FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Fifteen Christians Have Throats Slit by Boko Haram Extremists in Northern Nigeria
Second Attack on Christians this Christmas Season

12/30/2012 Washington D.C. (International Christian Concern)

International Christian Concern (ICC) has learned that at least fifteen Christians were killed by suspected Boko Haram militants in northern Nigeria. The militants snuck into Musari, a neighborhood located on the outskirts of Maiduguri, early on Friday morning and slit the throats of fifteen Christians in their own homes.

The militants specifically targeted Christians because they broke into only Christian homes located in an area of Musari that is predominantly Christian. "The attackers came in and silently went into homes whose residents were all Christians and slit the throats of their victims. They killed fifteen people," a resident told the press.

According to Nigerian military officials, the death toll only stands at five. Residents of Musari and other relief organizations put the number at fifteen. The Nigerian authorities often under-report the casualties in Boko Haram attacks.

A relief official told AFP "the victims were selected because they were all Christians, some of whom had moved into the neighborhood from other parts of [Maiduguri] hit by Boko Haram attacks." According to residents, many Christians have moved into the Musari neighborhood because of the many bombings and shootings perpetrated by Boko Haram in other parts of Maiduguri.

Boko Haram is an Islamic extremist group that is currently fighting the Nigerian government for control of northern Nigeria. Boko Haram desires to establish a separate Islamic state in Nigeria's northern states where it can enact an ultra conservative interpretation of Sharia law. Since beginning its armed insurgency in 2009, Boko Haram has killed over 3,000 people in Nigeria. Christian have often been the victims of violence perpetrated by Boko Haram. In early 2012, Boko Haram leaders demanded all Christians to leave northern Nigeria so that the group could begin establishing its purely Islamic society.

Since then, Boko Haram has been responsible for a series of church bombings, drive-by shootings and Christian pogroms across northern Nigeria.

This most recent attack comes on the heels of two very similar attacks perpetrated by Boko Haram on Christmas Eve. In the Christmas Eve attacks, twelve Christians in separate cities were killed by gunmen suspected to be connected with Boko Haram and two churches were burned down. Although this Christmas season has been less violent that 2011, the Christians of northern Nigeria continue to live in a constant state of fear.

ICC's Regional Manager for Africa, William Stark, said, "Christians living in Nigeria's northern regions continue to be targeted by Boko Haram. These attacks are meant to terrorize the Christian community that continues to live in northern Nigeria. Earlier this year, Boko Haram demanded all Christians leave Nigeria's North. Since then, the group has continued to wage a campaign of terror against those Christians who decided to stay. The United States is still deciding whether to designate Boko Haram a Foreign Terrorist Organization, which if given, would allow the US to seize Boko Haram's assets under US jurisdiction. This would help stem the flow of arms and funds the group receives from sources outside Nigeria's borders. The consistency of these attacks shows Nigeria's government is struggling to deal with the violence that has dominated its northern states since 2009.The international community must take decisive action." 

For interviews, contact William Stark, Regional Manager for Africa:   RM-AfricaAsia@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.

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

"The report, entitled "Christianophobia," warns that Christians suffer greater hostility around the world than any other religious group, and asserts that politicians have been "blind" to the extent of violence faced by Christians in Africa, Asia and the Middle East."

(From Religion Today)

"The most common threat to Christians abroad is militant Islam, it says, claiming that oppression in Muslim countries is often ignored because of a fear that criticism will be seen as “racism”.

"It warns that converts from Islam face being killed in Saudi Arabia, Mauritania and Iran and risk severe legal penalties in other countries across the Middle East..."

" "A far less widely grasped fact is that Christians are targeted more than any other body of believers.”

"It cites estimates that 200 million Christians, or 10 per cent of Christians worldwide, are “socially disadvantaged, harassed or actively oppressed for their beliefs.” "

"...State hostility towards Christianity is particularly rife in China, where more Christians are imprisoned than in any other country in the world, according to the report."

",,,In Pakistan, the murder last year of Shahbaz Bhatti, the country’s Catholic minister for minorities, “vividly reflected” religious intolerance in Pakistan."

"...The report also warns that Christians in India have faced years of violence from Hindu extremists. In 2010 scores of attacks on Christians and church property were carried out in Karnataka, a state in south west India."

(From The Telegraph)

And an excellent article on The Politics of Persecution:

"American evangelical Christians are afraid: They believe that Christians around the world are persecuted, that Islam is a global threat and that their fundamental values are under assault by a secular culture. American evangelicals are fearless: They are assertive and self-confident, energized and powerful enough to enact legislation that promotes their particular vision of international human rights. These concomitant realities do not form a contradiction so much as a mutually enabling construction. In the last three decades, evangelical fears of persecution have become the impetus for a remarkable surge of activism. The moral geographies of the new evangelical internationalism are in flux. These contain both the seeds of global solidarity and the threat of increasing hostility. Whatever the future holds, however, this history should make one thing clear: We can no longer analyze evangelical politics through the lens of the Moral Majority. Nor does the impending end of the Bush administration herald the end of evangelical influence over US engagement abroad and the cultural imagery that informs it. [33] More than 30 percent of white evangelicals voted for President-elect Barack Obama. A new world has come, and the embodied, border-spanning faith of evangelicals is shaping it for us all."

(From MERIP)

Pakistan continues to be one of the most dangerous places to be if you call yourself a Christian. Women are constantly targeted and defiled because of their  gender and faith in Jesus.

In this report, Pakistan: Exposed, you will learn more about:
*Pakistan's murderous blasphemy laws
*How Sharia law justifies the rape of Christian girls

Learn what the government and mainstream media won't tell you. Go to persecution.org to fill out the form and download your copy of Pakistan: Exposed today!

December 26th, 2012

"Nigeria (MNN) ―  Boko Haram, a Nigerian militant Islamist group, had their bloodiest year in 2012, responsible for over 750 deaths.General Aziza, Nigeria’s former national security advisor, says the upscale in Boko Haram’s terrorist attacks may be linked with the upcoming 2015 Nigerian presidential elections.

"When President Goodluck Jonathan, a Christian, was elected president of Nigeria in 2011, a series of Boko Haram killings followed. Boko Haram made threats on the president to resign or else turn Nigeria into an Islamic nation.

"Rae Burnett, the Africa Director for Christian Aid Mission, explains, “I do believe that it’s spiritual warfare, but it’s definitely the desire to see that Islam is the world religion. They start where they are, and these guys are Nigerian, so they want to be empowered in Nigeria.”

"Several of the Muslim-majority Northern states began declaring themselves under Sharia law after the 2011 elections. Of the 32 Nigerian states, 12 currently are govern by Islamic Sharia law. 2015 will be Muslims’ next chance to gain power in Nigeria’s political arena..."

Finish Reading Article at Mission Network News

Gunmen Kills At Least Twelve Christians At Separate Church Services in Northern Nigeria
Many Christians Still Missing
12/25/2012 Washington D.C. (International Christian Concern)

International Christian Concern (ICC) has learned that at least twelve Christians, including a pastor and a deacon, were killed by unknown gunmen in separate attacks in Northern Nigeria. The gunmen are suspected to be connected to the extremist group Boko Haram. Witnesses told the press that the gunmen also set a church on fire on Christmas Eve in connection with the attack.

Late on Christmas Eve, gunmen entered the village of Peri in Nigeria's "middle belt" state of Yobe. "A group of gunmen entered the village around midnight and went straight to the church," a resident of Peri told the Deccan Chronicle. "They opened fire on them, killing the pastor and five worshipers. They then set fire to the [Evangelical Church of West Africa in Peri]."

The head of the Christian Association of Nigeria in Yobe State told the African Free Press that many of the worshipers of the Evangelical Church of West Africa were "still missing."

"I have been informed that six bodies have been recovered," an official told the African Free Press. "Some who lived near the church fled their homes during the attack and it is assumed that they are still hiding in the bush."

Christian houses that were near the church were also attacked and set on fire.

In a separate attack, worshipers at the First Baptist Church in Maiduguri, in Borno state, were also attacked by unknown gunman. A deacon and five church members were killed.

Boko Haram is suspected to be behind this attack even though the group has yet to claim responsibility. Boko Haram is known to target Christians, their places of worship and government institutions. The extremist group is fighting to establish a separate Islamic state in Nigeria's northern regions. Most of the violence perpetrated by Boko Haram has taken place along Nigeria's "Middle Belt" region where the predominantly Christian South borders the Muslim majority North. The group is believed to be responsible for killing over 3,000 people since it began its armed insurgency in 2009.

Leading up to the holiday, many Christians and government officials had been preparing for a potential attack by Boko Haram. The extremist group uses the holiday to instill terror into the especially vulnerable Christian population. Many Christians considered not attending church services because of the potential of being attacked.

ICC's Regional Manager for Africa, William Stark, said, "Christians and the Nigerian government have been bracing for an attack on Christmas. Unfortunately, their perpetrations were not able to protect Christians living in Peri. Every Christmas since 2010, Christians in Nigeria have been attacked by Boko Haram. Combined, 96 Christians have been killed on Christmas by Boko Haram over the past three years. Earlier this year, Boko Haram demanded all Christians leave Nigeria's North. Since then, the group has continued to wage a campaign of terror against those Christians who decided to stay. The United States is still deciding whether to designate Boko Haram a Foreign Terrorist Organization, which if given, would allow the US to seize Boko Haram's assets under US jurisdiction. This would help stem the flow of arms and funds the group receives from sources outside Nigeria's borders. The consistency of these attacks shows Nigeria's government is struggling to deal with the violence that has dominated its northern states since 2009.The international community must take decisive action."


For interviews, contact William Stark, Regional Manager for Africa:   RM-AfricaAsia@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.

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

Unknown gunmen kill father of five for leaving Islam.
December 14, 2012 By East Africa Correspondent -
Leave a Comment NAIROBI, Kenya (Morning Star News)


Gunmen in central Somalia on Saturday (Dec. 8) killed an underground Christian who had been receiving death threats for leaving Islam, area sources said.

Two unidentified masked men shot Mursal Isse Siad, 55, outside his home in Beledweyne, 206 miles (332 kilometers) north of Mogadishu, for leaving Islam, Muslim and Christian sources told Morning Star News. The assailants fled immediately after the murder.

Siad’s oldest daughter (name withheld), 15, said her father was killed “because he failed to attend the mosque for prayers and used to pray at home. He used to share with us about Jesus.” She said that he had received messages on his mobile phone stating, “We know what you are doing, and you must stop, otherwise you risk your life.”

Siad’s 42-year-old wife (name withheld), three daughters and two sons have fled the area, fearing for their lives.

A Christian source in Mogadishu confirmed the killing, and a Muslim resident of the Beledweyne area also said Siad was killed for leaving Islam.

“Siad deserved to die because he was not committed to the Islamic religion,” the resident said.

Siad and his wife, who converted to Christianity in 2000 according to a source who used to worship with them, had moved to Beledweyne from Doolow eight months ago, after Somalia’s transitional federal government and African Union Mission in Somalia troops captured Beledweyne from Al Shabaab rebels. Siad had taken a job with a local Non-Governmental Organization.

“Since we arrived from Doolow, my parents have not been attending the worship at the mosque, but they have been allowing us to worship at the nearby mosque,” his daughter said.

As the gunmen were masked, she was unable to say whether the assailants were local. The area is under government control and there is no indication that the killers belonged to the Al Shabaab rebels who have vowed to rid the country of Christianity, but the Islamic extremist insurgents are present in Buulodbarde, 20 kilometers (12 miles) away, and Christians believe a few Al Shabaab rebels could be hiding in Beledweyne.

In the coastal city of Barawa on Nov. 16, Al-Shabaab militants killed a Christian after accusing him of being a spy and leaving Islam, Christian and Muslim witnesses said. The extremists beheaded 25-year-old Farhan Haji Mose after monitoring his movements for six months, Christian sources said.

Mose drew suspicion when he returned to Barawa, in Somalia’s Lower Shebelle Region, in December 2011 after spending time in Kenya, according to underground Christians in Somalia. Kenya’s population is nearly 83 percent Christian, according to Operation World, while Somalia’s is close to 100 percent Muslim.

###

© 2012 Morning Star News. Articles may be reprinted with credit to Morning Star News. To be removed from email distribution, contact editor@morningstarnews.org.  

Morning Star News is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation whose mission is to inform those in the free world and in countries violating religious freedom about Christians worldwide who are persecuted for their faith. For free subscription or to make tax-deductible donations, contact editor@morningstarnews.org, or send check to Morning Star News, 24310 Moulton Parkway, Suite O # 157, Laguna Hills, CA 92637, USA.

 
 
 










William Stark, Regional Manager for Africa
12/19/2012 Washington D.C.
(International Christian Concern)

On December 1, a group of Islamic radicals raided the village of Chibok in northeastern Nigeria. The group of radicals, armed with guns, machetes and explosives, moved through the predominately Christian part of the village and began chanting "Allahu Akbar," meaning "god is greatest." They broke into Christian houses and proceeded to slit the throats of 10 Christians including one pastor.
 
In a separate attack, three churches, along with a police station and an immigration and customs office were burned down in Gamboru Ngala, another town in Nigeria's northern regions. Another large group of armed radicals overran security forces before setting fire to the buildings.

Many suspect that the Islamic extremist group Boko Haram is behind these attacks. "The men came in large numbers and went into homes...which were carefully selected and slaughtered the people while shouting 'Allahu Akbar'," a resident of Chibok told the Botswana Gazette. "Who else apart from Boko Haram members would go into homes and slit the throats of ten people?" a local official asked the press.

A History of Violence

This is only the latest attack perpetrated by the Islamic extremist group. On Nov. 25, a twin suicide bomb attack at St. Andrew's Military Protestant Church showed the capability of Boko Haram's acts of terror. In that attack, not one, but two vehicles, a bus and a car, laden with explosives infiltrated the Armed Forces Command and Staff College in Jaji, located twenty miles outside of Kaduna City. Once both vehicles were in place, the bus rammed into the side of the church located on the college's campus.

After penetrating the wall of the church, the bus detonated its deadly payload. Fortunately, no one was injured in this initial attack. After the first explosion, people raced to the scene to see how they could assist anyone who was injured. When many of the first responders had gathered at the first blast site, a car parked nearby exploded. Eleven people were killed in the second blast and thirty others were wounded. 

An International Debate

Since Boko Haram began its armed insurgency in Nigeria, over 3,000 people have been murdered. So far the reaction to the violence perpetrated in Nigeria by Boko Haram is mixed. Christian groups both in Nigeria and the United States have called on the US government to label the extremist group a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO). Designating Boko Haram an FTO is adamantly opposed by the Nigerian government.

According to the Nigerian government, the US designating Boko Haram an FTO would be counterproductive in confronting the group. According to the Nigerian ambassador to the US, the FTO designation would be embarrassing for Nigeria as a nation. It would essentially say that Nigeria was incapable of handling Boko Haram and it needed the international community's help.

The Nigerian government also believes the designation would energize Boko Haram and its supporters. The FTO designation would inflate Boko Haram's international prestige, possibly bringing it to the attention of larger Islamic groups who would be willing and able to support them with funds, arms and training.

Finally, the designation, according to the Nigerian ambassador, could affect foreign direct investment in Nigeria.  He argued that the US would drive investment away from Nigeria because companies would be afraid to invest in an area where there is an active terrorist organization. This would be especially problematic for Nigeria which already has a struggling economy.

Leaders of the US chapter of the Christian Association of Nigerians (CANAN) argued against these assertions by the Nigerian government. Based on research by the United Nations, terrorism is not a controlling factor when investors consider where to invest. According to CANAN, "Investors will go for profit wherever they can find it, even if it is in the mouth of a lion." Because terrorism would not affect the Nigerian economy as much as the government claims, CANAN argues that it should not determine whether the US designates Boko Haram an FTO.

CANAN claims the designation would affect Boko Haram's ability to get funds and arms from outside Nigeria's borders. Potential supporters would be concerned about the wider net of justice that the designation would create. With less funds and arms, Nigeria might be able to curtail Boko Haram's operational capabilities.

A Deadly Partnership

Whether or not the designation would ultimately decrease Boko Haram's persecution of Christians can still be debated. Recent developments may have rendered some of the Nigerian government's concerns over the designation moot. Earlier this month, a US military report indicated that links between Boko Haram and al-Qaeda have been established.

Al-Qaeda has found a safe haven in Mali's northern regions after the government collapsed last year. According to US Military Commander in Africa General Carter F. Ham, Boko Haram is receiving training, arms and financial support from al-Qaeda. Will this be enough to tip the scales in the FTO debate in the US?

As the international community and the Nigerian government continue to discuss how to confront Boko Haram, Christians in Nigeria continue to live in fear. Security checkpoints and metal detectors are being constructed at the entrances of churches in an attempt to avoid becoming victimized by the next attack by Boko Haram. Until confronted, Boko Haram, along with its al-Qaeda affiliates, will continue persecuting Christians in Nigeria with impunity.

For interviews, contact William Stark, Regional Manager for Africa: RM-AfricaAsia@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, 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.
 
International Christian Concern
2020 Pennsylvania Ave. NW #241 
Washington, D.C. 20006
www.persecution.org
Email:  icc@persecution.org

Special Report by ICC
12/14/2012 Washington D.C. (International Christian Concern)

The communist government of China has long been cracking down on house churches to pressure them to merge with the official church, the leadership of which is known to have helped authorities in persecuting the believers.

When Anglican Bishop Ding Guangxun, the longtime head of the government-sanctioned Protestant church, died on Nov. 22, World Magazine remembered him as "a polarizing figure in Chinese Protestantism."

Critics say Guangxun, who was popularly known as K.H. Ting, collaborated with the government by interpreting the Bible to suit the country's socialist beliefs. It's not surprising that a newspaper of the Chinese Communist Party called him a "dear friend" of the party. Ding was also known for joining in persecuting house churches, the Christian news magazine noted.

Ting was the founding president of the China Christian Council, which together with the Three-Self Patriotic Movement (TSPM), forms the only state-sanctioned (registered) Protestant church in mainland China.

A glaring example of the involvement of the official church in helping authorities to pressure house churches to join the TSPM emerged in June this year. U.S.-based group China Aid quoted leaders of Beijing's Shouwang house church as saying that when 16 of their church members were detained that month, members of government-approved churches visited police stations for two weeks to "educate" and "admonish" the detained congregants, urging them to join official churches.

The alleged role of the official church in persecution of Shouwang - which has been praised by Christians around the world for its members' love and commitment towards the Christian faith - shows the extent to which some of the TSPM leaders have "cooperated" with the government.

Shouwang began as a home Bible study in 1993, and rose to become one of the largest house churches in 2007. The church, which has about 1,000 members, owns a floor in the Daheng Science and Technology Tower in northwest Beijing's Zhongguancun area, but authorities have prevented its members from using the property. The congregation has been meeting in a park for more than a year despite sporadic arrest and detention of its members during services.

The official church perhaps fears that unofficial churches' fervor might lead to a backlash. But, instead of seeking to address its concerns through dialogue, the official church has "cooperated" with the Chinese government despite the latter's covert efforts to eventually close down house churches throughout the country.

According to China Aid, the Chinese government launched a three-phase campaign in 2010 to stamp out "illegal" churches, and to have all Protestant congregations come under the umbrella of the TSPM.

"In December 2010, the Communist Party Central Committee's Public Security Commission issued a secret document to target China's house churches in implementing its special suppression campaign 'Operation Deterrence,'" explained a report by the group. "Government officials of all levels were told to 'guide' Christians attending those unregistered churches to worship in government-approved Three-Self churches, and to 'break up' large churches like Shouwang Church into small groups."

Ryan Morgan, International Christian Concern's Regional Manager for Southeast Asia said, "Real religious freedom in China can never exist until the State removes itself from control over the Church." For decades the communist party has used the Three Self Church and the China Christian Council in an attempt to align Christians with the values of a Marxist State, he added. "For those unwilling to participate in this arrangement, the only choice has been to worship illegally and face the threat of harassment, arrest, torture, and imprisonment. Tens of millions of Christians in China are still forced to do this today."

Far from the prediction of the communist party that religion will disappear as society progresses, as well as Mao's belief that religion is a poison, Christianity has grown like wildfire in China. Chinese academic Frank Lee, who has studied the development of house churches in the country, estimated a few years ago that there were about 20 million people who were part of the Three-Self Church, but the house churches had 10 million Catholics and up to 70 million Protestants. Many believe the actual collective strength of the house churches could be far more than Lee's estimate.

The communist party realizes that the growth of Christianity has brought some sense of morality in the nation's highly materialistic and value-starved society. But the party is still not willing to allow the house church movement to grow unless it promotes the government's political ideology, which the believers see as dilution of the Christian faith.

"We call on China's new General Secretary of the Communist Party, Xi Jinping, to bring an immediate end to prosecution of 'House Church' Christians and to free the Three-Self Church and China Christian Council from government interference," Morgan said. 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, 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.

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

Special Report by ICC
12/13/2012 Washington D.C. (International Christian Concern)

The Somali terrorist group al-Shabaab is killing Christians in Kenya in retaliation to Kenyan forces' intervention to stamp out its presence in southern Somalia.

Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud said on Dec. 13 that the radical Islamist outfit has been destroyed. The announcement came after Jowhar, the regional capital of Middle Shabelle region that had been under the al-Shabaab's control since 2009, had been captured by the Somali forces backed by the African Union troops.

However, reports suggest that al-Shabaab militants have largely retreated with some reportedly relocating to the Galgala region of the northern Golis Mountains in Somalia's semi-autonomous Puntland region.

President Mohamud's claim might be true that al-Shabaab militants have retreated from some southern Somalia cities, but the threat is far from over and the Islamist outfit will likely remain a regional menace, especially in Kenya.

On Dec. 12, Kenyan officials said Somali militants have devised new communication gadgets to inflict terror on innocent people in northern Kenya. This means more trouble for Christians.

Attacks on Kenya's churches and Christians suddenly rose after Kenyan forces launched a major offensive on al-Shabaab-controlled city of Kismayo in Somalia in September. The militarily successful intervention was part of "Operation Linda Nchi" (Protect the Country) launched last year aimed at eradication of al-Shabaab.

On Nov. 18, at least 10 people were killed and 30 others wounded when a man threw an improvised explosive device into a minibus near a Catholic church in Kenya's national capital of Nairobi. The attack came about a fortnight after a grenade thrown into a church in Kenya's Garissa city killed its pastor and injured more than a dozen people on Nov. 4.

Most attacks on Christians in Kenya have taken place in areas with large presence of Somali immigrants, indicating that some of them could be supporters, or sympathizers, of al-Shabaab. This has led to some reprisal attacks by misled Christian youth, raising fears of sectarian tensions. It is believed that al-Shabaab's attacks seek to create a rift between Muslims and Christians in Kenya.

Kenya, a close U.S. ally, previously sought to fight al-Shabaab by supporting militias in southern Somalia. But it initiated a direct action against the terror group after its militants allegedly kidnapped foreign tourists and aid workers inside Kenya.

While on the surface the Kenyan invasion into southern Somalia appeared to be a noble mission, its dangerous ramifications for Kenya as well as the East Africa region cannot be ignored.

Kenya's intervention came despite the failure of Ethiopia, which is also a close U.S. ally, to wipe out al-Shabaab through a 2006 operation.

When Ethiopian forces, which were allegedly heavy-handed and seen by many locals as foreign occupiers, left Somalia in 2007, al-Shabaab had more local sympathy as well as more support from al-Qaeda, which sees both the United States and its allies as its enemies. Al-Shabaab was also able to gain links with al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) as a result of the Ethiopian intervention.

It seems Kenya didn't realize that Somalia has a large diaspora in East Africa due to the anarchy and extreme poverty in that nation. A foreign intervention - if not properly executed or with any sign of heavy-handedness - was bound to help al-Shabaab in gaining more sympathy and recruiting from among the Somali diaspora for its transnational units. We can already see this happening in Kenya.

Perhaps Kenya went ahead with its intervention in Somalia without counting the cost and preparing well for it. There are at least three reasons to think so. One, Kenyan forces launched the offensive in Kismayo during rainy season, and faced severe hardships. Two, it has accidentally attacked famine relief camps. Three, Kenyan authorities appear to be surprised by al-Shabaab's attacks inside the country, rather than being able to prevent them.

It's now time for Kenya to focus on fighting al-Shabaab within its own boundaries and preventing Islamist militants from attacking more churches and Christians.

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

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

Special Report by ICC
12/13/2012 Washington D.C. (International Christian Concern)

Not a week goes by without a Christian being attacked somewhere in the south Indian state of Karnataka, where more than 40 incidents of violence on Christians have been reported this year.

Each attack deepens the sense of insecurity among Christians, who account for 1.9 percent of the 61 million people in Karnataka. But it is mostly Christians from small, independent groups who bear the brunt of hostilities.

The attacks on them are not just frequent, but also brutal. A recent incident where Rightwing Hindus attempted to slit the throat of a pastor who was recovering in the hospital from a previous attack, serves as an example of what Christians go through in this state.

On Oct. 11, extremist Hindu nationalists - who equate a citizen's Indian-ness to his or her Hindu identity and reject religious conversions as disloyalty to the nation - beat Pastor Samuel Kim, of Jerusalem Prayer House in Kannur village in eastern Kolar district, until he fell unconscious, according to Morning Star News.

Pastor Kim, who was accused of converting Hindus to Christianity, was admitted to a hospital in Kolar district headquarters with a broken rib, head and neck injuries, and bruises all over his body. Despite causing serious harm to the pastor, the attackers remained at large.

Early the following morning, the attackers returned to kill the pastor, who was in a private room in the hospital. "Five extremists came near my bed, started to strangle me, and brought a razor to slit my throat," the pastor was quoted as saying. However, they ran away when they heard people approaching.

After the attack inside the hospital authorities deployed police outside the pastor's room. However, that relief was short-lived. The attackers were still not arrested, and an official, identified as Circle Inspector Davendra Prasad, warned the pastor not to lead worship again or else face "dire consequences."

The attackers had been after Pastor Kim since they assaulted him about three months earlier - again with impunity, according to the Karnataka-based Global Council of Indian Christians.

With authorities shielding extremist Hindu nationalists, Christian workers have little they can do to protect themselves in this Hindu-majority state.

Within four years of its rule in Karnataka, the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP or Indian People's Party) has turned this state, which is otherwise known as India's Silicon Valley, into the country's most violent place for the Christian minority.

According to the New Delhi-based Evangelical Fellowship of India, Karnataka has remained the worst state for Christians for the last four years. While Christian groups have recorded an average of one attack per week in this state in recent years, the actual number is perhaps much higher, for not all attacks come to the notice of Christian groups.

The World Evangelical Alliance recently warned in a report that the incidence of attacks in Karnataka might further increase with the BJP facing an organizational crisis in the state after a top leader splintered to form his own party. To retain power, the BJP is seeking to consolidate its Hindu vote-bank by raising the issue of conversions and launching attacks.

However, the suffering being meted out to Christians brings out heroes among the community. Karnataka's Christian workers have faithfully ministered to their congregations and others in the face of persecution in the past, and will continue to do so.

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

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