Read More Violence Rattles Pakistan at Mission Network News.





Another bombing in Pakistan: this time, the target was a bus carrying government officials. The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom warns that if the government doesn't take action, the church bombing in Peshawar will happen again. Greg Musselman, spokesman with the Voice of the Martyrs Canada, says, "That's the word coming from governments around the world: 'You need to do a better job of protecting your minorities--in this case, Christians.'" In fact, Christians protested and demanded better protection as citizens, but that didn't help much. "Now we're hearing stories of Christians that are getting beaten up at these protests. They get identified, and retribution takes place." There's fear, certainly. But there's also something else: unity. "I think our prayer really needs to be that the Lord will connect the seekers along with the believers that have the courage to stand up and proclaim the gospel." Speak out on their behalf! Use your voice while you can. If you don't, who will? Share these stories with others. And above all, pray!"

It was the book that shocked the nation. After surviving 14 years in communist prisons, Pastor Richard Wurmbrand came to America to proclaim the trials and testimonies of our persecuted brothers and sisters.In Tortured for Christ, Wurmbrand tells of his imprisonment for his work with the underground church and introduces the work of The Voice of the Martyrs. More than 45 years later, The Voice of the Martyrs remains true to its calling to be a voice for persecuted Christians, to serve with them in their time of need and to assist them in their efforts to proclaim the gospel.

We would like to extend this special opportunity for you to request a complimentary copy of Tortured for Christ for your Christian friends and family members. Help spread the message of today's persecuted church. Simply follow the link below.


Click here to request a complimentary copy of Tortured for Christ.

International Christian Concern
2020 Pennsylvania Ave. NW #241
Washington, D.C. 20006
www.persecution.org  |  E-mail: [email protected]

Media Contact: Todd Daniels, Regional Manager for the Middle East [email protected]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Christian Tentatively Released from Moroccan Prison 

09/27/2013
Washington D.C.
International Christian Concern

International Christian Concern (ICC) has recently learned Mohamed El Baladi has been released from the Moroccan prison where he was held after being sentenced to two-and-a-half years in prison for the crimes of evangelism and shaking the faith of a Muslim. Mohamed had been held in prison since his arrest in late August, a troubling development as Christians have not served jail time on purely religious charges in some time. The release is only until his official appeal hearing, scheduled for October 10th. The release is a surprising turn of events, since Mohamed has already been convicted of the crimes it is highly unusual for a convicted "criminal" to be released while waiting for an appeal. 

ICC learned from contacts in Morocco that on Thursday, September 26th, Mohamed was summoned to a surprise hearing. His family only learned of it when his sister went to the prison to visit him and deliver groceries, only to be told that he was in court for a hearing. It was learned later that afternoon that he was released from prison and his appeal will be heard in early October.

As he spoke with family and friends, he confirmed that he faced severe abuse and pressure to recant his faith and return to Islam. As previously reported by ICC, the police attempted to force Mohamed to share the names of other Christians, both Moroccan and foreigners, who he was connected to, and spread false rumors to incite prisoners to further abuse him. The Moroccan government is known to closely monitor the activities of the Christian community, and the pressure applied to Mohamed raised fears among some local believers that a large-scale crackdown may be forthcoming.

Based upon reports from friends who have spoken with Mohamed, it is believed his family was upset at his conversion to Christianity and had pressured for a harsher sentence to prompt him to recant from his faith. They told ICC that he was set up by an uncle with whom he had a dispute over an inheritance. The uncle reportedly hired two 16-year-old boys to speak with Mohamed and express interest in Christianity. They requested to meet with him a second time and receive Bibles. When Mohamed met them the police had been notified and arrested him for proselytizing children under the age of 18. The boys also claimed that he had attempted to bribe them to convert, which is viewed even more harshly by the law. These details match a report from Morning Star News which reported, "El Baladi was charged with proselytizing young Muslims. Article 220 of Morocco's penal code states that those inducing a Muslim to convert may be punished by six months to three years in prison."

The detention and conviction of Mohamed within the space of one week sent shockwaves of fear through the Moroccan Christian community because the government has generally been tolerant of the Christian community. The case was originally handled in a local court, but Mohamed has since been moved to the larger jurisdiction of Fez. There have been issues of police harassment and other arrests, or expulsions of foreign Christians. The case of Moahmed is especially worrisome because it is a break in practice and has sparked fears it may be a sign of more to come.

It certainly is a welcome sign that the court has chosen to release Mohamed, removing him from a situation where he was facing harsh physical abuse both from prison guards and fellow inmates. The court system appears to be allowing the appeal process to move forward, and it appears that Mohamed's case will be judged on merits and not subject to pressure by family with a vendetta against him due to his faith. 

Todd Daniels, ICC Regional Manager for the Middle East, said, "We are encouraged to hear of the positive developments in the case of Mohamed El Baladi. We encourage the Kingdom of Morocco to continue on a path that protects the rights of its citizens and promotes rule of law, a path it has been on for some time. The attention given to Mohamed's case by international human rights organizations and the United States government is important to promoting religious freedom as a fundamental freedom. We will continue to monitor Mohamed's case as it moves through the court system and we hope towards a just verdict." 

For interviews, contact Todd Daniels, Regional Manager for the Middle East: [email protected] 

# # #

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 Wave of Persecution Sweeps across the Middle East and North Africa at Mission Network News.






"Believers in northeast Nigeria are reeling after Islamic militants killed their pastor and his son, and set fire to their church building. Dr. David Curry, President and CEO of Open Doors USA, points to a rising tide of persecution. "We've had situations in the last three weeks in Iraq, in Syria, in Pakistan, and now, last night in northern Nigeria, where people are targeting believers. My greatest concern is that there won't be any pressure to follow-up on this attack. Attack after attack on Christians seems to go by the wayside." A free prayer kit from Open Doors can help you get involved. We'll connect you through links in the Full STORY, below. Want to pray right now? "Pray for the safety of people who want to worship Jesus, who want to simply call themselves followers of Christ." "

International Christian Concern
2020 Pennsylvania Ave. NW #241
Washington, D.C. 20006
www.persecution.org  |  E-mail: [email protected]

Media Contact: Todd Daniels, Regional Manager for the Middle East [email protected]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Violence against Egyptian Christians Reaches a Level Not Seen for Centuries
"There is not any protection for the Christians here"

9/26/2013
Washington, D.C.
International Christian Concern

"I'm afraid to get out from my home and walk in the streets of the village. The situation is so dangerous for us here," Father Youannis Shawky, a Coptic priest, told ICC.

This sentiment is shared by many in the Christian community throughout Egypt, as Christians have increasingly come under attack for their part in the protests to remove Islamist president Mohamed Morsi from office. The retaliation against Christians from Islamists has included the looting and burning of houses, churches, schools, and businesses. It has also become personal, as kidnapping and threats against individuals have been on the rise. In the city of Delga, in Upper Egypt, Islamist gangs took control, holding it captive for more than two months before security forces moved in.

A City without Protection

Father Youannis is a priest of St. Mary and Anba Abraam Monastery in Delga, Egypt. The city of 120,000 people, including 15,000 Christians, had been under the control of hardline supporters of former President Morsi for nearly two months.

On Monday, September 16, Egyptian authorities staged an operation to retake the town. As the Guardian  reports,"Two earlier attempts to retake Delga failed, but in the early hours of Monday morning police launched a third and decisive assault, and have now re-entered the town."

The takeover by Morsi supporters occurred following his removal from office on July 3, when armed gangs in the city ran off the security forces and seized control. The situation for the Coptic Christian community became terrifying as many of Morsi's Muslim Brotherhood supporters blame the Christians for their loss of political power.

Speaking with International Christian Concern from Delga on September 12, Adel Shafik, a Coptic activist said, "From August 14 till now, more than 52 Christian families lost their homes, their homes were ransacked, burned, and demolished." He added that "more than 40 Christian families left the village fearing from the threats of the Muslim fanatics to them."

The destruction did not stop with just homes, but also included many of the church buildings in the city. "Our monastery which includes three churches, St Mary Church, Mar Gigis Church, and Anba Abraam Church were looted, burned and demolished. Now we don't have any another place to pray in," Shafik said.

The level of violence has reached a level unseen in centuries. As ICC reported, on August 18th, services were cancelled at the church for the first time in 1,600 years. Days earlier, the church, which dates back to the Fifth century, was looted and set on fire while calls for help went unanswered by the security forces, Christian Post recounted.

While these attacks continued, the security forces were nowhere to be seen. Father Youannis said, "Although there are all these attacks against Christians there is an absence of the police in the village. There is not any protection for the Christians here." Father Youannis added, "There is a situation of panic and fear among all the Christian families in the village."

Islamic Taxes and Threats

The feeling of panic is being exploited by thugs, who are threatening individuals and families that unless they pay a jizya, or poll tax that historically has been charged to conquered non-Muslims, they would suffer the consequences.

"They threaten the Christian families who reject to pay the jizya to them that the Muslims will kidnap their children or burn and loot their homes and shops," Shafik said. "The jizya is different from one  family to another family ranging from 500 Egyptian pounds to 1000 Egyptian pounds ($73-$146) every two weeks for some families, and for others it is daily jizya ranging from 50 to 200 Egyptian pounds ($7-$28) per day," according to Shafik.

In a report with the Washington Times, Father Youannis said the tax is being applied without exception, and those who refuse have been attacked. He told ICC of the attack on Kamal Zaki of Delga, "because he refused to pay them the royalty, they broke into his home and grocery shop, ransacked its contents, and injured him and his family," Father Youannis said.

Another tragic case shows the attacks do not stop just with property damage, but have also led to murder. Emad Damian, 50, and his cousin Medhat Damian, 37, in Assiut, about 50 miles from Delga, were killed after they refused to pay the ransom.

 Youssef Ezzat, a relative of Emad, told ICC the tragic story. Youssef said Emad was contacted by a gang and told to pay a sum of 10,000 Egyptian pounds ($1,450) for them to buy weapons, and to pay for the protection of his family. Emad refused to pay the money.

According to Youssef, "Emad told him 'I don't have this amount and I don't ask for a protection from anyone.' The person said to him, 'If you don't pay us this money we will kill you.' Emad said to him 'I won't pay anything' and ended the call."

The next morning, Thursday, September 10, masked men broke into his house and gunned down Emad and Medhat.

With cases like this repeatedly going unpunished, there is a growing sense of impunity. "The police know who the killers are but are doing nothing to arrest them," Ahmed Fawzi said in a report by  AINA. The police and security forces themselves have come under attack and have not made a real effort to enforce the rule of law across the country.

For this reason, numerous human rights organizations, including the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), have raised their voices to speak out against the violence in Egypt.  In a letter calling on President Obama to raise the issue, USCIRF Chairman Robert George wrote, "We were deeply troubled that leaders and supporters of the Muslim Brotherhood tolerated or even encouraged incitement against Christians, and that the interim authorities stood by or were slow to react when attacks occurred."

Highlighting the importance of the issue, George continued, "Coptic Christians in Egypt - numbering more than eight million people - constitute the largest religious minority community in the region.  The United States must act to ensure this ancient religious community is secure both in the present and in the future."

ICC is grateful for the work of men like Rep. Trent Franks (R-AZ), Rep. Joe Pitts (R-PA), and others who put forward a resolution calling for the support of the fundamental rights of all Egyptian citizens, equal access to justice, and due process of law.

As attacks against Christians continue in Egypt, Syria, Iraq, Iran, and elsewhere, it is vital that we work to support the continued presence of these Christian communities in the lands where they have lived for nearly 2000 years.

For interviews, contact Todd Daniels, Regional Manager for the Middle East:  [email protected]  

# # #

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 Muslim Brotherhood Banned; Good News for Christians? at Mission Network News.





"A lot can change in a year. Just ask Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood. The organization is reeling from the sudden reversal of power it experienced this summer. This week, another stunning blow. Todd Nettleton with the Voice of the Martyrs explains what happened. "The Court has ruled: they've banned the Muslim Brotherhood. They've said it's not acceptable as a Non-Government Organization. Its activities are banned. The big question is: 'what does that mean on the ground?'" Another question: will it backfire? When President Mohamed Morsi was removed, Christians were the scapegoats. "That could happen again with this court ruling. That could be something that leads to churches and Christians being targeted as they say, 'It's your fault that the court ruled this way. It's your fault that the Muslim Brotherhood has been ruled illegal.'" Many believers in Egypt think they've been forgotten. Let them know they're not. "Pray for those who are opposed to the Gospel to be won to Christ."

International Christian Concern
2020 Pennsylvania Ave. NW #241 
Washington, D.C. 20006
www.persecution.org  |  E-mail: [email protected]
 
Media Contact: Jeff King, President of ICC, [email protected]
 
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Islamist Terrorists Brutally Attack Shopping Mall in Kenya  
Targeting of Christians and Non-Muslims

9/23/2013
Washington D.C.
International Christian Concern

International Christian Concern (ICC) expresses grave concern over the horrific terrorist attack that took place at a shopping mall in Nairobi, Kenya, over the weekend. On Monday afternoon, local time, Kenyan forces again raided the mall, killing two additional members of the Al-Shabaab terrorist group. They reclaimed control of the shopping center, moving closer to an end of the hostage situation that began on Saturday and claimed the lives of at least 69 people. This is the latest in Al-Shabaab's campaign of terror, motivated by Islamic extremism, targeting Christians and non-Muslims across East Africa.

The nightmare scenario started Saturday, about 12:00 p.m. local time. The terrorists entered the Westgate Shopping Mall in the Kenyan capital, indiscriminately firing automatic weapons and throwing hand grenades. They then began targeting Christians and non-Muslims. According to the BBC, witness reported the terrorists "told Muslims to leave and said non-Muslims would be targeted." The Independent reports, "Some non-Muslims who attempted to talk their way past the fighters armed with grenades and AK-47s were asked to identify the mother of the Prophet. Those who could not were shot on the spot." Targeting of Christians by Al-Shabaab is even more direct as they had been criticized by Osama bin Laden for their indiscriminate killing of Muslims. Bin Laden warned that the group was killing too many Muslims in their attacks, Peter Bergen reported for CNN. 
 
The death toll from the attack continues to rise as Kenyan security forces regain control of the scene. The Westgate Mall is a prominent hangout for tourists and upscale Kenyans. Victims of the deadly attack include nationals from at least 11 different countries, including England, Canada, France, China, and India, as well as dozens of Kenyans, including a nephew of Kenyan president, Uhuru Kenyatta. Some 200 people were wounded in the attacks, including five Americans, according to CNN. The attack on the Westgate Shopping Mall is the deadliest terrorist attack in Kenya since the 1998 bombing of the United States Embassy by Al-Qaeda, which killed 213 people.

The Al-Shabaab terrorist group, which claimed responsibility for the attack, is a Somalia-based terrorist network operating throughout much of East Africa. As ICC previously  reported, Al-Shabaab is ruthless in their killing of Christians. Designated by the U.S. government as a terrorist organization since 2008, Al-Shabaab is seeking to turn Somalia into an Islamic state. The group has been implicated  in attacks across Africa, including Somalia, Kenya, and a July 2010 suicide bombing in Uganda. While the government and some religious leaders have denounced the group, the economic poverty and absence of rule of law have allowed the group to grow in influence. Al-Shabaab, which has known ties to Al-Qaeda and other Islamic extremist terrorist groups, boasts of its large number of foreign recruits among its ranks. Though unconfirmed, there are reports of involvement by individuals recruited from the United States and England in the Westgate attack.

Kenyan military forces have taken a leading role in international peace-keeping efforts in Somalia targeted at rooting out Al-Shabaab. Kenya's role in the intervention has resulted in previous retaliation attacks, as documented in a 2012 ICC special report. As ICC documented earlier this year, Al-Shabaab has a significant presence in the Eastleigh neighborhood of Nairobi, a few miles from the Westgate mall, where they have carried out church bombings and the murder of Christians. 
 
Formed in 2006 as a break-off from a now defunct group, Al-Shabaab, which means "The Youth" in Arabic, "has imposed a strict version of Sharia law in areas under its control, including stoning to death women accused of adultery and amputating the hands of thieves," according to the BBC. Attacks like this are part of their tactics to inflict massive casualties on civilians and to specifically target Christians.

Jeff King, President of ICC and author of Islam Uncensored, said, "A brutal attack on a shopping mall inflicting massive casualties on civilians, and specifically targeting Christians, is part of the standard operating procedure for militant Islamic groups like Al-Shabaab. To hear stories of forced conversion and point-blank assassinations is heart-breaking, but unsurprising for this group. This is part of their stated agenda to impose radical Islamic law and to purge their land of Christians."  

For interviews, contact Jeff King, President of ICC: [email protected]
 
# # #

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.

International Christian Concern
2020 Pennsylvania Ave. NW #241 
Washington, D.C. 20006
www.persecution.org  |  E-mail: [email protected]
 
Media Contact: William Stark, Regional Manager for Africa and South Asia: [email protected]
 
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 
At Least 81 Christians Killed as Twin Suicide Bombers Attack Sunday Service in Pakistan
Attack Sparks Christian Led Protests

9/23/2013
Washington D.C.
International Christian Concern 

International Christian Concern (ICC) has learned that at least 81 Christians have been killed in a suicide bombing of a historical church in Peshawar, the capital city of Pakistan's northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province on Sunday. This bombing is the deadliest single attack on Christians in Pakistan's history and has sparked protests across the nation. 

According to reports from Peshawar, two suicide bombers detonated themselves outside the gates of All Saints Church at 11:45 a.m. as the church's more that 600 members were leaving after the Sunday service. The resulting scene was that of mass carnage with shrapnel, body parts and blood littering the surrounding area. 

According to security officials, many of the dead are women and children and over 150 others were injured in the blast. Most of the wounded were brought to Lady Reading Hospital Peshawar and many of the bodies of the dead were buried in three mass graves late Sunday night.  

All Saints Church was established in 1883 and is considered one of the oldest Christian places of worship in Pakistan's volatile Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.

The Jundallah group, an affiliate with the Pakistani Taliban, has claimed responsibility for the deadly attack, labeling the murder of 81 Christians a "protest" to the U.S. drone strikes in Pakistan. The group's leader, Ahmad Marwat, promised that attacks would continue until the U.S. drone strikes were halted. 

News of the attack has sparked Christian led protests in many of Pakistan's major cities including Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi and Peshawar. Relatives of the dead and injured gathered for a protest outside of All Saints Church, lighting tires on fire and claiming police and local government officials did not do enough to protect Christians and the church. 

In response to the attack, Pakistan's government has declared three days of mourning and is offering financial support to the victims and their families. Pakistan's new Prime Minister, Nawaz Sharif, issued a statement in which he pledged solidarity with Pakistan's Christian community. "Terrorists have no religion, and targeting innocent people is against the teaching of Islam and all religions," he said. 

Christians, making up only 2% of Pakistan's population, have been and continue to be persecuted by extremist elements in Pakistan's majority Muslim population. False blasphemy accusations, kidnappings, murders, forced conversions, forced marriages, rapes and widespread social discrimination only name a few of the types of persecution Christians in Pakistan are forced to endure because of their religious identity.    

ICC's Regional Manager for Africa, William Stark, said, "Christians continue to be treated like an unwanted religious minority in Pakistan. Although Pakistan's government has stepped forward to assist the victims of this deadly attack, it has not done enough to provide Christians with security or guarantee their right to religious freedom. False blasphemy accusations are disproportionately targeted at Christians who are often awarded lengthy prison or death sentences where little evidence has been offered against them in a court of law. Unless and until Pakistan starts taking decisive action to protect its Christian population, deadly attacks like this most recent bombing will continue."  
  
For interviews, contact William Stark, Regional Manager for Africa and South Asia: [email protected]

# # #

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.