The Persecution & Prayer Alert The Voice of the Martyrs, Canada http://www.persecution.net Wednesday, January 15, 2003

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

*********************************** Contents: 1. Noxious Gas Used to Break Up Worship Service (Vietnam) 2. Government Tries to Force Church Leadership Change (China) 4. Muslims Urged to Kill Christians (Pakistan) 5. Arrest Made in Christmas Day Bombing (Pakistan) 6. Equal “Blood Money” for Non-Muslims (Iran) 7. Christian Family Brutally Attacked (Sri Lanka)

*********************************** 1. Noxious Gas Used to Break Up Worship Service (Vietnam)

On December 29, police used noxious gas to break up a worship service in the Dien Bien Dong district of North Vietnam. A source told ANS that of the 40 Hmong people gathered for worship, 20 had been hospitalized because of the gas.

Vietnamese authorities have been systematically attacking the Hmong people. Listeners to Far East Broadcasting report that Christian villages are under constant surveillance preventing any Christian meetings and burning any Christian literature found.

Pray for a quick and full recovery of those suffering from the gas. Pray for endurance for those facing this ongoing persecution. Pray that the government of Vietnam will listen to international pressure and stop these attacks against their own people.

*********************************** 2. Government Tries to Force Church Leadership Change (China)

The Voice of the Martyrs has received a report from China that a pastor was arrested when he refused to give up leadership of the church on orders from the government. According to the report received in the last week, Pastor Bian is the only pastor of the official church in Datong, Shanxi Province. He received notification on December 24 from the Religious Affairs Bureau that all Christians in his church had requested a change in leadership. According to a member of his congregation, who cannot be identified for security reasons, only 3-4 of the 4000 members wanted him removed. He was arrested on December 26 and was only released when the church threatened to go to the Datong government.

The church members are asking for your urgent prayers, as the Religious Affairs Bureau continues to investigate, looking for grounds to remove him from leadership.

*********************************** 3. Muslims Urged to Kill Christians (Pakistan)

An Islamic organization, JeshIhle-Alqiblat Al-Jihadi Alsari Al-Alami, has published a pamphlet in Urdu and Arabic calling on Muslims to kill Christians wherever and whenever they are found. The pamphlet, being distributed in various parts of Pakistan, says that this is the duty of every Muslim. According to a report received by The Voice of the Martyrs on January 10, Pakistani Christians are being specifically targeted in connection with the “war on terrorism” in Afghanistan and there is fear for escalated violence if Iraq is attacked.

Christians in Pakistan and other Islamic countries need our concentrated prayers during this time of uncertainty in the world as militant Islamic groups attempt to make the “war on terrorism” into a “war on Islam.”

*********************************** 4. Arrest Made in Christmas Day Bombing (Pakistan)

The Punjab police claim to have arrested one of the two men who threw bombs into a church in Chianwali, Pakistan on Christmas Day, killing three and wounding 14 others. Authorities told the Pakistani newspaper, DAWN, on January 12 that the suspect was arrested based on intelligence sources and that he has since confessed. Authorities will not reveal his identity nor if he has connections to any organization.

This arrest came only one day after more than 100 Pakistani Christians rallied in Lahore, calling on police to arrest those responsible for the attacks.

Pray that those responsible for this attack will be brought to justice. Pray for Christians in Pakistan, who have become increasingly frustrated in the face of increasing attacks.

*********************************** 5. Equal “Blood Money” for Non-Muslims (Iran)

On January 12, the Iranian parliament approved a law that would see non-Muslim Iranians receive the same “blood money” as Muslim men. Under Islamic law, relatives of a murder victim can claim blood money instead of having the convicted murderer executed. The money is also used in compensating relatives in fatal vehicle accidents. According to the Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA), the supervisory Guardians Council must still approve the new law. The Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei is reported to support the law and will decide the amount of money that will be paid out if it is finally approved. The amount presently paid for Muslim men is 150 million rials ($28,800 CDN) and half that amount for women. The changes would apply to “recognized religious minorities,” which are Christians, Jews and Zoroastrians.

Pray that reforms beginning to take place in Iran will continue, and that there might be religious equality and greater freedom of religion. Pray for Christians in Iran who are working to reach their friends and neighbors with the Gospel of Christ.

*********************************** 6. Christian Family Brutally Attacked (Sri Lanka)

For the past year, a Christian family in the remote village of Kirimetimulla in southern Sri Lanka had been facing intimidation and threats from those trying to force Mrs. Indrani Abeysinghe (49) to stop holding worship services in her home. According to a report received this week from the National Christian Evangelical Alliance of Sri Lanka, around midnight, December 26, 2002, a mob of 10-15 hooded men smashed the windows of her home, forced their way in, and assaulted her sons while Indrani and her daughter hid. One son, Suranga (28) received a serious head wound when he was struck by the sharp edge of the mammoty (a spade used by Sri Lankan farmers).

While a complaint has been filed with the police, no one has been identified because of the disguises. Indrani has left her home and is now living with friends near the capital city of Colombo. She is determined to continue her ministry, but her children fear for her life. Suranga, has been discharged from the hospital.

Please pray for Indrani, her children and those who had been meeting in her home. Pray also for workers throughout Sri Lanka facing similar difficulties. Pray for Indrani’s attackers, that they may see the grace of God and turn to Him. To read the full report, go to http://www.persecution.net/report1.html.

*********************************** 7. Question of the Week

As this week’s Persecution & Prayer Alert was being written, an email was received from a parent whose young child has taken special interest in the Persecuted Church and is looking for ways of making people aware of the need. As I replied to the email, recounting how my own six-year-old prays daily for one specific pastor in prison, I thought of those who say this is too traumatic of an issue for young children. Our question of the week is this:

Should young children be made aware of what is happening to persecuted Christians around the world? Perhaps you also have suggestions on how children can be involved in helping meet the needs of Christ’s 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.

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