4/26/11 United Kingdom (Guardian) Afghan Christians to be deported despite death fears- Two Christian men are scheduled to be deported to Kabul, Afghanistan, on Wednesday despite their request for asylum in the UK for fear of being martyred in Afghanistan "If the Taliban don't execute me for being a Christian, my family will," one of the men, Ahmed Faizi, 29, told his friend. When the Guardian's press release was issued on Tuesday, Faizi had begun his sixth day of a hunger strike at the immigration removal center near Heathrow. The other man scheduled for deportation, Ali Hussani, was baptised into Christianity just two weeks ago, but Marie Lutter, a member of the Jesus Army, believes he is sincere. "I think he's probably at risk of being imprisoned or killed," she said. "The other Afghan boys have ostracized him since he became a Christian; they have refused to speak to him or eat with him. He is an orphan, and if he arrives in Kabul, he [will have] no one to defend him." Full Story Pray that God would protect Ahmed and Ali and that their faith would remain strong. Pray that authorities would have wisdom about how to compassionately help Ahmed and Ali. Pray that Ahmed and Ali would be strong witnesses and that many would come to Christ through their story.

4/25/11 Algeria (ICC) Algerian Christians arrested for proselytizing and blasphemy- Two Algerian Christians are scheduled to appear in court on charges of proselytizing and blasphemy and may face a five year prison sentence. Sofiane and Krimo were arrested in Oran on April 14 after sharing their Christian faith with their neighbors. Sofiane, was released a day after their arrest, while Krimo was imprisoned for three days. A court hearing, initially scheduled for April 27, was postponed to a later date. Algerian Christians are fearful that a law introduced in 2006 – requiring religious services to obtain a government permit to worship – will be applied, which may result in a five year imprisonment and a fine of 100,000 Algerian dinars (equivalent to 1,390 USD). Church leadership has expressed frustration over the government’s negligence to lay out a set procedure to register a church or to approve a permit quickly. Full Report. Pray that Sofiane and Krimo would be acquitted of all charges. Pray that the law introduced in 2006 would be declared unconstitutional and repealed. Pray that God would grow and strengthen the Algerian church.

4/23/11 Iran (Mohabat News) Warning from the Ayatollah: 600 have become Christian in the city of Neyshabour!- Christianity has been growing rapidly in Iran, especially among young people. However, with this growth has come increasing persecution. Ayatollah Sobhani, from the Southern Khoarasan Province, reported that 600 people converted to Christianity in the city of Neyshabour, though he did not say how this information was gathered. His proclamation was a warning to Muslims. He also accused the Vatican of being involved in the spread of Christianity and threatened to expose negative information about the Catholic Church. Full Story Pray that the gospel would continue to go forth in Iran and that many Muslims would be saved. Pray for the protection of the church and that believers would be filled with peace and boldness.

4/23/11 India (The Christian Post) 15,000 Indian Christians protest against persecution on Good Friday- On Good Friday in Mumbai, India, around 15,000 Christians participated in the 24th Annual Lenten Walking Pilgrimage to commemorate Christ's road to Calvary while also raising awareness about Christian persecution in India. The procession, during which many Christians fasted and walked barefoot, was meant to raise awareness about the “increasing and continued attacks on Christians, including their organizations, institutions, property and businesses, and especially the plight of women and children who suffer more than the direct victims in the aftermath of persecution,” the event’s chief organizer Joseph Dias said. Between 100 and 200 attacks have been carried out against Christians annually since 2008. Full Story Pray that those who witnessed the procession would be moved by their fellow citizens and work to improve the situation for Christians. Pray that Christians would continue to stand firm in their faith and that God would bless and protect them. Pray that many more people in India would be saved.

4/27/11 Vietnam (AsiaNews) Bishop of Kontum held by police on charges of having "baptized people"- Bishop Michael Hoany Duc Oanh was questioned for hours after holding Easter Mass and listening to confessions in a village within central Vietnam. Authorities gave him permission to hold mass in the village but then accused him of exceeding what he was given permission to do by baptizing people. However, the bishop claims that he didn't perform any baptisms. Furthermore, during the service, non-Christians laughed and made jokes.AsiaNews believes that their hostility is fueled at least in part by the 50 thousand baptisms which have take place over the past two years.Bishop Michael Hoany Duc Oanh was questioned for hours after holding Easter Mass and listening to confessions in a village within central Vietnam. Authorities gave him permission to hold mass in the village but then accused him of exceeding what he was given permission to do by baptizing people. However, the bishop claims that he didn't perform any baptisms. AsiaNews believes that their hostility is fueled at least in part by the 50 thousand baptisms which have take place over the past two years. Full Story Pray that Vietnam would become less hostile to Christians. Pray that Christians would be able to withstand mocking and restrictions with boldness and love. Pray that the gospel would continue to spread in Vietnam and that there would be many more baptisms.

4/26/11 Ethiopia (ICC) Four Ethiopian Muslims beat evangelist to death, assault his pregnant wife- On April 21 four Muslims beat an evangelist to death and assaulted his pregnant wife in Worabe, Ethiopia, an area that is 97% Muslim. Evangelist Abraham Abera died on the spot, but his wife, who sustained a severe head injury and was left unconcious on the street, was found and taken to a hospital in Butajira, where she regained consciousness on April 22. Though Birtukan did suffer injuries to her mid-section, her unborn baby fortunately survived the attack. Birtukan spoke with an ICC source and said she knew two of the attackers. She said as the Muslims were beating her and her husband, they told them, "You [Christians] are growing in number in our area. You are spreading your message [the gospel]. We will destroy you." The attackers still remain at large. A Christian leader in the area told ICC that the men may not be arrested because the local officials are also Muslims. Full Story Pray that Birtukan would heal fully and that her baby would be healthy and safe. Pray that Birtukan would have support as she raises her child without her husband and that as the child grows up, he/she would develop a strong relationship with the Lord. Pray for the safety of Christians in Muslim majority regions in Ethiopia and that the gospel would go forth.

4/28/11 Pakistan (BBC News) Climate of fear over Pakistan blasphemy laws- The murder of two prominent politicians who encouraged debate about Pakistan's blasphemy laws has quieted much of the laws' opposition. Pakistani Minorities Minister Shahbaz Bhatti and Punjab Governor Salman Taseer were shot within weeks of each other as a result of their involvement in the debates. Opponents of the blasphemy laws have argued that in most cases people are falsely accused of blasphemy to settle personal disputes. Furthermore, even those who have been aquitted are often still in danger of being murdered by extremists. Full Story Pray that God would raise up popular leaders to challenge the blasphemy laws and that true change would be enacted in Pakistan. Pray that the Lord would protect his people in Pakistan and all those who have been accused of blasphemy. Pray that the gospel would spread in Pakistan.

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