Today’s Headlines:

5 YOUNG MEN ATTACK NIGERIAN PASTOR, WIFE FOR PREACHING GOSPEL

MUSLIMS IN RURAL AREAS OF NIGERIA STEP UP PRESSURE ON CHRISTIANS

INDIA’S SUPREME COURT DELAYS CASE REGARDING CHRISTIAN DALITS’ RIGHTS

U.K. CHRISTIANS PROTEST PROPOSED RACIAL AND RELIGIOUS HATRED BILL

Today’s Top Stories:

5 YOUNG MEN ATTACK NIGERIAN PASTOR, WIFE FOR PREACHING GOSPEL

Nigerian pastor and his wife were severely beaten in the early morning of Monday, Oct. 10, because of their preaching, reported the Nigerian news service, The Daily Sun. The couple was attacked by five young men in the early-morning hours near their home in Ibeshe, Lagos. Pastor Enoch Iburene and his wife, Lovina, said the attackers were acting on instruction from community leaders. They believe the attack is because of the Christian message they have been preaching. (Voice of the Martyrs)

MUSLIMS IN RURAL AREAS OF NIGERIA STEP UP PRESSURE ON CHRISTIANS

Christians in rural areas of northern Nigeria’s Kano state are afraid to send their children to public schools for fear that they will be forced to convert to Islam. Students are being forced to study Arabic, Islam and say Islamic prayers. In addition, Christian leaders say the government refuses to grant churches permission to establish schools in rural areas. “The strategy is to force Christians to send their children to public schools so that they can be forced to become Muslims,” said Rev. Murtala Marti Dangora, secretary of the Kano district of the Evangelical Church of West Africa. A former Muslim, Dangora said there are still numerous cases of persecution in the state. In one recent incident 15 Christians were forced to flee Banda village because of Muslim antagonism. Another Christian leader noted that Christians in Kano have lost religious liberty and are seen as “second-class citizens.” (Compass)

* HCJB World Radio, together with partners In Touch Ministries, SIM and the Evangelical Church of West Africa, began airing weekly half-hour programs to Nigeria in the Igbo language in 2000. In 2003 weekly broadcasts were added in two additional languages, Yoruba and Hausa. HCJB World Radio also has helped with radio ministries in six cities with more in the planning stages.

INDIA’S SUPREME COURT DELAYS CASE REGARDING CHRISTIAN DALITS’ RIGHTS

India’s Supreme Court refused to throw out a case, Tuesday, Oct. 18, regarding the rights of Dalit Christians to have “affirmative action benefits.” Instead, the court delayed the hearing until Tuesday, Oct. 25.

The Indian government argued that since a commission has been appointed to look into the matter, the court should dismiss the case. The judges disagreed, saying the issue was a matter of constitutionality and thus within their rights to continue hearing the case.

Dalits, who are excluded from India’s caste system, have affirmative action rights, but lose them once they become believers, said Gospel for Asia President K.P. Yohannan. If Dalits are granted this freedom, the “floodgate will be wide open,” he said. “People will in masses come to faith in Jesus. That’s what is going to happen. I think God is behind it. I don’t think anyone can stop it and that’s what we should really be praying for.”

John Dayal of the All India Christian Council added, “I cannot see how the government can deny the legitimate rights of Dalit Christian. Ultimately, this will need a bill in parliament, and the government needs to be proactive rather than defensive on the issue of reservation for Dalit Christians.”

Sources: Assist News Service, Voice of the Martyrs, Mission Network News

* Radio programs in 12 languages (English, Urdu, Hindi, Nepali, Chattisgarhi, Bangla, Bhojpuri, Tamil, Telegu, Marwari, Marathi and Santhali) air to India from HCJB World Radio-Australia’s shortwave station in Kununurra. The programs are produced at the ministry’s studios in New Delhi, India.

In an apparent act of revenge, China’s Xinjiang State Security Bureau has ordered Christian businessman Tong Qimiao to close his furniture factory and store after he filed complaints against the officers for torturing him. A reliable source said Tong was ordered to close his store by Friday, Oct. 14. Authorities also confiscated several furniture items. Tong was severely beaten during police interrogation on Wednesday, Sept. 28. After filing complaints against those responsible, he was ordered to leave the hospital where he was being treated for his injuries, including a broken chest bone. (Voice of the Martyrs)

U.K. CHRISTIANS PROTEST PROPOSED RACIAL AND RELIGIOUS HATRED BILL

Rev. Peter Kerridge, chief executive of Premier Media Group and the Christian Lawyers’ Fellowship, has presented a letter to U.K. Prime Minister Tony Blair, stating the groups’ objections to the country’s proposed Racial and Religious Hatred Bill. The bill has undergone debate in the House of Lords, but remains undecided. It now goes to committee where it will be debated in detail. Kerridge is concerned that if the bill is passed in its present form, it will “create a barrier to open communication on religious issues and endanger an individual’s right to freedom of speech. If applied with the wrong motives, it could undermine civil liberties in a democratic society. It could also stop Christians from legitimately proclaiming their faith and expressing accepted Christian teachings.” (Assist News Service)