The Persecution & Prayer Alert The Voice of the Martyrs, Canada http://www.persecution.net Wednesday, September 10, 2003 *********************************** A summary of news concerning the Persecuted Church and how you can respond. *********************************** Contents: 1. International Pressure Leads to Prisoner Release (China) 2. House Church Raided; 170 Arrested (China) 3. Christians Blamed for Killing Priest (Pakistan) 4. Public School Girls Ordered to Wear the Hijab (Nigeria) 5. Bribery Refusal Stalls Registration (Moldova) 6. Question of the Week *********************************** 1. International Pressure Leads to Prisoner Release (China)

On August 27, the Persecution and Prayer Alert reported that three of six house church leaders arrested by Chinese authorities had been released (see http://www.persecution.net/pnparchive/arch3.htm). International pressure is being credited for the release of the remaining three leaders a few days later. In a phone interview with a VOM representative, one of those released, Gao Chong-Dao, said, “It was very clear that there was outside pressure [on our behalf].” Among the pressure was the publication by VOM in Canada and the United States of the hotel fax number where the men were being held.

While being held at the Kai Yuan Cheng Shi Hotel, the men were subjected to repeated interrogation and so-called “political study” – brainwashing attempts. Gao told VOM that, even though they have been released, they know that they are being watched and face a constant threat of being re-arrested.

Pray for these and many other Christians in China facing harassment, prison, torture, and death for the cause of Christ. Pray that they will remain faithful to their calling in ministering to those around them. Thank you to all of those who prayed and faxed letters of concern on behalf of these men. VOM spokesman, Glenn Penner, said, “It is gratifying to see how the response of Christians around the world can make this kind of impact. This is why we spend the time and resources to put together email news services like the Persecution and Prayer Alert.” *********************************** 2. House Church Raided; 170 Arrested (China)

As we received the news that some Christians were being released, a report was received from Asia Harvest on September 2 that a house church in Nanyang County, Henan Province, was raided by Public Security Bureau officers. The 170 Christians at the service were fingerprinted, fined, and released and fourteen leaders were detained and face more serious charges. These leaders face the possibility of torture and prison.

Nanyang County is one of the strongest Christian areas in China with perhaps 40-50% of the population believing in Christ. It is also one of the areas facing some of the most severe persecution.

Pray for spiritual and physical strength for the leaders arrested. Pray that they will be a testimony to their captors. Pray for the ongoing ministry of their church. Pray that the testimony for Christ will remain strong in Nanyang County. *********************************** 3. Christians Blamed for Killing Priest (Pakistan)

On the early morning of July 5, Roman Catholic priest, Fr. George Ibrahim was gunned down by six assailants in the courtyard of his home. The murder came after Fr. Ibrahim had faced death threats since the school he ran had been turned over by the government to the control of the church. According to the priest’s cook Pervez Pyara who witnessed the shooting, Ibrahim had received threats from the former principal of a girls’ school, Shahzina Sadique, whose husband is reported to be president of the local chapter of Anjum Sipah-e-Sahaba Pakistan, a banned terrorist organization.

Despite the testimony of Pyara that Fr. Ibrahim had been specifically targeted, police have arrested three local Christians and a Muslim, saying that Ibrahim was killed in a robbery attempt. The three Christians, Sharif Masih, Naimat Masih, and Aslam Masih, as well as Mohammed Afzel, a Muslim repeat-offender burglar, deny any involvement in the crime. There have been no formal charges, though they have been held since July 9.

On September 4, the Catholic Church’s National Justice and Peace Commission (NJPC) filed a petition on behalf of those arrested. The presiding judge has ordered the police to reinvestigate. Speaking to Compass Direct, a Catholic Church source said, “Everyone knows who is the person responsible for this murder. There are known groups of fundamentalist Muslims behind this, but the government and the police are afraid of them.”

Pray for justice for those arrested and that those responsible for this murder will be convicted. Pray that the police and courts will be willing to act with fairness, in spite of pressure and threats from powerful organizations. *********************************** 4. Public School Girls Ordered to Wear the Hijab (Nigeria)

On Friday, August 29, the Kano state government in northern Nigeria issued a directive making it compulsory for all girls attending schools run by the state government to wear the hijab Islamic headscarf, whether or not they are Muslim. Over one million Christians live in the state, which in June 2000 formally adopted strict Islamic or Sharia law but had previously hesitated to implement it. Changes were expected when Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau, who campaigned on a platform that he would rigorously implement Sharia, defeated the incumbent governor in April state elections.

Christians in the state are understandably upset over the directive. The directive only applies to school operated by the state government and not to private schools or schools run by the Nigerian Federal Government, which has openly criticized the formal adoption of Sharia law in the northern states.

However, as the World Evangelical Alliance notes, “Considering that the Kano state government has closed virtually all Kano’s Christian schools, Christian families are not going to have much choice. Christian schools are closed in Kano on the grounds that they do not meet state mandated standards. The education standards, however, include the mandate that all schools (Christian schools included) must employ Islamic clerics to indoctrinate the children in Islam. Those schools that refuse are closed.” (World Evangelical Alliance Religious Liberty News & Analysis, September 10).

Pray for the Christians of Kano state during this tense time. Pray that the concerns expressed by the Christians will not escalate into violence as it has on occasion in the past. Pray for the young women who will be subjected to this form of religious discrimination. Pray that the church in Kano state will glorify God by staying faithful to His teachings regardless of the uncertainties that they increasingly face. *********************************** 5. Bribery Refusal Stalls Registration (Moldova)

After numerous registration applications have been refused, in part for their refusal to pay a bribe, two Methodist congregations in the republic of Transdniester in eastern Moldova are struggling to continue their ministry. Their leader, Dmitri Hantil, told Forum 18 on September 3 how they are unable to rent or buy any property and are forced to meet semi-legally in private homes. Hantil personally spoke with the commissioner of religion and cults, Pyotr Zalozhkov, who indirectly indicated that they should pay a bribe of at least 500 US dollars. When he refused to pay, the application process stalled. Hantil spoke of leaders of other religious organizations who admitted to him that they had paid bribes to Zalozhkov and received their registration.

The one positive element is that threats and raids on the Methodist congregations have eased since their plight became known internationally. “KGB threats and raids on our churches have ceased since this publicity, but we can’t do anything public,” Hantil said.

Pray that these believers will stand firm in the face of opposition. Pray that they will be able to continue their ministry and be effective in spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ. *********************************** 6. Question of the Week

Christians in many areas of the world face the challenge of bribery. In many parts of the world, it is considered an informal tax to keep government “wheels” moving.

Our question this week is: “In dealing with government systems where bribery is a common practice, is it appropriate for Christians to pay to receive services?”

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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