News and Prayer for the Persecuted

4/5/11 Pakistan (SperoForum) Christian Man Goes into Hiding After Muslims Warm Him to Convert or Face Death- The recent burning of a Qur’an by an American pastor has sparked outrage in the Muslim community at home and abroad. Masih Gill, a Pakistani Christian, was threatened to “covert or die” after the burning of Islam’s holy book went viral. According to sources, Gill was trying to defend his faith when incensed Muslims began to threaten him--even stating that they would charge him before Pakistani authorities with blasphemy. Thus, because of the death threats and concern over false accusations of blasphemy, Masih Gill has gone into hiding. However, being in hiding means that Mr. Gill is not able to see his wife and children. But, fortunately, thanks to the Masihi Foundation, Masih Gill’s wife and children are being harbored in a safe location. Full Story Pray that the outrage over the Qur’an burning incident will quickly die down. Pray for the safety and well-being of Christians around the globe who are being physically threatened, because of the Qur’an burning incident. Pray for the safety of Masih Gill and his family. Pray that Mr. Gill and his family will soon be able to come out of hiding and resume a normal life.

4/4/11 Iran (BosNewsLife) Iran Christians Face Blasphemy Trial; Death Sentence Possible- On April 5, 2011, five Iranian Christian converts will be placed on trial for blasphemy against Islam--a charge that carries the death penalty in this strict Islamic nation. If convicted, Pastor Behrouz Sadegh-Khandjani, Mehdi Furutan, Parviz Khalaj, Mohammad Beliad, and his wife Nazly Makarian Beliad, could receive more prison time and perhaps death. These believers were imprisoned for “crimes against the Islamic Order.” It was initially assumed that, because of jail time already being served, the blasphemy charges would be automatically dropped. However, this assumption was incorrect, and the trial is still set for April 5, 2011. Full Story Pray that the five Christians will win their trial and all charges will be dropped. Pray that Iran will do away with its blasphemy law. Pray that these Christian converts will stand strong in the face of persecution. Pray for the Lord to give these Christians indescribable peace and joy, so tangible that Iranian Muslims will begin to inquire about Christianity.

4/4/11 Pakistan (ANS) Death Threats Issued Against Christian Human Rights Activists- Prior to 1992, Christian lawyers were afraid to take on blasphemy cases arising in Islamic countries, especially in Pakistan. However, with the creation of CLAAS (Center for Legal Aid Assistance and Settlement), these difficult and sometimes life-threatening cases are being tackled. Today, CLAAS, under the leadership of Mr. Joseph Francis, provides legal assistance to people who are persecuted because of their faith. Unfortunately, Mr. Francis has been receiving very serious death threats for his work on the repeal of Pakistan’s blasphemy law. Naveed Walter, President of Human Rights Focus Pakistan (HRFP), told the ASSIST News Service that he is concerned for the safety of Mr. Francis and other Christian leaders who are also receiving disturbing threats. Full Story Pray that the Pakistani government will do away with its blasphemy law. Pray that the Lord will place a hedge of protection around Mr. Joseph Francis and other Christian leaders who are defending human rights in Pakistan.

4/3/11 China (AsiaNews) Beijing and Guangzhou Attack Underground Churches- Recently, many Chinese landlords have succumbed to government pressure and stopped renting their facilities to Christian congregations. For example, members of the Shouwang Church in Beijing will have nowhere to worship after Sunday, because the landlord felt “immense” pressure to stop renting to these faithful believers. Though the Shouwang congregation will be “homeless" after this week, they plan to continue to gather to worship - outdoors if they must. The Guangzhou house church was also left without a place to gather when its landlord succumbed to government pressure and stopped renting out his facilities to this growing congregation. Hopefully, both the Guangzhou and Shouwang Church will find new and more tolerant venues. Full Story Pray that members of both the Shouwang and Guangzhou church will find a new building to worship in. Pray that Chinese landlords will stop succumbing to pressure and continue to rent to their Christian neighbors. Pray that the Chinese government will stop applying pressure to landlords who want to rent their facilities to Christian congregations.

4/2/11 Nepal (AsiaNews) Christians on Hunger Strike for Cemetery in Nepal- On March 20, 2011, thousands of Christians marched with empty coffins (and empty stomachs) in front of Nepalese government offices. Why? These faithful, fasting believers were begging the government of Kathmandu to allot them plots of land to bury their loved ones. In recent years, there has been a limited amount of land available to Christians, forcing them to bury their dead on top of one another in the same tomb. In 2009, Christians were given the Shleshmantak Forest as a place to bury their dead, but unfortunately, this forest was right next to a Hindu temple. This decision sparked protests from Hindus around the country, forcing the government to ban Christian burials in Shleshmantak Forest. Although the Nepalese government has lifted the ban, radical Hindus continue to stop Christians from burying their dead in the forest. Full Story Pray that the Nepalese government allot Christians land to bury their dead. Pray that Nepalese Christians will obtain burial land that is far away from any sort of Hindu temple. Pray that Nepalese Hindus will see something special, a light, (which is Christ) in their Christian neighbors.

4/2/11 Vietnam (StraitsTimes) Vietnam Steps Up Repression of Christian Group- Recently, the Vietnamese government has been harassing the Montagnards, a peaceful group of Christians living in the Central Highlands of Vietnam. Although the Montagnards have always been a target of Christian persecution, it has just been recently that the Vietnamese government has stepped up its repression of this indigenous minority--forcing hundreds to renounce their religion. According to reports, “…the Vietnamese government has increased its harassment of peaceful ethnic minority Christians in the Central Highlands, targeting members of unregistered house churches.” Full Report. Pray that the Vietnamese government will stop harassing and persecuting the Montagnards. Pray that Christians from other countries will step in and help their Vietnamese brothers and sisters in Christ. Pray that the Lord will place a hedge of protection around Vietnamese Christians.

3/31/11 India (ChristianToday) Police Arrest Twelve Indians; Accuse Them of Illegally Converting to Christianity- According to the Orissa Freedom of Religion Act (OFRA), religious conversions can only take place after permission has been granted by the local police and district magistrate. The order stipulates that a citizen wishing to convert must undergo a police inquiry to explain his or her reasons. Thus, on March 29, 2011, twelve tribals were arrested for undergoing religious conversions in an “illegal” manner. Nine out of the twelve arrested tribals were women, but all were booked under Section 4 of Orissa’s Freedom of Religion Act. Orissa police are now out searching for two Baptist pastors who have received “complaints.” Hopefully, these faithful servants will not be found. Full Story Pray that the government of India will rewrite its Constitution so that citizens will be able to freely convert--sans explanation or permission from any type of authority. Pray that the twelve tribals that were arrested will be immediately released. Pray that Indian authorities will stop trying to find the Baptist pastors.

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