Thursday, March 24, 2011

CHINA: Police Raid Christian Gathering

On Feb. 23 around 20 Christians gathered for a lecture on their church's legal rights in Yangdang Town, Zaoyang City of Hubei. Police raided the meeting, confiscated property, beat several of the attendees and took all of them to the police station.

The victims described the terrifying ordeal: "[The police] smashed the door open...without presenting any legal documents or going through any legally required procedures. They shot tear gas at our group.... Many police officers and plainclothes agents beat two sisters to the floor.... They passed out on the spot with foam coming from their mouths and [convulsing]. ...they destroyed any evidence of their illegal law enforcement.... Many camcorders, cameras and cell phones were confiscated by force and destroyed."

[Source/Photo: ChinaAid]

- View government's explanation about raid -

Offer praise to God that despite persecution Christianity is growing in China! Pray for healing for the believers who were injured in the raid. Pray that God will calm their fears and restore peace and joy in their hearts. Pray for President Hu Jintao and other government officials to find salvation in Christ.

"So they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name." Acts 5:41

VOM assists Chinese Christians by providing Bibles, Christian literature, scholarships for training and emergency aid to families of prisoners.

A Voice of the Martyrs Volunteer

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

ASIA BIBI LANGUISHES IN PRISON; HER ADVOCATES SILENCED

As many of you know, on Nov. 8, 2010 Asia Bibi was the first woman to be sentenced to death by hanging under Pakistan's blasphemy law. Asia Bibi was arrested on June 19, 2009, after she engaged in an intense discussion with a group of women who worked with her. Answering their calls for her to accept Islam, Asia told them Jesus is alive, but Mohammad is dead. "Our Christ is the true prophet of God," she reportedly told them, "and yours is not true." Upon hearing this, the Muslim women became angry and began to beat Asia, who was taken into police custody and then later condemned to die.

In the weeks after, there was an enormous international outcry denouncing the blasphemy law. Since then, there have be several troubling developments we want you to be aware of so you can pray accordingly.

Sherry Rehman, the People's Party parliamentarian who submitted a bill to amend the blasphemy law, has been receiving death threats from Islamic radicals. The bill was withdrawn last month after the Pakistan Prime Minister announced that the government would not amend the law.

Salman Taseer, the former Governor of Punjab Province and advocate of Asia Bibi, was assassinated on Jan. 4 by his personal bodyguard, Mumtaz Qadri. Taseer had been commissioned by President Asif Ali Zardari to conduct a ministerial review of Asia Bibi's case. He found the verdict unsound and recommended a presidential pardon. Qadri, who openly confessed to killing Taseer, told authorities he was angered by Taseer’s support for the proposed amendment to the blasphemy law and for Asia Bibi. Qadri was hailed a hero by his supporters, including a number of lawyers, who showered him with rose petals at his first court appearance.

Shahbaz Bhatti, another proponent of amending the blasphemy law, was killed on Mar. 2 by militant Islamic extremists. Bhatti, a Federal Minister and the only Christian in the Pakistani cabinet, worked on Asia Bibi's behalf and spoke out against the blasphemy law. The Pakistani Taliban claimed responsibility for the murder of Bhatti. The assassins left leaflets at the scene of the attack which stated they killed him for being a blasphemer.

In light of these events, VOM contacts in Pakistan have expressed concern for Asia Bibi's lawyer. He may be the next target, or he may refuse to represent her further due to the increasing danger.

Even if Asia Bibi's sentence is overturned her safety in Pakistan is suspected. That’s because in Dec. 2010, a Muslim cleric offered a $5,800 reward to anyone who killed Asia Bibi in prison.

Asia's husband, Ashiq Masih, and their children are constantly on the run in Pakistan due to death threats. Other vocal supporters of amending the blasphemy law have had to flee the country because of threats to them and their families.

Please take the time to pray for and write to Asia Bibi and the government officials in Pakistan. Login to the Be-A-Voice Network or go to Prisoner Alert to find Asia Bibi’s profile and contact information. Though there had been talk of moving Asia to another prison, we have not received confirmation that she has been moved. Therefore, please use the address provided in these links.

Again, we thank you for your love and support for the persecuted church. "The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much." James 5:16b

A Voice of the Martyrs Volunteer

Friday, March 11, 2011

LAOS: Situation Critical for Expelled Christians

An advocacy group reports that Christians ousted from a village in Ta-Oih Provinceare at a "critical stage" because they do not have enough food or water.

In January 2010, officials forced at gunpoint 48 Christians out of Katin village after they repeatedly refused to give up their faith. The officials left them to find shelter several miles outside the village and confiscated the Christians' homes, livestock, and essential belongings.

Eleven months later, in December 2010, officials forced an additional 15 Christians, from the village. The 11 families welcomed them and built additional shelters for them, though they had limited food and water supplies.

During the expulsion, one man has died and at least two ostracized villagers were hospitalized in April because they lacked clean drinking water, adequate food or housing.

[Sources: Human Rights Watch for Lao Religious Freedom and Compass Direct News]

Please Pray!

Pray that God will give these precious believers supernatural strength to endure. He owns the cattle on a thousand hills. Pray that he will supply all their needs according to his riches in glory by whatever means he sees fit. Ask God to replace the stony hearts of the village officials with hearts of flesh, that they would find salvation in Christ.

"You suffered along with those in prison and joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property, because you knew that you yourselves had better and lasting possessions. So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised." Hebrews 10:34-36

VOM assists Christians in Laos by providing Bibles, Christian radio broadcasts, skills training and support for pastors.

A Voice of the Martyrs Volunteer

Friday, March 4, 2011

Egypt: More Attacks on Christians

On Feb. 20 and 21 armed forces demolished fences surrounding three ancient Coptic monasteries in different locations around the country. The fences were erected after the Jan. 25 uprising and attacks on the property by escaped prisoners. In one attack six Coptics were injured, one is still hospitalized in critical condition.

In another incident, about 3,000 Christians took to the streets in the southern city of Assuit, to protest the killing of a Coptic priest, Father Daoud Boutros. They believe Father Boutros' death was a result of a divide between Muslims and minority Christians.

The priest was found dead in his home by his daughter on Feb. 23. A fellow clergyman said he had been stabbed several times. "Someone had broken into the safe and we found it was empty, indicating it was a robbery," a police official said.

Neighbors reported seeing masked men leaving the home shouting, "Allahu Akbar," Arabic for "God is great."

[Sources: CBN and Assyrian International News Agency]

Hope reigns in Egypt after the fall of President Mubarak, but pray that Muslim extremists do not gain a foothold during this time of transition thus placing Christians in a more vulnerable position. Pray that God would put righteous men in power who will protect the rights of Christians. Pray for the family of Father Boutros and those injured in recent attacks. Pray for general protection for Christians.

"LORD, You have heard the desire of the humble; You will prepare their heart; You will cause Your ear to hear, to do justice to the fatherless and the oppressed, that the man of the earth may oppress no more." Psalm 10:17-18

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

A Voice of the Martyrs Volunteer