Iran: 70 Christians Arrested in Crackdown against Apostasy

It is illegal in Iran to share Christianity with Muslims or preach the gospel in Farsi, the indigenous language of Iran. It is also illegal for a Muslim to reject Islam (apostasy). Therefore, Farsi-speaking, Iranian Muslim converts to Christianity must worship in illegal "underground" fellowships.

In a massive crackdown that began on Christmas Day, authorities arrested about 70 Farsi-speaking believers. Most are young converts from Islam. They are being interrogated and coerced. The arrests follow the denial of an appeal for a Muslim convert sentenced to death for leaving Islam.

Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani's death sentence is only being delayed to give intelligence agents more time to convince him to renounce Christ and return to Islam. His wife has been sentenced to life imprisonment. They have two small children.

Source: Assist News Service

Ask God to protect the believers in Iran and that the attempted repression of the spread of Christianity by the Iranian regime would prove futile. Pray that those in leadership would be delivered from the powers of darkness and come to trust in Christ.

"The humble also shall increase their joy in the LORD, and the poor among men shall rejoice in the Holy One of Israel. For the terrible one is brought to nothing, the scornful one is consumed, and all who watch for iniquity are cut off-who make a man an offender by a word, and lay a snare for him who reproves in the gate, and turn aside the just by empty words." Isaiah 29:19-21

The Voice of the Martyrs assists Christians in Iran by providing Farsi Bibles and by supporting Christian satellite broadcasts. – January. 2011

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2011 Prayer Map for Restricted Nations and Hostile Areas

Areas where Christian persecution merits the attention and assistance of The Voice of the Martyrs has been identified and defined in two categories:

Restricted Nation and Hostile Area.

Restricted Nation -

This includes countries where government policy or practice prevents Christians from obtaining Bibles or other Christian literature. Also included are countries with government-sanctioned circumstances or anti-Christian laws that lead to Christians being harassed, imprisoned, killed or deprived of possessions or liberties because of their witness.

Hostile Area -

This includes large areas in nations where governments consistently attempt to provide protection for the Christian population, but Christians are victims of violence because of their witness.

For more information about countries where Christian persecution exists, please visit www.persecution.com.

Please remember to pray for the salvation of leaders and radicals in countries where the persecution of Christians is common. Pray also for the Christians in these areas, who face hardships and dangers simply because they profess faith in Jesus Christ.

"Remember the prisoners as if chained with them--those who are mistreated--since you yourselves are in the body also." Hebrews 13:3

A prayer map is included in each January issue of the VOM newsletter to raise awareness of areas in the world where Christians are suffering for their faith. You can order additional copies of the VOM prayer map or request the 2011 Persecuted Church Global Report by calling (800) 747-0085. You can also order online at www.persecution.com. - January, 2011

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Egypt: Bomb Attack Kills and Wounds Worshipers

Coptic Christians leaving a New Year's Eve Mass celebration in Alexandria were greeted by a bomb explosion that killed dozens of people and injured nearly 100. Witnesses reported seeing a driver park a car at the entrance of the Church of Two Saints and then run away just minutes before the explosion ripped through the crowd shortly after midnight on Jan. 1. Government officials have claimed they found remnants of the bomb at the site, filled
with nails and other makeshift shrapnel.

No one has claimed responsibility for the bombing, but the attack comes two months after an Islamic group known as the Islamic State of Iraq (ISI) issued a threat stating that, "All Christian centers, organizations and institutions, leaders and followers are legitimate targets for the mujahedeen [Muslim fighters] wherever they can reach them."

[Source: Compass Direct News]

Please pray for those wounded in this attack, as well as for the families of the deceased. As fears and tensions mount, pray that believers will be able to respond with the love of Christ. Pray authorities will protect Christians and bring the perpetrators of such heinous acts to justice.

"But You have seen, for You observe trouble and grief, to repay it by Your hand. The helpless commits himself to You; You are the helper of the fatherless." Psalm 10:14

VOM assists Christians in Egypt through its Family of Prisoners Fund, Christian radio broadcasts and discipleship training for Muslim converts. - Jan. 12, 2011

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NIGERIA: Dozens of Christians Killed in Christmas Attacks

At least 80 people were killed Christmas weekend in attacks
across Nigeria, including assaults against two churches. In
Maiduguri, the pastor of Victory Baptist Church was dragged out
of his home by armed men and shot to death. Two men
rehearsing for the Christmas service at the church and two
people walking nearby were also killed. Afterwards, the mob set
the church and pastor's house on fire.

Also, within the same city and on the same day, another group of men attacked the Church of Christ and killed an elderly security guard.

That evening, bomb blasts in central Nigeria claimed the lives of 32 people. Two bombs exploded near a market where people were Christmas shopping, another exploded in a predominantly Christian area in Jos, and a fourth bomb blast occurred near a
road to a mosque.

On Sunday a clash between Muslim and Christian youths in central Nigeria raised the death toll to at least 80 and 100
wounded. The death toll is expected to rise.

[Source: Christian Post]

Please Pray!
Pray for the light of Christ to penetrate the spiritual darkness in Nigeria. Pray for the families of those who lost their lives and those injured in the attacks. Pray that the peace of God will flow like a river in the midst of the anguish and that Christians will not be compelled to retaliate.

"Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of His saints." Psalm 116:15

VOM supports hundreds of Nigerian pastors who continue to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ despite persecution. VOM also provides food, clothing and medical aid to Nigerian Christians who are attacked by Muslim extremists. - Jan. , 2011

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AFGHANISTAN: Lawmaker Calls for Executing Christians

According to the Associated Press, Parliamentarian Abdul Satter Khowasi advocated for the execution of Muslim background believers who were televised being baptized and praying in Farsi.

"Those Afghans who appeared in this video film should be executed in public; the house should order the attorney general and the [intelligence agency] to arrest these Afghans and execute them," Khowasi said.

The television reports triggered protests by students at Kabul University. They shouted death threats and demanded the immediate expulsion of all foreigners accused of proselytizing. In addition, the government suspended operations of U.S.-based World Church Service and Norwegian Church Aid.

Proselytizing in Afghanistan is illegal, and apostasy is punishable by death. Reports indicate national believers are hiding, fearing execution. (Source: Mission Network News) – June, 2010

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