7/7/10 Somalia (ICC) Somali Islamists Execute Christian Convert Members of the Al-Qaeda linked Somali Islamist group, Al-Shabaab, publicly executed a Christian convert from Islam, Muhammad Guul Hashim Idiris, in the Hudur district of Somalia on July 1. As Idiris was traveling from Ethiopia, a fellow passenger recognized his Christian background and asked him if he thought the prophet Muhammad was a genuine messenger from God. Idiris responded by saying, "If I thought so, I would have believed in him instead of the Messiah." The Muslim man reported Idiris to Al-Shabaab, who then arrested Idiris because it is considered a serious sin and a crime to profess that Muhammad is not a genuine prophet. The execution, which took place in a make-shift soccer stadium, was attended by hundreds, including schoolchildren who were forced to watch. Full Story Pray for the Father to grant strength to believers in Somalia. Pray that Al-Shabaab will come to recognize the value of human life, regardless of religion. 7/6/10 Nigeria (ICC) 8 Christians Killed in Nigerian Muslim Attacks On the night of July 3, several Muslims attacked a village in Kaduna State, killing five Christians and burning down five Christian homes. In a second attack the following night, Muslims armed with guns and machetes invaded a community near Jos, killing three more Christians. The police had stopped protecting the villages just days prior to the killings, as the government had failed to pay their salaries. This latest violence came on the heels of a March 7 jihad attack against Christians in Jos in which over 500 people (mainly women and children) were murdered. It is estimated that many more thousands of Christians have been killed in northern Nigeria since the introduction of Sharia law in 2001. Full Story Pray for the Father to bring peace to the conflicts in Nigeria. Pray for the government to step in and protect its people. 7/6/10 Afghanistan (IRIN) NGOs Await Ruling on "Proselytizing" More than a month has passed since the Afghan government halted the work of two international NGOs due to Christian "proselytizing." However, formal investigations have been enclosed in secrecy and entangled in bureaucracy. The NGOs, Norwegian Church Aid and Church World Service, were accused of attempting to convert people after a local TV channel displayed images of several Afghans converting to Christianity. While Afghan law prohibits religious proselytizing, the TV videos do not explicitly indicate the involvement of the two NGOs in question. The leaders of these NGOs await the results of the investigations, though Afghanistan's "stagnant bureaucracy" is hindering their work in the interim. Full Story Pray for the efficiency of Afghanistan's bureaucracy. Pray for the leaders of the NGOs to be able to continue spreading the Gospel. 7/6/10 Indonesia (Compass Direct News) In Bekasi, Dialogue Fails and Another Church is Closed Another church has been closed in Indonesia as the government gives in to pressure from Muslim hardliners. The church's pastor said they had attempted talks with the government, but pressure from Islamic organizations, including the Islamic Defenders' Front, was so strong that the government gave in to it. On June 20, city officials sealed the building. The Bekasi City Area Deputy confessed that this measure was taken because of pressure from Islamic organizations upset by expanding Christian influence, but the church was closed on counts of zoning, permit, and construction violations. Since then, the congregation of 1,500 members has been meeting in a house while trying to apply for a building permit. Full Story Pray for the hope and courage of this church's congregation. Pray that the process for the building permit for a place to worship will move forward. 7/5/10 Pakistan (MNN) Pakistani Christians Stand up to Injustice, Evicted as a Result In the Khanewal Distrcit of Pakistan, 250 Christian families have been evicted from their homes by their Muslim landlord. Christian families spoke up against the landlord and their sons raping their wives and daughters, which have left them homeless. Unfortunately, this stand against maltreatment of women is against the norm in Pakistan. Women have few rights, and rape and other injustices committed against them typically go unpunished. Muslims are evicting the Christian families in an attempt to prevent them from speaking out again. The Gospel is spreading through Pakistan, but it is slowed by intimidation and fear of how Christians are treated. Full Story Pray that Christianity will continue spreading through Pakistan, despite the fear. Pray for the boldness of Christians to continue to stand up against injustice. 7/8/10 Egypt (AINA) Muslims Attempt to Behead Apostate in Egypt Egyptian Christian convert Maher el-Gowhary continues to be attacked for his faith. Leaving his private lodging in Cairo with his lawyer, two unknown men attacked el-Gowhary with daggers, aiming at his neck. Fortunately el-Gowhary turned his shoulder to aboid a beheading, but fell to the ground covered in blood. During the attack, one of the men shouted Islamic cries, called el-Gowhary an infidel, and cursed his Christian faith. The victim was left with heavy wounds but fears seeking any medical treatment. He blames the negative attitude of the Egyptian authorities and holds responsible the religious leaders who support the killing of others who are not Muslim. Full Story Pray for intolerance among Muslims to diminish in Egypt. Pray for the Father to bring peace between differing groups of people. Giving Made Easier! ICC Offers the Ability to Automate Your Monthly Gift! You can sign up to be a monthly supporter of the persecuted through a monthly credit card (or bank account) transfer via our website. Your automated recurring gift will help us plan, build, and serve the persecuted with greater confidence. Thank you for your ongoing commitment to serve our persecuted brothers and sisters. You can sign up for recurring gifts or make a secure online donation by clicking here. Thank you for caring and praying for the persecuted. 2020 Pennsylvania Ave. NW #941 Washington, D.C. 20006-1846 Web: www.persecution.org Phone: USA 1-800-422-5441 Email: icc@persecution.org

July 9, 2010 Quick Links Our Website Donate Now Sign up for our free Newsletter International Christian Concern Providing assistance, advocacy, and awareness to persecuted Christians with integrity toward God and our donors. "Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of the destitute." -Proverbs 31:8

Defend the cause of the weak and fatherless; maintain the rights of the poor and oppressed. Rescue the weak and needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked