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

A summary of news concerning the Persecuted Church and how you can respond. *********************************** Thank you to the many who expressed your prayers and concerns for the medical emergency that necessitated the delay of this week’s Persecution and Prayer Alert. On Wednesday morning, the seven-year-old daughter of our Information Technology Officer suffered major seizures and was rushed to the hospital. Our Information Technology Officer plays a vital role in researching, writing, and sending out the Persecution and Prayer Alert every week. We felt his place was with his daughter and so chose to delay for two days to ensure that he was able to care for his family. We are happy to report that she seems fine at this point and will be undergoing further tests. We appreciate your messages of love and concern sent to us this week. God bless you. *********************************** Contents: 1. Prison Sentences Upheld for Two Christians (Pakistan) 2. Anti-Conversion Bill Gains Support (Sri Lanka) 3. New Hope for Iranian Christian (Canada) 4. Pastor Gong Transferred (China) 5. Increased Persecution Feared Due to Controversial Bishop (Nigeria) 6. Question of the Week *********************************** 1. Prison Sentences Upheld for Two Christians (Pakistan)

The Voice of the Martyrs learned late last week that a Pakistani court has upheld the conviction and life sentence of two Christians accused of blasphemy against the Koran. In February 1999, Jhang Amjad and Asif Masih were arrested on charges of vagrancy. While in police custody, authorities claim that they set fire to a copy of the Koran. Amjad and Asif claim that the police officers set fire to the book themselves because they refused to pay a bribe.

However, the Lahore High Court has agreed with the prosecution, saying that, “The act of the accused was calculated to outrage the religious feelings of the Muslim(s).” The court also said, “There is not even a remote possibility that the police officials who were all Muslims could willfully dare or even think of desecrating the Holy Quran in the manner it was done.” It is expected that the decision will be appealed to Pakistan’s Supreme Court.

Please pray for Amjad and Asif, as well as their families. Pray for protection in prison and for a successful appeal. Family members of those convicted of blasphemy regularly face discrimination and threats. Pray for protection and strength for their families. *********************************** 2. Anti-Conversion Bill Gains Support (Sri Lanka)

In the past two weeks, there have been new developments regarding a proposed anti-conversion bill in Sri Lanka. Previously, the bill was introduced by a relatively minor minister. However, a senior cabinet minister with significant influence, the Minister of Buddhism and Legal Reform, W.J.M. Lokubandara, has now taken up the cause, stating that he will be presenting the bill to parliament.

According to an August 14 report from the Evangelical Alliance of Sri Lanka, over the past few years, various decisions by Sri Lanka’s Supreme Court have led to a situation where the freedom to promote ones religion has been seriously undermined. Last week the court ruled against the incorporation of a Roman Catholic ministry, ruling that while it was permissible under the country’s Constitution for a person to manifest, observe and practice ones religion, it does not guarantee a fundamental right to propagate religion. Article 9 of the Constitution guarantees Buddhism the foremost place and the court ruled that an organization intending to spread Catholicism is inconsistent with that guarantee.

According to Minister Lokubandara, this court decision gives the legal backing to stop “this kind of unethical conversion activity carried out in the name of religion.” Similar decisions refusing incorporation were made against Sahanaye Doratuwa ministry in 2002 and New Harvest Wine Ministries in January 2003, ruling that incorporation of a Christian organization that proposes to carry out proselytization of the Christian faith is unconstitutional. The charge of “unethical conversion” is so commonly leveled against evangelical churches in Sri Lanka that it has become synonymous with any conversion.

Christian organizations and churches in Sri Lanka are concerned about the precedent that these court decisions will set in forming a foundation for the proposed anti-conversion bill. Pray that the courts and government of Sri Lanka will reconsider and see the importance of true freedom of religion. Pray for Christians facing increasing pressure by the government, the courts, and Buddhist organizations throughout the country.

The Voice of the Martyrs asks Christians from around the world to write to the president and prime minister of Sri Lanka, urging them to resist anti-conversion legislation on the grounds that it would restrict religious freedom and violate the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

President: Her Excellency President Chandrika Kumaratunga Presidential Residence Colombo 3 Sri Lanka Email:

Honorable Ranil Wickremesinghe, Prime Minister of Sri Lanka No.58, Sir Ernest de Silva Mawatha Colombo 7 Sri Lanka Email: *********************************** 3. New Hope for Iranian Christian (Canada)

In April, the Persecution and Prayer Alert covered the story of “Nancy,” a refugee from Iran who came to Canada after threats on her life when she converted to Christianity. On investigation, the Canadian Immigration and Refugee Board judge was not convinced she was a Christian, despite clear testimony from her and her pastor. The judge admitted to knowing little about Protestant Christian beliefs, but ruled against her anyway when Nancy was unable to name more than two Christian sacraments and did not use the term “holy communion” for the receiving of bread and wine. As a result, she was ordered deported to Iran.

An August 5 article in Christian Week reports that she has now applied for a religious worker’s visa for the United States to work with the Lutheran Church, Missouri Synod, in ministering to Iranian immigrants in Utah. If the U.S. embassy recognizes this as a legitimate job and she passes the interview expected this month, she will be moving to the U.S. and applying for a permanent residency permit for herself and her family. Nancy’s husband and children are still living in Iran.

Pray that this opportunity will enable Nancy to go to the U.S. and not be forced to return to Iran to face likely persecution. Pray also that her family will be able to join her. *********************************** 4. Pastor Gong Transferred (China)

For the past several months, the Voice of the Martyrs has been following the plight of Pastor Gong Shengliang, founder and leader of the South China Church. On July 23, we reported that, while still alive, Pastor Gong is very weak due to torture in prison (see http://www.persecution.net/pnparchive/arch1.htm). It is now reported that he was recently moved from Jingzhou Prison to Hong Shan Prison where he is being kept in isolation in an effort to prevent information about his condition being leaked to the outside world. According to the latest report, sixty-three other members the South China Church are also in prison and another five hundred are “on the run.”

Pray for continued strength for Pastor Gong and others suffering in prison in China for their faith. Pray that international governments will be willing to put pressure on China to improve their human rights record and allow religious freedom. Pray for the millions of Chinese Christians serving God in the face of oppression. ********************************** 5. Increased Persecution Feared Due to Controversial Bishop (Nigeria)

As many conservative Christians in North America struggle to come to grips with the latest decision of the U.S. Episcopal Church in appointing an openly homosexual bishop, Christians in other areas of the world fear the repercussions that could come from Muslims around them. In an August 7 article in CNSNews.com, the Anglican bishop of Owerri in Nigeria, Cyril Okoracha, said African Christians would face “severe persecution [from] our Muslim neighbors because they keep accusing us of maintaining relationships with those who deny the Scripture.”

Christians in Islamic countries often face opposition because of western clothing styles, consumption of alcohol, and the ethical behaviour promoted by the “Christian” west. With an openly homosexual bishop in a Christian church, Muslims may well see one more reason to actively oppose Christians, justifying it as a way of preventing sinful behaviour in their country.

Pray for wisdom for Christians throughout the world as they address this issue with their Muslim neighbours. Pray that God will give them the words to say to disarm the opposition and be able to share the truth of the Gospel of Christ. *********************************** 6. Question of the Week

As reflected in the words of Bishop Okoracha, recent research is clearly showing that Christians in the developing world tend to be much more theologically and ethically conservative than their counterparts in the West. Our question of the week is: “Do you believe that the future of the Church worldwide lies in the developing world?” We would appreciate your comments on this subject.

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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