Prayer Focus Update July 2007 Issue 129

PRAYER FOCUS UPDATE is a monthly information bulletin with up-to-date news on the persecuted Church to help Christians pray for their suffering brothers and sisters. You can use this for prayer groups, your own information and for inclusion in church magazines.

* Indonesia: Christian teachers released <#Indonesia: Christian teachers released>

* Australia: “Vilification” case settled <#Australia: >

* Uzbekistan: David Shestakov <#Uzbekistan: David Shestakov> * Iraq <#Iraq>

* Church Elder Killed <#Church Elder Killed>

* Murders in Baghdad <#Murders in Baghdad>

* Converts threatened <#Converts threatened>

* Christians ordered to wear veil <#Christians ordered to wear veil>

* Pakistan: Worshippers attacked <#Pakistan: Worshippers attacked>

* Malaysia: Church demolished <#Malaysia: Church demolished>

* Holy Lane: Church school and monastery attacked <#Holy Lane: Church school and monastery attacked>

Indonesia: Christian teachers released

Dr Rebekka Zakaria, Mrs Ratna Bangun and Mrs Eti Pangesti, who were jailed after allowing Muslim children to attend their Christian children’s club, were released early from their 3-year prison sentence on 8th June.

Their early release after two years is an answer to prayer, and Rebekka, Ratna and Eti are now reunited with their families. During their time in prison, they openly witnessed to the other prisoners and the prison staff. It is reported that they “transformed” the prison, cleaning and scrubbing the cells, working in the garden and painting a room for use as a church. Rebekka has lost her licence to practise as a doctor due to her criminal record.

Give thanks that Rebekka, Ratna and Eti are finally free and reunited with their families, an answer to the prayers of many. Pray that they will be protected from the angry Muslims determined to see them punished.

Pray that the witness of these three women will continue to have a profound effect on those with whom they had been imprisoned.

Pray that the injustice of their case will be highlighted, so that other Christians are not given the same treatment in the future. Pray that authorities and judiciary in Indonesia will act to give true justice to everyone they deal with, irrespective of their faith, or of pressure from others.

Australia: “Vilification” case settled

The religious “vilification” case against Pastors Daniel Scot and Danny Nalliah has been settled after mediation on 22nd June. The two pastors met with representatives of the Islamic Council of Victoria (ICV) and the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal. Following the meeting a media release was issued which, amongst other things, stated that both parties affirmed and recognised the rights of each other, their communities and all persons, “to adhere to and express their own religious beliefs” and “within the limits provided for by the law, to robustly debate religion, including the right to criticise the religious belief of another, in a free, open and democratic society”.

The settlement marks the end of the case made against Daniel and Danny by the ICV, following comments which were made by the pastors in a Christian meeting teaching on Islam. They had previously been found guilty and ordered to make public apologies and also promise never again to repeat similar statements anywhere in Australia. The legal case, and subsequent appeal, has cost many hundreds of thousands of dollars, and also a great deal of stress to both the men and their families, who have experienced death threats against themselves and their families. Furthermore in May, to add to Daniel Scot’s stress, the 19-year-old nephew of his wife was abducted in Peshawar, Pakistan and held for nine days before being released.

Give thanks for the result of the mediation. Pray that this case will continue to highlight how the Racial and Religious Tolerance Act has created tensions between religious followers rather than the religious harmony that was expected. Pray that the Act will be repealed altogether.

Give thanks also that it was the Christ-like love of the Christians which finally settled the case. The Supreme Court found that while the pastors had criticised some verses in the Qur’an they had also urged love for Muslims, not hate. Pray that this message, and the publicity surrounding this case, will make many people, especially Muslims, look again at the teachings of Christ.

Uzbekistan: David Shestakov

Pastor Dmitri (David) Shestakov, who was convicted of “incitement to religious hatred” in March, had been told that he would serve his four-year sentence in a prison colony near the capital, Tashkent. However on 25th May this decision was reversed. He is now being transferred to a remote prison colony which will have much harsher conditions, and be further away from his family.

At the prison colony near Tashkent David has twice been punished by five-day and ten-day stays in an isolation cell, accused of “violation of internal regulations”.

It is believed that David was targeted for prosecution because of his active Christian ministry. Christians in the area have said that state officials are trying to “stop Christian preaching and, if that doesn’t work, drive out those who continue to preach”. David appealed against his conviction, but for unknown reasons he withdrew his appeal, causing other Christians to suspect that the authorities had put pressure on him to make this unexpected move.

Pray that David will not lose heart, that he will be encouraged in the Lord and strengthened for the daily hardships of prison. Pray that he will be released early.

Pray for all Christians in Uzbekistan, particularly those in leadership or ministry positions, that they will have courage to continue spreading the Good News of our risen Lord.

Iraq

Iraqi Christians are facing increased hostility and violence. Many have fled their homes in fear. Those who remain face increasing violence from militant groups such as al-Qaeda in Iraq. Some recent incidents follow:

Church Elder Killed

On 3rd June church minister Ragheed Ganni left his church in Mosul after the Sunday service, accompanied by three deacons, Ghassan, Bassam and Basman Joseph. The four men got into Ragheed’s car. However, as they drove away a car cut them off and four armed men got out. Ragheed and the three deacons were shot dead.

Pray for those who mourn Ragheed, Ghassan, Bassam and Basman. Pray that our Father will calm their fears and protect the Christians of Mosul.

Murders in Baghdad

The week previous to the shooting in Mosul a Christian husband and wife had been beheaded in Baghdad. A 19-year-old Christian man was also shot dead, because he refused to convert to Islam

Pray that the killing of innocent Christians will cease.

Converts threatened

According to a website statement Al-Qaeda is threatening to kill any Muslim youths in the northern town of Sulaimaniyah who leave their faith. Their statement, posted on 22nd April, says “We are hunting those who have converted to Christianity or Zoroastrianism as we consider them renegades and God’s punishment must be implemented by killing them.”

Pray for protection for all Christians in Iraq, especially for new converts. Pray also for those who persecute them.

Pray for new believers in Iraq that they will be firmly grounded in their faith so that they receive strength to stand firm when they face persecution.

Christians ordered to wear veil

Iraqi Christians report that an undated letter addressed to Christians in Baghdad from Muqtada al-Sadr’s Mahdi Army has ordered that Christian women must wear the Islamic headscarf just like Muslim women. The letter goes on to say that special committees have been set up in order to monitor Christians to see if they comply. The letter threatens grave consequences for any woman who refuses to wear the veil.

Pray for wisdom for Christians in the face of such threats. Pray that the plans of those who seek to impose Islamic rules and shari’a on non-Muslims will fail.

Pakistan: Worshippers attacked

Christian worshippers in a remote village in District Faisalabad were attacked by a mob of Muslims on 18th June. The Muslims, armed with guns and sticks, beat the Christians and fired threatening shots in the air. Dozens of Christians were injured, including women and children. The police did nothing to stop the violence and have not registered a case against the attackers. Injured Christians were denied medical aid by the local hospital.

Pray for these Christians who have not only suffered abuse but have been denied assistance and justice by the authorities. Pray that they will be protected and reassured by their heavenly Father. Pray for those Christians who have fled their homes following this attack for fear of further attacks.

Malaysia: Church demolished

A group of indigenous Malaysian Christians (Orang Asli), have had their church demolished by the state authorities. Kelantan state in north-east Malaysia is ruled by the Pan-Malaysia Islamic Party (PAS). District officials tore down the church building on 8th June, claiming that it had been built without the permission which church buildings require. However the church was built on land which belongs to the village chief. According to Malaysian law the Orang Asli have the right to use their land for their own purposes. While the district office has offered to rebuild a community centre at another site in the village the Christians have rejected the offer, stating that they want their church reconstructed on its original site.

Pray for the Orang Asli Christians, that they will be granted their request to have their church rebuilt. Pray that they will be able to trust and rest in the Lord for His provision as they await the outcome of the situation.

Holy Lane: Church school and monastery attacked

Christians in Gaza have asked for protection from the international community after increasing anti-Christian attacks by Muslim extremists. The appeal was made on 18th June, following an attack on a Christian school and monastery in Gaza City. Masked gunmen attacked, storming the main entrance with rocket-propelled grenades. Once inside they destroyed crosses, Bibles, furniture and equipment, and also stole some computers.

Fatah and Hamas have both condemned the attack, which occurred as the two groups were fighting for control of Gaza.

In another development in Gaza, Sheik Abu Saqer, leader of Jihadia Salafiya, warned Christians in Gaza that they should expect real changes now that Hamas control the region. He threatened that Christian schools and institutions would be monitored to ensure that they are not trying to convert Muslims, and Christians who did would be dealt with harshly. He also demanded that all women, including non-Muslims, must wear headscarves at all times when in public and called on Hamas to “work to impose Islamic rule”.

Give thanks that both Fatah and Hamas have condemned this attack on Christian institutions. Thank the Lord also that no one was hurt. Pray that Hamas will be true to their word and use their new position of power in Gaza to ensure that Christians really are protected from violence. Pray that Islamic restrictions will not be imposed.

International Website: http://www.barnabasfund.org