Persecution Blog

Pakistani Christian Dies in Prison When He Could've Been Treated for His Illness

Sadly, one of the many ways Christians are persecuted is not only when they are arrested but then how badly they are often treated while in prison.

In Pakistan we are seeing Christians who are being arrested under the blasphemy laws and then not being treated for medical issues that are easily treated.  This is what is being reported by One News Now about what is happening via reports from International Christian Concern. 

Here's part of the story...

 Jonathan Racho of International Christian Concern (ICC) reports that Aslam Masih died September 9 after suffering an illness. "A Christian human rights organization in Pakistan asked the prison officials to give this brother medical treatment, but the jail officials refused to give him proper medication, citing security concerns," Racho explains.

An autopsy revealed that Masih died from dengue fever, a treatable disease caused by four related viruses spread by a particular species of mosquito. ICC is becoming increasingly concerned because Masih is the latest addition to the list of Christians accused of blasphemy who are dying in prison.

Full story here.

More than 100 Christians Killed in Nigeria’s Plateau State

Entire families slaughtered in month of attacks, apparently with military help.

JOS, Nigeria, September 22 (CDN) — A rash of attacks by armed Muslim extremists on villages in Nigeria’s Plateau state in the past month have left more than 100 Christians dead, including the elimination of entire families, sources said.

In a guerilla-type “hit and run” attack on the Christian community of Vwang Kogot, Muslim attackers at about 8 p.m. on Sept. 9 killed 14 Christians, including a pregnant woman. Survivors of the attack told Compass that the assailants raided the village with the aid of men in military uniforms of the Nigerian Army.

Many of the victims were members of a single family surnamed Danboyi. “We heard gunshots in our village and realized that the sound was coming from a neighbor’s house, so we quickly ran to find out what was happening but saw a soldier at the entrance of the house with a gun ready to shoot at anybody who comes around, and at the same time preventing those inside from escaping,” village resident Markus Mamba told Compass. “We couldn’t get any closer because we were hearing gunshots at random, and we had no weapons with us to use to withstand the might of those soldiers, as there were quite a number of them around the house.”

Please read the full story at Compass Direct and please pray for our brethren in Nigeria.

Christian Mother of Five in Pakistan Alleges Rape

We've written on this blog before numerous times about the suffering a woman endures when she is raped. In my many years as a therapist, I counseled numerous women who have been raped.  Rape is no joking matter.  Even in the bible when Joseph was accused of rape - even then, not a joking matter.  So when we have a story of a Christian mother of five children who is saying she's been raped, I tend to believe her.

Compass Direct details the testimony of a Christian mother of five who said she was raped by Muslims after they took her a gunpoint.  Please pray for the women in Pakistan and other nations where Muslims are targetting Christian women in the hopes of converting them.  Click here to read the full devastating story.

Messianic Jews Singled Out in Israeli Town

The following news is from Compass Direct about the Messianic Jews in Israel coming under attack from those who do not want them around.  Since the Messianic Jewish community has grown tremendously in the last few years, this is of concern.  Please pray for all of those in Israel, Psalm 122:6 and for those Jews who are now being persecuted because they follow Jesus the Christ, as their Messiah.

Flyers post addresses, phone numbers of harassed minority.

 

ISTANBUL, September 15 (CDN) — Messianic Jews in a suburb west of Jerusalem continue to be harassed for following their faith, this time by someone anonymously placing flyers in public areas singling out members of Messianic congregations.


The flyers began appearing two weeks ago in the town of Mevasseret Zion. Asher Intrater, leader of the Ahavat Yeshua Congregation, said he thinks the flyers are “an effort to drive us out of the neighborhood.”


The flyers posted the addresses and phone numbers of the Messianic Jews, and in some cases included their photographs. Intrater said he thinks the addresses were placed on the flyers to incite others to harass or harm the Messianic Jews.


“Why else would you put the addresses on the flyers?” he said.


This is the second time in three months that a group has singled out Messianic Jews in Mevasseret Zion for ridicule. On June 26, members of Yad L’Achim, an ultra-Orthodox, anti-Christian group, protested outside the home of Serge and Naama Kogen, a messianic couple.
 

Yad L’Achim claimed the couple had befriended and then manipulated a teenager into becoming a Christian. The Kogens denied the charge, as did the 16-year-old girl who was the alleged conversion target. The girl’s parents, with considerable help from Yad L’Achim, filed charges against the Kogens and Intrater. The judge found in favor of Intrater and the Kogens and dismissed all the charges.


It is unclear who actually posted the flyers, and Intrater declined to speculate. But the flyers match a well-established pattern in Israel. According to a classified communiqué issued by the U.S. State Department in May 2008 and leaked on Aug. 30 by Internet activist group Wikileaks, “‘Outing’ Messianic Jews and Evangelical Christians through the publication of names, photos and addresses alongside flyers with hysterical allegations about ‘soul stealing’ and ‘brainwashing’ is a favorite tactic of Yad L’Achim branches throughout the country.”

Full story at Compass Direct.

Christians in Mexico Forced from Village

Traditionalist Catholics in Puebla state threaten to kill Protestants.

MEXICO CITY, September 16 (CDN) — About 70 Protestant Christians lived in the village of San Rafael Tlanalapan, Puebla state, until Monday (Sept. 12), when they faced a frightening ultimatum – leave immediately or be “crucified or lynched.”
 
Traditionalist Catholics in the village, near the municipality of San Martín Texmelucan about 60 miles from Mexico City, reportedly threatened to burn down or otherwise destroy their homes.
 
The Protestants left.
 
The traditionalist Catholics, who practice a blend of indigenous and Catholic rituals, reportedly asserted that 20 years ago an assistant village president had vowed that no temple of any non-Catholic faith would ever be permitted in San Rafael Tlanalapan. Protestants in Puebla, Hidalgo, Chiapas and other states sometimes refuse to help pay for and participate in traditionalist Catholic festivals, which often include drunken revelry and what they regard as idolatrous adoration of saints.
 
In 2006, the Protestants in San Rafael Tlanalapan asked for government help after Catholics led village authorities to cut off their water supply.

Keep reading more at Compass Direct.

Orphans Threatened for Faith in Laos

Laos (MNN) ― Eleven Laotian orphans could have the few things they possess ripped out from under them if they continue going to church.

Voice of the Martyrs reports that after attending a local church and becoming a Christian, one of the orphans at a government-run orphanage shared the Gospel with his peers. Soon, 10 other orphans turned to Christ and began regularly attending church.

When the principal heard of the conversions, he told the children multiple times to stop attending church, according to VOM contacts. In mid-August, he called the orphans into his office, forbidding them to go back to church.

If they do not obey, the children may have to leave the orphanage, according to VOM contacts.

Seven of the orphans promised they would stop attending church, but none of them have renounced their faith. The remaining four orphans continue to attend church and refuse to bend under the pressure. So far they have not been kicked out of the orphanage.

Laos has a history of Christian persecution under communism. The situation has improved over the last 30 years, but Christians are still targeted. Missionaries are forbidden.

Pray for these bold orphans. Pray that they would continue to share their faith despite the possible consequences and would cling to Christ for their strength. Pray that the Lord would change the heart of the principal, that he might see the Truth glowing in these faithful children. Pray for their continued protection, as well.

Source: Mission Network News

Persecution Podcast Episode 84

Did you know that The Voice of the Martyrs has a podcast that you can subscribe to in iTunes and by RSS feed?  If not, all you have to do is go to http://www.persecutionpodcast.com and look to your right and you'll see how you can subscribe.  (Hint: the graphic in this blog post is what you need to look for, just click those icons when you visit the persecutionpodcast.com page)

In this weeks podcast, there are updates  on the West Bank, Turkey, and Tanzania. This week’s speaker shares his experiences from a recent trip to Nepal.

In the second half of the show you'll learn about the culture of Nepal and the religious traditions of Nepal. 

The Christian population in Nepal is about .5 percent and so the Christians in Nepal need your prayers.

Please click here to listen to Persecution Podcast #84

Time to Order Your IDOP Kit for the 2011 International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church

Today we are thrilled to share with you that the brand new International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church kit is available for purchase. To whet your appetite, we are providing a short promo video below so you can see the story of a young woman who cried out to Jesus for help. You'll definitely want to see the full video.

VOM is also offering beautiful prayer cards, prayer brochures, a very nice banner and even a prayer resource for children so that your children can learn and pray for the persecuted church.

To purchase your IDOP Kit for this years IDOP, on November 13th, click here. Please also share these wonderful resources with your friends, your pastor, church, bible studies and of course, with your social media family.

Prisoner Alert: Imran Ghafur

In our ongoing effort to alert you to the suffering of Christians in prison, every Tuesday we've been highlighting a Christian who is in prison for their faith.  Last week we highlighted Asia Bibi who has been in prison since 2009.  I'm very happy to share with you that 126 new letters were written last week to Asia! Praise the Lord for you who took the time to encourage Asia.

Please do not forget to sign the Call for Mercy petition that we have going right now, in support of Asia.  We are looking for one million signatures and have a long way to go before we meet that goal.  Click here to sign that petition today.

This week we would like you to take a few minutes and write to Imran Ghafur who has been imprisoned since 2009.

Imran is currently serving a life sentence in prison for allegedly intentionally burning pages of the Quran.  He was severly beaten and his case is being appealed.

In May of 2011 it was reported that Imran is thankful for everyone who has been praying for him, and he is using his time in prison to study the Word of God.

Please write Imran a letter of encouragement today.  Click here to visit Prisoner Alert and take action.

The Winner of the Call for Mercy Video Contest!

Today we wanted to congratulate David and his sister Christina on their accomplishment of being the first place winner of the Asia Bibi Call for Mercy video contest.

I found this video not only compelling but the presentation was wonderful, unique and beautifully done. Please watch and share with your friends.

Don't forget to visit http://www.callformercy.com too!