PRIONS POUR LES CHRETIENS PERSECUTES EN TERRE D'ISLAM

2/25/10 Pakistan (Reuters) Pakistan Intends to Alter Blasphemy Law- The Pakistani government has claimed that it is planning to change its blasphemy laws in response to their misuse by extremist groups. Currently, Pakistan's blasphemy law carries a death penalty for insulting Islam or its prophet and has been repeatedly abused by Muslims seeking to settle personal grudges with Christians. We hope Pakistani officials will reform the law in ways that protect Christians and other religious minorities from persecution by Muslim radicals. Full Story. Pray that the effort to reform Pakistan's blasphemy law will be successful and protect Christians and other religious minorities from persecution. Pray for Imram Masih who is serving life imprisonment in Pakistan for blasphemy. For more general information, please go to ICC's website on Pakistan.

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2/23/10 Egypt (AINA) Egyptian State Security Accused of Torturing Christian Youth- On January 8th, nearly 100 Coptic Christian teenagers were arrested without cause or warrants following the aftermath of Christmas Eve shootings. Now, lawyers, activists and family members are accusing the Egyptian State Security of torturing the young men while they were detained. Most of the detained were released a week later without charges, but 15 were charged with "rioting and resisiting the authorities" and sent to detention camps. Those released confirmed they were beaten and tortured by electrocution. They were also asked to falsely testify that a bishop had incited them to make demonstrations. Full Story. Pray that detained youth would become even bolder witnesses for Messiah after their persecution. Pray for the release of the 15 youth who were sent to detention camps. For more general information, please go to ICC's website on Egypt.

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2/23/10 Eritrea (ICC) Eritrea Arrests 7 Christians for Praying Together- International Christian Concern (ICC) has learned that Eritrean security officials arrested seven Christians for praying at a private home in Asmara on February 18th. The Eritrean government has been clamping down on Christians since 2002. Only three Christian denominations are recognized: the Eritrean Orthodox Church, the Roman Catholic Church, and the Evangelical Lutheran Church. All others are prohibited from exercising any aspect of their religious beliefs. Authorities have imprisoned more than 3,000 Christians in Eritrea. They are often kept in underground dungeons, metal shipping containers, and military barracks. Several believers have died inside these prisons due to torture and lack of medical attention. Full Story. Pray for the safety of the seven imprisoned believers. Pray that the Christians will be strengthened in the faith. For more general information, please go to ICC’s website on Eritrea.

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2/23/10 Nigeria (ICC) Muslim Mob Burns Down Christian Shops, 8 Churches in Nigeria- International Christian Concern (ICC) has learned that a Muslim mob burned down several Christian shops and eight churches in Nigeria on February 21st. The arsons occured after a Muslim mob formed to protest Muslim police fatally assaulting a Muslim driver who refused to stop after a traffic violation. When the enraged mob was chased away by police, they turned their attention instead to one of the region's most vulnerable targets: Christians. Unfortunately, it is common for Muslims to attack Christian minorities in northern Nigeria without any provocation by Christians. Full Story. Pray for complete restoration for the Christians who lost their property. Pray for the church in Nigeria to continue to be bold in their faith. For more general information, please go to ICC’s website on Nigeria.

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2/22/10 Pakistan (CDN) Pakistani Christian Beaten for Refusing to Convert to Islam- Four brothers left their youngest brother, Riaz Masih, for dead on February 8th in Pakistan. Despite being raised by a Muslim cleric after the death of the brothers' Christian parents, the youngest had continually refused to convert to Islam. The elder brothers' anger over his refusal culminated on February 8th when they ransacked his home and demanded that he convert immediatly or face death. When Riaz begged for a moment to consider, they beat him with bamboo clubs until he fell unconscious and left him for dead. "They vented their fury and left me, thinking that I was dead, but God Almighty resuscitated me to impart His good news of life," Riaz said. Full Story. Pray that God would use Riaz's testimony to strengthen the church in Pakistan. Pray that Riaz's persecutors would come to repentance and faith in Messiah. For more general information, please go to ICC’s website on Pakistan.