9/14/11 Nigeria (ICC) Alliance of Nigeria's Islamic Radical Group with Al-Qaeda Threatens Christians - Christians in Nigeria are concerned about reports of a possible alliance between Boko Haram, a local radical Islamic group, and Al-Qaeda. The Nigerian government discovered that the August 26 attack on the United Nations office in the country was a collaborative effort of the two groups. The car bomb attack killed 23 and wounded 80 people. Boko Haram has been responsible for the killing of Christians, moderate Muslims and security officers in Nigeria since 2009. In June and July alone, the group killed at least ten Christians in the northern city of Maiduguri. Members of Boko Haram fight to introduce Sharia law all over Nigeria. Full Story Pray for the increasing violence directed towards Christians in Nigeria. Pray that their faith may be strong amidst such persecution. Pray for the families of those who have been killed as a result of the increasing violence, that they may be comforted by promises and hope of Jesus Christ. Pray for the government in Nigeria as they continue to deal with these radical Islamic groups. Pray that they have wisdom and power in administering the law and control.

9/13/11 Afghanistan (ServinginMissions) Two Christian Aid Workers Confirmed Dead in Afghanistan - Serving in Missions (SIM) reports the death of two of their staff, Siegbert Stocker, 69, and Willi Ehret, 59, who had been missing in Afghanistan since August. Their bodies were found on September 5. No terrorist organization, including the Taliban, has taken responsibility for their murders. The death of the Christian workers follows the murder of eight aid workers and two nationals, including IAM doctor Tom Little, in August 2010. The Taliban claimed responsibility for their deaths, accusing the Christian workers of being "American spies" and "preaching Christianity". Full Story Pray for the families of Mr. Stocker and Mr. Ehret. Pray for Afghanistan and the volatility that still exists there. Pray for Ruth Ehret who is currently serving in Malawi, and for their children and grandchildren, who are scattered throughout the world.

9/13/11 India (AsiaNews) Police Arrest Four Pastors and 11 Christian Converts - Indian police arrested four pastors and eleven Hindu converts to Christianity who wanted to be baptized. They were arrested after Hindu radicals accused the pastors of forcefully converting the Hindus. Such false accusations are routinely used against Christians by Hindu radicals. After a night in jail, they were released on bail. It is the latest episode of aggression by Hindu nationalists against Pentecostal pastors. But Sajan K. George, president of the Global Council of Indian Christians (GCIC), points out: "The situation is alarming for all Chrisitians. Madhya Pradesh is a rogue state that does not guarantee any rights of the Constitution in this community." Pastors Ramesh, Balu and Ashok were driving to a prayer meeting attended by 20 other people. Of these, 11 were to be baptized. Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) activists armed with sticks broke into the house, along with three local police officers. The pastors tried to explain what was happening, but the activitsts began to attack them, accusing them of practicing forced conversions. Along with the Hindu group, the police tried to coerce the faithful to file false charges against Pastor Ramesh on charges of forced conversions. The group refused, saying they wanted to be baptized as believers in Christ. Full Story Praise God for the converts who have put their faith in Christ as savior! Also, praise Him for their faithfulness to Christ despite the coercion faced. Pray for the faith and strength of the new converts to be faithful to Christ as they will surely face opposition for their faith. Pray for Madhya Pradesh, as this seems to be an area that is increasingly hostile to Christians.

9/13/11 Bhutan (CDN) Christians Accused of Coercion in Evangelism - Christians in the Buddhist nation of Bhutan have been awaiting a decision on whether they will receive official recognition, but it appears they will first see a measure against fraudulent conversion that the prime minister acknowledges is essentially designed to deter evangelism. In this tiny country tucked between China and India in the Himalayan Mountains, Bhutan's parliamaent is considering an amendment to the penal code that seeks to penalize conversion by coercion or inducement. Under proposed Section 463 of the Penal Code, "a defendant shall be guilty of the offense of proselytization if the defendant uses coercion or other forms of inducement to cause the conversion of a person from one religion to another," according to the government-run Kuensel newspaper. Prime Minister Jigmi Yoser Thinley told Compass Direct the proposed clause in the penal code was "essentially... to deter conversion," saying there was no reason why Christians should seek to induce others to join their faith. Full Story Pray that the government does not pass this amendment, therefore allowing people to freely choice their faith without fear of imprisonment. Pray that the Prime Minister might see the joy and character that comes with knowing Christ as savior. Pray that Christians continue to display true Christianity and do not give the government any reason to doubt what Christianity is like.

9/13/11 Sudan (CDN) Muslim Extremists in Sudan Threaten to Target Christians - Muslim extremists have sent text messages to at least 10 church leaders in Khartoum saying they are planning to target Christian leaders, buildings, and institutions, Christian sources in Khartoum said. "We want this country to be purely an Islamic state, so we must kill the infidels and destroy their churches all over Sudan," said one text message circulating in Khartoum last month. The text messages were sent in July and August. Church leaders here said they fear more persecution as they and their flocks become targets of local Islamists. In addition, Muslim extremists from Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh arrive in Sudan every two weeks to undergo training in secret camps in Khartoum before they are sent to various parts of Sudan to preach Islam and demolish church buildings according to a Christian source in Khartoum. Full Story Pray for the Christians in Sudan who have seen little peace over the last several years. Pray for their faith, protection, and resilience in spite of constant persecution from Muslim extremists. Pray that the Muslims who are in contact with Christians in Sudan will be amazed by the love, mercy, and grace of Jesus Christ. Pray that the Muslims will not fulfill their promises to target Christians.

9/12/11 Indonesia (AsiaNews) Rumors Lead to Violence Against Christians; 7 Dead and 65 Injured - The toll from the violent clashes between Christians and Muslims in Ambon, capital of the Moluccas, in the eastern Indonesian archipelago, is seven dead and sixty-five wounded. The violence was triggered after the accidental death of a taxi driver who crashed his motorcycle. However, during the funeral a rumor was spread that Darkin Saimen - who lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a house - was attacked by a group of Christians. Riot police were called in to quell the reaction of the Islamic community. Two police officers were among the dead. Gen. Anton Bahrul Alam, national police spokesman, said that the autopsy confirmed the death of the taxi driver in the crash. "The doctors found no sign of violence," said the officer, who also added that in the subsequent clashes, there were injuries and damage to public buildings. Full Story Pray for both the Muslims and Christian who have maintained hostility towards one another. Pray that the Christians display the love of Christ, not hostility, and the Muslims will see the Spirit of Christ in Christian's actions. Pray for the families of those who died in the clashes. Pray for comfort and forgiveness. Pray for Indonesia, the country with the worlds largest Muslim population, that the name of Christ might be lifted high and that the gospel of Christ may be displayed.

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