Religious Liberty Prayer List – No. 140 – Thu 25 Oct 2001

****** PLAN TO PARTICIPATE IN IDOP: 4-11 NOVEMBER 2001 ****** * The International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church * * To request resources – Australia: * * Canada: USA: * * Globally elsewhere: * *************************************************************

SOUTHERN PHILIPPINES: ISLAMIC TERROR ESCALATES

The Abu Sayyaf is a band of some 1200 Islamic militants and mercenaries in Southern Philippines who are demanding a fully independent Islamic state. It was formed in 1991 by a charismatic Filipino Islamic preacher, Abdurajak Janjalani (killed in 1998), after he returned from the war in Afghanistan against the Soviets. Janjalani maintained strong ties to Libya and to international terrorists including Osama bin Laden. Last year Libya injected millions of dollars into the Abu Sayyaf (for whom kidnap is a lucrative ‘cottage industry’) by paying ransom for foreign hostages.

The link between Abu Sayyaf and bin Laden’s network has long been suspected. Several times, the Abu Sayyaf has asked for the release of terrorist Ramzi Yousef in exchange for its western hostages. (Yousef, a well-known disciple of Osama bin Laden and convicted of the 1993 World Trade Centre bombing, had trained the Abu Sayyaf in the Philippines in the mid-1990s.) Abu Sayyaf also demands the release of Abdul Hakim Murad who was arrested in connection with a failed plot to assassinate Pope John Paul in Manila.

While living in the Philippines from 1987 to 1993, Bin Laden’s brother-in-law, Mohammad Jamal Khalifa, set up many businesses and charities which, authorities say, funnelled money to the Abu Sayyaf and other militant Islamic organisations. The Philippine military believe that the Abu Sayyaf could not have operated for so long without the help of Osama bin Laden’s al-Qaeda network.

On 27 May the Abu Sayyaf took hostages on the island of Palawan, including New Tribes Mission US couple Martin (41) and Gracia (42)

Burnham. Since the 11 September terror attack and the US response in bombing Afghanistan, the situation for the Burnhams and other Christians in the region has deteriorated seriously. Abu Sabaya, a leader of the Abu Sayyaf, threatens to execute the Burnhams ahead of President Gloria Arroyo’s planned 18-20 November trip to meet President Bush, unless she halts the Philippine military assault. They have already beheaded one US and 14 Filipino hostages. In a recently permitted radio access, Martin Burnham emotionally described how weak he and Gracia are from stress, constant walking, injuries, physical assault, poor hygiene and lack of food. They are very afraid they will be executed if the military do not withdraw. (The Burnhams’ three children are with relatives.)

Last week in the Southern Philippines, unidentified gunmen (thought to be Abu Sayyaf) kidnapped Father Guiseppi Piarantoni, an Italian priest, while he was celebrating mass. Also last week, the Abu Sayyaf kidnapped four Christian coconut farmers, two of whom they beheaded. The other two, who were able to escape, in an unconfirmed report claimed that the Abu Sayyaf are threatening to kill the hostages if they don’t convert to Islam. Other escaped hostages report seeing their Abu Sayyaf captors meeting and making arrangements with visiting Arabs.

PLEASE PRAY SPECIFICALLY FOR:

* physical, emotional and spiritual strength for Martin and Gracia Burnham and their family as they face this extremely challenging, testing trial; may they be deeply assured of God’s presence and love. “For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows.” 2 Cor 1:5

* safety and strength for Father Guiseppi Piarantoni held captive and with his life seriously at risk.

* peace for all the grieving families of missing and slain hostages.

* the Southern Philippines Christians, who are now threatened by an escalation of al-Qaeda backed Islamic militant activity in response to their perceived ‘crusader attack on Islam’.

SUMMARY TO USE IN BULLETINS UNABLE TO RUN THE WHOLE ARTICLE: ——————————————————————- ISLAMIC TERROR ESCALATES IN SOUTHERN PHILIPPINES

The militant Islamic Abu Sayyaf of the Southern Philippines is directly linked to bin Laden’s al-Qaeda network. On 27 May the Abu Sayyaf kidnapped the US missionary couple, Martin and Gracia Burnham. Since the 11 September terror attack and the US response, the threats of the Abu Sayyaf have escalated and the situation for the Burnhams and other Christians in the region has deteriorated seriously. Not only are the Burnhams now threatened with execution if the Philippine military do not withdraw before President Gloria Arroyo’s planned 18-20 November trip to USA, but more Christians have since been kidnapped. The Abu Sayyaf are suspected of taking an Italian priest, Father Piarantoni, at gunpoint during mass. They have already beheaded 15 hostages since 27 May, so their threats are not taken lightly. Pray for deliverance and peace.

—————————————————- Please pass this along to others with attribution to World Evangelical Fellowship (WEF) Religious Liberty Prayer List <>