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A Call for Reform

7/26/2015

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International Christian Concern
2020 Pennsylvania Ave. NW #241, Washington, D.C. 20006
www.persecution.org  |  E-mail: icc@persecution.org
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India's Christians Call for Reforms as Modi's Promises Lack Action
By ICC's India Correspondent

7/23/2015 
Washington, D.C. 
International Christian Concern

"India, being [a] secular democracy, everyone needs to respect each other's beliefs and practices," a dejected rural pastor stated recently in an interview with International Christian Concern (ICC). Despite this, India's Christians are nervous due to Prime Minister Modi's void promises of protection from persecution and are now calling on him to back his promises with real action.

Since Prime Minister Modi's election, fear and insecurity among India's Christian community have increased due to ongoing assaults on Christians and their places of worship. These assaults continue to happen despite Prime Minister Modi's vows to protect religious freedom in India.

Dr. John Dayal, national spokesperson of the United Christian Forum, said, "The [most desperate] victims are Muslims and Christians, the two religious minorities that have always been the target of the RSS and the BJP. The RSS cadres have in recent months targeted these two communities [with their] infamous 'Ghar Wapsi' program which is actually the conversion of people into Hinduism by force and then promising them government subsidies and jobs."

A Rural Pastor's Perspective

In India's south, the state of Telangana has become one of the toughest places for Christians over the last year. Pastor Aharon, a rural pastor from Mahabubnagar District within Telangana, is one of the victims of the ongoing increase in religious intolerance and persecution that has left many Christians like him in a state of distress and concern.

Pastor Aharon told ICC that every Sunday it is a challenge for him to conduct worship at a village called Masupally. According to Pastor Aharon, before last May there was never a problem. But when Prime Minister Modi won the general election, the trouble began for Pastor Aharon and the Christian community of Masupally.

Youth belonging to local Hindu radical group named Hindu Vahini wait for Pastor Aharon at the entrance of the village every Sunday. Pastor Aharon, who lives in a neighboring village, regularly visited Masupally to lead Sunday worship for approximately ten Christian families. Pastor Aharon told ICC, "The situation is such that I cannot give a guarantee that I will go back to my family when I go to conduct worship in Masupally. On more than one occasion, the members of Hindu Vahini, threatened to kill me if I continue to hold prayers in the village. They surround me and they use abusive language and manhandled me. They have warned me not to come back."

When asked about his thoughts on Prime Minster Modi's promises to protect religious freedom, Pastor Aharon questioned the sincerity of Prime Minister Modi's promises. "India, being [a] secular democracy, everyone needs to respect each other's beliefs and practices, but what is happening in my village is contrary to the fundamental rights our constitution guarantees for every citizen."

India's Christians Call for Real Action

Dr. Dayal, said that, "India should therefore be held accountable to international treaties on human rights and freedom of religion and belief. There should also be a monitoring of the funding of Hindu extremist organizations as is done in the case of Islamic [extremists] and other groups."

Reverend Ronald John, Chairman of Telangana Christian Joint Action Committee, asserted that, "There has been double standard and a bias when it comes to filing cases on the perpetrators dealing with attacks on religious minorities. We demand both union and state government to ensure impartial actions both by administration and police."

Cardinal Telesphore Toppo, Archbishop of Ranchi, highlighted the need for government action to protect Christians and other vulnerable religious minorities in India amid the rise in attacks by Hindu radicals. Cardinal Toppo said in a media interview, "The government has not come out to protect and defend. The Prime Minister has only once spoken in defense of the constitution and he promised to protect the Christians and other minorities. But that was only a promise."

Those suffering from religious extremism and intolerance continue to endure persecution as the assurances of Modi and his government remain words without deeds. The Christian community of India appeals to Prime Minister Modi to take real action to ensure the freedom of faith and equality for all before the law. It is hoped that the cries of these vulnerable Christians will be heard. 

For interviews, contact William Stark, Regional Manager for South Asia: RM-SAsia@persecution.org
 
# # #

You are free to disseminate this news story. We request that you reference International Christian Concern (ICC) and include our web address, www.persecution.org. ICC is a Washington D.C.-based human rights organization that exists to help persecuted Christians worldwide. ICC provides Awareness, Advocacy, and Assistance to the worldwide persecuted Church. For additional information or for an interview, contact ICC at 800-422-5441.
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They Didn't Even Try

7/26/2015

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U.S. Iran Prisoner Swaps Challenged
by David Roach
Baptist Press
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Though America's release of four Iranian prisoners in 2012-13 was viewed by some as reciprocation for Iran's release of three American hikers, a Wall Street Journal report suggests the prisoner releases were also related to a private series of negotiations that paved the way for this month's nuclear agreement.

Renewed discussion of the prisoner releases, which were first reported years ago, has spurred fresh criticism of the Obama administration for not securing the release of American pastor Saeed Abedini and three other missing or detained Americans as part of a nuclear deal.

"Are the Iranian guards going by Pastor Abedini's cell and saying, 'They didn't even try to put you in the deal, pastor'?" said Frank Wolf, a retired Republican congressman and human rights advocate. "It has always been a fact of life that when America raises [political prisoners] by name over and over and over, that makes their life better in prison ... and is the fastest way to get them out of prison."

Wolf told Baptist Press the release of Iranian prisoners "absolutely" heightens the injustice of the nuclear deal. Release of American detainees "probably should have even been a precondition" of nuclear negotiations, with Iranian diplomats being told, "We won't even begin to sit down and begin to talk until you release them." At minimum, the release of American prisoners "should have been a part of any deal..."

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Forced to Convert in India

7/26/2015

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Christians Forced to Convert to Hinduism...
by Stoyan Zaimov
Christian Post
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Photo by Adnan Abidi, Reuters
A Hindu nationalist organization has converted 39 people from Dalit Christian families to Hinduism in a controversial ceremony aimed at making them eligible for a government benefits program.

"We are moving ahead with our initiative and more families from other religions will be reconverted to Hinduism soon. We are being approached by many people who want to come back to their original faith," said Viswha Hindu Parishad Alappuzha District Chief Prathap G Padickal, according to the Times of India.

The "ghar wapsi" programme in Kerala's Alappuzha district previously oversaw another 30 Dalit Christians convert to Hinduism in December 2014.

The Dalits, known as the "untouchables," make up India's lowest caste, and are eligible for certain government benefits if they identify as Hindus.

International Christian Concern, which reports on persecution taking place in India, noted that Christians from such low caste backgrounds are often soft targets for Hindu nationalists, who are seeking to take advantage of the stipulation in the government benefits program and lure people of other faiths into Hinduism...

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Obama Pledges $5 Million

7/26/2015

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Obama Backs Nigerian President...
In War against Boko Haram...
by Stoyan Zaimov
Christian Post
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U.S. President Barack Obama meets with Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari (Photo Courtesy Kevin Lamarque, Reuters)
President Barack Obama welcomed to the White House on Monday Nigeria's new leader Muhammadu Buhari, as the two presidents discussed ongoing plans to defeat Islamic extremist group Boko Haram. The jihadists meanwhile carried out their latest deadly raid, this time invading a village in northern Cameroon, where they slaughtered 23 people, including multiple children.

Obama praised Buhari's integrity and claimed in prepared remarks.that he has "a very clear agenda in defeating Boko Haram extremists of all sorts inside his country."

The Obama administration has pledged $5 million in funding to Nigeria's military since Buhari's election earlier this year, and the two presidents discussed deepening those ties in their meeting on Monday.

Princess Modupe Ozolua, an entrepreneur and philanthropist from the royal family of the Benin Kingdom in Edo State, Nigeria, told The Christian Post on Monday ahead of the meeting that "terrorism is a priority on the list of things to be discussed and Buhari's careful choice of delegation confirms that."

Ozolua referred to Alhaji Kashim Shettima, the governor of Borno State, which has suffered the brunt of Boko Haram's brutality in the past five years...

...Boko Haram, which has spread out its attacks in the neighboring Chad and Cameroon, reportedly stormed the village of Kamouna near Lake Chad on Sunday night. More than 80 jihadists overwhelmed the seven Cameroonian soldiers stationed at the village, after which they raided the community, killing 23 people, including children...
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It Has to be Big Enough...

7/26/2015

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I Want a Lamborghini
Operation Rescue (dot) Org
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The second video in an investigative series from the Center for Medical Progress exposing Planned Parenthood’s illicit sale of aborted baby body parts has now been released.

The most recent video shows a luncheon conversation with Dr. Mary Gatter, who currently serves as President of Planned Parenthood’s Medical Directors’ Council and Medical Director of Planned Parenthood’s Pasadena abortion clinic. She also served as the Medical Director of Planned Parenthood Los Angeles until 2014.

In the video, Gatter is heard haggling over the price she will charge for intact fetal body parts and is concerned that she will be “low-balled.” She asks for at least $75 per specimen, but wants to see what other Planned Parenthood abortionists are getting to make sure she gets similar compensation so she can buy an expensive sports car.

“But, you know, the money is not important. But it has to be big enough that it makes it worthwhile for me. . .It’s been years since I’ve talked about compensation, so let me just figure out what others are getting and if this is in the ballpark, that’s fine. If it’s still low, we can bump it up. I want a Lamborghini,” Gatter laughed...

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He Still Serves

7/26/2015

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Voice of the Martyrs
persecution (dot) com
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“Prasad Bandi” knew that his church in Tamil Nadu, India, could be attacked at any time, but he faithfully continued serving as its pastor.

Then, during evening services on Feb. 22, someone on a motorcycle threw a Molotov cocktail at the church. Within minutes, the roof of the building — constructed of palm leaves and sheets of plastic — was consumed by flames. With assistance from The Voice of the Martyrs, Prasad is preaching in his church again, knowing that it is still a potential target.

Prasad is one of the more than 30,000 front-line workers supported by The Voice of the Martyrs. These workers share the gospel at great risk in hostile and restricted nations. As they minister in these difficult places, they need our prayers. Will you commit to pray for them as they share Christ?

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Christians Kidnapped in Libya

7/26/2015

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Three Christians Kidnapped by ISIS in Libya
by Carey Lodge
Christian Today
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Three Christians kidnapped by Islamic State in Libya have been identified by the militant group.

Bekhit Nageh Efrak Ebeid, Sekyere Kofi Frimpong and Aedola Ibrahim were abducted by ISIS in Noufliyah, southeast of Sirte – a stronghold for the jihadists. They are now being held in an unknown location.

The men are from Egypt, Nigeria and Ghana, ISIS said in a statement on social media, where they posted photos of the men's passports. Libyan military spokesman, Mohamed El Hejazi, confirmed the abduction...

...Earlier this year, Egypt began conducting airstrikes in Libya following the beheading of 21 Coptic Christians in the country by ISIS militants. Speaking to Radio France Internationale in April, Eritrean Catholic Priest Father Mussie Zerai said that Ethiopians and Eritreans were a key target for militants in Libya because the majority of them are Christians...

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Faith and Sacrifice

7/26/2015

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Faith and Sacrifice
by William Stark
Persecution Magazine, July 2015
International Christian Concern
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The suicide bombers came to the churches on March 15 during morning services. Connected to the Pakistani Taliban, they attacked St. John’s Catholic Church and Christ Church, located in a Christian neighborhood of Lahore called Youhanabad. They left 19 people dead and another 80 wounded. These are the basic facts, the who, what, when, and where, that I reported in a press release days before I departed on my trip to Pakistan. 

When I arrived in Youhanabad, I discovered the basic facts were insufficient to truly tell the story of the Christian community in Youhanabad following the church bombings. Extreme fear, intense anger and devastating grief were ever-present emotions for many of the Christians I met in Youhanabad, yet there were still glimmers of hope mixed with pride in each person’s testimony. These glimmers of hope and pride were something I didn’t fully understand or fully appreciate until I had time to reflect upon my time in Youhanabad...
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Christian Mother's Death Sentence Suspended

7/25/2015

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International Christian Concern
2020 Pennsylvania Ave. NW #241
Washington, D.C. 20006

www.persecution.org  |  E-mail: icc@persecution.org
Media Contact: William Stark, Regional Manager for South Asia RM-SAsia@persecution.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
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Pakistan's Supreme Court Suspends Christian Mother's Death Sentence
Asia Bibi's Blasphemy Appeal to be Decided on the Merits

7/22/2015 
Washington D.C. 
International Christian Concern

International Christian Concern (ICC) has learned that Pakistan's Supreme Court has temporarily suspended the death sentence of Asia Bibi, a Christian mother sentenced to death under Pakistan's controversial blasphemy laws.

The court has granted Bibi's petition for appeal her conviction giving her a chance to be fully acquitted of the blasphemy charges that have seen her on death row since 2010.

The proceedings took place at the registry branch of the Supreme Court in Lahore earlier today where a three-member bench headed by Justice Main Sazib Nazir accepted Bibi's petition for the review of her case. Talking to ICC after the court made its decision, Saif-ul-Malook, Bibi's Supreme Court Advocate, said, "The standard of evidence which is required to prove [this] offence is not available in this case. Therefore, I am optimistic that the honorable court will acquit my client." 

"This is a procedural development and a small win for Asia that the Supreme Court has accepted her petition for review," Peter Jacob, Executive Director of the Center for Social Justice, told ICC. "However, the outcome of this case will now depend on how it is presented to the court."

For many, the blasphemy case against Bibi has become symbolic of how Pakistan's blasphemy laws are widely abused and of how religious minorities are persecuted. The accusation against Bibi originates from a dispute that took place in June 2009 between Bibi and a group of Muslim women with whom she was harvesting berries in Sheikhupura. The Muslim women became angry with Bibi when she, a Christian whom they considered unclean, drank water from the same water bowl as the Muslim women. An argument between Bibi and the Muslim women ensued and later the Muslim women reported to a local cleric that Bibi had blasphemed against Islam by saying, "My Christ died for me, what did Muhammed do for you?"

Bibi has been on death row since her conviction and death sentence were announced by the Session's Court in District Nankana, Pujab, in 2010. Her appeal hearing was held in October 2014 at the Lahore High Court. At that appeal, Justice Anwar-ul-Haq, one member of a two-judge bench, passed a short order confirming Bibi's death sentence.

In response to the court's decision, Molvi Muhammad Salam, the applicant against Bibi, said, "I submitted the application to cancel Asia's petition against her sentence, however I have no objection over [the] court's decision and will accept it on its merits."

"Now [the] government must share the responsibility [so] that the case is not influenced by [forces] outside of the court," Peter Jacob continued. "If [the] government chooses to educate the public on the misuse of the blasphemy laws, then Asia's case is the best opportunity to repair some of the damages that have been caused by abusing this law."

For the Christian community of Pakistan, the court's decision today provides hope for a better future. "This decision is a source of hope for [the] Christian community," Attaurhman Saman, Communications Coordinator at the National Commission for Justice and Peace, told ICC. "Once again, it shows that these laws have been misused by different actors to settle their personal scores. We hope the defense counsel will prove that Bibi is innocent and will highlight the mistreatment of this case by the lower courts."

"I am very much happy for this great news and it is a big relieve for us," Ashiq Masih, Bibi's husband told ICC. "The whole family is thankful to God for listening to our prayers. We hope that justice will be done and Asia will finally be proved innocent."

ICC's Regional Manager for South Asia, William Stark, said, "The court's decision to grant Asia Bibi's appeal is great news for both Asia Bibi and Pakistan's Christian community. Pakistan's blasphemy laws are widely abused by extremists seeking to settle personal scores or incite religious hatred against the country's vulnerable religious minorities. Historically, pressure from Islamic radical groups and general discrimination against Christians has made courts in Pakistan little more than rubber stamps for blasphemy accusations brought against Christians, regardless of the evidence brought to bear in the case. Today's decision by the Supreme Court shows that at least Pakistan's highest court is willing to resist these pressures and decide Bibi's case on the merits. If decided on the merits, ICC believes that the court's only conclusion will be to acquit. That decision will lay a foundation for practical steps towards religious harmony in Pakistan and will be a signal that justice will prevail over extremism and intolerance in Pakistan's courts even when a religious minority is accused of blasphemy. "

For interviews, contact William Stark, Regional Manager for South Asia: RM-SAsia@persecution.org

# # #

You are free to disseminate this news story. We request that you reference International Christian Concern (ICC) and include our web address, www.persecution.org. ICC is a Washington D.C.-based human rights organization that exists to help persecuted Christians worldwide. ICC provides Awareness, Advocacy, and Assistance to the worldwide persecuted Church. For additional information or for an interview, contact ICC at 800-422-5441.
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God Is In Control

7/25/2015

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Naghmeh Abedini Shares Saeed's Latest Letter
by News Staff, Christian Broadcasting Network
Breaking Christian News
Picture
Photo Courtesy Breaking Christian News
I know that so many of you have felt that I have been left behind after a deal was reached with Iran and I am still not home.

I want you to know that as I wrote the thank you letter to President Obama after he had visited my family in January of this year (which he read at the national prayer breakfast), that God is in control of all countries and leadership in the world when the Body of Christ comes together in united prayer. He is in control and He is the One who beautifully writes the history over all governments, presidents, and any P5+1 negotiating team.

We are all looking for a safer, more friendly world and because of this desire many of us are happy and others unhappy about the deal. Please join me in using these emotions that have been awakened to give fervor to united prayer for God's chosen people, America, and for the whole world.

Pastor Saeed,
In chains for Christ and chained together in unity
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    Crown of Life Blog

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    The Martyrdom of ST Stephen, Pietro da Cortona, 1660

    News and Information about
    Persecuted Christians from all around the
    World

    Persecuted saints benefit most from your heartfelt and earnest prayer.

    Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial;
    for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him
    .
    James 1:12

    'Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the
    devil is about to cast some of you into prison, so
    that you will be tested, and you will have tribulation for ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.
    Revelation 2:10

    New American Standard Bible 
    (NASB)

    Copyright © 
    1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971,
    1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995
    by
    The Lockman Foundation


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    HOW TO READ A PERSECUTION NEWS STORY

    Trials make the promise sweet;
    Trials give new life to prayer;
    Trials bring me to His feet,
    Lay me low, and keep me there.


    "God often takes away our comforts and our privileges in order to make us better Christians. He trains His soldiers not in tents of ease and luxury, but by turning them out and subjecting them to forced marches and hard service. He makes them ford through streams, and swim through rivers, and climb mountains, and walk many long miles with heavy backpacks of sorrow. Well, Christian, may this not account for the troubles through which you are passing? Is the Lord bringing out your graces and making them grow? Is it for this reason He contends with you?"

    Read Why Do I Face Trials?,
    by Alistair Begg, Truth for Life Daily, at One Place

    Christian persecution is just a phenomenon in the
    Middle East.

    Christians aren’t greatly
    impacted by persecution.

    Whatever persecution there is, the damage is superficial - more a loss of multicultural diversity than anything else.

    Christians supposedly bring persecution upon themselves by proselytizing.

    Persecution couldn’t
    happen here.

    Please read 5 Myths about Persecution of Christians, by
    Kristin Wright, at Religion Today.


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