persecution news Nov 26, '10 6:02 AM for everyone In this week's edition: reports from Pakistan, Iraq, China and Indonesia

persecution news Nov 26, '10 6:02 AM
for everyone
In this week's edition: reports from Pakistan, Iraq, China and Indonesia
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1. Pakistani Christian killed for "blasphemy"
(Source: Compass Direct)
Police suspect two Muslim militants are responsible for the recent murder of a Christian man in Punjab province, Pakistan. In early November, 22-year-old Latif Masih was granted bail after five months of imprisonment for "blasphemy" for allegedly burning pages of the Qur'an. His release came after the complainant in the case told the court he was not certain Latif was guilty. On November 18, two men arrived at the home of Latif and his mother, Rubina Bibi, and asked if he would accompany them. When Latif and the men were a few yards from the house, they shot Latif five times. The men then fled by motorbike. Police were watching the scene from the street but did nothing to stop the assailants. Latif's brother, Junaid Masih, claims that the two attackers were associates of a Muslim man who had filed the blasphemy charge against Latif -- a charge that Junaid claims was part of the Muslim man's plan to take over Latif's motorbike shop.
Pray that God will grant Latif's loved ones the light of His love in the darkness of grief. Pray that Christ's Body in Pakistan will continue to be a bold testimony of His love and grace. Ask God to help Christians in Pakistan to respond in a Christ-like manner to injustice and oppression.
For more on the suffering of Christians in Pakistan, visit www.persecution.net/pakistan.htm.
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2. Three more Christians killed in Mosul, Iraq
(Sources: Assyrian International News Agency, CNN)
This week, three more believers were killed in Mosul, Iraq -- the latest in a series of recent deadly attacks on the country's Christian community (see www.persecution.net/iq-2010-11-18.htm). On November 22, assailants entered a shop owned by two Christian welders -- brothers, Saad Hanna, 43, and Waad Hanna, 40 -- and shot them. Waad was killed instantly and Saad succumbed to his injuries two hours later. The same day, police found an elderly Christian woman strangled in her Mosul home.
Pray for comfort for those mourning the loss of these believers. Pray for strength of faith and endurance of hope for Iraqi's beleaguered Christians. Ask God to bring His peace to Iraq.
You can find out more about how Christians in Iraq are suffering for their faith at www.persecution.net/iraq.htm.
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3. Church building demolished in Jiangsu province, China
(Source: ChinaAid)
A church building was recently demolished in Tinghu district, Jiangsu province, China. On November 19, Chengnan Church -- that belongs to the Three-Self Patriotic Movement and is legally registered with the government -- was destroyed on orders of the local government. The demolition came as a surprise, as registered churches in China do not typically face the same intensity of persecution from the government as non-registered churches. In response to the situation, ChinaAid President Bob Fu said, "While the government's powerful backhoes can destroy church buildings, they can never destroy the faith in the hearts and souls of believers. No one can stop the vigorous growth of the church in China. The Cross will surely be hoisted high in China by the glory of God and the sickle and ax will surely fall in shame."
Pray for the members of this church, as they are now without a building in which to hold worship. Pray that, despite the loss of their building, they will be reassured of their lasting and more precious inheritance (Hebrews 10:36, 37). Pray that the Word of God will continue to be declared with clarity, boldness, love and power by all believers in China.
To find out more about the opposition facing Christians in China, go to www.persecution.net/china.htm.
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4. Islamic groups aim to close church in Indonesia
(Source: Compass Direct)
Muslims are reportedly attempting to stop a church from holding worship services in West Java, Indonesia. Earlier this month, on November 7, more than 50 Muslims gathered outside a multipurpose building in Karask village where members of The King of Glory Church were gathered for a Sunday worship service. The Muslims chanted "Allah akbar" (God is great) and demanded that the meeting be put to an end because the building was not approved for worship services. The protest went on outside the church for more than an hour before the Muslims dispersed.
Church permit applications are often stalled in Indonesian government offices, opening the way for Muslim groups to accuse them of worshipping without official permission. In this case, however, church leaders claim that they were given permission to worship by an official in 2005. One of the leaders reported that neither the building managers nor the church leaders have ever received a written complaint about the worship services. He also said that there was no regulation against using a multipurpose building for worship services.
Pray that these believers will be free to worship in peace and without fear of violence from Islamic groups. Pray the Spirit of the Lord will guide and sustain Christians in West Java as they serve Him amid opposition. Pray that Indonesian authorities will take just and decisive action against those harassing Christians in the country.
Stay informed on the persecution facing Indonesian believers by visiting the Country Report at www.persecution.net/indonesia.htm. You can view a special video report about an Indonesian Christian taking a bold stand for Christ by visiting VOM's multimedia site at www.persecution.tv/indonesia-dewi.
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The Persecution & Prayer Alert is a ministry of The Voice of the Martyrs, Canada. (Mailing address: P.O. Box 608, Streetsville, Ontario, L5M 2C1)
Tel. (905) 670.9721. Website: www.persecution.net
Tags: suffering church

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