INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER FOR THE PERSECUTED CHURCH November 5th, 2023

Source: VOMC

Today, there are more than 360 million Christians living in nations where they are subjected to high levels of persecution for their faith. As these believers undergo daily threats to their freedoms, securities and safety, their courageous faithfulness remains based on the reassuring promises that God's presence is with them in the midst of every difficulty they face.

Courage to Rise Above is the theme for this year's International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church (IDOP), which will be taking place on Sunday, November 5th. This is a day set aside by Christians around the world for the purpose of collectively praying on behalf of our brothers and sisters in Christ who are suffering persecution because of their faith. Each year, specific countries of focus are featured. For 2023, these nations are Nicaragua, Nigeria and India.

In preparation for this annual event, IDOP's ministry partners collaborate together to produce helpful resources that will encourage the body of Christ here in Canada to engage in active prayer for believers around the world who are encountering persecution. These easy-to-access resources are specially designed to help churches across our country incorporate the International Day of Prayer into their worship services or small group gatherings.
To download your free resource kit, go to IDOP.ca.

Please join us on Sunday, November 5th, in praying that our suffering global family in Christ will experience continued strength and confidence in the presence of our Saviour and Lord. 

As these persecuted believers receive the courage to "rise above," may they be empowered and equipped to testify as bold witnesses of God's unending goodness and love. 

And as we pray for them, may we likewise be motivated to remain resolute in our faith, living courageously and without fear, knowing that our Heavenly Father will assuredly be with us at all times as well.

SOMALIA: Al-Shabaab "Peace" Offer Poses Threat to Christian Minority

Source: VOMC
Sources: Religion News, MEMRI, The Lindisfarne Centre, Human Rights Watch

Photo: Voice of America

For years, the nation of Somalia has been in a state of political turmoil caused by rival factions that are fighting for control of the country, including the al-Qaeda affiliated group known as al-Shabaab. While this militant terrorist group frequently conducts indiscriminate attacks on innocent civilians in general, it is particularly known to target Christians.

Followers of Jesus in this East African nation, most of whom happen to be foreign workers, must worship in secret for fear of persecution. "Pastor John" is a Kenyan building contractor who leads a small group that meets in the home of a local believer. "We meet secretly in one of our houses and pray," he explains. "It's always a normal service, but there's no shouting and singing loudly.... It's very dangerous for anyone to identify you as a Christian in this country. You will, in fact, be counting your days on earth."
To learn more about the hardships faced by Christians in Somalia, go to our country report.

Al-Shabaab remains a dominant force as it wages war against the Somalian government. Although the United States has been providing military support for African Union forces seeking to stabilize the nation, challenges remain. In July, al-Shabaab published a proposal calling for the U.S. to engage in dialogue with them so they could negotiate a withdrawal similar to the peace agreement that was made with the Afghan Taliban in 2020.

The proposal, if accepted, would give the militants control of the country. For Christians, the dangers they presently experience would become much worse, since al-Shabaab has made it clear that they intend to totally eradicate Christianity from Somalia. The timing of the article published by al-Shabaab correlates with plans to reduce African Union troops in the country.

While there is no indication that the U.S. is prepared to accommodate this proposal, the situation raises further concerns for Christians who already fear for their lives. If this extremist group were to gain control of the country, it would result in a deliberate attempted eradication of the entire Christian minority from Somalia.

Remember your Christian brothers and sisters in Somalia who must worship in secret. 

Pray that these believers will receive the Lord's peace, protection and strength as they face ongoing danger from militants, and the possibility of increased threats against their lives. 

May God's Spirit continue to move powerfully throughout this East African nation, convicting the hearts of the militants and other Somalians in need of salvation – stirring them to repentance and faith in Christ Jesus.

PAKISTAN: Supreme Court Agrees to Hear Nayab Gill's Case

Source: VOMC
Sources: Eurasia Review, Kross Konnection, Morning Star News

Supreme Court of Pakistan Photo: Flickr / Guilhem Vellut (cc)

In May 2021, 13-year-old Nayab Gill was forcibly converted and married to a 30-year-old Muslim man named Saddam Hayat. Despite court challenges, custody was given to her "husband." (For more details, go to this report.) A year later, reports surfaced indicating that the young Christian girl may have been sold to someone else as a bride (details here). With support from various advocacy organizations, Nayab's parents have continued to fight for justice on behalf of their daughter.

In a promising update, the Supreme Court of Pakistan agreed on August 29th to hear a petition on behalf of Nayab. At the heart of the petition is the girl's age. Pakistani law specifies that any sexual relations with a girl under the age of 16 is rape and punishable by death. However, in contradiction, Islamic law states that any consenting girl who has reached puberty can marry. The family's lawyer argued that, even if allowed under Islamic law, Nayab was not of legal age to make such a decision without consent from one of her guardians.

The Supreme Court, in deciding to hear this case, has recognized the disconnect between the penal laws and Islamic Sharia laws over the concept of "adulthood." Consequently, the court has called on the government to respond to this discrepancy and resolve the issue by enacting legislation governing the age of marriage.

Since Nayab's "marriage" in 2021, the Islamabad High Court ruled in March 2022 that marriage under the age of 18 is prohibited, even if an individual claims to do so of their own free will. It is hoped that this ruling will direct the nation's government to establish a minimum age for marriage across the country.

Forcible conversions and marriages of underaged girls are far too common for impoverished religious minorities in Pakistan. Often, such families have little to no recourse against the influence of their employers and community leaders.
For additional reports on the persecution of Christians in Pakistan, go to our country report.

Pray that the hope and resolve of the Gill family will be strengthened in light of this recent action by the Supreme Court. 

As they anticipate the safe return of Nayab, may the members of her family receive greatly needed comfort, encouragement and peace. 

Specifically ask the Lord to lovingly watch over Nayab and tangibly convey His reassuring presence and care in her life, despite the circumstances in which she presently finds herself. 

Finally, pray that the courts will rule equitably in her case, and that the governing leaders of Pakistan will enact just legislation – providing protection to the country’s most vulnerable citizens – regardless of the pressures they may receive to do otherwise.

ALGERIA: Church Leader Convicted in Absentia

Source: VOMC
Source: Middle East Concern

Pastor Youssef Ourahmane Photo: Middle East Concern

Pastor Youssef Ourahmane is the vice president of the Èglise Protestante d'Algérie (EPA), an association consisting of more than 45 Protestant churches. Along with this leadership role, he also serves as a senior pastor who oversees a number of churches and Bible schools.

In March, Pastor Youssef held a small three-day gathering with a few Christian families. The compound where they met contains a church building that had been sealed by the government in 2019. Due to his hosting of the Christian gathering, Pastor Youssef was charged with holding an unauthorized religious assembly. The accused pastor was not informed of any court hearing nor a verdict until just recently and, consequently, he was not able to defend himself. As a result of the hearing, the church leader was sentenced to two years' imprisonment, along with a fine.

Pastor Youssef has since appealed the verdict, and the subsequent hearing date is scheduled for November 19th. The EPA has faced an ongoing campaign of opposition by the government in recent years, and today only a handful of churches remain open. There are at least ten ongoing court cases against Algerian Christians at this present time.
For more details on the persecution of Christians in this North African nation, go to our country report.

Please pray for the upcoming appeal hearing, asking that Pastor Youssef and his legal advisors will receive guidance, direction and peace, as well as the right words to say in response to these charges. 

May God touch the hearts of the court officials so they will rule in Pastor Youssef's favour. 

Further, pray that the government's campaign of opposition against churches in Algeria would cease, allowing our Christian brothers and sisters in this country to safely meet for times of worship and fellowship.

PAKISTAN: Christian Parents Charged with Blasphemy

Source: VOMC
Morning Star News, Kross Konnection, Eurasia Review

Shaukat Masih and his wife Kiran live in Lahore, Pakistan, with their three children, ages thirteen, nine and seven. The Christian couple has been accused of desecrating the Quran after loose pages fell from the rooftop of their house, even though they were not home at the time of the incident. As a result of the accusations, the couple has been detained. Without family members available to look after their three school-aged children, the accused parents arranged for the children to stay with another Christian family in the area.

Shaukat and Kiran are uncertain how the Quran pages could have fallen from their rooftop. A local Muslim man spotted the pages on the street by their house and began investigating. After being approached for an explanation, Kiran mentioned to him that perhaps her children had unintentionally thrown something down without realizing its significance. She then gave him access to their home.

When the man went up to the rooftop, he discovered a bag containing pages of the Quran tucked behind a water tank. In addition to threatening physical violence against the family, he immediately called the police. The man also called for others to join him, resulting in attempts to physically harm the Christians. Although the police were able to intervene, and thankfully diffuse the situation, they then took the couple into custody.

The lawyer representing the accused couple is confident that they will be found innocent, since there is no evidence that they committed a deliberate act of desecration. Shaukat was at work at the time and Kiran had been at a neighbour's house, returning home only after hearing the commotion. She claims that the bag containing the pages had been given to her by a Muslim employer to sell to a scrap vendor.

The three children are reportedly very upset about the situation and face various challenges. The eldest child, Sarar, suffers from a disease known as rickets, while nine-year-old Sundas is mentally handicapped. The youngest, Ruby, clearly misses her detained parents.
For other reports on the persecution of Christians in Pakistan, go to our country report.

Prayerfully remember Shaukat and Kiran during their detention. May this Christian couple receive greatly needed peace through the presence of God's Holy Spirit, confidently entrusting Him with the outcome – especially as it concerns their children. 

Please also pray for Sarar, Sundas and Ruby during this difficult time of separation from their parents, asking that they would be granted comfort, provision and protection by their loving Heavenly Father. 

May the judicial officials dealing with this case realize that there are no valid charges against Shaukat and Kiran, and thus release the couple so they can soon be reunited with their children.

ERITREA: Approximately 50 Believers Recently Released!

Source: VOMC
Source: Church in Chains

In April, a group of 103 young Christian musicians were arrested in the Eritrean capital of Asmara. They had gathered to sing songs of praise, which were to be shared on YouTube, but the young Christians were deemed by the government to be involved in an illegal religious gathering.
For more information on this incident, see this page.

In Eritrea, those arrested for religious reasons seldom receive formal charges or face trial. Rather, they are frequently detained under brutal conditions without any news of their location being released to their families.
For more information on other cases involving our suffering Eritrean family in Christ, including informative videos about the challenges they experience in this repressive East African country, go to our country report.

We are thankful to report that Dr. Berhane Asmelash from VOMC's partnering organization, Release Eritrea, recently announced that about half of the young people who were detained have been released from custody! No further details on the situation were available at the time of publishing this report.

Praise God for the release of these musically talented Christian young people! Pray that they will experience complete recuperation from their time of detention.

Continue to pray for the young believers remaining in custody, along with the hundreds of other arrested Christians who are presently imprisoned in Eritrea because of their faith. 

Just as Paul and Silas sang praises during their imprisonment (Acts 16), pray that – despite the horrific circumstances – our imprisoned Eritrean brothers and sisters in Christ will also be able to sing songs of sacrificial praise to God. While doing so, may the ushering of His presence through their music stir the hearts of fellow prisoners and guards who have yet to accept Jesus as their Saviour and Lord.

NEPAL: Church Attacked as Part of Growing Trend

Source: VOMC
Source: International Christian Concern

A church service in Nepal. Photo: World Watch Monitor

Two churches in the same town of Nepal's Lumbini Province were attacked during the first four days of September. Reports describing the incident indicate that damage was done to the facilities of both churches, as well as to a motorbike. In one photograph, two men identified as pastors are shown being assaulted on the street. A sticky black substance was smeared on their faces in an act considered a cultural sign of disrespect and hatred.

These attacks are only the latest in a series of at least seven incidents of violence against churches in Nepal over a two-week period. While addressing the recent wave of attacks, a Nepalese human rights leader stated that the lack of response from authorities has encouraged perpetrators to increase their persecution of the Christian community. "It's spreading like wildfire," he said.

Nepal has strict anti-conversion laws, which have been an impetus for opposition against the country's Christian population. Anyone convicted of participating in proselytization of any kind faces a sentence of up to six years in prison.
For more information on the persecution facing followers of Jesus in Nepal, go to our country report.

On behalf of the Christians in Nepal who are experiencing increased persecution, please pray for their needed protection, guidance and encouragement as they faithfully seek to fulfill Christ's mandate to share the Gospel message. 

May the Lord provide the members of these recently attacked churches with the resources required to repair the damages inflicted by hostile community members. 

Additionally, pray that the authorities would take action to prevent further violence against our Nepalese brothers and sisters in Christ, bringing to justice those who are responsible for these attacks.

NIGERIA: Seminary Student Dies in Fire

Source: VOMC
Sources: ACN International, Catholic News Agency, Daily Post

Na'aman Danlami Photo: Aid to the Church in Need

In what appears to have been a failed kidnapping attempt, a Catholic seminary student died of smoke inhalation on September 7th after the parish rectory was set on fire. The priest and his ministry assistant were able to escape the fire, but 25-year-old Na'aman Danlami was unable to get out of the building in time.

According to news reports, Fulani bandits attempted to enter the rectory of the St. Raphael parish in Fadan Kamantan, a town located in southern Kaduna State. It is believed that they intended to kidnap the parish priest, Emmanuel Okolo. Unable to gain access into the building, the assailants set the residence on fire. The assault lasted for more than an hour, even though a military checkpoint is situated only a kilometre away. The attackers eventually fled the area.

Addressing concerns over this recent incident, the chair for the Kaduna Chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Rev. John Joseph Hayab, stated: "Security is everyone's business; it is disappointing that this kind of unholy activity could be recorded at the heart of [the] Fadan Kamantan community, and [that] the criminals operate unchallenged. It is a slap to the security forces within that jurisdiction. It is a slap to the religious leaders, [as well as to the] traditional and community leaders." For more information on the violence being encountered by Nigerian Christians, go to our country report.

Pray for all those who are now mourning the loss of this young Christian man. May each one of these grieving believers be filled with God's love, comfort and perfect peace through the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit. 

In the midst of ongoing attacks perpetrated by the members of various militant groups, please continue to prayerfully uphold our persecuted Nigerian brothers and sisters in Christ, asking the Lord to provide greatly needed protection to those in Kaduna and other areas of this troubled African nation.

INDONESIA: Worshippers Threatened with Death

Source: VOMC
Sources: Radar Sumbar, Morning Star News, Kompas.id

Photo: VOMC

The Sola Gratia congregation of the Bethel Indonesia Church meets in various homes in Jalan Banuaran, a village located in Padang, Indonesia. As the Christians were gathered for worship in the rented home of Juni Anton Zai on the evening of August 29th, a hostile woman in the community broke the windows of the house and demanded that those inside stop worshipping. According to Pastor Hiatani Ziduhu Hia, the woman, who was later identified as Liza, claimed to be the owner of the house.

Shortly after this incident, Liza's husband came to the house, along with two of his brothers. Armed with a machete and a wooden club, the men demanded that the worship meeting stop, and then threatened to kill the Christians if they refused. The believers continued to pray while the pastor tried in vain to calmly diffuse the situation.

Pastor Hiatani explained to the assailants that the landlord already knows the house is occasionally used as a place of worship, and that the head of their Indonesian community is also aware of the church's activities. It was eventually ascertained that the woman is a relative of the owner and lives in the back of a nearby house.

Although the police detained Liza, they are referring to the incident as a "misunderstanding." Pastor Hiatani hopes that the authorities will take the situation seriously, particularly because of the death threats, and endeavour to resolve the issue fairly.
To read about further incidents of opposition towards Christians in Indonesia, go to our country report.

Pray that there will truly be a peaceful resolution to this volatile situation, allowing the church members who are renting the home to continue living there safely, despite the opposition. 

May God work mightily in the hearts and minds of the opposing community members, as well as the authorities involved in the case, so that harmonious relationships can be built between the tenants and the landlord's family.

PAKISTAN: Pastor Shot in Jaranwala

Please see an important update below before reading this case.

Source: VOMC
Sources: Kross Konnection, UCA News, Daily Pakistan, Morning Star News

Pastor Eleazar Sidhu after his injuries. Photo: Morning Star News

On August 16th, protests by thousands of angry Muslims in the Christian colony of Jaranwala resulted in damages to hundreds of homes and over 20 churches. For more details on this recent incident, view our report from August 24th and a very informative video alert.

While the intense violence has been quelled, tensions persist throughout the region, and the anti-Christian sentiment which fuelled the violence remains. Eleazar Sidhu serves as the pastor of the Myong-Sang Naserth Church in Jaranwala, which was one of the many churches attacked in the riots. On August 28th, Islamic slogans were painted on the wall of the church building, including a curse against Pastor Eleazar. This vandalism was reported to the police and the writing has since been painted over.

A few days later, a group of people intercepted Pastor Eleazar and threatened to kill him because he had removed the writing. On September 3rd, the church leader was returning to his home when two unidentified men approached him. Pulling out a pistol, one demanded that Pastor Eleazar recite the Kalima (the Islamic declaration of faith). When the pastor instead began reciting the Apostles' Creed, the man shot him in the upper chest and then fled.

Pastor Eleazar was taken to the hospital, where doctors were able to remove the bullet. While he lost a lot of blood, the pastor is now considered to be out of danger and, thankfully, recovering well after surgery. The incident has led to renewed concerns regarding the safety of Christians in the area. Police guards have been deployed at churches, but there is scepticism about whether this will be an effective means of protecting worshippers at risk.

Pray for the complete healing of Pastor Eleazar, asking that this Christian leader and his family members will tangibly sense God's comforting presence throughout his recovery. 

Praise the Lord that there have been no reported casualties due to the ongoing religious tensions in Jaranwala. 

Please pray for the Lord's protection over His people in this troubled city, as well as those residing in other areas within the nation of Pakistan. 

Also ask for His intervention in the affairs of the country so that the blasphemy laws, which are so commonly abused, will be revoked.

SEPTEMBER 7th, 2023
PAKISTAN REPORT UPDATE

We regret to inform you that information regarding a situation in Pakistan, which was published in the September 7th Persecution & Prayer Alert, has proven to be false. The report was about a Pakistani pastor named Eleazar Sidhu who claimed to have been accosted by unknown assailants and then shot on September 3rd. It has since come to light that his allegations were false and his injury was, in fact, self-inflicted. The Presbyterian Church of Pakistan recently dismissed Pastor Eleazar after he confessed to making the false allegations.

In a video published online, Pastor Eleazar claimed that his actions were motivated by stress and a desire for police protection – in response to the violence that had been targeting Christians in his community. Whatever the motivation for his actions, we encourage prayer for him and the leadership of the denomination during this difficult time.

NIGERIA: Pastor Killed in Kaduna State

Source: VOMC
Sources: Morning Star News, Vatican News, Legit Nigeria, Punch Nigeria

Multitudes of Nigerian Christians have died for their faith since 2009.

Violence perpetrated by various terrorist groups has been continuing unabated in Nigeria, particularly against Christians. Even with increased security measures in place, Islamic militants continue to conduct deadly raids on Christian communities. A report released in April indicated that over 50,000 followers of Jesus have died and over 18,000 churches were set ablaze since the Boko Haram insurgency began in 2009. Those numbers continue to rise, particularly with the increasing attacks by Islamic Fulani groups.
For more details on the violence against Christians in Nigeria, go to our country report.

On August 23rd, Pastor Jeremiah Mayau from the Tawaliu Baptist Church was shot and killed by unknown assailants while he was working in his agricultural field. At the time of publishing this report, details surrounding the attackers' identities and motives remain unknown. Rev. Joseph John Hayab, who serves as the chair for the Kaduna chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria, refers to the attack as "barbaric." In his statement addressing the incident, Rev. Joseph called on security agencies to exercise greater vigilance to halt this type of activity in the state.

May God provide greatly needed comfort to the loved ones, friends and church family of Pastor Jeremiah during this time of mourning. 

Pray that the members of the Tawaliu Baptist Church will remain steadfast in their faith, receiving strength, vigour and encouragement from the Lord as they faithfully reach out to the members of their community with the message of eternal life through Jesus Christ. 

Additionally, pray that Nigerian authorities would not only bring those responsible for this attack to justice, but that there would also be increased vigilance among the country's security forces in providing protection to our vulnerable Christian brothers and sisters.

CHINA: New Laws Tighten Grip on Churches

Source: VOMC
Sources: Release International, AnglicanTV Ministries, UCA News

Religious symbols have been removed from the exterior of numerous church buildings.

The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has released new religious restrictions which took effect on September 1st, bringing added concerns in a country already experiencing increased repressive measures. The new rules require religious venues to submit to the leadership of the CCP and its plans for the "sinicization" of religion.

According to the State Administration for Religious Affairs, all religious activities will be limited to official venues only and religious symbols must not be displayed outdoors. In recent years, more than 1,500 crosses have been torn down from officially recognized churches in the Zhejiang province alone. It is expected that such enforcements will increase under these new rules.

The new regulations also put further stipulations on the preaching taking place in government-approved churches. For example, pastors' sermons must now reflect China's politics and the values of President Xi Jinping, demonstrating their full support for the Communist Party of China and its socialist system. Any clergy members refusing to comply face disqualification from preaching.

While such regulations are specifically aimed at the official Three-Self churches, the policies will undoubtedly be used against underground churches that have refused to be placed under government control.
For more details on the persecution encountered by Christians in China, go to our country report.

Prayerfully uphold those who are seeking to share the message of the Gospel in this increasingly repressive nation, asking the Lord to grant them wisdom and discretion. 

Please also remember our Chinese brothers and sisters in Christ who currently remain imprisoned for their faith, praying that they will be granted divinely appointed opportunities to minister to others around them. 

Finally, pray that God will work mightily in the hearts of China's leaders, including President Xi Jinping, leading each one to repentance and a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.

Mali - New Christian Family Pressured to Leave Village

 

A Baptism in Mali

Aug. 24, 2023 | Mali

Kalifa and his family were all Muslims living in a Muslim village. But then, Kalifa placed his trust in Christ during an evangelistic outreach earlier this year, becoming the first Christian in his village. When others in Kalifa’s Muslim community learned about his newfound faith in Christ, they began to persecute him and his family with verbal insults and physical attacks. As Kalifa and his family continue to face opposition from their community, front-line workers request prayer for strength and endurance for them.

WHAT IT MEANS TO FOLLOW CHRIST IN MALI:
In 2012, believers fled to the south as extremist groups in the north destroyed church buildings and pastors’ homes in their efforts to create an Islamic state. Christian converts from Islam face harassment from family members and their communities. Open and active churches exist in the north, though outreach and evangelism in the community can be dangerous. Several pastors were forced to leave after receiving death threats for actively sharing their faith.

ACCESS TO BIBLES:
Bibles are scarce and difficult to obtain outside the capital, especially in minority languages.

Pray for Kalifa, his family and that other new believers will be discipled and rooted in their Christian faith. 
Pray that churches in the north will shine the light of Christ while being marginalized and mistreated. 
Pray for unity in the body of Christ as Malian believers endure persecution together. 
Pray for those proclaiming the gospel in the north, a stronghold for Islamist activity.

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