, Ecwa Clinic Church, Presbyterian Church, Anglican Cathedral, Celestial Church, Redeemed Christian Church of God, Jigawa Outreach Bible Church and Christ the King Catholic Church of Dutse. The Nigerian Christian Coppers fellowship lounge, which housed Christians serving together in Jigawa state, was also left in ashes.

www . reference . com/browse/wiki/Jigawa_State
Jigawa State is a state in central northern Nigeria. Its capital is Dutse....Jigawa State - which was created out of old Kano State in August 1991 - is one of the 36 States in Federal Republic of Nigeria....

KJV Matthew 5:10 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. 12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

28 And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul.... 29 Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. 30 But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows. 32 Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. 33 But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven. 34 Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. 35 For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. 36 And a man's foes shall be they of his own household. 37 He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. 38 And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me. 39 He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.

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Posted by: youngijp

From The Voice of the Martyrs: VOM-USA News & Prayer Update (January 23, 2007)
www . persecution . com

But this is what I commanded them, saying, "Obey My voice, and I will be your God, and you shall be My people. And walk in all the ways that I have commanded you, that it may be well with you."
(Jeremiah 7:23)

ETHIOPIA
Homes of Christians Burned, Christian Man Killed - VOM Sources
On January 8, the homes of three Christian families were burned by Muslims in the village of Begge. Even though the family belongings were burnt, no one was injured in the attack. At last report, the police had not yet investigated the incident or taken any action to bring the arsonists to justice. In the same area, 10 Christian youths have been living in a church building in Begge three months after fleeing from their homes. They were chased from their homes after their families threatened to execute them for converting from Islam. In a separate incident, a Christian man was killed by an unknown person in the town of Kofele. The father of five was hit on the head with a metal iron rod. His family believes he was killed by Muslims, since the Kofele area is dominated by Muslims.
Pray God will comfort this brother's family in their grief. Ask God to encourage the Christian families who are homeless, so they can have deep assurance of God's love in the midst of tough times.

KJV Ephesians 3:14 For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, 16 That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; 17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; 19 And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.

NORTH KOREA
Evangelist Executed for Bible Distribution - VOM Sources/ World Bible Distribution
A North Korean evangelist has been executed for possessing and distributing a Korean New Testament. World Bible Translation Center has confirmed the incident, even though the details of the death are not available.
Pray for the family and friends of this evangelist. Ask God to comfort them and encourage them, knowing that to be absent in this natural body, is to be present with the Lord. Also pray Christians in North Korea will entrust themselves to Christ and preach the gospel without hesitation.

KJV II Timothy 1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. 8 Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God; 9 Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began, 10 But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel: 11 Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles. 12 For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.

INDIA
Christian Dies after Being Thrown from Train in India - VOM Sources/ Asia News
On January 12, Bansi Lal died after being thrown from a train in the Devas district of Madhya Pradesh, India. It is believed that Lal was returning from a Pentecostal meeting when he was thrown off the train. While police quickly ruled his death a suicide, Indian Christians believe his death was caused by members of a militant Hindu youth organization. Lal converted to Christianity two years ago and since then had received threats.
Pray God will comfort those who mourn Lal's death. Ask that his story will bring others to Christ and pray for Christians in India to walk in love towards those who persecute them.
KJV Romans 12:14 Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not. 21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.

NIGERIA
Christians Attacked while Rebuilding Burnt Church - Compass Direct News
Christians in Nasarawa state were attacked by more than 200 Islamists as they were trying to rebuild a Reformed Church building that Muslims burnt down two years ago. The Nasarawa state government has since banned reconstruction of the facility. The church was planted more than a century ago by missionaries.
Pray God encourages, protects and gives wisdom to believers in Nigeria as they find ways to rebuild their church.

KJV Acts 14:21 And when they had preached the gospel to that city, and had taught many, they returned again to Lystra, and to Iconium, and Antioch, 22 Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God. 23 And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed.

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