The Barnabas Fund

UPDATE ON THE SUFFERING CHURCH

SENEGAL

A local Muslim politician at the head of a mob of young men stormed a church in Dakar on Sunday 26 May. Insulting and assaulting Christian worshippers, the youths, armed with knives and stones, drove them out and occupied the building.

The church, which has only recently opened, first encountered opposition from the local politician when it met with officials to receive formal approval before beginning to hold services. Having failed to prevent Christians from establishing the church local conservative Muslims took the law into their own hands and decided to assault the church claiming that Christians were making too much noise during services and disturbing the local community. Despite the involvement of the police and local authorities the church building has still not been returned to the congregation.

Pray for wisdom and guidance for Church leaders as they continue to pursue this case through the correct legal channels.

Pray that the church building will be swiftly restored to the congregation.

KAZAKHSTAN

A church in a village in north-western Kazakhstan has been pressured to halt their activities, especially work with children, until they gain registration, something the congregation is unwilling to accept. Although under Kazakh law registration is not obligatory, a local official made it clear that the church would have to register in order to continue with its activities.

Pray that this church would be able to continue to operate, especially its children’s work, despite this opposition from the local authorities.

Source: Keston News Service

PAKISTAN

Pervaiz Aslam Chaudry, the Christian lawyer who is currently defending Pakistani Christians Saleem, Rasheed and Aslam Masih, and Wajihul Hassan (a Muslim) on blasphemy charges, is facing intimidation and death threats. On 8 June Pervaiz’s car was surrounded by four men on motorbikes who forced him to pull over and shouted threats and abuse saying “This is your last warning . Stop this case of Wajihul Hassan today or you will be killed.” Pervaiz and his wife have also received a number of threatening phonecalls at their home in Lahore in recent weeks, and Pervaiz has noticed that his movements are being followed by a man on a motorcycle.

In Faisalabad four men recently turned up at the home of Khalil Tahir, a Muslim attorney who also defends blasphemy cases, after he had left for work. His wife refused to let them in. On 28 May the family received a threatening late night call in which Khalil’s wife was told “Your children, you and your husband will be killed” and, when he took the phone, Khalil was warned “Your days are numbered now. Soon you will be no more.”

Days after the two lawyers received the threats Yousaf Ali, a Muslim facing a death sentence for blasphemy, was shot and killed by a fellow inmate in Kot Lakhpat jail, Lahore. Christian brothers Saleem and Rasheed Masih are also being held in Kot Lakhpat on blasphemy charges.

In October 1997 a High Court judge in Lahore was shot and killed by Islamic gunman for acquitting two Christians on blasphemy charges

Pray for Pervaiz, Khalil and the other brave lawyers who defend Christians and others accused under Pakistan’s blasphemy laws. Pray for protection and safety for them and their families. Ask the Lord to give them support and courage in the face of threats and intimidation.

TURKEY

A young church leader in one part of Turkey has recently been tortured for his faith, leaving him with permanent damage to his kneecaps.

Pray that this brave young Christian will be protected from further harm.

INDONESIA

Christians in the Indonesian province of Papua (Irian Jaya) are fearful that a violent campaign could be unleashed against them later this year as Laskar Jihad Islamic militants continue to flood into the province. A number of Laskar Jihad military training camps are now situated in the province and military instruction is also taking place quite openly in the compounds of some mosques. Several Christians have reported discovering stockpiles of weapons. A number of Pakistani and Afghan mujahideen have been sighted. Laskar Jihad’s magazine, which contains articles attacking Christians, Jews and the US, is now being sold openly in markets in Papua.

Laskar Jihad is forming links with local authorities, police and army units, and most disturbingly with the pro-Jakarta militia Satgas Merah Putih which opposes Papuan calls for independence from Indonesia. Local Christians who have reported Laskar Jihad activities to the authorities say that they have been harassed, threatened with arrest themselves, and even received intimidating phonecalls late at night.

Pray that Christians in Papua will be protected, that the efforts of the Laskar Jihad will be frustrated and that no massacres of Christians will occur.

Pray that the authorities will act with mercy, compassion and justice to enforce the law and protect the local population, and that they will not turn a blind eye to the Jihad’s activities.

FOCUS ON

MALAYSIA

Formed out of previously British colonial territories in the Malay peninsula and Borneo, modern Malaysia emerged in the 1950s and 60s. Its original 1957 constitution confirmed special political privileges for the 60% of the population who are indigenous Malays or Orang Asli (tribal peoples). This was in exchange for granting citizenship to the large Chinese and Indian populations (today making up 33% and 10% of the population respectively) who dominated the region’s economy. Malays were defined as Malay speakers, practisers of Malay cultural traditions, and, crucially, Muslims. Islam is the official religion of the state. Despite historic inter-ethnic tension Malaysia today is largely recognised as being one of the most moderate nations in the Muslim world. The 6-10% of the population who are Christians are largely able to worship freely.

The biggest threat to Christian freedoms in Malaysia today is the growing influence and power of the Parti Islam SeMalaysia (PAS) the main opposition political party. Formed in 1952 PAS is a devoutly Islamic party which is working hard to transform Malaysia into an Islamic state under Shari’ah law. The party holds 27 seats in parliament and controls two states. In 1993 an attempt by the PAS led Kelantan State Government to introduce full Shari’ah law was blocked by the federal government. Now PAS is pushing for Shari’ah law in Terengganu, the other state it controls.

Christians and other non-Muslims are fearful that under Shari’ah law their rights and freedoms will be eroded and they will become second-class citizens. Shari’ah law, which prescribes harsh penalties such as amputation for theft and stoning for adultery, requires converts from Islam to another faith to be put to death and counts the evidence of non-Muslims and women as worth only half that of Muslim men in legal courts, in some cases discounting their testimonies altogether.

Tension and uncertainty has been further heightened by the announcement that Malaysia’s Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, will be standing down in favour of his deputy in sixteen months. Whilst often criticised on human rights grounds, Mahathir has done much to create a strong and multicultural, multiracial state. Christians are deeply concerned about the power vacuum his departure will create.

Pray that moves to impose full Shari’ah law in Malaysia’s Terengganu State at the expense of the rights of women and non-Muslims will be frustrated.

Pray that Malaysia’s traditionally moderate, pluralist and tolerant stance in matters of religion will be maintained.

Pray for encouragement, guidance and wisdom for Malaysian Christians at this time of uncertainty and change.

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UPDATE ON THE SUFFERING CHURCH is produced monthly by

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web: http://www.barnabasfund.org (Compiled 28.6.2002) [37 (69)]

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