Christians taken hostage in Colombia

Children from a Kogui village

Sixteen Christians belonging to the Kogui indigenous people group in Colombiaare being held captive on their reserve in an attempt to force them to renounce Christianity. The group of believers, which includes men, women and three babies, was captured during a meeting called by the Kogui governor. Community leaders shouted abuses at the believers through the night. They were later taken to a remote area of the reserve and told they would not be freed until they renounced their faith in Christ. At last report, two of the kidnapped infants were seriously ill. The governor and his allies also humiliated non-Christian leaders who had supported the Christians in the community and protected them from being expelled. The governor reportedly intends to capture remaining Christians and force them to renounce their faith. (Source: Christian Solidarity Worldwide)

Pray for the release of these believers. Pray that their captors will see the love of Christ, repent and come to trust in Jesus. Pray for other Christian members of the Kogui community under fire in Colombia. You can post a prayer for suffering Christians in Colombia on our Persecuted Church Prayer Wall.

Church attacked by Buddhists in Sri Lanka

On the afternoon of November 5, approximately 200 members of the Buddhist-led party Jathika Hela Urumaya attacked the Jesus Never Fails Good News Centre in Koswatta, Sri Lanka. The attackers hurled stones at the building, damaging the exterior, windows, air conditioning units and gate. They also threatened to kill Pastor Joseph, accusing him of unethical conversions and demanding that he stop conducting healing services. The violence was in response to an October 31 open air healing service led by Pastor Joseph, after which two women died. A spokesman for the church said the women attended the service out of their own free will and later died in hospital. (Source: National Evangelical Alliance of Sri Lanka)

Pray for endurance of faith for victims of this attack. Ask the Lord to work in the hearts of those targeting Sri Lankan believers so that they will repent and come to faith in Him. Pray that Christians in Sri Lanka will continue to share the news of God's grace.

For commentary on this story and a video of the attack, click here. For more information on the challenges facing Sri Lanka's Christians, click here.

Update: Conditions poor for Eritrean pastor under house arrest

Believers from the Asmara Full Gospel Church

In mid-October, Pastor Tewelde Hailom was arrested and imprisoned along with nine other believers when security forces raided his home (for more information,click here). The pastor, who suffers from an ulcer, was later placed under house arrest. His sister, who had been allowed to take care of him in his home, was recently ordered to leave and his stomach condition is reportedly aggravated by the lack of sufficient food.

Two men arrested during the raid on Pastor Hailom's house, Samuiel Oqbagzi and Gebreberhane Tesfamichel, have been moved to a police station notorious for its strenuous conditions. Furthermore, on November 7, another Full Gospel Church pastor was arrested and imprisoned by Eritrean security forces. (Source:Open Doors)

Ask the Lord to heal and sustain Pastor Hailom as he suffers for his faith. Pray for the release of the recently imprisoned pastor and other Christians detained in Eritrea.

Update: Chinese authorities step up campaign against Christians

Pastor Yang Rongli Photo from ChinaAid

The central government in China has reportedly intensified its campaign against Christian activity in the country, targeting both registered and unregistered churches. (Source: ChinaAid)

On November 2, Judge Sun of the Linfen Intermediate Court instructed the families of the five remaining imprisoned leaders and pastors of the Linfen-Fushan Church in Shanxi province (click here for more information) to hire lawyers to defend them in an immediate trial. Even though the believers have been detained for over 50 days, their families had not received prior warning or notification of arrest. One of the imprisoned leaders, Pastor Yang Rongli, has been transferred to the Taiyuan City Detention Center, a high-security prison directly controlled by the central government. Local sources have expressed particular concern for her safety.

On the evening of November 12, Public Security officials sealed the doors and locked down the Wanbang Missionary Church in Shanghai, which was earlier banned by authorities on November 2 (click here for more information). While officials were barring the church entrance, believers banded together to protect the associate pastor as he escaped into the crowd. Two days earlier, a formal notice of abolishment was issued to the senior pastor of the church. The seven pastors also received notices stating that they are "self-claimed illegal preachers" and ordering them to cease their "illegal religious activities." Many of the 2000 members of the church have been severely questioned and threatened in recent weeks by members of multiple agencies. The senior pastor's cell phone number has been terminated and the church's website forcibly shut down.

Pray that the detained Christians from the Linfen-Fushan church will be found innocent and be released. Ask God to protect and encourage Pastor Yang Rongli. Pray for strength and endurance for the members of the Wanbang Missionary Church. Pray that religious freedom will be respected by Chinese authorities.

Update: Iranian Christians finally released from prison

Maryam Rustampoor and Marzieh Amirizadeh, Iranian Christians who were arrested by security forces in early March (click here for the story) were released from Evin Prison in Tehran on November 18. The women were released without bail but may have to face a future court hearing. Upon their release, they stated, "Words are not enough to express our gratitude to the Lord and to His people who have prayed and worked for our release." (Source: Elam Ministries)

Praise the Lord that these faithful believers have been released after 259 days in prison! Pray that their example of steadfast faith will encourage other Iranians suffering for Christ. Pray for them as they recover from the harsh treatment they received in prison.

Update: Imprisoned Vietnamese priest suffers severe stroke

Father Nguyen Van Ly (63), who was sentenced to eight years in prison in March 2007 (click here for more information), recently suffered a severe stroke. He was admitted to the military hospital in Hanoi. At last report, he was semi-paralyzed but was conscious and able to speak. Family members report that he is being treated well. (Source: AsiaNews)

Pray that Father Van Ly will have a full recovery. Pray for strength for his loved ones at this time.

IRAN - Church Closed

The Central Assemblies of God Church has been forced to close down its regular Friday afternoon services and can only hold two services on Sundays, Farsi Christian News Network (FCNN) reported.
Read the full story here

CHINA - Expelled Student Invited Back to School

Chen Le, a 17-year-old high school student who was expelled from school because of his Christian faith, was invited on October 29 to return to school, according to a report from the China Aid Association.
Read the full story here

Watch the DVD Indonesia: Island Jihad and Be Encouraged by the Faith of Indonesian Believers

In this DVD, you will meet Christians like Adel and Methu, who were separated for 18 months after Adel was kidnapped by Muslims from a neighboring island. You will also meet Johannes, whose head was nearly severed and who now wants to be a missionary to his Islamic countrymen. You will hear firsthand accounts of overcoming faith from one of today’s most persecuted nations.
Read more here

Christians fined and deported in Kazakhstan

Two Christians, Viktor Leven and his brother, Didrikh, are facing prosecution for taking part in religious worship without state registration in Akmola Region, Kazakhstan, according to a November 5 report from Forum18. On October 14, Viktor, who was born in Kazakhstan but has German citizenship, was found guilty of "carrying out missionary activity without local registration" (Article 375-3 of the Administrative Code), an offense which prescribes a fine and/or deportation to foreigners or people without citizenship. He was fined a total of 6,480 Tenge (approximately $45 CAD) and ordered to be deported. He has since had his fine and deportation annulled on appeal -- a decision which local Christians see as a result of the court recognizing "that he was not a missionary and had not been sent to Kazakhstan for this...he lives here." On October 28, Didrikh was found guilty of violating Article 374-1 which forbids "leadership or participation in the activity of an unregistered social or religious organization." He was fined 129,600 Tenge (approximately $900 CAD), which is 100 times the minimum monthly wage. He reportedly plans to lodge an appeal to the same Akmola Regional Court which overturned Viktor's punishment.

Also in Kazakhstan, Feruza Utegenova, a member of New Life Church in Aktau on the Caspian Sea, was deported toUzbekistan on November 5. She had been convicted and fined in June for "carrying out missionary activity without local registration" (Article 375-3) after she distributed a Christian children's magazine to a 12-year-old girl living near her home.

Pray that the charges against Didrikh will be dropped. Pray for strength and guidance for Feruza as she seeks to serve Christ amid her trials. Pray that authorities will cease their harassment of Christians in Kazakhstan.

For more information on the persecution facing Kazakhstan's Christians, click here.

House church banned by authorities in Shanghai, China

According to a November 4 report from ChinaAid, more than 30 officials from four government agencies barged into the Wanbang Missionary Church in Shanghai, China on November 2 and accused the believers of holding an illegal gathering. Leaders from each of the agencies, including the Shanghai Municipal Public Security Bureau (PSB) and the State Administration on Religious Affairs, then interrogated the senior pastor, Cui Quan. PSB officers also questioned other major church partners in the city affiliated with the Wanbang Missionary Church. After concluding that church members were meeting illegally, police officers banned the church and forbade the believers from meeting together in the future. The Wanbang Missionary Church has approximately 1,200 members and is considered one of the most influential urban house churches in the country.

Pray that these believers will be encouraged to continue to meet together despite opposition (Hebrews 10:23-25). Pray for significant and lasting advances in religious freedom in China. To post a prayer of solidarity for these sufferingChristians in China, visit our Persecuted Church Prayer Wall.

Click here to find out more about suffering Chinese Christians.

Muslims attack worship service in Uganda

Damaged church building and Pastor Zaake Photos from Compass Direct

According to a November 10 report from Compass Direct, approximately 40 Muslims armed with machetes and clubs attacked the World Possessor's Church International in Namasuba, just outside the capital city of Kampala, Uganda, on November 1 while believers were holding a worship service. When the church members heard the Muslims outside, they gathered at the front door to try to prevent them from entering. Some Christians were able to escape through the church's rear door. When the Muslims noticed one of the Christians taking photographs of them, they beat him severely. Nearby residents eventually arrived on scene and helped the Christians ward off their attackers. When police arrived, they assisted in stopping the assault but made no arrests.

Local Muslims have long opposed the existence of the church in Namasuba, complaining that church members try to convert Muslims in the area. They have also argued that the church building's outdoor stairway encroaches on the alley and that the church members make too much noise. Many of the believers are reportedly too fearful to return to church and attendance for the worship service held the following Sunday decreased from 250 to 100 people. "Since the attack we have been receiving a lot of threats from the Muslims," said Pastor Henry Zaake. "There is a conspiracy that we can't understand. This trend really gives me sleepless nights."

Ask God to sustain all the victims of this attack through His peace and grace. Pray that the members of the church will grow in Christlikeness through the ongoing opposition they face (James 1:2-4). Post a prayer for these Ugandan Christians on ourPersecuted Church Prayer Wall.

Update: Court releases nine more Mexicans accused in Acteal massacre

Emilio Gomez Luna, one of the released Christians Photo from Compass Direct For more photos, click here

Nine men who were falsely accused of participating in the December 1997 massacre in Acteal, Chiapas -- including five known to be evangelical Christians -- have been released, according to a November 6 report from Compass Direct. Twenty other prisoners also arrested following the massacre were earlier released in August (click here for more information). The Supreme Court of Mexico ordered the release of the nine men on November 4, ruling that the federal attorney violated legal process, fabricated evidence and false testimonies, formulated non-existent crimes, and provided no concrete arguments establishing culpability. They were released from the federal prison in Cintalapa, Chiapas on November 5 and transported to a temporary housing facility, where they are expected to remain under government supervision for several weeks. In total, the court has released 29 of the 57 prisoners and has ordered retrials for 22 others.

Praise the Lord for the release of these men! Pray for the release of the other falsely accused Mexicans who remain in detention. Pray that detained Christians will witness faithfully to fellow prisoners.

Missionary Activity Could Be Restricted in Russia

Baptist Press reports that new legislation being considered by Russian lawmakers could drastically restrict missions activity if made into law. Restrictions could include requiring missionaries and Russian Christians to obtain permission to engage in missionary activity and limiting its locations and participants, such as tourists and minors. While the proposals are currently in the draft stages, language introduced by the Russian Ministry of Justice Oct. 12 indicates that if these laws are enacted they will greatly restrict religious freedom. Russian Baptist officials say they believe the new language primarily targets Roman Catholics and Protestants and believe it has already found favor with leaders of Russian Orthodoxy, Islam, Judaism and Buddhism -- Russia's four most prominent religions.

Relief Groups Gear Up to Aid Thousands in El Salvador

The Christian Post reports that Christian relief and aid groups are working fast to find survivors of El Salvador's recent floods and mudslides. At least 130 people have died and at least 60 are still missing after heavy rains triggered disasters on Thursday. "We're gearing up to respond to the aftermath of the hurricane by sending staff out to the worst-affected sites to look at the damage and limit further risks," said Wilfredo Ramirez Escobar from Caritas El Salvador on Monday. The country has declared a national emergency. Children's aid groupCompassion International says at least 21 of its child development centers have been affected by the crisis. The group is working to provide immediate assistance to those areas. Almost 7,000 people have lost their homes or been displaced by floodwaters after a low-pressure spinoff from Hurricane Ida blew through the area.

Christian Artists Band Together for 'Cry of the Orphan'

Janet Chismar

November 11, 2009

He was under strict orders from his wife "not to fall in love with any more orphan girls in China" but it was too late.Steven Curtis Chapman had already met little Maria, and his heart immediately was taken.

As he explained from the stage of Christ Community Church in Nashville, Tenn., on Sunday evening, God had a purpose for bringing Maria into the lives of the Chapmans, and also for taking her from them on May 21, 2008.

"God had a plan for this little girl," said Chapman. "His plans included us getting this incredible gift and also being entrusted with an incredible grief and sadness that would, in many ways, redefine who we are.

"God's purposes and plans for our lives are good," he continued. "If it's not true, I better stop singing right now and shut down and never sing or say another word. That's what God's Word says. We don't get to pick and chose the parts we like. It's either all true or it's all bogus. I believe it's true."

As an adoptive father of three orphans, including Maria, Chapman's voice was one of many heard around the world this Orphan Sunday, trying to draw attention to more than 140 million orphans crying out for love and a family of their own.

There were voices like Focus on the Family President Jim Daly, who knows the loneliness orphans go through. After being abandoned by his alcoholic father at age 5 and losing his mother to cancer four years later, Daly endured several tough years as a foster child. His story represents the more than 500,000 children currently in the U.S. foster care system.

There were other voices, too, like musician Geoff Moore,FamilyLife President Dennis Rainey, and Christian Alliance for Orphans President Jedd Medefind - each an adoptive father. Along with Chapman's Show Hope ministry, their organizations joined forces for the fourth year to sponsor the Cry of the Orphan campaign, as well as this first live event.

In addition to roughly 1,000 who attended the Nashville concert, people around world heard the messages and songs via a satellite simulcast on the Moody Radio Network. Close to 500 churches in the United States and in nations such as Guatemala, Uganda and the Philippines held local events ranging from sermons,Sunday School classes and prayer gatherings, to concerts and service projects.

"Each local Orphan Sunday event is a candle, lit to cast light on the needs of orphans and God's invitation to take up their cause," said Jedd Medefind, president of the Christian Alliance for Orphans. "Taken together, they add up to a nationwide blaze."

The Alliance is comprised of more than 50 Christian organizations such as Show Hope, Focus on the Family and Bethany Christian Services, along with small nonprofits, adoption agencies, and global orphan care advocacy groups.

"The idea is that they are doing great things on their own," said Medefind, "but there are certain things we can do better together, like Orphan Sunday. When it becomes a movement, people being to rally around it."

Medefind was personally impacted after spending time overseas and meeting orphans in Russia, India and Africa.

"Once you've looked into their eyes," he explained, "you know that Christ is present there. If we draw near to the orphan, we are drawing near to Christ. When you see that and you feel that, it's hard to do anything else."

Musician Geoff Moore shared that his heart also was changed after looking into eyes of a child - in his case, two little girls from China. He described his transformation from someone who reluctantly prayed about the process to becoming an adoptive father and now advocate with Show Hope.

"The call to care for orphans is for everybody," Moore said. "I think because adoption has become so affiliated with orphans around the world, a lot of us who are not planning to adopt feel we are off the hook. James 1:27 might as well say, 'Care for widows and those who adopt orphans.'"

Moore explained that the Show Hope sponsorship is one thing anyone can do, along with mission trips. "My hope is that when you as an individual say, 'God has called me to care for an orphan,' whatever station in life you are in, whatever financial strata, whatever your time, there is an outlet for you. So, go do it, then watch how generous God is to love you back. "

In setting up Show Hope, Steven and Mary Beth Chapman wanted to provide opportunities for children in conditions and situations where adoption is not even an option. "We support programs and organizations that care for those orphans. It is important to care for them in the name of the one who came to give them hope as He has given it to us, in the name of Jesus. "

Chapman believes that "God invites us 140 million times around the world and says, 'Here's a way that I want to bless your life. I want to show you what you were put here on this earth for. Get involved in caring for these children and you will come to a deeper understanding of why you draw breath and why you are here.'

"There are so many other opportunities," Chapman added. "There are so many wonderful organizations doing great things, and that's part of what Cry of the Orphan is about - to bring all of them together and let people pick from any number of ways to show hope and be involved in God's heart for orphans."

Before launching into song, Chapman told the audience how he and his wife were sitting with Dennis and Barbara Rainey, "talking about coming together as a coalition, and join forces because this is on the heart of God. We prayed about it together, and dreamed together.

"Show Hope has exploded and now we get to partner with these guys to do something like tonight. We are just buzzing from all the reminders of how much God loves orphans, and what an invitation, what a privilege we've been invited into," Chapman said.

At the conclusion of the event, Rainey talked about the night in volleyball terms. "I think what this does is to set up a spike. The ball is right above the net, and now it's up people whether they are going to spike it or not."

The issue, according to Rainey, is not for paid professionals. "This is not for the pastor. This is a ministry for laymen, people who care, people who are passionate about orphans, people who believe something has to be done. The hope for the orphan really is in individual churches, led by individual lay men and women who care enough to do something."

Go to http://www.hopefororphans.org/ and get information about how you can start an orphan care ministry in your church. Also visit http://www.showhope.org/ andhttp://www.cryoftheorpan.org/ to discover ways you can learn more about this issue and take just one step today.

Ministry Focuses on Uganda Orphans

Mission News Network reports that Uganda is home to 2.3 million orphans - 45 percent of whom live with HIV/AIDS. While rapidly-developing countries like Brazilwould be able to handle such a crisis, an estimated 30 percent of Uganda's support will depend on outside support. Groups such as Every Child Ministries (ECM) attempt to fill that need. "We try to work with each child as an individual, rather than blanket projects," said John Rouster, founder of ECM. The group incorporates faith alongside the physical assistance. "The children at the home have daily devotions; [ing] all of our other sponsorship projects, the children are met with a national worker who gives them a Bible lesson and a very warm meal at least once a week," said Rouster.

Egyptian Security Arrests Christian for Praying At Home

ASSIST News Service reports that Egyptian State Security recently arrested a Coptic Christian for praying "without a license." On Oct. 24, Maurice Salama Sharkawy, 37, had invited Pastor Elia Shafik to conduct the sacrament of the "Anointing of the Sick" for his sick father, who had suffered a stroke. State Security broke into his house while the prayers were said, handcuffed Sharkawy and took him to a police station for interrogation. He was held for two days before being released on "compassionate grounds." Mohammed Khalaf Allah, mayor of Deir Samalout village where Sharkawy lives, told news sources that Sharkawy "refuses" to go to the church in the next town over and insists on "pray[ing] in his own home."

Seizure of 15,000 Bibles in Malaysia Stuns Christians

Don Fisher

November 10, 2009

FRESNO, Calif. (CDN) — Malaysian port and customs authorities have seized at least 15,000 Bibles in recent months because the word "Allah" for God appears in them.

Some 10,000 of the Bahasa Malaysia-language Bibles, which were printed in Indonesia, are in Kuching, capital ofSarawak in East Malaysia, and another 5,000 copies are in Kelang near Kuala Lumpur.

The Christian Federation of Malaysia (CFM) on Wednesday (Nov. 4) called for the immediate release of the confiscated Bibles. At the same time, CFM Executive Secretary Tan Kong Beng told Compass that the federation is striving for amicable relations with government authorities.

"We are open to and desire further discussion with officials so that this problem can be resolved," the CFM official said.

The CFM officially represents the three major Christian groups in the country: The Catholic Bishops' Conferenceof Malaysia, the Council of Churches of Malaysia, and the National Evangelical Christian Fellowship Malaysia.

A strong Christian community in Indonesia, estimated 37 million by Operation World, has long produced large amounts of literature for export to Malaysia. In 2005 the government of Malaysia agreed to allow the use of "Allah" in non-Muslim literature, according to CFM.

"The government and CFM have exchanged letters on this matter previously," reads the CFM statement, "and we have a written agreement in December 2005 thatBahasa Malaysia Bibles can be distributed so long as the symbol of the cross and the words 'A Christian publication' are printed on the front page."

With the exception of the temporary suspension of publication of the Roman Catholic Herald newspaper in 2007 and the ongoing court battle over the weekly's use of "Allah," few problems were encountered in the policy. This past March, however, authorities suddenly began seizing CDs, Sunday school materials, and Bibles containing the word "Allah."

Church leaders were stunned that no one had informed them of a change in policy. Quiet negotiations failed to resolve the situation, and several lawsuits began working their way through the court system. These suits challenge the right of the Minister of Home Affairs to restrict the use of "Allah" and to limit freedom of religion.

"To withhold the use of the Bahasa Malaysia Bibles is an infringement of Article 11 of the Federal Constitution, which gives every Malaysian the right to profess his/her faith as well as to practice it," according to the CFM.

A government official in Malaysia was unavailable for comment. Officially, the government says only that use of the word "Allah" by non-Muslims could create "confusion" among Muslims.

The Kuala Lumpur High Court in Malaysia was scheduled to determine the legality of the word "Allah" in non-Muslim literature on July 7 but postponed the decision. TheHerald newspaper had been allowed to use the term until a final court decision was to be handed down, but the Kuala Lumpur High Court on May 30 overturned that brief reprieve.

The Rev. Lawrence Andrew, editor of the Herald, has cited examples from Malay dictionaries going back to the17th century that use "Allah" as the vernacular translation for God. He has also noted that "Allah" is an Arabic term derived from the same roots as the Hebrew Elohim, and that the word pre-dates Muhammad, Islam's prophet.

The Herald has a circulation of 13,000 and an estimated readership of 50,000. The newspaper is sold in Catholic churches and is not available from newsstands.

While the issue is tied up in the courts, many are hoping for a more harmonious solution to the problem. Both Indonesia and Malaysia use variations of Malay as theirnational languages, and all translations of the Bible in both countries used "Allah" for God until Malaysian authorities decided in the past few years that it was an Islamic term that should be used only by Muslims. In so doing, Malaysia effectively shut off the importation ofChristian literature from Indonesia.

Malaysia's population is about 60 percent Muslim, 19 percent Buddhist and 9 percent Christian. About 6 percent are Hindu, with 2.6 percent of the population adhering to Confucianism, Taoism and other traditionalChinese religions.

In China, Christians' Lawyers Also Face Government Attacks

Cindy Ortiz

November 5, 2009

WASHINGTON (BP) -- Religious freedom activists in China are not the only ones needing a lawyer; their lawyers also are being attacked by the government.

"They are the defenders for the defenseless and a voice to the voiceless, and basically, for doing that, they themselves have been facing danger. The defenders themselves need defense, ironically," said Bob Fu,president of China Aid.

At a news conference in Washington, six Chinese legal rights professionals recounted their treatment by theChinese government.

One of the attorneys, Cao Zhi, founder and editor-in-chief of the Citizen Republic magazine in China, noted that a 2005 law enacted in China stipulates that if the government does not grant permission for a religious activity, it is considered illegal.

Dai Jinbo, a legal counsel for Chinese house churches, described a recent case that involved a church that was attacked at 3 a.m. on Sept. 13 in northeastern China's Shanxi province. At least 300 police raided the LinfenHouse Church, physically beat a number of believers and destroyed much of the church's property.

Zhang Kai, a defense attorney whose law license was revoked in May, cited some reasons Chinese officials persecute church members through beatings, imprisonments or insults:

-- If the church is not registered through the government.

-- If the church does not ask permission to have religious activities.

-- If the church evangelizes in other Chinese regions without government permission.

On Oct. 13, Christian leader Pastor Bike, as he is known, and his wife, Xie Feng-Lan, were on their way to visit Linfen Church leaders who were arrested and being kept at a detention center. When they crossed the border intoShanxi province, police arrested Pastor Bike and jailed him, according to China Aid. Two days later, the police released the pastor and barred the couple from returning to Shanxi.

When a defense attorney handles such cases, said Li Fangping, a lawyer who has defended clients in more than 10 high-profile cases, "The government can refuse you, decline you, and even if they grant you the case, they can interfere with what you're doing in the process."

Jiang Tianyong, a human rights defense attorney whose law license also was revoked, said human rights activistscan have a difficult time finding defense attorneys for their cases.

"It is extremely hard for the lawyer to process. The lawyers will be followed by the policemen, harassed or beaten physically. In court, we talk about the basic fact of these cases. We're not allowed to talk about constitutional human rights," Jiang said.

"No lawyer should be harassed or beaten or imprisoned because of the clients they defend on the cases they take on," said Michael Cromartie, vice chair of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), at the Oct. 28 news conference in Washington.

Despite the current religious liberty conditions in China, the number of believers in the house movement church inBeijing is growing rapidly, said Wang Guangze, a Chinese political and law expert and former international journalist for The New York Times.

However, Wang said Chinese media professionals are limited in reporting about religion in China and are required to release only positive reports.

"We can see there is a very large religious community in China, but we don't see much about them in the media," Wang told reporters.

With President Obama scheduled to travel to China in mid-November, the six attorneys said they hope Obama will address human rights with Chinese President Hu Jintao.

Jiang commented, "I think this is a nature of a real fallen world if the president of the United States has a problem to talk about the basic human rights in freedom and in public."

Cromartie said he would urge Obama "to meet with thehuman rights lawyers and ask ... why so many detained religious believers cannot get adequate legal protection. He should ask why so many lawyers have been intimidated and stripped of their legal rights as they are trying to protect individuals."

The USCIRF annual report, released in May, included recommendations for U.S. policy to support Chinese rights defenders through the State Department's Human Rights and Democracy Fund, including:

-- Creating new programs with increased networking of non-governmental organizations in China that address issues of religious freedom and other rights.

-- Expand contacts among U.S. human rights experts,Chinese government officials and non-governmental organizations on international standards relating to such issues as religious freedom.

-- Increase consultation on regulations and practices with international standards on freedom of religion or belief and human rights.

"China will not be changed by the Chinese government, but by the Chinese people," Li said.

In another recent case of persecution, Chen Le, a high school student at Huashan Middle School, was expelled Oct. 20 for refusing to renounce his Christian faith, according to China Aid. The organization reported Oct. 29, however, that the party secretary for the high school division and school officials had visited Chen the day before and invited him to return to the school.

Indonesians Responsive to Quake Relief

Baptist Press reports that Christian relief volunteers inIndonesia have found a surprisingly open audience. "And so, this is what He is up to on our island ... taking a tragedy and opening up a door for seeds to be planted," a Christian worker in Indonesia wrote following the magnitude 7.6 earthquake on Sept. 30. The worker, along with a team of 23 national believers and U.S. volunteers, took supplies to a remote village of nearly 3,500 people in Western Sumatra. The team held medical clinics and distributed tents, blankets, food and water. When they arrived in Indonesia, the volunteers were surprised by the friendly reception from villagers. Community leaders opened the mosque for their use. The village, previously a difficult place for Christian workers, joined the team in their prayers and openly talked about their experiences.

Coptic Blogger in Egypt Threatens Hunger Strike

Compass Direct News reports that a Coptic Christian blogger in Egypt held in prison for more than a year without charge said today he will go on a hunger strike unless authorities grant his next application for release.Hani Nazeer, a 28-year-old high school social worker from Qena, Egypt and author of the blog "Karz El Hob," received word on Monday that his latest application for release was denied. His attorneys said they would re-apply for his release immediately. The interior ministry did not "supply the grounds for refusal" according to Rawda Ahamad, Nazeer's lead defense attorney. Nazeer was arrested by Egypt's State Security Investigations (SSI) on Oct 3, 2008, and sent to Burj Al-Arab prison. Nazeer ran afoul of SSI officers a few days before his arrest when a group of local teenagers visited his website and clicked on a link to an online copy of "Azazil's Goat in Mecca," a novel written under the pseudonym "Father Utah."

New Report Details Human Trafficking in Egypt

Christian Newswire reports that Christian Solidarity International (CSI) and the Coptic Foundation for Human Rights yesterday released a pioneering report on human trafficking in Egypt. Researched in Egypt by American anti-trafficking specialist Michele Clark and Egyptian women's rights activist Nadia Ghaly, the report documents a criminal pattern involving deception, sexual violence, captivity, compulsion to convert to Islam and forced marriage. This phenomenon of violence against Egypt's Christian women corresponds to internationally recognized definitions of human trafficking. The report includes cases of underage girls, some as young as 15, who were forcibly converted, raped, and married to Muslim men. The report alleges that Egyptian authorities have tacitly allowed these human rights violations to continue due to lack of investigation and enforcement.

New Dimension in India's Anti-Christian Violence Feared

Compass Direct News reports that authorities in India increasingly view Hindu rightwing extremists as a threat not only to Muslim and Christian minorities but also to national security. A string of Hindu terrorists have been arrested recently for exploding bombs. Historically Hindu terrorist groups have traded blows with India's Muslim extremists, but because of a perceived threat from Christianity - as one Hindu extremist leader expressed to Compass - many analysts believe Hindu terrorists increasingly pose dangers to Christians as well. John Dayal, secretary general of the All India Christian Council, said that while terrorism was not new for rightwing groups, some of the extremist groups had "metamorphosed into fully fledged terrorism squads on classical lines - cells with local leaders, supply lines, bomb-making experts, and clear linkage with the intellectuals and motivators in the RSS [Hindu extremistRashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh] hierarchy."

Remember Persecuted Christians Worldwide this Sunday

Human rights groups are asking believers to say a special prayer for fellow Christians worldwide this Sunday, the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church. According to the Christian Newswire, Open Doors USA asked believers to remember people like Maryam Rostampour, 27, and Marzieh Amirizadeh Esmaeilabad, 30, two Iranian women who have been held in Tehran's Evin prison sinceMarch 5 for their faith. The women have been asked to recant multiple times. The U.S. State Department designated Iran, along with seven other countries, as "Countries of Particular Concern" for their religious repression on Oct. 26. "Maryam and Marzieh are suffering in an Iranian prison simply for refusing to recant their belief in Jesus Christ...they truly are modern heroes of the faith," says Open Doors USA President/CEO Dr. Carl Moeller. "We must speak out against this injustice. Join our campaign urging the Iranian government to release these women."

Iranian pastor jailed for protesting Islamic teaching of children

The Voice of the Martyrs recently learned of the arrest of Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani in Guilan, Iran on October 12 after he protested against the decision of local authorities to impose the reading of the Koran on Christian children. This requirement, Pastor Nadarkhani insisted, violates the Declaration of Universal Human Rights (which Iran has signed) that states: "Parents have a prior right to choose the kind of education that shall be given to their children" (Article 26).

Authorities told the pastor that he went too far with this protest. "Not happy with the fact that we tolerate you, you pushed too far your boldness by refusing that your children follow Koranic courses." At last report, Pastor Nadarkhani remained in detention.

Pray for Christians in Iran as they continue to serve the Lord despite great opposition. Pray for Pastor Nadarkhani's release. Pray that he will have continued courage to stand up for his convictions.

For more information on the persecution of Christians in Iran, click here. The Voice of the Martyrs also has a number of books on Iran available in our online catalogue.

Church forced to close main worship services in Tehran, Iran

The interior of the Central Church Photo from FCNN

Rev. Sourik, overseer of the Assemblies of God Churches in Iran, announced on October 30 at the Central Church in Tehran that, under extreme pressure from the Ministry of Information, the church has been forced to shut down their two Friday services. From now on, he stated, services would only be held on Sundays in two shifts. Revolutionary Guards had reportedly threatened to close the church completely if the Friday services were not cancelled.

This announcement came as a great shock to the congregation. Many wept openly. Throughout the Middle East, Christians gather for worship on Friday as many have the day off. The believers of this church, which has been holding two Friday services since the 1960s, will find it difficult to attend Sunday services as Sunday is not a day off for many, as it is in the West.

Pray for the members of the Central Church in Tehran as they are forced to switch their services to Sunday. Pray that believers will find a way to attend the services. Pray that many Iranians will continue to find Christ through the lives and witness of His people in this nation of closed doors but open hearts.

For more reports on the struggles the Iranian church faces, click here. Show your solidarity for suffering Iranian believers by posting a prayer on our Persecuted Church Prayer Wall.

Update: Arrest made in attack on Christian family in the West Bank

Yaakov "Jack" Teitel Photo from Shin Bet

A suspect has finally been arrested for the March 2008 bomb attack in the Jewish settlement town of Ariel that severely injured Ami Ortiz, the teenage son of a Messianic pastor (read the story). Yaakov "Jack" Teitel (37), an American-born man reportedly behind a number of other deadly terror attacks over the past decade, was arrested on October 7. Leah Ortiz, Ami's mother, told the Jerusalem Post, "We are relieved that a suspect has been arrested for the attempted murder which took place in our home a year and a half ago. As a family the past year and a half has been a struggle in every way."

Please pray for Ami as he continues to heal from the brutal bomb attack. To watch a video interview with Ami and his family, click here.

Update: Evangelists released from prison in Ethiopia

Two Ethiopian Christians who were sentenced to prison in July on false charges of offering money and gifts to entice people to convert to Christianity (click here for more details) were released on October 23, according to an October 28 report from Compass Direct. Temesgen Alemayehu and Tigist Welde Amanuel's six-month prison sentences had been reduced to fines of 500 birr (approximately $40 CAD) several weeks earlier, but before they could be set free they were accused by fellow inmates of insulting the Ethiopian Orthodox Church while in prison. They were sent back to detention, where Alemayehu was reportedly denied medical treatment for a kidney infection.

A judge later rejected the new charges brought against them as the evidence was found to be contradictory. Upon their release, Amanuel stated, "Through prayers and God's intervention, we are now released from prison. We thank those who prayed on our behalf."

Update: Kidnappers demand ransom for priest in the Philippines

On October 10, Michael Sinnott, a 79-year-old priest from Ireland, was abducted by six armed men in the city of Pagadian near Zamboanga (Mindanao), Philippines as he was conducting evening prayers in his home (click here for more information). Last week we reported that he was able to receive medication for his heart problems. This week, his kidnappers, who many believe are members of a rogue element of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, released video footage of the priest and demanded a $2 million (USD) ransom.

There continue to be grave concerns for Sinnott's health and safety. Please remember him in your prayers and pray for his release.

Are you praying for the persecuted this Sunday?

This Sunday, November 8, Christians around the world will join together in prayer for suffering believers through The International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church (IDOP). Are you planning to pray?

Whether you pray as a church, with a group or individually, your prayers will be a powerful way to remember and uplift those suffering for their faith in Jesus Christ.

For helpful resources to help you pray, please visit www.idop.ca. Or if you live outside of Canada, check out www.idop.org.

Child Sacrifice on the Rise in Uganda

Child Sacrifice on the Rise in Uganda

Mission News Network reports that the brutal, old-world practice of human sacrifice is rising again in Uganda. Possibly fueled by famine, at least 23 have died in ritual sacrifices this year, many of them children. "The numbers have increased," said Lee DeYoung with Words of Hope, "and at least in some cases, those have been the bodies of children of believers." DeYoung said the church is trying to combat the horrific practice partially via radio broadcasts. "The church is being mobilized to speak against this terrible evil. When a child is executed in this kind of ritual sacrifice fashion, it is a violation of Ugandan law. However, human trafficking is less clearly prohibited in the legal code." Uganda's government has implemented a special task force on human sacrifice, but few perpetrators have been found.

Land, Religious Leaders: Sanctions Needed on Iran

Baptist Press reports that Southern Baptist ethicist Richard Land has joined Jewish and evangelical Christian leaders in New York in calling for immediate sanctions to thwart Iran from developing nuclear weapons. The president of the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission collaborated with Paul de Vries, president of the New York Divinity School and leader of the New York Evangelicals, and Joseph Potasnik, executive vice president of the New York Board of Rabbis, in issuing a statement Nov. 2 urging all governments to apply sanctions in order to produce effective diplomacy and encourage the human rights efforts of Iranians living under a militant Islamic regime. These leaders recommended sanctions on banks that work even indirectly with Iranian banks and on firms and government that export refined petroleum to Iran. "Such actions could quickly damage Iran's economy, shrink the regime's domestic popularity, provoke real diplomacy, and engender significant steps toward ending the Iran regime's murderous pursuit of nuclear weapons," their statement said.

Philippines: Typhoons Knock Churches' Relief Work

Christian Today reports that disaster recovery in the Philippines keeps getting knocked off its feet. After the fourth storm in four weeks hit the Philippines, relief groups have had to extend their initial efforts beyond their normal scope. "Four weeks after a typhoon we are usually heading toward the rehabilitation phase," reported Minnie-Anne Calub of the National Council of Churches in the Philippines. "This is the first time we have had a series of typhoons," she added. "We thought we would be terminating the relief phase after two or three weeks but because of the continuous typhoons, rains and floods, the water won't subside and people can't go home." The last storm, Mirinae, also hit Vietnam on Monday, forcing more than 80,000 people to evacuate.

Court Impedes Effort to Rescue Kidnapped Girl in Bangladesh.

Aenon Shalom

November 4, 2009

DHAKA, Bangladesh (CDN) — A bail order in Bangladesh has impeded police from rescuing a young Christian girl who was abducted and forced to convert to Islam and marry one of her kidnappers, according to police.

Four Muslim men abducted eighth-grade student Silvia Merry Sarker on July 30 as she made her way home from school in west Sujankathi village, under Agoiljhara police jurisdiction, in Barisal district in southern Bangladesh, according to her father, Julian Sarker.

Sarker filed a case under the Women and Children Repression Act against Al-Amin Faria, 24, Shamim Faria, 22, Sahadat Faria, 20, and Sattar Faria, 50.

"My daughter was abducted by Faria with the help of his cousins and other relatives," said Sarker.

Sarker filed a First Information Report (FIR) charging that the men abducted his daughter initially to "indulge Al-Amin Faria's evil desire." Later she was forced to convert to Islam and marry Al-Amin Faria, which Sarker said was part of an attempt to take over his land and property.

Local police inspector Ashok Kumar Nandi told Compass that police were continuing efforts to arrest the kidnappers but had yet to find them, as the unusually early bail order had blocked their efforts.

"There are four names as prime suspects in the case," Nandi said. "We arrested three of them, but the court released them on bail. If the court had given them to us on remand, we might have found the girl, or at least we would get much information to rescue the girl."

Generally suspects in cases under the Women and Children Repression Act are not granted bail so early for the sake of investigations, Nandi said.

"We do not know why they were released on bail," he said. "Those released persons are moving freely in the village. We cannot arrest them again without an order."

Attorney Rabindra Ghosh, president of Bangladesh Minority Watch and an activist for Dutch human rights organization Global Human Rights Defense, told Compass that the granting of bail to the suspects also poses threats to the victim's family.

"They are threatening the victim's family to withdraw the case," said Ghosh. "Release of the abductors on bail so early is a travesty - the abductors got impunity due to the early bail order. For the sake of the girl's rescue, the court could have sent the arrestees to police on remand to find more information about their hideout."

Gnosh concurred that an accused person under the Women and Children Repression Act case does not get bail so early without first getting necessary information from them.

False Document

A few days after the kidnapping, Sarker said, the abductors provided Nimchandra Bepari, a Hindu neighbor, an affidavit claiming that Sarker's daughter was 19 years old. Bepari gave the affidavit to the local police inspector. The kidnappers also contacted sub-district chairman Mortuza Khan.

"My daughter is 13 years old, but the abductors made an affidavit of her age showing 19 years old," Sarker said.

The headmaster of Agoiljhara Shrimoti Matrimangal Girls High School, where the girl is a student, issued a certificate denoting that Silvia Merry Sarker is even younger than 13 - born on Dec. 24, 1997, which would mean she is not yet 12 years old.

The fabricated affidavit provided by the kidnappers states that she accepted Islam and has married, said Sarker.

"I am shocked how a minor girl is shown as an adult in the affidavit," Ghosh said. "It is illegal, and there should be proper action against this kind of illegal activity."

Al-Amin Faria had tried to get the girl's two older sisters to marry him, but their early marriages saved them from falling prey to him, Sarker said.

"I married off my two elder daughters at an early age immediately after finishing their schooling," said Sarker.

Before they married, Sarker said he felt helpless to keep Faria and his family from accosting and harassing his other daughters.

"I could not take any legal action against them since we are the only Christian family here," he said. "I tolerated everything. I did not inform it to police or they would get infuriated."

When Faria "targeted" his second daughter for marriage, Sarker informed the headmaster of the school and its managing committee, and they warned the Muslim not to disturb the family, Sarker said. Nevertheless, he said, he felt he couldn't send his older daughters to school because he feared Faria would harm them.

"The relation of us with those Muslim neighbors is 'predator-and-prey,'" he said. "I saved my other family members from his lechery, but I could not save my youngest daughter."

Sarker said he felt alone and helpless as a Christian minority but that he doesn't understand how the entire justice system also can be so helpless.

"Why and how can the court, law enforcement agencies, police, administration, society and the country be helpless against him? Why can't they rescue my daughter?" he said.

Dilip Gabriel Bepari, an activist for Bangladesh Minority Watch, told Compass that the group had informed national and international officials in seeking help to find the girl.

"We informed it to various ministers, political leaders and police high officials," Bepari said. "We also informed it to the Vatican ambassador in Bangladesh. Unfortunately, the girl is still missing."

Archbishop Paulinus Costa of Bangladesh said theCatholic Church's impassioned plea to the government is to rescue her as soon as possible and bring the kidnappers to justice.

"It is unfortunate that the girl is not rescued yet in three months," Costa said. "There must be negligence and indifference to the Christians from the government, otherwise the girl would be rescued."

The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) this year removed Bangladesh from its "Watch List" of countries requiring close monitoring of religious freedom violations, but it urged the new Awami League administration to strengthen protections for allBangladeshis.

USCIRF also indicates that it hopes the government of Bangladesh will investigate and prosecute perpetrators of violent acts against members of minority religious communities.