The Persecution & Prayer Alert The Voice of the Martyrs, Canada http://www.persecution.net Wednesday, January 22, 2003

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

*********************************** Contents: 1. Arrest Sought for Christian Mother (Jordan) 2. Shooting Leaves Two Dead and Six Wounded (Colombia) 3. Converts Face Ostracism and Fear (India) 4. Christian from India Deported (Qatar) 5. Libya Elected Head of Human Rights Commission (UN) 6. Question of the Week

*********************************** 1. Arrest Sought for Christian Mother (Jordan)

For several months, The Voice of the Martyrs has been following the plight of a Christian mother in Jordan, Mrs. Siham Qandah, who has been ordered to surrender her children. Because her husband allegedly converted to Islam before his death, Jordanian law states that the children are Muslim and require a Muslim guardian in order to receive their father’s death benefits. Mrs. Qandah’s Muslim brother was appointed the guardian but he then fought for, and was given, full legal custody of the children. For several months there has been an on-going custody battle.

According to a report received this morning from Middle East Concern, Mrs. Qandah’s brother, Abdullah al-Muhtadi, filed an appeal on January 16, asking that she be arrested until the children are surrendered to his care. Yesterday Mrs. Qandah’s lawyer filed an appeal, but Mrs. Qandah and her children have again gone into hiding to prevent the children from being taken from her.

Jordanian authorities have indicated to Mrs. Qandah that the reason they have not executed the court order and taken the children is the many petitions made on her behalf. We ask that you continue to pray for this situation. We also encourage you to contact Jordanian authorities, appealing to them to allow this mother to keep her children. The Persecution & Prayer Alert from December 4, 2002 contains more details on this unfortunate case. You can view it online at http://www.persecution.net/pnparchive/arch4.htm#2.

Below are addresses and fax numbers to contact authorities in Jordan. We also encourage you to contact the Jordanian embassy in your country. For information on UN and embassy addresses, go to http://www.persecution.net/links.htm.

His Majesty King Abdallah bin Hussein Office of H.M. the King Royal Palace Amman The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan Fax: 962 6 462 7421 Salutation: Your Majesty

Dr Fayez Tarawneh Chief of the Royal Court PO Box 80 Amman The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan Fax: 962 6 463 1452 Salutation: Dear Dr Tarawneh

His Royal Highness Prince al-Hassan Bin Talal Majlis El Hassan Royal Palace Amman Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan Fax: 962 6 4634995 Salutation: Your Royal Highness

*********************************** 2. Shooting Leaves Two Dead and Six Wounded (Colombia)

Four gunmen entered St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church during Mass on Sunday, January 19 and began shooting, killing two people and wounding six others. According to Zenit, Authorities are speculating that one of the victims was the primary target, perhaps settling a grudge. Ten people have been arrested, suspected of involvement in the attack.

In recent months, Christians in Colombia have faced increasing violence, particularly from guerrilla groups and those involved in the drug trade. This is the latest of several attacks in the past year, including a bomb attack in May that killed more than 100 people.

Pray for safety for Christians in Colombia. Pray that their attackers might see the hope that lies within believers and turn to faith in Christ.

*********************************** 3. Converts Face Ostracism and Fear (India)

Twenty-three tribal families in a remote village in West Bengal are facing social ostracism and intimidation after converting to Christianity and are living in fear for their safety. According to a January 21 news story in the Hindustan Times, the families from the village of Kasundipara have been threatened, relatives have been prevented from visiting, and other villagers have been told not to speak with them. According to the news story, police in the area have been informed of the threats, but no protection has been provided for the families.

Militant Hindu groups have been arguing that people have been lured into converting to Christianity through promises of material goods, jobs, free education and healthcare. In some states in India, new laws have been passed to severely restrict religious conversions. Earlier this month it was announced that the Gujarat government is introducing anti-conversion legislation similar to that of four other states in India. Christian workers in India have also been facing increasing pressure and violence from militant Hindus, including an American missionary and his Indian colleague who were beaten on January 13 in the Kerala state capital of Trivandrum. According to an AP article on January 17, there have been four arrests in connection with that attack and more are expected. Those arrested are from the RSS, a militant Hindu group opposed to Christianity and western influence in India.

Pray for safety for the Church in India. Pray for safety for these families and others who face the cost of turning to faith in Christ. Pray that Indian Christians will be a good testimony to those around them who are persecuting them.

*********************************** 4. Christian from India Deported (Qatar)

A Christian from India who had worked in Qatar for the past twenty-two years has been deported, along with his wife and twelve-year-old son. As of yesterday, authorities had given no reason for the deportation. Arokiyasamy Stanislas Chellappa, 51, worked in a hospital in Doha, as well as leading a fellowship of Tamil-speaking Indian Christians in his home. According to Compass, when he was arrested on December 9, he asked police what he had done. “We don’t know,” they replied. “It is just written that you have to go back home.” All that anyone can surmise is that it is because of his religion. Despite advocacy from his employer and from the Indian embassy, Middle East Concern reported on January 21 that all appeals have failed and that the family is to leave Qatar today.

Qatar has been considered a leader in democratic rights in the Arab Gulf states. While non-Muslims cannot proselytize nor meet for public worship, private services such as Chellappa was leading have been permitted.

Pray for the family as they establish their life in India. Pray for the other Christians in Qatar who face similar uncertainty.

*********************************** 5. Libya Elected Head of Human Rights Commission (UN)

In a move strongly opposed by many nations and human rights organizations, Najat Al-Hajjaji, Libya’s ambassador to the UN, was elected on January 20 to the influential position of chairman of the United Nations Human Rights Commission. The position is normally chosen without a vote, but the USA insisted on a vote because of its opposition. Of the 53 nation members of the commission, only three voted against Libya as chair: USA, Canada, and Guatemala. Several European nations were opposed, but for fear of offending the African nations who supported and nominated Libya for the position, seventeen nations abstained.

Libya has a terrible human rights record, including torturing its own citizens. They have been facing US sanctions because of involvement in terrorism such as the 1988 Lockerbie bombing that killed 270 people. Libya is very closed to any religion other than Islam. In August 2002, the Persecution & Prayer Alert reported on fourteen students who had been arrested for converting to faith in Christ. At last report, they had been sentenced to death, but we have received no reports since November 20.

On hearing of the election results, Glenn Penner, Communications Director for The Voice of the Martyrs said, “I can hardly think of something more inappropriate than putting such a violator of human rights in this position. This really is a case of the fox guarding the henhouse.”

Pray for Christians in Libya and for these fourteen students facing death for Christ. Pray that, in spite of this leadership choice, the UN will be effective in aiding the cause of human rights in general and specifically freedom of religion in our world.

*********************************** 6. Question of the Week

One of the most difficult aspects of writing the Persecution & Prayer Alert each week is knowing how to prioritize the stories that we cover. While each person has different interests and concerns, what would you put as the top priority if you had to choose? We’d like to hear your reasons as well.

(1) Stories of victory in the midst of persecution (2) Stories of needs that affect a large group of people (3) Stories of individuals who stand in the midst of their suffering for Christ (4) International issues that could affect religious freedom around the world (5) Updates on stories previously covered (6) Other

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.

Important Notice: The Persecution & Prayer Alert is an open email news service sent only to those who have specifically requested it from us. We do not send it unsolicited and ask that subscribers show the same discretion in forwarding it to others.

os.yahoo.com/rlgmediaau”>http://au.photos.yahoo.com/rlgmediaau http://community.webshots.com/user/ramon_williams ——————————————————————- Telling others, what others are doing for the Lord.

— Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).