Country Reports
Persecution and Prayer Alert - October 1 Print E-mail

Christians targeted by bombs in relief camps in Orissa, India


Christians have fled to refugee camps, hoping to find safety
Photo from AsiaNews
For the sixth week, VOMC continues to receive reports of violence against Christians in Orissa, India (see links at India's Country Report for more information). On the evening of September 29, Christians in three relief camps in Kandhamal district were the targets of bomb attacks. The explosions began at approximately 7:00 p.m. and went off in the villages of Nuagoan and Mahasinghi and the town of Baliguda. Hindu militants continue to use violence and intimidation against Christians in the camps in an attempt to forcibly convert them. Several Christian families in the camps succumbed to pressure from militants and "reconverted" to Hinduism in exchange for being allowed to return to their homes in Ladapadar village. Fresh violence is also persisting outside the Kandhamal camps, including burnings and bombings of homes and church buildings.

Pray for safety and protection for believers in the relief camps. Pray that Christians in India will stand firm in their faith despite severe pressure to deny Christ.

More information on the persecution of Christians in India is available here. A new video feature on the problems in Orissa is now available. Click here to view the video.

Church hall burned and believers threatened in Sri Lanka

On September 23, a mob of approximately 60 people led by a Buddhist monk and a local politician set fire to a partially constructed church hall belonging to the Prayer Tower Church in Mailankulama, Puttlam district, Sri Lanka, according to a September 25 report from the National Christian Evangelical Alliance of Sri Lanka. Several Christians who tried to intervene in the attack were assaulted. Police officers were eventually able to disperse the mob. However, around midnight some of the attackers threatened to kill Christian children if they attended school the next day. Another church member who had tried to protect the building was also threatened with death by the militants on both September 23 and 24. The arson attack was the second in the district in recent months as another church building was burned down on August 17.

Pray that attacks on Christians and church buildings in Puttlam district will cease (Psalm 33:14-22). Pray that those who act with hostility against Christians will repent and be drawn to faith in Christ.

To learn more about the struggles Christians in Sri Lanka face, go to the Sri Lanka Country Report.

Attack on church building in Kenya


The Redeemed Gospel Church with
mosque in the background
Photo from Compass Direct
The Redeemed Gospel Church building in Garissa, Kenya was attacked by a group of approximately 50 Muslim youths who stormed into a worship service on September 14, according to a September 29 article from Compass Direct. The mob threw stones at the congregation, damaged the pews and walls, destroyed the pulpit and burned a church banner. The attack was sparked by tensions between local Muslims and Christians over a mosque that was constructed three metres from the church building in June 2007. Upon the mosque's construction, the Christians complained that it blocked the church's entryway. Local authorities proposed that the Christians relocate to a new worship site but the believers refused to do so, arguing that the solution was only temporary. At last report, the Christians were being prevented from returning to the ransacked church building and did not have a new building in which to worship.

Pray that these Christians will be encouraged to continue meeting together for worship despite opposition (Hebrews 10:23-25). Pray that Christ would work in the hearts of those who oppose Him, so that they too will know the Good News.

Authorities destroy historic Christian building in Vietnam


Parishioners have held candlelight
prayer vigils for months.
Photo from AsiaNews
On September 19, government authorities bulldozed a building in Hanoi, Vietnam after a long-standing land dispute between Christians and officials, according to a September 26 report from Compass Direct. The building, which once served as the Vatican embassy and residence, was seized in the mid-1950s by the government. Late last year, Christians began holding prayer vigils and protests in response to the government's refusal to give back the land. In February, government leaders promised to negotiate a settlement with the believers over the property on the condition that the prayer vigils ceased. The government took no action, however, and Christians resumed the vigils in August. Christian leaders are calling the government's response to the believer's peaceful protests a serious setback to the religious freedom in Vietnam. Authorities are reportedly planning to use the leveled premises for a library and park.

Pray for the government to change its mind and act justly in this situation. Pray that the Lord will continue to strengthen Christians in Vietnam in their hearts, minds, and bodies as they face opposition to their faith.

For more information on the persecution of Christians in Vietnam, go to our Vietnam Country Report.

Update: Iranian Christians released


Mahmood Matin-Azad
Photo from Compass Direct

Iranian Christians Mahmood Matin-Azad and Arash Basirat have been released, according to a September 30 report from Adn Kronos International. Azad and Basirat were arrested on May 15 (click here for more), but the tribunal has ruled that the charges brought against them are invalid. Azad and Basirat are the first two Christians to be released after a trial. On other occasions, Iranian converts were typically released after a few weeks or months in jail.

A law presently working its way through the Iranian parliament that would mandate the death penalty as punishment for apostasy is currently still under review by the Council of Guardians.

In this week's VOMC weblog (www.persecution.net/weblog.htm)

Check out the recent weblogs by the staff of The Voice of the Martyrs.

a) Read about how an imprisoned Eritrean evangelist is showing Christ's love to fellow prisoners in Adele Konyndyk's blog, "Breaking free the chains."

b) In "The 2008 International Religious Freedom Report released," Glenn Penner recommends a useful source in learning more about the persecution Christians face around the world.

c) Read "Standing with the saints in Orissa" for an update on the volatile situation in India and for ways to help our brothers and sisters who are suffering.

d) Erin Vandenberg reflects on our difficult call to show Christ-like love and forgiveness to our enemies in "They'll know we are Christians by our love."

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