PERSECUTION International Christian Concern | October 2012
Christians Being “Cleansed” in the Middle East
IS SYRIA NEXT? “KILL THE ENEMIES OF ALLAH!” What lies ahead for Egypt’s beleagured Christians?
Read how your donations are transforming the lives of the children of martyrs
Nearly 10,000 Christians have fled Al-Qusayr, Syria after being given an ultimatum by a rebel commander in June to leave the city.
Your Bridge to the Persecuted Church
IN THIS ISSUE 3
COVER
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Christians Being “Cleansed” in the Middle East
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The Big Picture
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Is Syria next?
Regional Manager Corey Bailey never dreamed that she would be able to serve the same village she visited ten years ago.
13 “Kill the Enemies of Allah!” 13
What lies ahead for Egypt’s beleaguered Christians?
17 Speaking Up for the Rights of the Destitute 17
What has ICC been up to on Capitol Hill? Check it out!
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Your Dollars at Work
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Read how your donations have helped transform the lives of Christians all over the world!
A NOTE FROM THE PRESIDENT When Regional Manager Aidan Clay and his wife, Amy, visited one of our orphanages in India, they immediately fell in love with one of the little boys, Ranoj. As they spent time with him, they found out that his birthday was coming up and he had never had a real birthday celebration. Well, if you know Aidan and Amy, you wouldn’t be suprised that they insisted on throwing Ranoj his first birthday party with his fellow orphans as his guests. The really neat thing about this story is that they paid for it out of their own pocket. To put it mildly, Ranoj was overjoyed at the celebration, and the other kids loved it as well. As Aidan told me about his encounter with Ranoj, I decided that we had to do this for all the kids. So now, thanks to the giving heart of one of our staffers and his wife, all of our kids at our India orphanage will have a yearly celebration with decorations, food, and presents, and hopefully feel that they are treasured even if their parents are no
Jeff King, President International Christian Concern
longer here to show them. The parents of these kids were killed in the Orissa, India violence of 2008 and will never know again the warm embrace or foundational and life-changing love of their parents. Yet, thanks to you, they are being well-loved, discipled, educated, fed and housed. This is a good work that is truly in line with the heart of God (James 1:27). Thank you Aidan and Amy, and thank you dear ICC partner for touching the least of these.
Read more on this story: page 21.
MIDDLE EAST
Nearly 10,000 Christians have fled Qusayr after being given an ultimatium by a rebel commander in June to leave the city.
Christians Being “Cleansed” IN THE
Middle East IS SYRIA NEXT? 3
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Driving with his family in the Bab Tuma neighborhood of Damascus on July 23, Nabil Zoreb, a Christian civil officer, was ordered to get out of the vehicle. Nabil, along with his wife, Violet, and their two sons, George and Jimmy, stood on the street in front of the armed rebels who belonged to the group Liwa al-Islam (meaning, “The Brigade of Islam”). The militants immediately opened fire and killed them all. Syria’s Christian community, caught in the middle of a showdown between opposition forces and the Syrian army, have become a primary target of al-Qaeda-linked rebels and other Islamists who are execut-
ing attacks in “the name of Allah.” Entire cities have been emptied of Christians while Sunni jihadists, who were fighting alongside alQaeda against U.S. forces in Iraq, are returning to fight the regime at home. These Islamists are now injecting the weapon it perfected in Iraq—suicide bombings—to “restore” Syria as an “Islamic caliphate” by “redeeming” it from the rule of President Bashar al-Assad. “We have experience now fighting the Americans, and more experience now with the Syrian revolution,” Abu Thuha, an al-Qaeda operative, told The New York Times. “Our big hope is to form a SyrianIraqi Islamic state for all Muslims, and then announce our war against Iran and Israel, and free Palestine.” THE LOOMING THREAT In a recently released video on YouTube, masked men that claim to belong to the Free Syrian Army hold AK-47s in front of two alQaeda flags. “We are now forming suicide cells to make jihad in the name of Allah,” said a speaker in the video. The video is the latest bit of evidence suggesting that al-Qaeda and other Islamic extremists are hijacking the Syrian revolution and quickly gaining control of the country. According to Agenzia Fides, the official Vatican news agency,
Syria’s Salafis—who follow the radical Wahhabi interpretation of Islam found in Saudi Arabia—is another group carrying out “brief executions” against Christian “in-
WE HAVE EXPERIENCE now fighting the Americans, and more experience now with the Syrian revolution....Our big hope is to form a Syrian-Iraqi Islamic state for all Muslims, and then announce our war against Iran and Israel. -Abu Thuha, al-Qaeda operative
fidels” while initiating a “sectarian war.” These Christians are given a choice to either join the opposition or face “harassment, discrimination, [and] violence.” MASS EXODUS As a result, there has been a mass exodus of Christians from Syrian cities. In the besieged city of Homs, for example, 63 Christians who were “kept as bargaining chips” by rebels who were evacuated on July 11 after “gunmen told the be-
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MIDDLE EAST
sieged people that if [they] go out of these areas, [they] will die,” said Maximos al-Jamal, a Greek Orthodox priest. Thousands of Christians lived in Homs prior to Syria’s uprising early last year, but today, only 100 Christian civilians remain.
mander in June to leave the city. The threat was apparently echoed in the city mosques: “Christians must leave Qusayr within six days, ending Friday (June 8).”
“The armed [rebels] in Syria [have] murdered more than 200 Christians
“Christians are increasingly being targeted and driven out of their homes and districts,” wrote Elizabeth Kendal for the Religious Liberty Prayer Bulletin. “Some 138,000 Christians have fled Homs, where Christians have been terrorized and churches have been looted and occupied by rebel forces... In areas under rebel control, intolerant, hard-line Sunni fundamentalism is making Muslim-Christian coexistence impossible. For the jihadists, neutrality is not an option, and Christians (and Muslims) refusing to support the jihad are being tortured, expelled and murdered.”
Syrian Christians hide their faces to protect their identity . Photo credit: Shaam News Network
NEUTRALITY IS NOT AN OPTION
ALLEGIANCE TO THE REGIME in the city of Homs, including entire families with young children,” said a priest in Homs. “These gangs kidnapped Christians and demanded high ransoms. In two cases, after the ransoms were paid, the men’s bodies were found.” Additionally, nearly 10,000 Christians fled Qusayr after being given an ultimatum by a rebel com5
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As in Egypt, Tunisia, and other Arab countries, the uprisings in Syria—which initially called for democratic change and greater freedoms—provided a platform for Islamists, long-suppressed under authoritarian rule, to rally behind a fundamentalist agenda. Christians have been pressured by both the regime and rebels to take sides
Churches are emptied as Christians are chased out of the region. The remaining live in fear for their lives, but still believe that all things are possible through Christ .
TRULY, IF YOU BRING SCRIPTURE AND A BELIEVING HEART AGAINST ALL WEAPONS, IT IS POWERFUL ENOUGH TO SHAKE THE ESSENCE OF ANY MINDSET. THOUGH IT’S IMPOSSIBLE FOR ME TO BRING THEM OUT OF THEIR MINDSET, WHAT’S IMPOSSIBLE FOR MAN IS NOT IMPOSSIBLE FOR GOD.” -SYRIAN CHRISTIAN TO ICC
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MIDDLE EAST
Syrian jihadists.
and make their allegiances known. Many Christians—who have historically experienced a higher degree of freedom in Syria than in most other Middle Eastern countries—have refused to actively oppose the regime which, according to Islamists, means they are loyal to Assad. While these Christians denounce the brutality of the regime, they fear that any government that replaces Assad will be dominated by radical Muslims who will severely persecute religious minorities. If the regime were to collapse, it is unclear who “will prevent a massacre of the Alawites and the Christians and those Sunnis who supported Assad,” said Vali Nasr, a professor of international politics at Johns Hopkins University. “Liberal 7
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democracy does not emerge in these kinds of circumstances of violence and fratricide.” “We saw what happened to the Christians in Iraq,” said Abu George, a Christian resident of Aleppo. “What is going on in Aleppo is not a popular revolution for democracy and freedom. The fighters of the so-called ‘Free Syrian Army’ are radical Sunnis who want to establish an Islamic State.” ETHNIC CLEANSING As war continues without resolution, there is grave concern that Syrian Christians will follow the path of other ancient Christian communities throughout the Middle East: in Iraq, after the U.S.-led in-
vasion in 2003, more than half the Christian population—which witnessed more than 60 church bombings and hundreds of cases of Christians being murdered, raped, and tortured—fled the country. In Egypt, reports indicate that since March, 2011, following the political rise of Islamic parties, including the Muslim Brotherhood, at least 93,000 Christians have sought visas to Western countries. The endangered status of Christians in Arab countries is so severe that Ken Blackwell, a human rights expert and board member of the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty, wrote that “Christians are being ethnically cleansed throughout the Middle East.” NOT IMPOSSIBLE FOR GOD ICC is receiving weekly reports of severe hardship and persecution from Christians in Syria. These Christians daily face the threat of being killed, but they refuse to leave their homeland or to desert their countrymen at such a critical and trying time. Instead, they see themselves as the bearers of Syria’s future hope. “Without us, who will hear about Jesus, the source of all hope, in these difficult days?” one believer tells ICC. These Christians remain on the frontlines to be a light in the darkness and to proclaim the Good News to the helpless and hurting.
WITHOUT US, who will hear about Jesus, the source of all hope, in these difficult days? -Syrian Christian, on why they choose to stay in Syria, despite the dangerous climate for believers
“I desire for life to return back to normal around us. This is something we all wish for when going through hardship and especially war,” a Syrian Christian in Damascus told ICC. “In the early morning we hear shouts of ‘Allah Akbar’ (Allah is Greatest) before rebels open fire on people. This is a reality that we’re facing. Recently I was speaking with someone who believed he was ‘killing for Allah.’ It brought out a desire to share the truth of God, which made this man speechless and shaky. He realized that the words of the Gospel defeated his thoughts of destruction. Truly, if you bring all weapons against the words of Scripture and a believing heart, it is powerful enough to shake the essence of any mindset. Though it’s impossible for me to bring them out of their mindset, what’s impossible for man is not impossible for God.”
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CENTRAL ASIA
ICC Regional Manager Corey Bailey poses on a rickity bamboo bridge in India over ten years ago.
THE BIG PICTURE PUTTING THE PIECES TOGETHER TEN YEARS LATER
India has long gripped the heart of Corey Bailey, Regional Manager for Central Asia, land of her first missions trip. She never imagined an impact she could make ten years later, from her desk at ICC.
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THEN
NOW
Ten years ago I went on my first missions trip to a hill tribe in Assam, India. I stood surrounded by sights and sounds entirely foreign to me. Bamboo huts, bright colors and jungle foliage filled my field of vision. The sounds of strange birds and chirping bugs filled my ears. I was served dinner on banana leaves and ate with my hands. The people
Flash forward ten years later to a busy morning at ICC. I am scouring the Internet for news of attacks against Christians. I read a report about a man named Manesor who was brought up as a Hindu, but had
THE CHRISTIANS SAID TO US, ‘WE HAD HEARD THERE WERE CHRISTIANS ACROSS THE SEA WHO MIGHT ONE DAY COME TO TEACH US, AND NOW YOU HAVE COME!’
were poor, but kind and genuine in their newfound love for the Lord. They said to us, “We had heard there were Christians across the sea who might one day come to teach us, and now you have come!” It felt like a scene out of a movie. After spending a week with them, we hiked back down to the nearest city and celebrated the New Year with a church service held at a local Christian hospital. They are fond memories from a time gone by.
Children Corey met in the hill tribes ten years ago.
given his life to the Lord. Local Hindus from his and neighboring villages were so angry at his conversion that 40 of them banded together to attack him.
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CENTRAL ASIA
When they arrived at his home, he had already gone into hiding. Instead they found his wife and two Christian friends who were guarding his house for him. Enraged by his absence, the Hindu mob took Manesor’s wife, Mala, and friends with them. After a night of interrogation and scare tactics, Mala and the others could not be swayed. The mob began to beat them with large flashlights. They were injured so severely they had to be taken to the hospital.
the best coffee shop to go to; I held hands with and prayed for the sick in that very hospital; I shared meals with the natives of this village. This wasn’t just India, it was my India. IF NOT US, THEN WHO? I was moved with compassion and urgency to help. I found no other reports online of this situation, and I realized that we at ICC were probably the only people who cared to not only report what was happen-
I HAD SHARED A MEAL WITH THE NATIVES OF THIS VILLAGE. THIS WASN’T JUST INDIA, IT WAS MY INDIA.
A village similar to the one attacked.
Streets near the hospital where the victims recovered.
A FAMILIAR NAME
ing, but also do something about it.
When I read the name of the hospital, I froze. I had volunteered and rang in the New Year ten years ago in the very same hospital on that first missions trip—I had likely been to their village. Suddenly, this was not just a place on the other side of the world where “an incident” had happened. This was a part of the world where I spent time. I can tell you
We sent our India staff to the hospital and the village. We discovered that after the three believers had been mercilessly beaten, the mob had turned on other Christians in the village. They looted their homes, plundered their belongings, stole their cattle and destroyed their houses. The Christians fled to the surrounding jungles to hide, and
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the police had to step in and lock down the village to restore order. Once the dust settled, seven families were left without their homes, and Manesor’s wife and friends were discharged from the hospital with nowhere to turn. A home similar to the one that was attacked.
I AM STRUCK BY THE GREATNESS OF GOD. HE ARRANGED FOR ME, JUST OUT OF COLLEGE, TO FLY ACROSS THE WORLD, AND BROKE MY HEART FOR THE PEOPLE IN THESE LITTLE VILLAGES. THEN HE POSITIONED ME, OVER A DECADE LATER, TO BE A VOICE FOR THEM AND ARRANGE FOR AID TO HELP IN THEIR TIME OF NEED. NO ONE IS FORGOTTEN. NO MOMENT IS WASTED WITH GOD.
Visiting a hill tribe.
I am grateful the story does not end there. I know it is a blessing to these seven families that we are helping. They said to us, “We can’t believe that people we have never met are giving us help. Truly, we are not forgotten!” FULL CIRCLE I am struck at the greatness of God. He arranged for me, just out of college, to fly across the world, and broke my heart for the people in these little villages. Then He positioned me, over a decade later, to be a voice for them and arrange for aid to help in their time of need. No one is forgotten. No experience goes without purpose. No moment is wasted with God. Praise the Lord that we can be His hands and feet, extending compassion to the least of these, our brothers and sisters in Christ. ICC IS SENDING AID TO THESE VILLAGERS. SEE PAGE 22 FOR MORE INFORMATION.
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MIDDLE EAST
“Kill the Enemies of Allah!”
WHAT LIES AHEAD FOR EGYPT’S BELEAGUERED CHRISTIANS? Placing a rock against the door, Sameeha Wehba crouched in a corner of her cow pen, trembling in fear as mobs of Muslims stormed the town and looted her home. There she cowered for hours, passing out at one point when tear gas seeped
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through the cracks. Emerging at dawn on this past August 2, Sameeha realized she was the only Christian left in Dahshur, a village south of Cairo. Nearly every Christian (120 families) fled the area for refuge in nearby towns. At
Ten days leading up to the November 28 elections, the Egyptian military killed 41 Christian protesters.
least 16 Christian houses were pillaged, several were burned, and a church was damaged. Prejudice and hatred toward Egypt’s Christian minority has boiled over since the political rise of Islamists. Since Egypt’s political uprising in early 2011, several churches have
been burned to the ground and more than 80 Christians have been killed as a result of religious-based violence. “The general climate is turning against Christians,” said Bishop Morcos. “Assaults on Christians have increased.” Attacks reignited on August 14
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MIDDLE EAST
when a leaflet titled, “An Urgent and Important Notice,” was distributed by jihadist organizations in Upper Egypt. The leaflet called for Muslims to “kill or physically attack the enemies of the religion of Allah—the Christians in all of Egypt’s provinces, the slaves of the Cross, Allah’s curse upon them…” The letter went on to promise a reward to anyone who helps “achieve Allah’s rights against his enemies.” In the following days, four Christian shops were set ablaze and dozens of Christians were severely beaten in the Upper Egypt town of Sohag. “Any Christian who dares to leave his house will be killed,” said one local Muslim. Hundreds of Christians gathered outside the police department in Assuit pleading for the protection of their children and their property
Leaflet threatening to kill Christians in Upper Egypt
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from Muslim gangs. It is unlikely, however, that the Christians’ voices will be heard. Egypt’s Islamist parties, lead by the Muslim Brotherhood, are solidifying complete control over the government and military. On August 5, ANY CHRISTIAN WHO DARES TO LEAVE HIS HOUSE WILL BE KILLED. -EGYPTIAN MUSLIM TO CHRISTIAN NEIGHBORS
President Mohammad Morsi of the Brotherhood forced two commanding military generals from power in a maneuver that grants him full executive and legislative authority over the country. By reclaiming power of the constitution drafting process, the president is now able to implement Islamic Sharia law as the main source of the country’s legislation, a proposition that Morsi already endorsed during his presidential campaign in May. “We are not only dealing with Morsi, but the entire Brotherhood of Muslims. Morsi takes his orders from the Brotherhood and they will write an Islamist constitution that will deny the rights of minorities
and Christians,” Wagih Yacoub, a Coptic human rights activist, told ICC. “They are trying to control the
Prejudice and hatred towards Egypt’s Christian minority leaves believers vulnerable for deadily attacks.
entire country. We can only wait to see what happens.” The future for Christians in Egypt is grim. Prior to Morsi’s power grab, Christians still had hope that the military would maintain control and prevent Egypt’s transition into an Islamic state. However, it now appears that the Constituent Assembly, which proposed a constitution based on the ‘principles’ of Sharia, will apply Islamic law as the main source of the country’s legislation. Under a Sharia constitution, attacks on churches and the killing of Christians will continue to increase. Whatever freedoms Christians have will be nonexistent. “There is a Brotherhood strategy to work toward building an Islamic country,” said Yousef Sidhom, the
editor of the weekly Watani newspaper and a Coptic Church official. Sidhom went on to add that the Brotherhood will withhold government positions from Christians, tax non-Muslims, and base education on Islamic teachings. Tens of thousands of Christians have fled Egypt following the rise of Islamists. Those who remain are afraid of what the future holds. By removing top generals from office, Morsi and the Brotherhood have made it clear that they are in full control. It appears that President Morsi has suddenly become the PRESIDENT MORSI TAKES HIS ORDERS FROM THE BROTHERHOOD AND THEY WILL WRITE AN ISLAMIC CONSTITUTION THAT WILL DENY THE RIGHTS OF MINORITIES AND CHRISTIANS. -WAGIH YACOUB
COPTIC HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVIST
democratically elected dictator of Egypt. The entire country, including the fate of Egypt’s ancient Christian community, is now at his mercy.
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ADVOCACY
ICC’s Advocacy Officer and a foreign guest meet with a congressional office.
Speaking Up for the Rights of the Destitute RECAP OF ADVOCACY TOURS NIGERIA TOUR Five days into 2012, radical Muslims carrying automatic assault rifles stood outside of a church in Northern Nigeria and pumped bullets into the congregation, killing six and wounding ten. The next day, at the funeral, the Islamists at-
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tacked again and killed 18 more. The attacks followed a dire warning published in local newspapers just a few days before by the notorious radical Islamic group, Boko Haram: Christians had three days to leave the Muslim-dominated Northern Nigeria or they would be killed. The threat was not hollow.
ICC covered the attacks through multiple platforms: • • •
•
5 news releases 50+ radio and print interviews 27 meetings with congressional offices, State Department and U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom 2,200 signatures on a petition
would require the State Department to explain why it refuses to designate Boko Haram as a terrorist organization.
In July we took the issue to the Capitol, where a debate was raging between congressmen and the State Department on whether to officially designate Boko Haram as a terrorist organization. For Nigeria’s Christians, that designation happened long ago. We held 27 meetings with congressional offices, the State Department, et al. These meetings allowed legislators to hear first-hand from a Nigerian Christian leader, someone “on the ground.” Our meetings were in support of two efforts: One was a “member letter” from 28 U.S. legislators asking the State Department to acknowledge the religious nature of the attacks against Christians (something the State Department wants to avoid) and to publicly denounce them. Secondly, we sought the support of legislators on H.R. 5822 which
ICC held 27 meetings with congressional offices, advocating for the protection of religious minorities in Nigeria.
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ADVOCACY
SAUDI ARABIA TOUR
ment to release the prisoners.
On December 15, 2011, 35 men and women were arrested at a private prayer service in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. All 35 were Christians and Ethiopian citizens. During their interrogation, some of the men were physically beaten and the women were forced to undergo strip searches. Local authorities openly accused them of being “unbelievers� and later sent in Islamic preachers to try to pressure the Christians to convert. ICC broke the news a few days later and alerted the U.S. State Department in January, urging them to put pressure on the Saudi govern-
It soon became apparent that the Saudis had no plans to release the Christians. Over the next four months, ICC sponsored two protests on the streets outside of the Saudi Arabian Embassy in Washington, D.C. We also hand-delivered a petition with over 3,000 signatures from 67 different countries to Saudi officials, asking that they halt the abuse against the Christian prisoners and release them. They asked us why so many people knew about this case.
Over 100 people joined ICC to protest the unjust arrest of 35 Ethiopian Christians in Saudi Arabia.
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we heard from our sources in Saudi Arabia that orders had “come from above� for the release of the prisoners, who throughout their incarceration had never been officially charged with a crime.
ICC was able to highly publicize this case by holding two protests outside the Saudi Arabian Embassy.
ICC then brought an underground pastor from Saudi Arabia to Capitol Hill and held 24 meetings with congressional offices in the House and Senate. This resulted in calls directly from the legislators to the Saudi ambassador demanding to know why the Saudi government had arrested the Christians for participating in a worship service, something that clearly violated international law.
At first local authorities delayed as long as possible, but finally, in early August, all 35 Christians were released and sent back to Ethiopia after nearly eight months of detention. They reported that pressure from the outside had been instrumental in ending their stay in jail. For the staff at ICC, the congressional staff members involved, the thousands of petition signers and the hundreds of protestors, news of their release signaled a very happy ending to eight months of hard work!
Our efforts led to at least four meetings where Saudi officials were summoned to the Capitol to report in-person on the arrests. We then held another protest outside the Saudi Embassy. Soon afterwards You can help today! 800-ICC-5441
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YDAW
YOUR DOLLARS AT WORK CHILDREN OF MARTYRS Kids Care One of ICC’s orphanages in India was formed to care for the children left orphaned as a result of the horrific Orissa, India attacks in 2008. Many of the children were too young at the time to understand that their parents died as martyrs for their faith. Now four years older, they understand the honor with which their parents died. ICC not only pays to keep a roof over their heads, the lights on and food on their plates, but also for their education and medication. We recently purchased a refrigerator that allows for the children’s medication to remain cold and for healthy foods to last longer. When we heard that none of the children had ever had a birthday party, one of our staff and his wife paid to throw them a proper party.
TOP: some girls are excited to see party decorations. BOTTOM: the children enjoying a meal of biryani.
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It brought so much joy to the kids that we have decided that a proper annual birthday celebration with cake and presents must be part of our care for all the kids. Your dollars go a long way in India. The children are very aware that Christians around the world care about them and love them.
FREEDOM FOR AMIRA* Save Our Sisters Upon learning about Amira’s new faith in Jesus, her brother attempted to strangle her. Amira was severely beaten by him for several days until she managed to escape. “Her brother told her that if she did not deny her Christian faith and if she continues to set foot in the church he will be an enemy against her,” said an ICC representative in Algeria who offered Amira temporary housing. Today, however, Amira has a new life. ICC provided rent, food, and clothes for Amira for the next three months. Additionally, we honored Amira’s request to attend a Christian school by paying her tuition and dormitory fees for the next year. “I want to attend school so I can serve in the church the rest of my life,” Amira told ICC. “I want to commit my life to Jesus. I am so grateful for ICC’s support.” Because of your generous donations, Amira now has begun a new life where she can freely grow in faith and serve Jesus. *Name change for security
Amira
ASSAM ATTACKS Community Rebuild Seven Christian families in India recently lost everything: their homes, belongings, cattle and hope when radical Hindus attacked them. When they heard that Christians from the other side of the world heard their story and wanted to help them, they were stunned. We told them, “It is the love of Christ which unites us all.” Until ICC stepped in, these families were destitute and homeless. With your help we are in the process of building and repairing seven of their homes and replacing all their stolen belongings and cattle. We are also setting up five of the families with sustainable small businesses. Some of the wives are excellent seamstresses so we are supplying a shop for them, providing long-term incomes to feed their families. You can help today! 800-ICC-5441
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YDAW
OUR DAILY BREAD Hand of Hope: Middle East Newly married with a one-year-old daughter, Akli and Zohra recently converted to Christianity from Islam. When their conversion became known, Akli’s Muslim sister turned the community against them and they were forced by their family to move out of their home in May. The only support they received came from the local church, but Akli could not find a job and the family had been suffering greatly. “I don’t know where food will come from each day,” Akli told ICC. “We trust God for our daily bread.”
Zohra and Akli
ing. Within a few months, the business will be completely sustainable and provide the income the family needs.
-ZOHRA
“We are very excited about having our own business,” Zohra said. “We love our customers and see it as an opportunity to be an example of Christ in their lives. And, life will be much better for us now. Thank you ICC!”
In July, the family showed interest in starting a small business that manufactures artisan bread and oriental cakes. ICC thought this was a great idea! ICC paid a full year’s rent for a small shop in town where bread can easily be sold. Additionally, we purchased an oven, mixer, other equipment and the raw materials needed to get the business go-
ICC would like to thank our donors for contributing to the Middle East Hand of Hope fund that supported this family and many others in similar circumstances throughout the Middle East and North Africa. This project could not have been accomplished without your generous support and commitment to serving the persecuted Church.
“WE...SEE IT AS AN OPPORTUNITY TO BE AN EXAMPLE OF CHRIST.”
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PASTOR MULINDE Underground Pastors
Islam.
ICC has been supporting the children of Ugandan Pastor Mulinde, a radical preacher who converted from
As an Islamic scholar, Pastor Mulinde was very successful in evangelizing to Muslims, as he could relate to them and answer their many questions about the difference between Christianity and Islam. His reputation spread far, and he became a target for attacks by local Muslim leaders.
“THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING ME IN THIS CHALLENGING MOMENT OF MY LIFE.” Radical Muslims attacked the pastor with acid, causing him to lose one of his eyes. While he has been recovering in Israel, ICC has been supporting his four children for the past six months. Their schooling, food and other basic needs have been funded by ICC donors. In a message to ICC, Pastor Mulinde said, “Dear friend: I write to thank you for supporting me in this challenging moment of my life and ministry.” We would like to join Pastor Mulinde in thanking you, our donor, for helping him!
TOP: Pastor Mulinde thanks ICC and donors for the care of his children. BOTTOM: the acid stains from Pastor Mulinde’s attack.
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INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER FOR THE PERSECUTED (IDOP)
November 11, 2012
To raise awareness of the persecuted Church, ICC is providing a free prayer bulletin insert for your congregation to become better informed about the persecuted. This year, the bulletin features four of the darkest countries in the world that are in desperate need of your prayers. Simply go to persecution.org/idop and download the bulletin, available October 1. Bulletins are free of charge. It is our gift to you to help inform Christians of what is happening in the world today. The bulletins are non-date specific, so you are free to host an IDOP on a date most convenient. 25
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YOU CAN HELP TODAY! SEND DONATIONS TO: ICC PO BOX 8056 SILVER SPRING, MD 20907 OR ONLINE AT WWW.PERSECUTION.ORG
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ICC makes every effort to honor donor wishes in regards to their gifts. Occasionally, a situation will arise where a project is no longer viable. In that case, ICC will redirect those donated project funds to one of our other funds that is most similar to the donor’s original wishes.
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