Persecution of Christians Still Growing in Laos

There has been a steady growth in the rate persecution of Christians in Laos as villagers in Vientiane province are being made to pay a high price for turning to Christ.

This indication is part of the report by the Release International (www.releaseinternational.org) a United Kingdom (UK) registered charity organization adding that four Christian families in one village recently signed papers renouncing their faith after their baptisms reportedly angered the village chief. 

It noted that the officials detained for questioning a group of visiting Christians who led the baptism – although they were later released. Meanwhile, in another village, the chief and other members of the community appear to be making every effort to drive out three Christian families.

“The families were originally given land in the village when they arrived – but, since they turned to Christ four years ago, the village chief has turned against them. He first demanded they pay for the land he had given them as a gift, then tried to evict them. More recently, he started to have their goats killed and orange trees uprooted,” it stated.

In a related report, Release said legal representatives for Beijing lawyer Gao Zhisheng have been  from visiting him by officials at the prison in Xinjiang province, north-west China, where he is being held.

Quoting China Aid, it noted that Gao, who has been detained since February 2009, is currently serving a three-year jail term for 'violating the terms of his probation'. His lawyers, who travelled to Shaya Prison on August 27, had come to discuss his appeal – but were told Gao did not wish to see them.

“Pray that officials will respect Gao's right to legal counsel and please continue to pray for his release,” it stated.

Exodus of Christians in Iraq Continue With Escalating Violence

The exodus of the Christian population in Iraq has continued unstopped with the escalation of violence in the country.

This indication is contained in a report by the Open Doors (www.opendoorsuk.org) a United Kingdom (UK) Registered Charity adding that July 2012 was one of the deadliest months in Iraq since US troops withdrew in December 2011. 

Quoting AFP news agency, it observed that attacks took place on at least 27 of the 31 days in July, leaving at least 325 people dead adding that in May, 20 Christian families living in Mosul received threatening letters.

It said that they had to move to other places. Another witness told how 'terrorists' in Mosul visited four estate agents asking for the names of Christians who had recently sold their houses, so they knew who had the money and who could potentially be kidnapped. 

“As a result of the escalating violence, a Christian delegation went to meet with government security officials who have promised to review the situation. In the midst of the violence we received an email from one of our contacts in Baghdad: "It is not really possible to describe the devastation here,” it stated.

The leader of the Delegation said that over 100 have been killed. “We are used to bad problems here in Baghdad but the violence is quite unbelievable.” 

It continued: “Twelve car bombs, two suicide bombers on motorbikes. Scores of police and soldiers killed. We no longer have any security. Whilst our people have not been killed, the injuries are so severe to so many.” 

"Despite all of this we do not give up and we do not fear. We keep praising the Holy One who never leaves us. Today has been both good and exhausting. In the church we have been looking at Psalm 23. When people ask me what they should pray for us here in Iraq, I say it should be the three 'P's. Protection, Provision and Perseverance. It is these three things that Psalm 23 deals with,” he also stated.

Egyptian Christians Scared About Muslim Brotherhood Takeover of Parliament

Egyptian Christians who were scared over the eventual takeover of the Parliament by the Muslim Brotherhood welcomed the recent decision by the Supreme Court to dissolve the Islamist-controlled parliament due to election irregularities.

Open Doors United Kingdom (UK) (http://www.opendoorsuk.org) a Christian advocacy group stated this in a release adding that Christians welcome ruling to dissolve parliament but still face uncertain future.

Speaking on this recent development, Mr. Athanasious Williams, a Christian human rights lawyer in Egypt stated: "But now they feel that there might be a better chance for a secular government."

He said that about a third of the seats were reserved for ‘independents', but there was confusion because some seats were contested on a proportional representation basis and others using the ‘first past the post' system. “The Supreme Court ruled that the elections were invalid and the lower house of parliament will now be dissolved.”

According to him,along with the decision to strike the parliament, the court also ruled to allow Ahmed Shafiq, the final prime minister of former President Hosni Mubarak's regime, to continue running for president. 

Williams stated: “In this weekend's (16-17 June) presidential elections, Shafiq, despite his connection to the old regime, is seen by many Christians as a preferable option to the Muslim Brotherhood candidate, Mohammed Mursi.”

He noted that local leaders have warned that the court ruling does not guarantee that the Islamists won't regain power through a rerun of the election, but it does give voters another chance to elect a government more sympathetic to Christians and other ethnic minorities.

Nahla, a young Christian who runs empowerment programs for Coptic women in rural areas, explained how many Christians are responding to the dichotomy facing them. "How can we stop ministry when the hunger for the Lord is increasing these days like never before? 

He continued: “Our biggest challenge is to continue to love, forgive and pray for the people who hate us, so we can be a real blessing to our community and our country. The Bible says love never fails, and we want to keep reflecting the shining love of Jesus to all our neighbors."

Release International Calls for Prayer for Nigeria Terrorist Victims

The United Kingdom (U.K) Christian Charity organization Release International (www.releaseinternational.org) has called for a fresh prayer for  victims of ongoing attacks against churches and Christian communities in Nigeria. 

 Nigerian Christian women in deep mourning
after a terrorist attack on Christians

Quoting Stefanos Foundation, Release in a report said many Christians have been left deeply traumatized by the violence adding that it asks for prayers for members of the following churches, which have been bombed by militants: The Living Faith Church, Bauchi; Christ Chosen Church, Jos: Christ The King Church, Zaria, and Shalom Church, Kaduna. 

According to the report, extremists detonated bombs during worship services and that militants raided nine townships in Gashish District of Barkin Ladi. They left many Christians homeless, hungry and deeply traumatized.

"Release works with Stefanos Foundation to provide trauma counseling to victims. Our partner is also supporting the Berom ethnic Christian communities of Plateau State, who have been attacked," it stated.

In an updated report, it said the Pakistani Christian, Khurram Masih, who is accused of burning pages of the Koran to make tea, is due back in court on August 4. The complainant failed to turn up in court to give evidence at the previous hearing on July 26. 

"The judge summonsed the police officer dealing with the case to reprimand him. Pray for wisdom for the judge and protection for Khurram and his family," Release also stated.

17 Eritrean Christians Detained in Prison Camp

Seventeen evangelical Christians have been imprisoned in a remote military training camp at Aderset, Western Eritrea. 

This report is contained in a release by Open Doors (www.opendoorsuk.org) a United Kingdom (UK) Registered Charity adding that the young Christians were arrested on  August 5 as they were gathered at one of their homes in Keren, northwest of Asmara. 

It noted that the seven women and ten men, most of whom are enrolled for military service at Mitire, were then marched to the police station 45 minutes away, whilst being ridiculed by onlookers. They were later relocated to the military camp in Aderset. 

“The camp is notorious for its harsh conditions. Prisoners are often kept in dungeons and forced to do hard labor. The remoteness of the camp also makes it extremely hard for friends and family to visit in order to provide extra food or medicine. It is understood that one of the women arrested is physically unwell,” the report stated. 

It noted that Church leaders estimated that there are around 1,500 believers in prisons in Eritrea because of their faith and that life has been particularly difficult for Christians since the Eritrean government outlawed all religious activities outside of the Orthodox, Catholic, Lutheran and Islamic faiths in 2002. 

Eritrean Christians according to the report, completed 40 days of prayer for their nation on July 2, 2012 and that  one Eritrean who took part said: "The prayer campaign has taught me and several brothers and sisters with whom I talked to, to continue depending on God with unceasing and persistent prayer until God establishes justice for the Eritrean Church."

It would be noted however that Eritrean believers have called on the wider Christian community to pray with them and particularly for the 17 young people recently imprisoned.