Read Open Doors Calls Attention to Iraq at Mission Network News.





"Much of the Middle East is in crisis mode: Lebanon, Syria, Egypt, Iran. Jerry Dykstra of Open Doors USA adds one more to the list. "Iraq is not getting much attention, but we need to keep the spotlight there." A series of bombings in Baghdad yesterday killed at least 70 people and wounded far more. Rising sectarian violence between Sunni and Shi'ite Muslims is to blame. Dysktra says Christians are caught between a rock and a hard place. "They're not only victims of the random violence, but they're also specifically targeted by Muslim extremists." There are many ways you can help through Open Doors. Get connected at our website. "Open Doors has been very active in Iraq for many years." Pray for encouragement and healing for Christians in Iraq. Pray "that they get the healing they need, and I'm talking about healing not only physically, but also emotionally and spiritually.""

International Christian Concern
2020 Pennsylvania Ave. NW #241, Washington, D.C. 20006 www.persecution.org  |  E-mail: icc@persecution.org

Media Contact: Ryan Morgan, Regional Manager for Southeast Asia RM-SEAsia@persecution.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Iranian Regime Intensifies Crackdown on Christians

8/28/2013 Washington D.C. (International Christian Concern) - International Christian Concern (ICC) is alarmed by the latest series of events that continue a pattern of egregious violations of fundamental rights and freedoms in Iran. Three Christians, Ebrahim Firouzi, Sevada Aghasar, and Masoud Mirzaei were arrested on Wednesday, August 21, and detained without charges. On Sunday, August 25, an appeals court in Tehran rejected an appeal in the case of American Saeed Abedini who has been sentenced to eight years in prison because of his religious beliefs.

The arrest of Ebrahim Firouzi, Sevada Aghasar and Masoud Mirzaei came on August 21, when plainclothes police officers raided Masoud's office in Karaj, about 50 KM west of Tehran. According to Mohabat News, Ebrahim and Sevada had gone to visit Masoud to say goodbye a few days before Ebrahim was to begin serving a one-year prison sentence. 

Ebrahim was sentenced on July 15th to one year in prison and two years in exile. According to court documents his conviction was for exercising basic rights of religious freedom. The document reads: "according to the court's decision, evangelism activities of the accused, Ebrahim Firouzi, are considered to be in opposition to the regime of the Republic Islamic of Iran." There has not been any indication of charges for the latest arrests. After raiding the office, officers also went to Masoud's home, searched it, and confiscated personal belongings, including a computer. Sevada and Masoud were able to briefly contact their families before being moved to an undisclosed location.

In the case of American pastor Saeed Abedini, a two-judge panel of the Tehran appeals court issued a rejection of an appeal for a reduction of his eight-year prison sentence. Saeed was convicted as a result of his Christian faith and imprisoned September 26, 2012.  Jordan Sekulow, Executive Director of the American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ) which represents Saeed's family, said they had hoped Iran "would use its own appeal process to finally show respect for Pastor Saeed's basic human rights, again Iran has demonstrated an utter disregard for the fundamentals of human rights." However, as Sekulow continued, "this legal decision also signals a new level of concern for Pastor Saeed's safety. By keeping the 8-year prison sentence in place, Pastor Saeed now potentially faces additional beatings and abuse inside Evin Prison - treatment that has significantly weakened him during his first year in prison."

The news of the rejection of the appeal was a devastating blow to Saeed's family. His wife, Naghmeh, told ICC it has been an emotional few days, but she will continue to speak on Saeed's behalf. Naghmeh asked for continued pressure on Iran, and expressed disappointment specifically with President Obama, who has chosen to remain silent on this case.

Most recently, Rep. Trent Franks (R, AZ) spoke out in support of Saeed. In a statement he said, "Iran has once again demonstrated an utter disregard for fundamental human rights by continuing to insist that Pastor Saeed Abedini, an American citizen, be unjustly imprisoned in Iran." He also criticized the lack of response saying, "I hope that the American people will hold the Obama Administration and State Department accountable for its absolutely criminal silence in the face of such a heartless injustice forced upon this beloved American pastor, his innocent family, and so many others.     

There has not been any improvement in the months since the election of President Hassan Rouhani, rather, as Mohabat News observes, "the arbitrary and unreasonable arrest of the three young Christians in Karaj and the increasing imprisonment of Christian converts during the past few weeks are all signs of a worsening situation for the Iranian Christian community."

Todd Daniels, ICC Regional Manager for the Middle East, said, "Iran continues to engage in a pattern of systematic abuse of the basic and fundamental rights of both its own citizens, and in the case of Saeed Abedini, an American citizen. We urge leaders across the globe to speak out on behalf of those who are suffering under this regime. We call for the release of all those who are held in prison solely on the basis of their religious beliefs. The Iranian people deserve a government that respects their rights, will uphold their constitution, and honor its international commitments for the good of all Iranians." 

For interviews, contact Ryan Morgan, Regional Manager for Southeast Asia: RM-SEAsia@persecution.org

# # #

You are free to disseminate this news story. We request that you reference ICC (International Christian Concern) and include our web address, www.persecution.org. ICC is a Washington-DC 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.

I could not locate the ICC petition, but I did find this one, requesting that the government of India protect the religious rights of Christians in India.  You may sign this at Release International, the Voice of Persecuted Christians...




International Christian Concern
2020 Pennsylvania Ave. NW #241
Washington, D.C. 20006
www.persecution.org  |  E-mail: icc@persecution.org
 
Media Contact: Isaac Six, ICC Advocacy Manageradvocacy@persecution.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ICC Launches Petition Calling for the Release of Seven Imprisoned Christians in India
The Men Were Arrested in 2008 and Have Been Held Without Trial Since 

8/28/2013
Washington D.C.
International Christian Concern

On Monday, International Christian Concern (ICC), a Washington D.C. based non-profit that assists religious minorities facing discrimination for their faith, launched a petition calling for the release of seven imprisoned Christians in Orissa, India. The petition letter is addressed to India's Ambassador to the United States and calls on the Indian government to ensure the "speedy release" of the seven prisoners. It can be found on ICC's website and will be available for signing until September 15th.

According to the petition letter, all seven Christians were arrested in the Kandhamal District of Orissa, India, in 2008 following the murder of Laxmanananda Saraswati, a Hindu religious and political leader. Saraswati's murder was blamed on the Christian minority of Kandhamal and sparked violent protests that led to the murder of 38 people and left an estimated 54,000 homeless. On September 9th, 2008, the Communist Party of India, a violent Maoist group, claimed responsibility for the murder of Saraswati. Members of this group were later arrested and charged with the murder; however, authorities refused to release the seven Christians, who have remained in detention without trial for nearly five years.

The petition letter goes on to explain that an ICC investigation found little evidence the seven Christians had any relationship prior to their arrest and seemed to have been arrested at random. The lack of evidence against the seven was also confirmed by an Indian High Court which ruled there was "insufficient material evidence" against the Christians and that the "Fast-Track Court #2," one of the courts set up to process cases after the 2008 protests, should conclude the trial in a "speedy manner."

According to ICC, the Christians are innocent and remain in detention for "political motives" to appease radical Hindu groups. The petition letter concludes, "All seven individuals have wives and children who have been left to provide for themselves as their fathers and husbands await a trial which has never come for a crime they did not commit. Sectarian prejudice and religiously-based discrimination should not be allowed to dictate the fate of seven innocent men. Their speedy release will help signal to the world that India is sincere both in its application of the rule of law and the promotion of religious freedom for all of its 1.2 billion citizens."

Isaac Six, International Christian Concern's Advocacy Manager, said, "I believe the government of India sincerely desires to promote religious freedom for all of its citizens. As an acceder to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, India has pledged to protect the right to freedom of 'thought, conscience, and religion.' Unfortunately, the five-year detention of these seven Christians for a crime they did not commit is intricately tied to their religious identity. Any further delay in their release would only prolong the tragedy their families have undergone these last five years. I sincerely hope this petition raises awareness of their plight and compels the government of India to act quickly." 
  
For interviews, contact Isaac Six, ICC Advocacy Manager: advocacy@persecution.org

# # #

You are free to disseminate this news story. We request that you reference ICC (International Christian Concern) and include our web address, www.persecution.org. ICC is a Washington-DC 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

Read Chinese House Church Leader Abducted, Beaten by Government
Agents by China Aid at persecution.org.





"House church pastor, Li Shuangping, was abducted by government agents, in Linfen, Shanxi, China, last week. Li Shuangping was beaten, threatened with death, and dumped in a cornfield for his work as a house church leader.  The Chinese government continues to allow and even promote heavy restrictions and occasional persecution of Christians on a regular basis."

Read 50 Killed in Series of Boko Haram Attacks on Northern Nigeria, by Christian Today, at persecution.org.

"An Islamic terrorist group known as Boko Haram, has recently led numerous
attacks on Christians in Nigeria. Members of the group dressed up as authorities
before attacking and killing people in different villages. There have also been
bombings in the region."

Please read Report: 42 Churches Attacked in Egypt, by AMG International, at Mission Network News. 

"The violence in Egypt is on an historic scale. A church called off its services for the first time in 1600 years. A scholar says it's the worst large-scale violence against Christians in Egypt in 700 years. How dangerous is it? Tasos Ioannidis with AMG International explains, "There was a news story about a taxi driver who was pulled over because he had a cross hanging from the mirror of his car: he was killed, and the taxi was destroyed." Because the government isn't actually protecting Christians from the Muslim Brotherhood, it's wise to keep a low profile. "The best thing to do is just avoid being identified at this point because a lot of [believers] will be targeted if they are recognized as members of the Christian community." It hasn't stopped  AMG national partners from Gospel work, but they need the protection of an army. "This is a very dangerous time for them, so they need God's protection. The first thing to do is pray for them daily, and pray that God keeps them safe." "

~~~~~~~~~~

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 
Assaults on Christians Continue in Egypt, Islamists Call for "Friday of Martyrs" Protests
Eight More Christian Homes Burned Near Minya; Muslim Brotherhood Takes Over City of Kerdasa

8/23/2013
Egypt 
International Christian Concern

International Christian Concern (ICC) has learned that deadly assaults on Christians at the hands of radical Islamists have continued across Egypt more than nine days after Muslim Brotherhood protests were dispersed last week. ICC sources inside the country report that many Christians are "living in horror" as police forces continue to ignore attacks on Christian communities and supporters of ousted President Mohamed Morsi call for new protests on Friday.

On Tuesday, ICC sources reported that supporters of deposed President Mohamed Morsi murdered Mohsen Arnest and his son-in-law as they were on their way home in the village of Al Sarakna in Upper Egypt. While ICC could not independently verify the killings, if accurate, their deaths bring the estimated number of Christians killed since last week to seven.

Also on Tuesday, ICC sources reported that the Muslim Brotherhood had taken over "full control" of the city of Kerdasa in the Giza Governorate of Lower Egypt. The Brotherhood is reportedly setting up fortifications in the city to prevent the entry of police and the military while forcibly displacing all of the Christian families in the city, threatening to kill the families if they do not leave.

On Wednesday evening, a dispute between Christian and Muslim youth led to severe clashes between Muslims and Christians in the village of Saft El Laban, about ten kilometers outside of Minya. The argument purportedly began after Muslim youth attacked a Christian boy, known only as "Mokbel," and attempted to steal his motorcycle. The boy refused and ran home, only to be chased by the group who proceeded to try and break down the front door of the home. The Christian family fled to the rooftop and began throwing bricks down on the group, one of which struck and killed a young Muslim. Soon after, a member of the Muslim Brotherhood used a loudspeaker at a mosque to call on Muslims to attack Christian homes in reprisal. At least eight Christian homes in the village were burned and an unknown number of Christian villagers injured in the attacks that followed.

In an exclusive eyewitness account obtained by ICC, a local Christian resident, Mina Saber, describes the ordeal: "What happened was terrible. They were chanting 'Allah Akbar' as they burned the Christian homes. They destroyed more than eight Christian homes, insulted us, and injured many Christians in the absence of the police. We tried many times to call the police to come and protect us from these attacks but not one of them came."   Mina went on to say that Christians are currently "living in horror and great fear and panic because they threatened to kill all of us and they said they are going to purify the village from the Christians...unfortunately there isn't any protection for us."

Early Friday morning ICC sources also reported that masked gunmen, suspected to be radical Islamists, abducted a 35-year-old Christian man, Waheed Naim, from the village of El Habalsa in Upper Egypt. Waheed was reportedly guarding the construction site of his new home when he was taken at gunpoint and stuffed into a waiting vehicle. Two hours later, Waheed's family was contacted and ordered to pay 500,000 Egyptian pounds, or more than 71,000 dollars, for his release. Waheed's status is currently unknown.  

Ryan Morgan, a Regional Manager for International Christian Concern, said "The reports of Christians being attacked across Egypt continue to stream in day after day after day. We are appalled, though not surprised, by the deadly violence members of the Muslim Brotherhood and other radical groups are inflicting on a largely defenseless Christian minority. The United States should immediately call on the interim government in Egypt to protect Christian communities, especially those in outlying areas of Upper Egypt, from further attack. No one else should have to die simply because they are a member of a religious minority."   

For interviews, contact Ryan Morgan, Regional Manager for Southeast Asia: RM-SEAsia@persecution.org

# # #

You are free to disseminate this news story. We request that you reference ICC (International Christian Concern) and include our web address, www.persecution.org. ICC is a Washington-DC 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.

Read Possible Kidnapping of Ukrainian Church Member at Mission Network News.





"Picture the most devoted Christ-follower you know. How would you feel if that person suddenly went missing? That's what happened in the Ukraine at a church supported by Slavic Gospel Association. "Julia" loves God and people and has always been involved in various ministries. She was last seen two weeks ago walking home from church. Julia's loved ones are very concerned, and kidnapping is suspected. Ask the Lord to keep Julia safe. Pray for her soon return."

 








Read Islamic Extremists in Somalia Abduct Christian Mother of Two Young Children, by Morning Star News, at Religion Today.









Islamic extremists suspected to be rebel al Shabaab militants have kidnapped a Christian mother of two young children in Somalia and threatened her husband because of their faith, her husband said. Three masked men abducted Shamsa Enow Hussein, 28, on Aug. 5 in Bulo Marer, Lower Shebelle Region, at 7 p.m.outside her home after determining that she was a secret Christian, 31-year-old Mohamed Isse Osman told Morning Star News."
  
" “I just heard screaming from my wife and the children as I approached my house,” Osman said.

"That night, his wife was able to send him a text message saying he should flee the area, he said.

" “Please leave immediately because of what we believe,” she said in the text. “They have abused me sexually saying I am an
infidel.” "

Read Christians Bracing for More Attacks at Mission Network News.





"While U.S. military aid has been suspended, a Muslim spiritual leader has been arrested, and the Muslim Brotherhood is out, Christians in Egypt seem relieved. But they know the Brotherhood won't go away quietly. Tom Doyle with E3 Partners says amid the unrest, the evangelical church is growing. 20 years ago, little was happening. Now, Muslims are coming to faith in Christ in amazing ways. "They privately sought out Christians, learned more about Jesus, started reading the Bible, [and] came to faith in Him. This is something we see as normal today." Doyle says E3 leaders are excited about the work in Egypt right now. One leader told him, "I wouldn't [want] to be anywhere else in the world but Egypt right now, because God is moving. Certainly it's dangerous, but God is moving in such a powerful way. This is the hour of need where we can bring the message of Jesus to the nation." "