The Persecution & Prayer Alert The Voice of the Martyrs, Canada http://www.persecution.net Wednesday, January 8, 2003

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

*********************************** Contents: 1. Prison Superintendent Charged with Converting Inmates (India) 2. Blinded Church Members Blamed for Church Attack (Pakistan) 3. Question of the Week 4. Mob Attacks Evangelical Crusade (Ethiopia) 5. Talisman’s Sale In Doubt; Cease-fire Strained (Sudan)

*********************************** 1. Prison Superintendent Charged with Converting Inmates (India)

The chief superintendent of prisons at India’s Pondicherry Central Jail is facing a judicial inquiry being accused of forcibly converting inmates to Christianity. According to a report from Compass Direct on January 7, Munanni, a fundamentalist Hindu group, is also demanding the suspension of Mr. G. David and calling upon state legislators to adopt an anti-conversion law similar to that in neighboring state of Tamil Nadu. The Hindu group alleges that at least three prisoners were baptized in the prison in recent weeks. While David makes no attempt to hide his Christian faith, he denies being involved in conversions. The Inspector General of Prisons has also received no complaints from inmates about conversions.

Pray for David and other Christians facing false accusations. Pray that governments will refuse to bend to the demands from militant groups fighting for anti-conversion legislation.

*********************************** 2. Blinded Church Members Blamed for Church Attack (Pakistan)

At least three survivors of the deadly attack on a Presbyterian Church in Chianwali, Pakistan on Christmas Day have sustained permanent eye damage, according to a report from Compass Direct on January 7. To add to their injuries, Urdu-language newspapers are naming them as probable suspects in the bombing. The three men have been identified as Boota Masih, Afzal Masih and his brother Aslam Pervaiz Masih. Boota Masih’s two daughters remain in hospital with injuries. According to one Christian, this is not unusual, as Islamic groups put pressure on the Christians to drop all charges against those responsible for the attack. Some of those injured are also refusing to be released from hospital, afraid to return to their village.

Three girls were killed in the attack and thirteen other children and their parents were injured in the attack. As more information is made available about the attacks, earlier reports are being contradicted, including the report of a fourth victim. Also eyewitnesses are reporting that the attackers were not wearing burqas, as originally reported. Instead, their faces could be clearly seen and they were identified as local Islamic militants, but witnesses have been hesitant to testify to the authorities because of possible reprisals from police.

Pray that those responsible for this attack will be brought to justice. Pray for peace of heart and mind for the Christians of Chianwali. Pray for healing for those injured and for the families of the victims.

*********************************** 3. Question of the Week

Followers of Christ have faced false accusations from the beginning. Jesus was crucified based on false testimony. As we look through Scripture, we find Jesus remaining silent in the face of accusations (Matthew 27:14), while we regularly find Paul defending himself, such as Acts 21.

What should be the Christian’s response to false accusations? (a) Remain silent and let God resolve the issue (b) Fight for the truth at all costs (c) Proclaim the truth and then leave it to God (d) Other (please explain)

We encourage your comments and opinions on this or other issues related to the Persecuted Church. 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.

*********************************** 4. Mob Attacks Evangelical Crusade (Ethiopia)

On Sunday, December 29, a mob attacked a crusade in Mekelle, Ethiopia, killing two and injuring many others. According to a source for The Voice of the Martyrs, a crusade organized by the Ethiopian Full Gospel Church was in its final day when a mob of Ethiopian Orthodox militants attacked. Mekelle is the capital of the state of Tigray in northern Ethiopia. The state is strongly Ethiopian Orthodox and has often seen persecution against evangelicals. According to the Ethiopian source, there were at least twelve serious attacks against evangelical Christians in Ethiopia in 2002. Societal discrimination, individual physical assaults, and a denial of police protection are commonplace, particularly in rural areas.

Pray for those suffering at the hands of those who often feel that they are doing a service for God by persecuting evangelicals (John 16:2). Pray for the attackers, that they might see and experience the love and peace of Christ in their lives through the lives of those whom they are persecuting. The February 2003 edition of The Voice of the Martyrs Newsletter will focus on the plight and testimonies of Christians in this east African nation. For more information or to receive a free subscription to this informative and inspirational monthly publication, go to our website at http://www.persecution.net/nlonline.htm.

*********************************** 5. Talisman’s Sale In Doubt; Cease-fire Strained (Sudan)

Questions are being raised on whether the sale of Talisman Energy’s interests in Sudan to India’s national oil company will be able to proceed. The problems center on the other partners in the Greater Nile Oil Project that include the national oil companies of China, Malaysia and Sudan. Talisman owns a 25% share in the project.

The difficulties apparently revolve around the unfriendly relations that exist between the governments of China and India. There has also been talk that the partners may want a share in the $1.2 billion profit that Talisman will be making from the sale. Talisman Energy, one of Canada’s largest oil companies, continues to affirm the January 31 closing date for the sale.

Talisman Energy has been under intense international pressure over its involvement in the oil production in Sudan. Many reports have confirmed that oil is the primary funding for the Islamist government’s offensive against the people of southern Sudan that has killed over two million people. In spite of a cease-fire, government forces have launched a new offensive in the past week, using helicopters, tanks, and ground troops against villages near the oil production sites.

Pray for peace in Sudan. Pray that the international community will be stirred to act to prevent the continuing attacks against the non-Muslim people of southern Sudan.

*********************************** 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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