Source: BBC News
The Philippine government reached a peace deal with
the largest Muslim terror group last week, ending 40 years of conflict
between the two groups. The government conceded another autonomous
region in Mindanao to the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). While
most Filipinos are Catholics, in the Mindanao region, Muslims are the
majority. The MILF has long agitated for an independent state, but the
agreement to give Bangasamoro leaders more political and economic
freedom appears to have pacified them. What is not clear, is how this
will affect Christians in the Mindanao region. Christians have long
been the victims of violence and land-grabs. Pray for the protection of
Christians in the region, that God will strengthen them in his power.
Iran—Another Christian Convert to Spend Six Years in Evin PrisonSources: VOM Contacts
A Christian convert from Islam was sentenced to six
years in prison after he was charged with crimes against the regime and
caught trying to flee the country. Alireza Seyyedian, 37, has been a
Christian since 2006. Last year, authorities found a video of his
baptism in Turkey on his laptop, which had been seized in a raid. In
December 2011, he was charged with crimes against national security and
propaganda against the regime. The judge cited his baptism in Turkey as
evidence that Alireza was trying to express dissatisfaction with the
regime. He was also accused of hosting a house church and distributing
Bibles to youth. In March, Alireza was caught fleeing to Turkey, and
was brought back to Iran to Evin prison. He is being held in the
section for political prisoners. Pray for Alireza. Ask God to
strengthen his faith and give him endurance.
Indonesia—Bomb Attacks Revive Church FearsSource: Release International, BBC News, The Jakarta Globe
Bomb attacks on Christian targets in the city of Poso
have revived painful memories of religious violence in Central
Sulawesi. Explosives were detonated outside a Christian’s home just
after 8 p.m. on Oct. 9 — then, about an hour later, a bomb went off
outside Imanuel Church in nearby Taripa, Pamona Timur. Police said the
house targeted in the first attack was that of Okrifil Mamuaya, a
Christian working for the local government. No one was injured in the
blasts — but they have alarmed Christians in an area blighted by
religious conflict in the past. Groups such as Laskar Jihad have
carried out jihad, or holy war, against Christian communities,
particularly in the Moluccas and Central Sulawesi between 1999 and
2002. Pray that Christians in Poso and other parts of Central Sulawesi
will know God's peace and love. Thank God that His perfect love drives
out fear.
Pray for tribal Christian
training centers operating in Vietnam. The centers provide materials and
training for 400 rural and tribal Christian pastors with the goal of
strengthening house churches in rural areas, which face more
persecution.
The International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church (IDOP) is on November 11, 2012. Will you pray for your brothers and sisters in Christ? Visit http://www.persecution.com/idop to learn more.
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© 2012 The Voice of the Martyrs
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