INDIA — Some Orissa Christians Still Homeless — VOM Contacts
Some Christians who were displaced during the 2008 riots in Orissa state are still homeless, according to VOM contacts in India. During the riots, 90 were killed and 50,000 believers were displaced. VOM contacts say the Christians who are still homeless will be adversely affected by the upcoming monsoon season. Pray that homes will become available to these displaced Christians. Ask God to encourage and protect believers who have endured hardship since the attacks.
CHINA — Police Interrogate Christian Attorney — China Aid Association
On May 31, Christian human rights attorney Li Heping was arrested in Beijing and taken to Beipingfang Village Police Station for interrogation, according to China Aid Association. Li Heping, who in the past has been under heavy police surveillance, was arrested as he left the home of fellow attorney Tang Jitian. Police took Li Heping to the police station for interrogation and released him later that night. The police claim they arrested Li Heping on suspicion of burglary, but their intentions were clearly to gain information on Tang Jitian’s whereabouts. On April 12, the government revoked the lawyer’s licenses of Tang Jitian and his friend Liu Wei, supposedly for causing a disturbance in the courtroom. The arrest and interrogation of Li Heping on “suspicion of burglary” is further evidence of how the Chinese government intimidates human rights attorneys. Pray that God will protect and encourage Li Heping and Tang Jitian. Praise God for the faithfulness of believers in China who continue to live out their faith in the midst of persecution.
TURKEY — Update: Believers Accused of “Insulting Turkishness” — Compass Direct News
On May 25, Turkish Christians Hakan Tastan and Turan Topal appeared in court for their 11th hearing on charges of “insulting Turkishness” by allegedly trying to convert others to Christianity, according to Compass Direct News. The hearing lasted only a few minutes. Despite the lack of evidence against the men, the Silivri Criminal Court set another hearing for Oct. 14. Prosecutors have yet to present any concrete evidence for the charges, and Hakan and Turan hope the trial concludes by the end of the year. “From the beginning, the charges against us have been filled with contradictions,” Turan said. “But we are entirely innocent of all these charges, so of course we expect a complete acquittal.” Thank the Lord for the bold faith of these two believers. Pray that God will be their strength and guide and that the charges against them will be dropped.
AFGHANISTAN — Christian Aid Groups Suspended — The New York Times
On May 31, the Afghanistan government suspended two Christian relief organizations over suspicions that they converted Afghans to Christianity. Proselytizing and converting from Islam to Christianity are crimes in Afghanistan. According to a New York Times report, an Afghan television station, Noorin TV, mentioned the two Christian organizations in a report that showed Westerners baptizing Afghans, and Afghans praying at private prayer meetings. However, Noorin TV later confirmed that it had no evidence linking the organizations to the baptisms or prayer meetings. Mohammed Sediq Amarkhiel, a spokesman for the government agency that regulates aid groups in Afghanistan, told The New York Times that there was no evidence against the Christian aid groups. He said the groups were suspended because television reports “raised suspicions” and “made people very emotional and angry.” Amarkhiel said the government will further investigate the groups’ activities. “If they are really involved in proselytizing Afghan people for Christianity, then definitely these people will be introduced to the judicial authorities,” Amarkhiel said. The report by Noorin TV led to a protest by Kabul University students and has also fueled anti-Christian sentiment within the Afghan government. According to the Associated Press (AP), the deputy secretary of the Afghan Parliament has called for the execution of Afghan Christians. The AP report quotes the deputy secretary as saying, “Those Afghans that appeared on this video film should be executed in public. The house should order the attorney general and the National Department of Security to arrest these Afghans and execute them.” Pray for believers as they share the gospel in this very difficult region. Pray that their testimony will draw nonbelievers into fellowship with Christ.
IRAQ — Christian Killed in Kirkuk — VOM Canada
On June 7, a Christian businessman was shot to death in front of his home in Kirkuk, Iraq, according to VOM Canada. Those who witnessed the murder of 34-year-old Hani Salim Wadi described it as a “targeted killing.” Several Christians in Kirkuk and Mosul have been attacked in recent months, and Christians in Iraq have expressed fear of renewed violence. Chaldean Archbishop Emil Nona said, “We are seeing another, the umpteenth, attack against Christians. The violence continues without relief.” Pray for Hani Salim Wadi’s wife, daughter and extended family as they mourn their loss. Ask God to guard the hearts of Iraqi Christians against fear so they can continue serving him with boldness.
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Scripture taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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