Sudan: January 9 referendum vote
The UN is preparing for a possible 2.8 million displaced people if fighting breaks out over southern Sudan's independence referendum. In two weeks voters in the south decide whether to remain with the Khartoum-based north, or more likely, to secede and create the world's newest country. Tensions are high over the vote. Aircraft from the Islamic northern Sudanese military have bombed areas in the Christian south or near disputed north-south borders in recent weeks. The UN report said both the northern and southern militaries had been rearming and many southerners possessed guns and light weapons. In a ‘vision’ statement posted on the internet, the Muslim Brotherhood of Sudan said allowing South Sudan to be independent was a crime. They vowed to punish Christians if this takes place. The people are worried that whatever the referendum results a civil war could be ignited. If the South remains part of Sudan the voting accuracy will be questioned. Pray: against rigging of votes, a peaceful outcome and for Christians to have no fear for the future. (Ps.112:7)
Egypt attempts to convict Christian to justify Muslim riots
The high profile criminal trial of 21-year-old Christian Girgis Baroumi accused of sexually assaulting a Muslim girl, is viewed by the Christian community as an example of the Egyptian government, Attorney General, Interior Minister and Parliament Speaker using him as a scapegoat to justify Muslim assaults on Christians in 2009. On December 13th the criminal court witnessed another stormy session when Baroumi's defence team withdrew from the trial in protest over the court's rejection of several requests vital to prove the defendant's innocence. The prosecution is using religious language during the proceedings saying, ‘those who cause sectarian strife ought to be killed or crucified'. Pray: for religious discrimination in the criminal justice system of Egypt to be removed. (Ps.11:7) More: ttp://english.freecopts.net/english//index.phpoption=com_content&task=view&id=1172&Itemid=9
INSIGHT: Egypt: Christian’s life on hold
An Egyptian who left Islam to become a Christian and consequently lost his wife, children and business is waiting to see if the government will now take away his freedom for ‘defaming’ Islam. Ashraf Thabet, 45, is charged with defaming a revealed religion. The charges stem from Thabet’s six-year search for spiritual meaning that eventually led him to become a Christian. During his search he shared his doubts about Islam and told others what he was learning about Jesus Christ. Local religious authorities, incensed at Thabet’s ideas, notified Egypt’s State Security Intelligence service, and he was arrested and charged with defamation. If found guilty he would face up to five years in jail. But because prosecutors have made no move to try the case, Thabet lives in limbo and is subject to a regular barrage of death threats from his community in northeast Egypt. Read the full story at For insights to aid prayer for Egyptian Christians click the 'info' button. Pray: for God’s purposes for Thabet to be fulfilled as He comforts, directs and protects him. (Ps.119:86)
Afghanistan: Authorities block lawyer from visiting Christian
A Christian in Afghanistan facing ‘apostasy’ charges punishable by death is still without legal representation after authorities blocked a Christian lawyer's attempt to visit him in prison. Authorities denied him access to Musa and to his indictment file. After several court hearing postponements, Musa appeared before a judge ‘shackled and chained’ on Nov. 27th without prior notice. The judge sent Musa's case file to the attorney general's office for corrections. Another Afghan Christian is in prison for giving a New Testament to a man who reportedly turned him in to authorities. He is in a holding jail in northern Afghanistan. See link for background to these stories. More: http://www.compassdirect.org/english/country/23987/28442/
Pakistan: Desperate needs
Much of Pakistan is still under water after recent floods. Pakistan is a country already deeply in debt with millions of people relying on food aid as they will not be able to grow rice and wheat until next year. Donors have been reluctant to give to a country with a reputation for militancy and corruption and the UN has only raised half of the $2bn it pledged to the flood victims. These people are already very poor and struggle to survive. In addition, winter is approaching and many face a lack of adequate food, warm clothing and heating fuel. Relief organizations do what they can to help, but the need seems overwhelming. We are asked to remember the poor people of Pakistan in our prayers as they face the cold winter months without adequate shelter, clothing, food and heat. The women and children suffer the most, particularly in areas not yet reached by agencies distributing life saving aid. Pray: that the organizations that are serving in Pakistan will have the financial resources to continue their projects. Pray also for the safety of local believers.
Vietnam: Officials bulldoze Bible school
At 7am Vietnamese time, about 500 police, soldiers and fire officers arrived with bulldozers at Pastor Quang’s school and demolished the property. Pastor Quang, (one of the so-called 'Mennonite Six' jailed in 2004) is currently being held at a undisclosed location after being beaten with batons 'until he fainted.' Twenty students from the school were also arrested and interrogated. Police specially drafted in from the Central Highlands region were on hand to escort students back to their provinces. Montagnard Christians from this region make up a large proportion of the Mennonite Church in Vietnam. Pastor Quang's wife, Phu Dung Le, and his three children are safe. Leaders and Bible college students linked with Pastor Quang have come under intense pressure from officials to give up their association with the Mennonite church since October. Pray: for God to keep those arrested in His perfect peace and to touch the officials involved through the witness of the Christians. (Mal.1:4)
Egypt: House converted to prevent Church services
In an effort to prevent Coptic Christians using the newly built Church of St. Mary and St. Michaels for prayer services the Giza Governorate converted a four storey house facing the church into a mosque secretly during Thursday night, and hastily hung a cloth sign outside advertising the new Ekhlass mosque. Due to the minimum distance required by law between a church and a mosque Copts view this conversion of the house into a new mosque ‘as a trick on the part of the government to make the completion and use of St. Mary's Church an impossibility.’ On Friday morning over 3000 Muslims prayed there despite the presence of an established large mosque not far from the new mosque. In November the same Coptic Church was the scene of security forces using tear gas on women, children and youths at the church, in an attempt to halt construction of the new church building. Pray: for a peaceful and just resolution to a potentially inflammatory situation. (Ps.5:11)
Iraq: Government trying to protect churches
Concrete walls up to 10 feet high are being built around churches in Baghdad and Mosul to protect Christmas churchgoers from violence, reports a Catholic News Agency. The barriers are the Iraqi government’s response to reports of increased threats to churches and other Christian communities ahead of Christmas. Normally celebrations would involve parties in church halls and parks. But after requests from church leaders activities in both Baghdad and Mosul are being scaled back to reduce the security threat. ‘The sadness of the people is everywhere. Uncertainty is everywhere. The question on everyone’s lips is What’s next?’ Archbishop Bashar Warda said. Pray: that Jesus Christ would bless, protect and enable the Christians of Iraq to draw into His presence with joy this Christmas. (Jos.1:9)
Pakistan: Muslims burn and beat evangelist unconscious
An evangelist is still recovering from burns after six young Muslim men beat him with clubs and belts and set him on fire last month. Area Christians said they found the Rev. Wilson Augustine, aged 26, unconscious with burns on his head, hand and arm on Nov. 22 near the bus stop on the outskirts of Sargodha. Christian elders of nearby villages said that Augustine was distributing pamphlets and proclaiming Christ door-to-door the previous day among Christian families of local villages when the sons of a powerful local land owner saw one of the pamphlets. Augustine later identified the six who attacked him but police decline to name the suspects in the attempted murder. Augustine’s father reported the assault to the local police station, but the registrar was reluctant to file a case against the sons of a wealthy, powerful land owner. Pray: for God to faithfully lead and protect the Christians in Pakistan as they proclaim His name. (Ps.18:30) More: http://www.compassdirect.org/english/country/pakistan/29641/
INSIGHT: Eritrea: Pray for change
The first meeting of the Eritrean Cabinet of Ministers got underway on the 14th December in Eritrea’s capital. In its agenda the meeting heard extensive briefings by President Isaias Afwerki assessing political, economic, social and diplomatic activities this year, as well as the envisaged national development programmes for 2011 and beyond. See: Analysts say the State of Eritrea is believed to be crumbling and it is doubtful that the Afewerki government will be able to sustain the unity and stability of the nation for much longer. Rumours within Eritrea say many are losing patience and may rise up against the authoritarian government. For insights into Eritrea’s Christian heritage, historical and political roots click the ‘Info’ button. Pray: for God to release Eritrea into her inheritance under His authority. (Ps.132:15)