CSW Response Newsletter and Prayer Diary August-October 2013

SUMMER/Autumn 2013

Response The newsletter of Christian Solidarity Worldwide

In July 1983, a terrible scene ripped through Sri Lanka’s coastal capital, Colombo.

Dubbed ‘Black July’, it was the period during which hundreds of Tamil people were attacked and even set on fire on the streets in broad daylight.

Buddhist extremism on the rise in Sri Lanka See inside:

CSW hosts landmark South Asia consultation!

Page 3

www.csw.org.uk

When CSW spoke earlier this year with Sri Lankan religious leaders, several expressed their recent fears of a repeat of Black July, but this time against the country’s religious minorities, including Muslims and Christians. Since then the violence has eased but the situation remains fragile.

The tension is partly down to the rise of a new hardline Buddhist group called the Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) – which loosely translates as ‘Buddhist Strength Force’. Formed only a year ago, the group’s philosophy is to defend and promote Buddhism, which it sees as the only authentic religion in Sri Lanka. Their activity has involved hatepreaching and attacks on Christian Continued on page

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Nepal: Stalemate needs fresh flow of prayer and advocacy Page 4

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@csw_UK

Operation 18 poster back Cover

Continued from page

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Timeline 1948 1956

1972

1983

2002-9

2003-4 2004

2009

2012

2013

2

Country in focus

Ceylon gains full independence A new government is elected on wave of Sinhalese nationalism.

Sinhala made sole official language and other measures introduced to promote Sinhalese and Buddhist culture Ceylon changes its name to Sri Lanka and Buddhism given primary place as country’s religion Civil war breaks out between Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) and Sinhalese government in the north and east of the island; ‘Black July’ attacks against Tamils Several attempts made to introduce anti-conversion legislation Wave of significant violence against Christians Buddhist monks enter parliament as elected representatives for the first time Civil War ends; government declares victory under Mahinda Rajapaksa Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) formed by two Buddhist monks claiming not enough being done to protect Buddhism in Sri Lanka Increased incidents of targeted violence against Christian and Muslim places of worship and businesses

SRI LANKA

Buddhist extremism on the rise in Sri Lanka places of worship and Muslim-owned businesses.

The relationship between the government and the BBS is the subject of widespread speculation. It certainly appears that the BBS enjoys unspoken government approval, but it has also been argued that the activities of the BBS serve the interests of the government by creating a sense of nationalistic pride among the government’s Sinhala Buddhist supporters.

Few people have spoken out against the BBS, and Sri Lanka’s mainstream media has remained largely quiet when it comes to making the case for religious harmony. This all means that the BBS can act without fear of punishment, which could result in an escalation of violence.

Targeted violence against minorities Recent incidents include young Buddhist men, thought to be motivated by the BBS, carrying out targeted attacks on Muslimowned businesses in Colombo, including on two high street fashion chain stores.

CSW has also heard from Christians, who make up about 6% of the population, about widespread attacks on churches.

There has been a particular concentration of attacks in the south of the island, which is the heartland of Sinhala Buddhist nationalism.

Only the Catholic Church, which represents about 80% of Christians, and the National Christian Council (an umbrella group for ‘traditional’ denominations) are recognised by the government. Many of the evangelical denominations are facing more and more restrictions, including the forced closure of some of their churches.

How CSW works for Sri Lankan religious freedom As well as conducting regular research with contacts from different parts of Sri Lankan society, CSW works alongside partner groups to highlight attacks on Christian and Muslim targets in the international community, and highlights broader antireligious minority activities to influential governments. CSW also contributes to Sri Lanka’s four-yearly peer-led human rights review at the UN called the Universal Periodic Review (UPR).

This May, CSW brought Sri Lankan Christian and Muslim leaders to a special South Asia freedom of religion or belief consultation.

There they were able to share experiences and best practice with religious minority leaders and activists from across the region, as well as receiving human rights training (see photo story opposite).

Sri Lanka is a stunning, tropical land with a rich history. But it is also a country of increasing communal division. Please pray.

PLEASE PRAY FOR SRI LANKA USING

Pray THE PRAYER DIARY WITH THIS ISSUE OF RESPONSE (SEE page 6).

THE EDITORIAL

by mervyn thomas - chief executive I can honestly say that I’ve met very many heroes of our faith in my time at CSW. They are amazing people who through various difficulties have persevered and in many cases are still persevering.

The reason they’re heroes of the faith is because they’ve obeyed the word of God! We’re reminded in the New Testament that we are to “throw off the sin that so easily entangles, and run with perseverance the race marked out for us” (Hebrews 12:1). The point is that wherever we are in the world, we will all face challenges and all encounter obstacles. But we have to do our best to make sure we don’t carry burdens of sin that we shouldn’t, while also persevering as far as we can. We know we have a glorious inheritance waiting for us, but that doesn’t necessarily make daily hardships easy to cope with, wherever we are in the world. Yet the prize is the focus. Endurance is how we get there.

CSW hosts landmark South Asia consultation!

This May, CSW organised and secured funding for a groundbreaking consultation*, involving a range of religious minority leaders and civil society activists from across South Asia.

The event offered focused talks and training workshops on practical and theoretical issues around freedom of religion in the region, and a unique opportunity to engage with the UN’s Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief.

BROAD COALITION ENGAGED CSW’s work on religious freedom in South Asia is most effective when we engage with both religious leaders and a broad range of social activists and experts. Here, a journalist from India poses a question to the speaker.

He sits beside CSW’s South Asia Team Leader and advocacy specialist, David Griffiths.

As for the heroes of the faith that I’ve met through CSW – they’re people who are shining like stars in the universe. They’re not perfect, but as example-setters they greatly encourage us in our own faith. They are people like Michelle and Cecil S Chaudhry in Pakistan, who’ve taken on their father’s long legacy of working to protect religious minorities there. You can pray for them by using the Prayer Diary with this edition of Response (see page 10).

It’s our privilege to run alongside people like these, just a handful of the “great cloud of witnesses” talked about in the letter to the Hebrews. Another amazing thing I often hear is how persecuted people who receive cards of encouragement through our Connect & Encourage booklet are praying for those who sent them. What a tremendous example of mutual solidarity and encouragement!

If you’re persevering where you are, keep going. It’s worth it.

We have so many companions in the world around US, not least among the global body we know as the Church!

UN EXPERT MEETS PARTICIPANTS FACE-TO-FACE Professor Heiner Bielefeldt the UN’s Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief, enjoys a session break with David Griffiths, CSW’s South Asia Team Leader. Participants were enthusiastic to learn from Professor Bielefeldt’s great expertise during his seminars and more informal discussions, particularly regarding mechanisms that could help them tackle religious freedom abuses.

PASTOR EQUIPPED FOR ACTION Rupak (centre), a pastor in Bhutan, sits among Christian and Baha’i delegates from Nepal (to his left) and Hindu and Christian community representatives from Bangladesh and India. In one of the workshops, Rupak commented on how useful he found it to have CSW’s practical training on effective reporting of religious freedom violations. *For security reasons, we cannot mention the country where CSW hosted the consultation.

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h s e r f s d e e n e t a m e l a t S : l a p y c Ne a c o v d a d n a r e y a r p f o w flo ar need of our

rticul hy Nepal is in pa w s in a pl ex r, fice

W’s Nepal Of Martin Dore, CS now. prayers right epal? t situation in N en rr cu e th ’s Q: What e civil war after the end of th s ar ye o tw , 08 forces, A: In 20 t and the Maoist

ses could risk that these clau There is a serious but they are t proper scrutiny, , this type of be passed withou of reasons. Firstly le up co a r fo ic ally in some problemat South Asia, especi in rd co re a s ha ce measure ejudice and violen rnmen , of increasing pr es ith ation at w ol st d vi ar an in between the gove di rw is In fo it , ep ly es. Second ok a major st iti to or s in es m oc us pr io u e lig nd ac its Hi en though the pe against re hts standards, ev g the abolition of in rig rm an m nfi hu co , l ns na er io tio rth at mandated to fair elec blic. Fu of intern y was specifically ing a secular repu bl m m co se be of As d n nt an io y ue at ch tit gr standards. monar ul inte the Cons istent with those , with the peacef ns 12 co 20 n in io e ut y. m tit m ca ns ar ss co progre create a tional Nepali ldiers into the na rtant to former Maoist so ng is that it is impo yi sa re e’ w t ha w , or change finished By contrast e right to choose steps, there is un th e w iv la sit in po ly e ise es n. ec th Despite enshrine pr w constitutio interpretation. At , Nepal has no ne y s not left open to it’ pl at sim th ly have es so rti business. Crucially ith pa fa e th titution, people on alised, but ns fin Co as w rim it te In of l. e % th pa e born. for Ne About 80 present, in into which they ar federal structure w ith fa ne e a th on in e re ay e st ag us beca ution that couldn’t the right to since last summer in Nepal’s constit ss ith w re it og ic t. pr pl en no ex am en be rli rdance with t or pa We’ve se It needs to their faith, in acco timate governmen ge gi an le ch no to en e be fre s e there ha Nepalis ar ace on pl ke ta to international law. ed ct expe l fu er w po a g Elections are now in ud ntime? aller parties – incl done in the mea be to n g ca in en at 19 November. Sm at h re W th Q: the Maoists – are MP in Nepal splinter group of course, without in Nepali to every of rs d, tte An le nt d. se ea ah we , g goin e constitution, A: In 2012 prevent elections This requires a ious clauses in th . ss lig re re og er pr ov n ce ca g en thin matters, as with influ a constitution, no itments on these approving body) m nm io co ut l’s tit pa ns co Ne g (a mbly ment and highlightin Constituent Asse le from the govern y. op nc pe y ge ke ur g of r tin te ee a mat e, and as a well as m to be elected as ound the same tim ar at , ly nt rta po pporteurs courts. Im y need a new two UN Special Ra ll n, a io at re l rm a fo in ep r N ry issue. result of ou Q: But does ent about this ve m rn ve go l’s pa ?

Ne wrote to constitution future for the long-term ns io at ic fficult for CSW to pl im g currently quite di cluding the s in it’ , s, A: Well, it has bi er en ev tiz w ci Ho its r pal without any of rights fo ral secular vocacy within Ne ut ad ne of Nepal in terms ke a rta in de om un ed t, so please pray religious fre entatives to mee s a huge er es pr off need to establish re n d io te ut ec tit el ns n of a new co CSW on this! state. The creatio s and groups like for a breakthrough ist tiv ac se le pa Ne opportunity for edom protections rary limitations, oper religious fre pr r fo te ca spite these tempo vo s during De ad es to oc pr e th is is k on the situation target. Th e continue to wor fundamental w its - our key advocacy ish bl ta es ill ding partner, mocracy w with our longstan which this new de ho is National ions.

Dr K B Rokaya, w values and intent mmissioner, and ent draft Human Rights Co rr cu e th h it w to co-operate Q: What’s wrong has led Christians her faiths in constitution? tlawing with people of ot ou s se au cl ill st e Council. afts, there ar the Inter-Religious A: In the existing dr hich CSW has continually n, w religious conversio advised against.

DIARY

Pray 4

E PRAYER NEPAL USING TH R FO AY PR SE page 8).

PLEA RESPONSE (see OF N IO IT ED IS WITH TH D THE PAIGN TO UPHOL M CA 18 N IO AT WORD! SIGN OUR OPER ND SPREAD THE A , ON GI LI RE A ION18 RIGHT TO CHOOSE .ORG.UK/OPERAT SW .C W W W AT E N SIGN ONLI

2013

Campaign

S N O K C E B ou!

UPDATE

y

Are you Delia Sm Or is your speciaith in disguise?

Either way, why lity beans on toast?! funds for CSW w don’t you raise some ith your culina ry skills!

In

Less t weeks han 8 left t sign u o p

under 8 weeks it’ll be time for CSW’s new annual fundra event, Food for Fr ising eedom.

As part of our Oper ation 18 campaig n (see page 8), we sourced 18 recipes ’ve from countries whe re people aren’t fre choose their belie e to fs. We want you to get hold of these and make them yo recipes ur own. Cook, whi sk and bake to your content - and then heart’s share that food w ith others in your prayer group, fam ch urch, ily or local commun ity! The recipes wo brilliantly for grou rk ps of people, whe ther you’re a novi or an experienced ce cook chef. You could do it in your house, at church or in your your local community ce ntre – or pretty m anywhere with a ki uch tchen. We’ve mad e it so easy that an could get involved yone and organise a loca l Food for Freedom to raise funds for event CSW. So register for Food for Freedom week , running from 16-2 You can download 2 September 2013 the recipe pack on . line now at www.cs w .org.uk/fff It’ll give you creativ e fundraising sugg estions, guest invi you’ll need to hold tes, bunting and al a Food for Freedo l the practical advi m event. If you need pack in the post to ce a printed version you. instead, we’ll pop a So with only a few weeks to go – plea se register today so own Food for Free we can support yo dom event! u in organising yo ur

It’s the perfect excuse to fend off your busyness and enjoy time together, while supporting CSW’s Operation 18 campaign!

To register for CSW’s Food for Freedom recipe and fundraisin s g tips, email ad min@csw.org.uk or call us on 08 45 456 5464.

TO SEE! IGN E IK L E W T A H W IS IS H T GNED CAMPA IVED AROUND 250 SI

IN JUNE WE RECE CH IN NOTTINGHAM! UR CH E ON ST JU OM POSTCARDS FR US AS SOON AS YOU TO IN CK BA S RD CA GET YOUR POST CHURCH BY CALLING UR YO R FO E OR M R CAN, AND ORDE .

US ON 0845 456 5464 5

2 BIG OPPORTUNITIES

TO EQUIP YOURSELF FOR

PRAYER &

ACTION!

We have two major announcements for you:

CSW

ANNUAL CE N CONFERE 2014

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Firstly – we’re excited to confirm that CSW’s next annual conference will be in london on Saturday 29 March 2014!

It’s a long way off, but if you mention it to your church leaders now, you might be able to organise for a group from your church to come! The whole event is designed to equip you and other Christians you know in your biblical role of encouraging the persecuted Church and speaking up for religious freedom.

We’ll keep you up-to-date in future issues of response.

Latest News

What’s been happening around the world…

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Vietnam: The family of Hoang

Van Ngai, the Hmong Christian who died in police custody on 17 March, was notified in mid-May that the Vietnamese authorities’ investigation confirmed his death was caused by “suicide by self-electrocution.”

The family believes that he was killed extra-judicially because of his defence of his church and determination to stand up to corrupt local officials.

Egypt: Demiana Abdel-Nour,

a Christian teacher in Luxor, was convicted on blasphemy charges on 11 June by a court in Upper Egypt and fined 100,000 Egyptian pounds.

What’s

happening

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International Day of Prayer

Secondly, we’re working our socks off to create a big buzz around this year’s International Day of Prayer (IDOP) for the persecuted Church.

It’s in November every year, and over summer we’re releasing some fabulous easy-to-use resources and suggestions so you can plan ahead with your church’s leaders and prayer enthusiasts!

Get hold of your IDOP pack today – it’s got sermon pointers, a kids’ activity, creative prayer ideas and an easy-todo drama sketch. Please adapt these to your heart’s content! The important thing is that on IDOP Sunday, you’re praying for persecuted Christians in your own way.

If your church can’t commit to an IDOP activity in its own meetings, why don’t you go along to one of these IDOP events? Details are on the map.

ST ANDREWS Thursday 31 0ct, 7pm The Parish Church of the Holy Trinity South Street St Andrews KY16 9UH

GLASGOW Friday 1 Nov, 7.30pm Temple - Anniesland Parish Church 869 Crow Road Glasgow G13 1LR

STOCKTON Wednesday 6 Nov, 7.30pm Stockton Baptist Tabernacle The Square Stockton on Tees TS18 1TE BIRMINGHAM Wednesday 6 Nov, 7.30pm Selly Oak Elim Church Centre Exeter Road Selly Oak B29 6EU

CARDIFF Tuesday 29 Oct, 7.30pm Glenwood Church Circle Way West Cardiff CF23 6UW

Bristol Monday 28 Oct , 7.30pm The Sanctuary Church 55 High Street Staple Hill BS16 5HD

LONDON Thursday 31 Oct, 7.30pm All Souls 2 Souls Place London W1B 3DA

for more details about resources and events please check online at www.csw.org.uk over coming months, or give Jill Coombe a call on 020 8329 0014.

Iran: Pastor Farhad Sabokrooh,

an Iranian Assemblies of God pastor, his wife Shahnaz Jayzan and two church workers were returned to jail after their one year sentences for converting to Christianity and “propagation against the Islamic regime through evangelism” were upheld by a High Court on 1 May. They were initially arrested in December 2011 after authorities in the southern town of Ahwaz raided their church’s Christmas celebrations and detained everyone, including children attending Sunday school.

Tanzania: Three people were killed and more than 60 injured when a church service inaugurating

a new Catholic Cathedral in Arusha, Tanzania was bombed on Sunday 5 May. The Vatican’s ambassador to Tanzania, Archbishop Francisco Montecillo Padilla, and Josaphat Louis Lebulu, the Archbishop of Arusha, were in the church at the time of the attack but escaped unharmed.

Burma: In May, CSW released

a new report on human rights in Burma following a four-week factfinding visit to the country. The report welcomes signs of political change in the country but warns against “premature euphoria” and highlights “many very grave challenges and concerns, particularly in respect to the

protection of human rights, including freedom of religion or belief”.

Nigeria: On 14 May, Nigerian

President Goodluck Jonathan declared a state of emergency in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa States following weeks of escalating attacks in northern and central states by increasingly well-armed and well-organised militants. On the same day, the Secretary of the Christian Association of Nigeria in Borno State, Reverend Faye Pama Musa, a Pentecostal pastor, was shot dead in his Maiduguri home by two suspected Boko Haram members.

CSW highlighted the issue in the last edition of Response.

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Anyone, anywhere, has

the right to convert to any

religion or belief system they choose.

With no exceptions and with

no negative consequences.

It’s a human right, just like all the other human rights.

Find out more and

get involved at

www.csw.org.uk/

operation18 Christian Solidarity Worldwide is an organisation working for religious freedom through advocacy and human rights, in the pursuit of justice.

PO Box 99, New Malden, Surrey, KT3 3YF, United Kingdom T: +44 (0)845 456 5464 F: +44 (0)20 8942 8821 E: admin@csw.org.uk www.csw.org.uk Registered Charity No. 281836

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@csw_uk

Prayer Diary Summer/ Autumn 2013

www.csw.org.uk

www.facebook.com/cswuk

@csw_UK

Prayer Diary SUMMER/Autumn

The angel Gabriel told Daniel “As soon as you began to pray, an answer was given” Daniel 9:23 Welcome to this edition of the Prayer Diary, focusing on South Asia!

Through my advocacy work in CSW’s South Asia team, I’ve been privileged to work alongside inspiring people like Michelle Chaudhry (p10 of Prayer Diary) and K B Rokaya (p4 of Response). We need to continue praying for people like them, remembering that no prayer goes unanswered, as Daniel was told.

CSW staff are now bringing our partners together in different continents, as we did recently by inviting Christian activists and religious minority leaders to the South Asia Forum. It was so helpful for them to learn from one another’s experiences in working towards better implementation of religious freedom in their respective countries.

So I really encourage you to keep South Asia in your prayers with the help of this Prayer Diary.

Martin Dore CSW’s Nepal Officer Read Martin’s article on page 4 of response

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Week

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4-10 August

Pakistan The challenges in Pakistan today are enormous. Against a background of an energy crisis, political corruption, and high unemployment, religious intolerance and division are on the rise. But our partners on the ground have reported some encouraging news: there seems to be an increasing awareness of injustices in society. We’ve met so many inspiring activists who are working for justice, often at great personal risk.

HEROES OF FAITH: Asiya Nasir occupies a unique position in Pakistani politics – not only is she a female politician, but she’s a Christian within an Islamist party. She was one of the few politicians who spoke out boldly after the assassination of the Minorities Minister, Shahbaz Bhatti, and we’ve been really encouraged by how her faith leads her to work for minority rights and her nation as a whole.

Throughout this week please:

Please Pray

• Thank God for CSW’s partners, for their bravery and perseverance in the face of daily opposition; • Ask God to protect those working on peace-building, and grant them favour; • Pray for voices of justice and peace to be amplified, replacing voices of hate and violence; • Ask God to grant true justice to victims of religiously-motivated violence, including cases left unresolved for years; • Ask God to protect Christian and Hindu women and girls at risk of abduction or forced marriage; • Ask God to break drug and alcohol addictions in some of the poorest Christian communities; • Pray for Christian leaders as they establish trusting relationships in a country where so many divisions stem from mistrust.

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Prayer Diary SUMMER/Autumn

Week

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11-17 August

Week

upholding the right to

choose YOUR RELIGION

the right to choose your beliefs

After Mr Chu became a Christian in 2011, police arrested and beat him on his way back from Bible school. It wasn’t just him who suffered – his young nephews were also detained and beaten. All because in parts of Vietnam, local officials are determined to stop the spread of Christianity.

The UN urgently needs to investigate the true situation in Vietnam. Professor Heiner Bielefeldt is the UN’s Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief, and it’s his job to visit countries around the world to report on whether they allow people to choose and change their religion freely, and worship in peace. We’re working closely with him as part of our Operation 18 campaign – a bold venture to ensure freedom of religion is respected around the world. But we know that your prayers are just as vital as our work with the UN, if we’re going to help Vietnam become a place where no-one has to fear arrest just for going to Bible school.

Throughout this week please:

Please Pray

• Pray for Mr Chu and his walk with God after the trauma of his experiences with the police; • Ask God to protect our partners and contacts within Vietnam, whose work often puts them at risk; • Pray for Vietnamese churches fighting official pressure as they try to spread the gospel; • Thank God for the work of the Special Rapporteur and the work we’ve already been able to do with him; • Ask God to change the hearts of the Vietnamese Government so that they will confirm a date for Professor Bielefeldt to visit Vietnam; • Pray that the Government of Vietnam will cooperate fully with the UN before, during and after the Special Rapporteur’s visit; • Pray especially for the Operation 18 campaign on the 18th August – could you encourage your church to pray too?

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18-24 August

India

India is the world’s largest democracy – a country of millions of people, hundreds of languages and various religions. But the diversity isn’t always peaceful. In Kandhamal District, Orissa State in August 2008, a devastating wave of violence against the Christian community resulted in at least 90 deaths and an estimated 54,000 people forcibly displaced.

Five years on, the community is still shattered. There are major flaws in the delivery of justice, as only a few people have been charged with the violence which ruined so many lives.

This week please:

Please Pray

• Pray for the community in Kandhamal: for justice, rehabilitation and reconciliation; • Pray for the human rights defenders that CSW works with, particularly those helping minority groups; • Ask God to bless efforts to combat targeted and communal violence; • Pray that ‘anti-conversion’ legislation (banning religious conversions) would be repealed or reformed; • Pray for activists pursuing legal cases to challenge anticonversion laws; • Pray for pastors and church congregations who experience persistent small scale attacks which don’t make the headlines; • Pray that the voices calling for peaceful coexistence between different groups will be heard in the lead-up to the elections.

PLEASE ADD A NOTE IN YOUR DIARY TO PRAY FOR THE OPERATION 18 CAMPAIGN ON THE 18TH OF EVERY MONTH!

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Prayer Diary SUMMER/Autumn

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25-31 August

Week

Sri Lanka Throughout this week please:

Please Pray

• Pray for an end to attacks on Muslim and Christian communities, and for justice and healing for victims of communal violence; The beautiful island nation of Sri Lanka is struggling towards reconciliation and peace after three decades of civil war ended in 2009. CSW is hearing worrying reports of an increase in violent attacks against Muslims and Christians. Our partner organisation, the National Christian Evangelical Alliance of Sri Lanka (NCEASL) describes an “organised campaign of hatred against adherents of non‐ majority faiths.”

CSW IS WORKING ON SOME INNOVATIVE ADVOCACY PROJECTS FOR SOUTH ASIA – WHY NOT CONSIDER MAKING A DONATION TO THEM? JUST CALL US ON 0845 456 5464 TO GIVE!

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• Pray that church denominations would be unified at this significant time;

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1-7 September

China

In many ways, today’s China is very different from the China of a generation ago. The headlines are full of stories of economic success. There have also been big changes for some Christians. Visitors to Beijing and Shanghai might be surprised to see Christian bookshops selling Chinese and foreign titles, and churches of hundreds or even thousands meeting in large hotels. However, even though unregistered churches enjoy more freedom than before, they are still technically ‘illegal’ if they are not registered with the official Protestant or Catholic associations. And the changes in the big cities aren’t reflected in rural areas, where Christians still face many restrictions on their religious activities, and are sometimes harassed, threatened, detained or prevented from meeting together.

We want to see progress in the cities reflected in law and policy, so that Christians everywhere in China can enjoy full freedom of religion.

• Pray that the government would not push through threatened restrictions on freedom of religion;

This week please:

• Ask God to protect activists working to promote inter-religious and inter-ethnic harmony in the nation;

• Pray that officials won’t harass unregistered churches despite their ‘illegal’ status;

• Pray for extremist groups such as the Bodu Bala Sena (BBS); • Pray that President Rajapaksa and his government would choose a path that upholds the rights of all communities in the country; • Pray that the northern provincial elections in September would contribute towards long-term peace and reconciliation.

China Aid

Week

Please Pray

• Thank God that more and more Christians in Beijing and Shanghai can meet together to worship;

• Pray that the Chinese Government will allow churches and other religious groups to register outside the official religious associations if they choose; • Ask God to encourage Christians in the countryside who are restricted, harassed and discriminated against because of their beliefs; • Thank God for the amazing growth in the number of Christians in China; • Pray that God will give Chinese officials a new and positive view of religious beliefs; • Ask God to encourage Christians currently detained or ‘disappeared’ in connection with their faith, such as Alimujiang Yimiti (in the middle of top picture) and Bishop James Su Zhimin.

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Prayer Diary SUMMER/Autumn

Week

6

8-14 September

Week

Nepal

Nestled between India and China, Nepal is sometimes in danger of being overlooked. But religious extremism is a real threat in this country, and people across the whole of Nepal are endangered by the ‘culture of impunity’ – a situation where people come to believe that they can commit crimes without punishment.

Nepal used to be a Hindu monarchy, and is in the process of becoming a secular state; but, a few years after its national Constituent Assembly started work on the constitution, no final text has been agreed and the country is being led by a temporary caretaker government. As the new constitution is being drafted, there is still a need to ensure that it guarantees full freedom of religion or belief for everyone. CSW has long been working with activists in the region to champion the cause of religious freedom in these negotiations.

This week please:

Please Pray

• Thank God for the interfaith work between Christian leaders and leaders of other faiths; • Pray for free and fair elections in November; • Pray that the elections would not be hindered by the splinter groups that may turn violent if they are unable to participate in the elections; • Pray for everyone working on the stalled constitution process, that they would continue to be inspired despite the frustrations of the situation; • Ask God to bring an end to the impunity and lack of accountability that is widespread across the country; • Pray for the ethnic and religious minorities that can so often be overlooked in the electoral process; • Ask God to strengthen the Nepali Church as a whole, as well as individual Christians, at this time of deep uncertainty.

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15-21 September

upholding the right to

choose YOUR RELIGION

the right to refuse to be forced into another belief

Colombia is one of the most dangerous places in the world to be a church leader.

Around 25–30 church leaders are assassinated each year in connection with their faith, and across the whole country there is a murder every twenty minutes.

Christians are particularly unwelcome in many indigenous communities where traditional beliefs are the norm. Traditional religious authorities in these communities close down non-traditional religious buildings such as churches, and try to force Christians to convert back to traditional beliefs. These actions clearly violate Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which states that no-one must be forced into another belief against their will.

Please stand with us in prayer as our Operation 18 campaign fights for this right to be upheld.

Please Pray

• Ask God to protect people like Reverend Salvador Alcantara, a church leader who has received death threats because of his work for justice; • Thank God for the courage of Christians who continue to hold onto their faith despite violent opposition; • Ask God to comfort the families of victims of violence; • Pray that traditional religious authorities in indigenous communities would be more tolerant of other faiths; • Pray for CSW’s work training local activists to advocate effectively for freedom of religion; • Pray that God would pour out his peace across the whole of Colombia; • Pray especially for the Operation 18 campaign on 18 September – could you encourage your small group to pray too?

YOU CAN STILL GET HOLD OF AN OPERATION 18 GUIDE FROM US! JUST CALL US ON 0845 456 5464 AND WE’LL POP ONE IN THE POST

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Prayer Diary SUMMER/Autumn

Week

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22-28 September

South Asia

South Asia is incredibly diverse and complex, and Christians in the region are sometimes discriminated against, harassed, or even killed for their faith.

CSW has been working with activists in the region for many years, to combat religious intolerance and to make religious freedom a reality for all.

The people we meet and work with, especially our local partners on the ground, are a constant source of inspiration, but they need our prayers as much as the victims of religious freedom violations.

HEROES OF FAITH: Michelle and Cecil S Chaudhry are an inspiring brother-and-sister team working to improve life for Christians and other religious minorities in Pakistan. Continuing the legacy of their late father, a human rights campaigner and long-term CSW partner, their mission is to “initiate personal and social change by providing an opportunity to strengthen and sustain their lives for the better.”

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Throughout this week please:

Week Please Pray

• Pray for the most vulnerable people in society - those at high risk of mistreatment and least likely to get justice - particularly the victims of targeted sexual violence; • Thank God for the elections in Pakistan earlier this year, and pray for peaceful elections in Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Nepal, due later this year; • Pray that religious nationalist groups across the region would not resort to violence to achieve their aims; • Pray that God would take away the divisive and fear-inducing power of blasphemy laws in the region;

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29 September-5 October

NIGERIA

On 1 October, Nigeria celebrates its Independence Day. It should be a time of celebration and unity. But the regular attacks on Christians in the northern and central states show just how sharply the country is divided along religious and ethnic lines.

Since 1999, tens of thousands have lost their lives in religiously-motivated violence.

A militant Islamic group called Boko Haram is trying to impose its vision of a Muslim country on Nigeria. In fact, after a series of particularly brutal attacks last year, Boko Haram issued a statement: “Christians in Nigeria should accept Islam, that is true religion, or they will never have peace.”

Join us in prayer this week for Nigeria:

Please Pray

• Thank God for Reverend Yunusa Nmadu, CEO of CSW Nigeria, leading a church which pioneers reconciliation work in their neighbourhood; • Pray that the reconciliation initiatives would be successful so that communities are able to live together peacefully; • Ask God to strengthen Reverend Yunusa in his personal spiritual walk as he comforts and encourages families of victims;

• Pray for strength in CSW’s South Asia team, especially as they work to facilitate cross-border cooperation and collaboration among CSW’s partners on the ground;

• Pray for CSW’s advocacy work with the UN and EU, shaping appropriate political responses to events in Nigeria,

• Pray for the complex situation of religious refugees who flee between countries in the region;

• Ask God to pour out his peace on Nigeria as it celebrates its Independence Day.

• Pray for indigenous minorities in the centre of Bangladesh and in the Chittagong Hill Tracts, who are marginalised because of their religion and ethnicity.

• Pray for guidance for the Government of Nigeria as they try to contain the violence; • Pray for the leaders of Boko Haram, that their hearts would be changed and the killing would stop;

YUNUSA IS DOING AN AUTUMN SPEAKING TOUR IN THE UK – FIND OUT IF HE’S SPEAKING NEAR YOU AT WWW.CSW.ORG.UK/EVENTS

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Prayer Diary SUMMER/Autumn

Week

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6-12 October

Week

Egypt

Two years ago, on 9 October 2011, the Egyptian military attacked a peaceful demonstration made up largely of members of the Coptic Christian community in Maspero, Cairo. An estimated 28 people were killed and over 200 were injured in the violence.

The Copts had been protesting the demolition of a church in Upper Egypt.

Official sources have continuously denied any wrongdoing, and have instead accused the peaceful protestors of assaulting the army. Against a background of increasing tensions in the whole of Egypt, as attacks on Coptic Christians happen with increasing regularity, please pray for peace on the anniversary of the Maspero Massacre.

Throughout this week please:

Please Pray

• Pray that events to mark the anniversary of the Maspero violence would be peaceful; • Ask God to bring justice for the victims of the massacre; • Ask God to comfort and strengthen the families of the victims; • Pray that the Coptic community would be given wisdom for how to respond to increasing harassment and attacks; • Thank God for the Egyptian Church’s long history and strong roots; • Pray for CSW’s partners on the ground who are working for peace at a time of such uncertainty; • Pray that the Egyptian government would encourage tolerance and respect for all religions.

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13-19 October

upholding the right to

choose YOUR RELIGION

the right to peacefully enthuse others about your beliefs When South Sudan gained independence from Sudan in July 2011, it was hoped that this would bring an end to years of ethnic and religiously-motivated strife.

But the Government of Sudan continues to crack down on Christians.

Foreign Christians are being arrested and deported at short notice, and their property confiscated. In 2012, Christmas was not officially observed as a public holiday. In April 2013, the government announced that no new church licences would be issued. All of this reinforces President Omar al-Bashir’s repeated calls for a “100% Islamic Sudan”.

Please stand with us in prayer as our Operation 18 campaign fights for this right to be upheld.

Please Pray

• Ask God to protect foreign Christians whose lives are uprooted after they are deported; • Pray that Christians in Sudan would be strengthened even as they endure increasing opposition; • Pray for church leaders trying to encourage their congregations in these difficult times; • Pray that the threats against churches and church leaders in the north would stop; • Pray that Christians and Muslims would find ways of living together peacefully; • Pray that a multicultural, multi-religious vision of Sudan would triumph over a restrictive and singular vision; • Ask God for favour for CSW’s Africa team as they work to bring cases of Christian persecution in Sudan to the attention of governments.

YOU CAN STILL GET HOLD OF AN OPERATION 18 GUIDE FROM US! JUST CALL US ON 0845 456 5464 AND WE’LL POP ONE IN THE POST

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13

Prayer Diary SUMMER/Autumn

Week

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20-26 October

Week

CSW at the UN Working at the UN has long been a cornerstone of CSW’s advocacy work. This week, Nigeria, China and Mexico will each undergo their Universal Periodic Review (UPR) – a four-yearly analysis of their human rights situation by the other UN member states.

We’ve also been working closely with the UN’s Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief, Professor Bielefeldt, as he reports on the freedom of religion situation in countries around the world. We believe this kind of campaigning in international institutions such as the UN is vital if we’re going to see lasting change in the situations we work in.

Join us in prayer this week for the UN:

Please Pray

• Thank God for the successes we’ve seen as a result of lobbying, including a UN investigation into human rights in Eritrea; • Ask God for favour for CSW staff as they lobby at the UN in the run up to the UPR; • Pray that the other member states would listen carefully to our information about freedom of religion violations in Nigeria, China and Mexico;

27 October-2 November

Bangladesh

This is a critical time to pray for Bangladesh. This year, deeply rooted social and political tensions have been played out through nationwide protests, clashes between secular and Islamist groups, a controversial war crimes tribunal and an alarming number of attacks on the homes, businesses and places of worship of minority groups. Hindus and Buddhists have felt the brunt of the most recent violence but Christians and Ahmadiyya Muslims are also being badly affected. One leading Islamist group has campaigned for a Pakistan-style blasphemy law, and a ban on evangelistic activity.

CSW was in Bangladesh this May and we have been devoting more time and resources to work on the country ever since. There are strong, united minority voices speaking out, but all are uncertain about the country’s future beyond the elections at the end of 2013.

This week please:

Please Pray

• Pray that the elections scheduled for December 2013 – January 2014 would be peaceful; • Pray for the Hifazat-e-Islam extremist groups whose charter endangers religious pluralism; • Pray for peace as verdicts are issued in ongoing war crime trials for acts committed when Bangladesh separated from Pakistan; • Ask God to bless CSW as we start laying foundations and building relationships for future work in Bangladesh;

• Pray that the representatives of these countries would be open to having honest discussions about human rights;

• Pray for the Bangladesh Hindu/Buddhist/Christian Unity Council and their leaders;

• Thank God for the work that CSW has already been able to do with Professor Bielefeldt;

• Pray for indigenous minorities in the centre of the country, and in the Chittagong Hill Tracts, who are marginalised because of their religion and ethnicity;

• Pray that Professor Bielefeldt’s report on religious freedom issues would be taken seriously by repressive governments; • Pray that the events of this week would result in real improvements for people on the ground in these countries.

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• Ask God to protect and encourage independent activists working with vulnerable groups. Pray also that a new generation would rise up and take forward this work.

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Anyone, anywhere, has

the right to convert to any

religion or belief system they choose.

With no exceptions and with

no negative consequences.

It’s a human right, just like all the other human rights.

Find out more and

get involved at

www.csw.org.uk/

operation18 Christian Solidarity Worldwide is an organisation working for religious freedom through advocacy and human rights, in the pursuit of justice.

PO Box 99, New Malden, Surrey, KT3 3YF, United Kingdom T: +44 (0)845 456 5464 F: +44 (0)20 8942 8821 E: admin@csw.org.uk www.csw.org.uk Registered Charity No. 281836

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@csw_uk