The Persecution & Prayer Alert The Voice of the Martyrs, Canada http://www.persecution.net Wednesday, October 16, 2002

A summary of news concerning the Persecuted Church and how you can respond.

*********************************** Contents: 1. Missing Convert In Prison (Egypt) 2. Protests Against New Conversion Law (India) 3. Amendments to Canada’s Criminal Code a Matter of Concern (Canada) 4. Prayer is Doing Something (Editorial) 5. Question of the Week 6. Persecution Conference – November 2 (Canada)

*********************************** 1. Missing Convert In Prison (Egypt)

A letter smuggled out of Cairo’s Mazraa Tora Prison last month confirmed that an Egyptian convert to Christianity who disappeared five months ago has been imprisoned on alleged criminal charges. In an October 15 news release, Compass Direct reported on a handwritten letter they obtained from Hisham Samir Abdel Latif Ibrahim, 26. In the letter, Ibrahim wrote to a Coptic Christian cleric, confirming that he had been arrested in early May by Egyptian security police. He is accused of reviling Islam and of falsifying his identity papers by obtaining Christian ID papers based on a newly issued birth certificate. Egyptian Muslims are forbidden by law to change their religious identity, even though incentives are given for Christians to convert to Islam. Following his arrest, he writes, Ibrahim was questioned for 52 days by the state security investigation (SSI) in Cairo and has appeared three times before a state prosecutor. The legal charges against him were filed under Case No. 1092, opened in 2001.

Ibrahim was born in Alexandria to a Muslim family but became a Christian in 1996 through a Christian radio program “Yanabi El Sahara” (Fountains in the Desert).

In his letter, Ibrahim refers to two other former Muslims who are in prison for converting to Christianity. A fellow prisoner, Mazraa Tora Mohammed Hegazy from Port Said, is accused of insulting an officer of Egyptian security police and was scheduled to appear September 18 before a state prosecutor to answer the charges. Ibrahim’s prosecutor also reportedly told him of a woman from Port Said named Sara, who had been arrested. “I don’t know if she is still detained or not,” Ibrahim wrote.

Pray for Ibrahim, Hegazy, Sara, and others who have been arrested, imprisoned, tortured, and constantly harassed for their faith in Jesus Christ. Pray for the Spirit of God to surround them, giving them the strength to stand.

*********************************** 2. Protests Against New Conversion Law (India)

In a rare show of solidarity, Christian, Islamic, and Dalit (untouchable) leaders met on October 10 in Madurai, India to plan action against a new law passed in Tamil Nadu state in southern India. The new law, issued on October 5, 2002 prohibits “conversion from one religion to another by the use of force or allurements or by fraudulent means and for the matters incidental thereto.” Those found violating the law face sentences up to 5 years in prison and a fine of $3270 CDN.

Christian and Muslim religious leaders have denounced any suggestion that they are involved in forced or coerced conversions. However, there are concerns throughout the religious communities that the law will be used by the predominantly Hindu authorities to prevent all conversions. The leader of one militant Hindu group, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), claimed recently: “No one converts voluntarily. It is motivated by greed.” There are also concerns about similar laws spreading throughout India, with support being expressed by various leaders, including the president of the BJP party.

Demonstrations and rallies have been planned for October 19 to protest the law. There are also plans by members of the United Christian Council, political parties and other organizations for a day of fasting on October 24. Plans are for all institutions run by minority groups in India to be closed that day.

Opposition to Christians and other religious minorities has not been not unusual in India in recent years, even though the government is constitutionally a secular democracy. Pray that Christians will be free to share their faith in Christ. Pray that they will show the love and peace of Christ as they confront this new law.

To support those who have suffered persecution, The Voice of the Martyrs will be introducing a new project by which Canadian Christians can assist children of parents who have been killed in recent years in India. Details will be announced in The Voice of the Martyrs newsletter near the end of the year. To subscribe to our monthly newsletter, go to http://www.persecution.net/nlorder.htm.

*********************************** 3. Amendments to Canada’s Criminal Code a Matter of Concern (Canada)

On May 2002, with only about 15 MPs present in the House of Commons, a private member’s bill (Bill C14) was introduced by MP Svend Robinson, proposing to amend sections 318 and 319 of the Canadian Criminal Code by adding “sexual orientation” as a basis for protection from hate crimes and genocide. Last May, Bill C415 passed second reading and was referred to a Justice Committee and is scheduled to be brought back to the House on or about October 18, 2002.

While The Voice of the Martyrs believes that the deliberate incitement of hatred towards any identifiable group is inexcusable, we join the Evangelical Fellowship of Canada and others in expressing concerns about this bill. It is conceivable that this bill could be used to silence dissenting opinions on homosexuality and organizations promoting agendas of the homosexual community. It is likewise conceivable that parts of religious literature such as the Bible could be classified as “hate literature” under this amendment.

The Voice of the Martyrs urges Canadian Christians to write to their MPs and to the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, The Honourable Martin Cauchon regarding this bill. Contact information can be found through a link to the House of Commons directory at http://www.persecution.net/links.htm. For more information, sample letters, and a more thorough discussion of the issues involved go to http://www.evangelicalfellowship.ca/social/initiatives.asp#Bill_C_415.

*********************************** 4. Prayer is Doing Something (Editorial) By Glenn Penner

In my role as the Communications Director of The Voice of the Martyrs, it is my responsibility to administer the public relations ministries of the mission on a national and international level. As such, I have the privilege of speaking to many of you at conferences, church meetings, on the telephone and through e-mail. Expressions of concern and a desire to intervene in the sufferings of brothers and sisters who are suffering for their faith are evidence of God’s Spirit at work in the hearts of many Canadian Christians.

Often the question is posed, “What can we do to help?” This is not always an easy question to answer. In some cases, it is obvious that there are many ways that Canadian Christians can reach out by financially partnering in the ministry of The Voice of the Martyrs. Letter writing and other advocacy work are also valuable means of “remembering those in bonds” (Hebrews 13:3). In recent years, opportunities to join short-term mission teams with our mission have provided a means for some to get their hands dirty in serving in nations where the church has been persecuted in the past.

When I mention these and other practical ways of getting involved in ministering to the Persecuted Church, heads nod and there is an agreement that such actions are really an effective means of “doing something.”

But occasionally (and for various reasons), there are cases where no such “practical” assistance is possible. For example, a young 13-year-old Pakistani Christian girl was kidnapped over a year ago by an older Muslim man, forced to married him and to convert to Islam. False documents were produced, indicating that she was actually of majority age (and thus could be legally married without parental approval). Attempts to involve the poli ce and the courts proved futile, as authorities upheld the case of the Muslim man. There is nothing that anyone can do to assist her in her terrible plight. The sense of helplessness that we feel, witnessing this travesty of justice, leaves the taste of ashes in our mouths.

In late September, I received an email from a dear brother in another country, asking if there had been any progress is seeing this young girl returned to her family. I explained the situation to him and concluded my message by urging him to pray for her and her family. A couple of days later, he wrote back, suggesting that we were giving up on her and believing the lies of the Pakistani authorities. Again, he urged us to “do something.” I explained to him that we had not given up on her or her family and that we had pursued all legal means at our disposal. At this stage, unless God intervenes, there was nothing else that could be done. And then I reminded him, that this is why I urged him to pray.

Prayer is “doing something.” It is the most important thing that we can do for the Persecuted Church. As I travel around the world to restricted nations, it is always what they plead for more than anything else. Prayer is an acknowledgement that no matter what we “do,” if God is not in it, our labour is no longer a response to His grace but a manifestation of our attempt to do His work by our own strength. God work must be done God’s way under God’s power to God’s glory. If our acts of obedience through giving, going, writing, and however else we serve the Persecuted Church are not initiated and upheld through prayer, then, it seems to me, we are guilty of presumption; we think that it is us who must “do something” rather than acknowledging that from start to end, it is His work and that we are merely the manifestations of His life in the world.

This is why The International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church on November 17th is so important. It reminds us that prayer is not the least we can do; it is the most we can do. Prayer is not an excuse for doing nothing. In fact, I firmly believe that if we are genuinely praying for the Persecuted Church, God will move in our hearts to express His concern and compassion for His Persecuted Body around the world. Initiated by prayer, motivated by love, and enabled by the Spirit of God; this is the kind of “practical help” that honours God.

On a final note, if your church has not yet ordered a kit for November 17th, may I encourage you to take a look at the official website of IDOP here in Canada? The site is http://www.idop.ca and you can order a kit online or by phoning or faxing your order. The kit contains a brand new 6-minute video created especially for this year’s IDOP by The Voice of the Martyrs. Entitled “Remember My Chains,” this inspirational video features the incredible music of Canadian musical artist Lianna Klassen and the personal testimonies and insights from persecuted Christians in such nations as China, Sudan, Nigeria, Indonesia and Laos and is suitable for all audiences.

*********************************** 5. Question of the Week

Faced with the needs of the persecuted church, which do you think is a more common problem among Christians:

a) Prayer but not enough actions? b) Action but not enough prayer?

To participate in our poll and discussion, go to http://www.persecution.net and click on “Discussion Forum.” If you have not registered on our forum in the past, click on “Register” and select a username and password.

*********************************** 6. Persecution Conference – November 2 (Canada)

The Voice of the Martyrs and Open Doors with Brother Andrew invite you to their 4th annual joint conference on the Persecuted Church on Saturday, November 2 at City Centre Baptist Church in Mississauga, Ontario. The theme of this year’s conference is “A Strategic Response to a World in Crisis: Gaining a Christian Perspective on Religious Freedom, Human Rights And the Persecution of Christians.” Speakers to this year’s conference include Paul Johnson (Open Doors), Glenn Penner (The Voice of the Martyrs), Magid El-Shafie (Egypt), Martha Kenney (The Voice of the Martyrs), and Jeff Taylor (Open Doors). Pre-registration is required.

For more details, see our website at http://www.persecution.net/conf1.htm. This is one conference that you will not want to miss!

*********************************** The Persecution & Prayer Alert is a ministry of The Voice of the Martyrs, Canada. (Mailing address: P.O. Box 117, Port Credit, Mississauga, Ontario L5G 4L5) Tel. (905) 670-9721. Fax: (905) 670-7642. Website: http://www.persecution.net

*********************************** Contact Person: Glenn Penner, Communications Director.

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