LES CHRETIENS PERSECUTES EN TERRE D'ISLAM

	News and Prayer for the Persecuted November 6, 2009
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Article One
11/5/09 Egypt (AINA) Egyptian Security Arrests Several Christians for Praying at Home- A Christian Copt was arrested on October 24, 2009 for praying "without a license." Pastor Elia Shafik had been called to the home of Maurice Salama Sharkawy's to pray for his sick father's healing. State Security broke into the house while the pastor was praying and detained Maurice for interrogation. He is now under observation by three policemen. Full Story. Pray that Maurice would be a testimony for Christ to the three policemen who are charged with observing him. Pray that police efforts to harass and persecute the Church in Egypt would be confused and brought to no effect. For more general information, please go to ICC's website on Egypt.
Article Two
11/4/09 India (ANS) Christian Believer Assaulted in Karnataka State, India- Nearly 20 Hindu radicals attacked a Christian on November 3rd after falsely accusing him of forceful conversion. Sources say the radicals forced their way into his apartment, searched for Christian literaure, and beat him when they discovered some. Most of the neighbors denied knowledge of any conversion activity. Full Story. Pray for the Father to continue to strengthen our brother with courage in the face of persecution. Pray that the attackers will be brought to justice. For more general information, please go to ICC's website on India.
Article Three
11/4/09 Iraq (EarthTimes) Iraqi Christians Demand Inquiry into Killing, Intimidation- An Iraqi parliament member requested an international investigation into the killing and targeting of Christians in Iraq on November 3. The intent of the investigation is to "determine who was behind the killing of Iraqi Christians that Iraqi Christians believe are designed to convince them to leave their homes." Christians are also asking for a higher quota in the parliament to reflect the real number of Christians in Iraq. Full Story. Pray that the Father would strengthen the persecuted Church in Iraq during this time of trial. Pray that concrete measures will be taken to protect the Christian minority of Iraq. For more general information, please go to ICC's website on Iraq.
Article Four
11/3/09 Pakistan (ICC) Pakistan's Islamic Political Parties Warn Government Not to Amend Blasphemy Law- On October 31, two prominent Islamic political parties warned the government of Pakistan not to amend or repeal the blasphemy law. The law has been a major cause of violence against Christians. Pakistan’s blasphemy stipulates that defaming the Islamic prophet Mohammed or desecrating the Qur’an is punishable by death and life imprisonment respectively. Muslims have used the law to repeatedly incite violence against Christians. In August, a Muslim mob killed 11 Christians and burned down over 40 Christian homes following false allegation of desecration of the Qur’an in the Pakistani city of Gojra. Full Story. Pray that authorites would not cave to pressure and would rightly amend or repeal the country's blasphemy law. Pray that Muslims would not be successful in using the blasphemy law to target and persecute Christians. For more general information, please go to ICC's website on Pakistan.
Article Five
11/3/09 Iran (ICC) Iran Forces Closure of Assembly of God Church Services- The Iranian government forced the Central Assemblies of God Church in Tehran to shut down its Friday worship services. Some fear that this episode is the beginning of a new campaign of government suppression of public Christian worship gatherings. According to reports by Farsi Christian News Network (FCNN), Rev. Sourik, the bishop of the Assemblies of God churches in Iran, resolved to close the church on Fridays, the weekly Islamic day of prayer, after encountering acute pressure from the security network within the Ministry of Information. Full Story. Pray that the church would not be intimidated by what appears to be a move by the Iranian government to threaten Christians who use to worship 'above ground.' Pray that the Father would use the closure to strengthen the persecuted church in Iran. For more general information, please go to ICC’s website on Iran.
Article Six
11/1/09 Philippines (IrishTimes) Video Shows Abducted Priest Alive and Stable- The kidnappers of missionary Fr Michael Sinnott are demanding $2 million as a ransom for his release. The missionary was kidnapped in Philippines where Muslim extremists have in the past kidnapped priests and aid workers. Negotiations have been stepped up since a video was released in which "an unshaven Fr Sinnott appeals in a weak voice to President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, to the Irish Government, to his fellow Colomban missionaries and friends 'who may have pity...to help so that I can get out of here as soon as possible.'" Full Story. Pray for the successful negotiation of the priest's release. Pray that the hearts of his captors would be turned to the light of Christ. Pray for the Father to strengthen Sinnott's health. For more general information, please go to ICC’s website.
Article Seven
10/27/09 Cuba (BosNewsLife) Two Cuban Pastors Released, But Crackdown Continues, Christians Say- Two Cuban pastors were released on October 27, two weeks after they were imprisoned while distributing aid from Baptist churches in Florida. Sources say that 30 other pastors have been arrested and temporarily detained during 2009. Full Story. Praise God for the release of the two pastors who were detained in Cuba. Pray that the Church would continue its efforts to deliver aid to those in need and expand the kingdom. For more general information, please go to ICC’s website on Cuba.
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