Today’s Headlines:

13 DEAD IN IRAQ AS BOMBS TARGET CHRISTIAN NEIGHBORHOOD

8 CHRISTIANS ACCUSED OF ATTEMPTED MURDER IN INDIA

OPEN DOORS ENCOURAGES, AIDS CHRISTIANS AFTER NIGERIAN RIOTING

KAZAKHSTAN BAPTISTS REFUSE TO REGISTER CHURCHES, PAY FINES

Today’s Top Stories:

Fereshteh Dibaj, a young mother and house church leader who was arrested along with her husband, Amir Montazemi, on Tuesday, Sept. 26, was allowed to contact her family a week later. She reported that both she and her husband are doing well, although they remain in custody. Montazemi had called home on Friday, Sept. 29, but no word had been received from Dibaj, and there was increasing concern for her wellbeing. Officials have not released a reason for the couple’s arrest. Their 6-year-old daughter, Christine, is staying with family members. Dibaj is the daughter of Iranian Christian martyr Mehdi Dibaj, an Assemblies of God minister who spent more than nine years in prison for his faith before being assassinated while on his way to Fereshteh’s sixth birthday party soon after his release. (Pray for Iran Team)

13 DEAD IN IRAQ AS BOMBS TARGET CHRISTIAN NEIGHBORHOOD

At least 13 people died and more than 80 were injured as a series of bomb blasts rocked a mostly Christian neighborhood in the southern part of the Iraqi capital, Baghdad. Just before noon in a shopping district of the Camp Sara neighborhood, which is predominantly Christian, one car bomb and two roadside bombs exploded in the span of 10 minutes. In an increasingly common terrorist tactic, the initial car bomb explosion was followed by two roadside bombs with a delay in between apparently targeting those who come to aid and investigate the initial explosion. Indeed, multiple news agencies list high numbers of policemen among the casualties. A convoy related to Iraq’s industry minister was in the area at the time, but it is uncertain if the explosion was directed at him. (BBC/Associated Press)

8 CHRISTIANS ACCUSED OF ATTEMPTED MURDER IN INDIA

Seven Christians working with the Indian Missionary Society (IMS) in western India’s Gujarat state were released on bail Friday, Sept. 29, while one person remains in custody. The group was assaulted on the afternoon of Wednesday, Sept. 20, when a group of about 15 extremists surrounded the Christians, beating them with wooden clubs. One of the women reported severe and widespread bruising. Before leaving, the extremists stole their valuables and warned them of dire consequences if they continued to share the gospel in the area. When the group went to file a police complaint the next day, they were arrested instead. They also discovered that one of the extremists, Kanji Nayak, had already filed a complaint against the eight, claiming that the Christians had tried to shoot him after he refused to convert. Pastor Dasrath Nanji Dilwad remains in custody, and his case has been transferred to the High Court. Rev. Samuel Ravi, regional field coordinator for IMS, believes the incident has a political motive since the incident occurred only a day after an amendment strengthening the Gujarat Freedom of Religion Bill was passed, pointing to an anti-Christian bias in the state. (Compass Direct)

OPEN DOORS ENCOURAGES, AIDS CHRISTIANS AFTER NIGERIAN RIOTING

Following the anti-Christian violence in Dutse, Nigeria, Open Doors has begun delivering relief aid to Christian victims to alleviate immediate needs. On Wednesday Sept. 20, an argument between a Muslim man and a Christian woman apparently led to “blasphemous” remarks that sparked an angry Muslim mob to go on a violent rampage targeting Christian churches, homes and businesses. A total of 14 churches were burned, another two were looted, and 2,000 Christians, including 16 pastors, were left homeless. At least 80 stores owned by Christians were also damaged. No arrests have been made and the Christian community remains shaken. Many Christians who lost property are seeking refuge at local police stations. Open Doors is committed to both the physical and spiritual encouragement of the traumatized Christians. “It’s crucial that the churches in Dutse know they are not alone. By extending a helping hand now, in the time of their greatest need, we are reminding them that they are part of the body of Christ. We are sharing in their suffering,” said J.P. Pretorius, Open Doors’ operations director for Sub-Saharan Africa. (Evangelical News)

KAZAKHSTAN BAPTISTS REFUSE TO REGISTER CHURCHES, PAY FINES

Baptists in the Central Asian country of Kazakhstan who have refused on principle to register their churches are now insisting that they will not pay fines imposed on them for not registering. “We won’t pay because we don’t consider we’re guilty,” said Pastor Yaroslav Senyushkevich. “Kazakhstan’s constitution guarantees freedom of worship and says nothing about registration.” Registration of religious communities can be highly intrusive, demanding large amounts of personal information about congregation members and political affiliations. Senyushkevich, who was fined in May, said no one has asked him for the money. “The fine has not been annulled, but it has not been collected,” he said. “Of course, as the fine still stands, [the authorities] could come at any time.” Kazakhstan has launched a campaign against unregistered religious organizations following President Nursultan Nazarbayev’s signature in June 2005 of “national security” amendments which the authorities claim compel religious organizations to register. Human and religious rights activists oppose the laws. (Forum 18 News Service)