July 2016 Persecution Magazine by International Christian Concern

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JULY 2016

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Finding God in the Graveyard of Hope ICC Journeys to Indiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Notorious Orissa State

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Table of Contents

In This Issue: FEATURE

14 | The Smile: Finding God in the Graveyard of Hope

ICC visits Kandhamal, the site of the largest incident of Christian persecution in India’s history.

FEATURE

18 | Remnants of a Massacre

ICC interviews victims of the Fulani attacks in Benue state. FEATURE

22 | Cold War Christianity

A look into how Christianity in China is systematically being suppressed by the state. FEATURE

26 | Rising from the Dead

Personal story of a girl kidnapped, converted, and forcibly married. FEATURE

28 | Lives Adrift

Iraqi Christians search for a place to call home. FEATURE

30 | In the Midst of Trial and Injustice, God Has a Plan

Interview with a man in Egypt who spent more than three years in prison for blasphemy charges he didn’t commit.

Regular Features

3 Letter from the President A few words from ICC’s president, Jeff King. 4 Impact Report See quarterly statistics on how ICC’s funds are helping the persecuted. 6 World News A snapshot of the persecution that impacts our brothers and sisters daily, in every corner of the world. 10 Your Dollars at Work Learn how your gifts are providing comfort, relief, Bibles, education and vocational training to the persecuted.

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Presidentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Letter

In the graveyard of hope, I personally encountered the God who redeems time and life lost, the God that brings life from death. I found living proof of the verse that God works all things together for good. The Smile: Finding God in the Graveyard of Hope (page 14)

When you go to meet a brother who was falsely accused and sentenced to life imprisonment, what do you expect to find? You donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t expect his face to be plastered with a smile that lights up everything around it.

Jeff King, President International Christian Concern

Gurunath, though, is a living testament to the power of a life lived out of the power of the Holy Spirit. Temporarily released from prison for one month since his father is dying, we met with him to talk about his case and his experience. What we found will, I think, speak to your life, for all need to know how to bear up when life is too much. The suffering Church is full of shining examples of true devotion and life lived out in the power of the Spirit. They continually confront me in my weakness and fear. In the lives of Gurunath and so many other brothers and sisters like him, I am continually put back on track in my life. In short, they are a treasure and often a true picture of what the Church, and you and I can be! Please join with me to bandage and build these precious saints! As always, your donations will be used efficiently, effectively, and ethically. I promise!

Jeff King President International Christian Concern www.persecution.org

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Impact Report

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WHERE MOST NEEDED

SUFFERING WIVES and CHILDREN

COMMUNITY REBUILD

FUND BALANCE:

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In order to bridge the gap between the Western Church and the persecuted, ICC hosted a pastors trip to Egypt. During this trip, pastors from the US were able to meet, pray, and worship with our persecuted brothers and sisters, including those who have lost families members as martyrs. This also served as an opportunity for them to learn about the reality of persecution and how their churches back home can make a difference. In July of 2014, al-Shabaab massacred dozens of Christians in attacks throughout eastern Kenya. In spite of the risks, many churches have continued to faithfully gather for worship on a regular basis. Recently, ICC had the privilege of visiting one of these churches in order to worship with and encourage these believers. During this trip, ICC staff was also able to follow up with various on-the-ground projects throughout Kenya. Following extensive efforts by ICC’s advocacy team, a bipartisan and bicameral congressional letter was sent to India’s Prime Minister Modi urging him to condemn religious persecution in India. The letter was signed by eight senators and 26 congressmen and highlighted various incidents of violence and discrimination that have taken place against religious minorities, including Christians, in India.

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As a result of the 2013 suicide bombing of Pakistan’s All Saints Church, Zamir Bhatti was a Christian student enrolled in ICC’s schooling project. Due to medical issues caused by a head injury from the attack, Zamir passed away in November of 2015. In response, ICC paid off his remaining medical expenses in addition to hosting a memorial service for Zamir which was attended by 80 people. Due to the government crackdown on Christians in China, countless pastors and human rights advocates have been detained. In order to alleviate some of the suffering of their families, ICC has provided monthly stipends to ten Christians and their families who are facing persecution for their faith at the hand of the Chinese government. This has been an encouragement to many families who have lost their main breadwinner. During an attack led by radical Islamic Fulani herders, a woman and her children escaped alive, but not before sustaining a gunshot wound to her arm. In spite of the 16 bullet fragments lodged in her arm, miraculously, none of her bones were broken. In order to help her and her family recover from this brutal attack, ICC paid off this woman’s medical expenses.

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Following the rise of ISIS, thousands upon thousands of Christians were forced to flee the comforts of home to find safety elsewhere. Unfortunately, many were forced to flee with nothing but the clothes on their backs. In response, ICC has been able to provide food aid, clothing, mattresses, blankets and more to those who are displaced to help protect them from the elements. After repairing their church only nine months prior, a church in India was razed to the ground, leaving its members without a place to gather for worship. ICC was able to step in and provide the iron sheets and rods necessary for this group of believers to repair their church structure. Not only do they now have a building to gather in, they were also encouraged by the gift, knowing that the global Church is supporting them. When a number of former Muslims came to known Christ in a Muslim-dominated part of Ethiopia, they were kicked out of their town in addition to some who also faced false charges. Their pastor, who is also a bee expert, ingeniously constructed a bee house to produce honey for the community to sell to support themselves financially. ICC assisted this persecuted community by purchasing 20 new bee boxes and the accompanying equipment to help them increase production.

JULY 2016

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BROADCASTS

UNDERGROUND PASTORS

BIBLES

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Turkey is a very internet savvy country and social media usage is widespread throughout the nation. This creates a unique opportunity for ICC to share the Gospel in ways that are not viable in many other locations. By using these forms of media, ICC and our overseas partners have been able to broadcast the Gospel and network with many local churches to witness the tangible results of this growing ministry. In Afghanistan, access to the Bible is often very limited. In an effort to share the Gospel where it is tightly restricted, ICC has supported a ministry in Afghanistan that broadcasts the Christian message. In addition to radio broadcasts, this ministry offers web and TV resources as well. As a result of this ministry, many are coming to Christ in a place where they otherwise may not even have access to a Bible. Due to the rise of anti-Christian Islamic radical groups, Christian workers in Somalia must keep a low profile. As a way of sharing the Gospel without the dangers of traditional evangelism, ICC supports a ministry that broadcasts the Christian message into Somalia through radio, social media, and Internet resources. By the grace of God, many have come to know Christ through this ministry.

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In 2013, a pastor in India was stabbed multiple times when his church was stormed by Hindu radicals. In addition to providing for his medical bills, ICC helped this pastor start up a Christian bookstore within his church. This has not only helped to sustain him and his family financially, but also spread the Gospel and serve his community. Afghanistan is one of the most dangerous places in the world to openly evangelize. Therefore, many pastors begin underground churches. In the beginning of 2016, ICC assisted two underground pastors in Afghanistan start up their own businesses so that they can continue their ministries without having to worry about finances. One pastor was given a taxi while the other received financial aid to start up a clothing business. After discovering a Christian gathering of Muslim-background believers in Indonesia, a group of radical Muslims attacked this church and the leaders were kicked out of the village. ICC stepped in and was able to provide one leader with a motorbike. This has given the church leader a means of transportation so that he can safely and economically minister to and follow up with the believers without having to stay overnight in the village.

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In response to the urgent need for the printed Word of God, ICC has partnered with representatives in northern Africa to establish an underground printing press. Through this project, which is still ongoing, ICC and its partners were able to print and distribute more than 75,000 Bibles in 2015. Due to the low rank that many Christians are forced into within Indian society, many cannot afford to purchase a Bible of their own. Along with local partners, ICC was able to purchase 260 Bibles in the language of Telugu to distribute to pastors throughout India. Many of these have been specifically given to Christians who have faced ongoing discrimination for their faith. In the predominantly Buddhist country of Laos, the tiny Christian population is beginning to boom. However, despite the growing interest in Christianity, many are left without access to the Word of God due to government restrictions. With the help of local partners, ICC was able to distribute more than 10,000 Lao Bibles. In addition to the Bible distribution, ICC has received reports of pastors being trained in order to more effectively share the Gospel.

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News 6 3

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Indonesia Canes Elderly Woman in Sharia-Controlled Aceh 1 | INDONESIA In an unprecedented case in Indonesia, a 60-year-old Christian woman was publicly caned 30 times for violating Sharia law. She was tried and convicted for selling alcohol in the conservative Islamic region of Aceh, Indonesia. The province of Aceh has maintained a standing agreement with the secular government of Indonesia since 2001, which allows the Islamic region to govern independently according to Sharia law. Under Sharia rules, Muslims are banned from adultery, gambling, homosexual activity, consuming alcohol, and more. However, recently enacted bylaws have broadened the reach of Sharia law, putting Christians and other religious minorities living in Aceh under its oppressive rule. This recent caning is an ominous indicator of what is likely to come for non-Muslims in the region. Unfortunately, persecution is not a new phenomenon for Christians in Aceh. Last October, Islamic extremists burned down a number of churches and pressured local

authorities to demolish ten more. More than 1,000 churches have been forced to close their doors since 2006 in Aceh alone. This persecution which continues to mount had led thousands of Christians and other religious minorities to flee Aceh to neighboring regions in search of safety and freedom elsewhere. Countless churches in Indonesia are being closed or destroyed for allegedly not obtaining the necessary building permits to operate their churches. However, reports indicate that even when these documents are obtained, the churches are then forcibly closed by radical Muslim groups regardless. Although freedom of religion is supposedly protected by Indonesia’s constitution, their government must take stronger actions in order to ensure that these rights are protected for all citizens equally.

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North Korea is considered by many to be the worst place to be a Christian North Korea to Conduct Background Checks to Screen Citizens’ Religious Beliefs 2 | NORTH KOREA As North Korea’s 7th Party Congress approaches, it appears as if authorities are preparing for an intensive screening for the sake of protecting the ruling regime. During these “ideological re-examinations,” everyday citizens will be subjected to extensive background checks in order to confirm their family relations and allegiance to the regime. Those who fail to meet the necessary standards are relegated to the lowest rung in society: the “hostile class.” Those who live in this class are closely watched by authorities and have fewer opportunities and tighter restrictions on their freedoms than the average North Korean citizen. Families of Christians and defectors often fall into this category. According to Daily NK, having a relative as distant as a second cousin who is associated with the hostile class is grounds for termination from a government position. Experts expect that this round of background checks will be particularly harsh as the 7th Party Congress is an important step in uniting the regime. Due to the horrific human rights abuses, lack of personal freedom, and limited opportunity for mobility, North Korea is considered by many to be the worst place in the world to be a Christian. JULY 2016

Mali Arrests Islamic Bombing Mastermind 3 | MALI In November 2015, al-Qaeda affiliates attacked the Radisson Blu Hotel in Bamako, Mali, killing 21 people. Thankfully, authorities reported in April that they have arrested a suspect who they believe is the mastermind behind the deadly attack. Although this attack was not specifically targeting Christians, al-Qaeda of the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) is Mali’s deadliest persecutor and is known for murdering Christians, destroying churches, and causing widespread displacement.

Attacks on Christians Reach Southeast Nigeria

500+ Civilians Killed in Air Raids in Sudan

4 | NIGERIA In late April, Fulani herdsmen killed at least 48 people in Nigeria’s Enugu State, storming villages with machetes and assault rifles in addition to burning down homes and churches. This attack sends a disturbing signal that Fulani attacks are spreading further into southern Nigeria, beyond the familiar “Middle-Belt” region where they usually operate. Local Christians fear that these spreading attacks represent a larger plan among Fulanis to take over the country of Nigeria as a whole.

5 | SUDAN According to reports, the military of Sudan killed more than 500 civilians throughout March and April through bombing raids in the Nuba Mountains. In the name of combatting separatist rebels, Sudan has carried out airstrikes in this region which is populated with a largely Christian indigenous group. Sudan is known as a major persecutor of the Church and on many occasions has been responsible for church destructions, arbitrary arrests, and perpetrating violence on churchgoers.

President of China Demands Adherence to Marxism 6 | CHINA In a recent meeting between the China’s President Xi Jinping and numerous religious groups, the president stated that religious groups “must adhere to the Communist Party of China.” Furthermore, he stressed that party members must identify as “unyielding Marxist atheists.” Although atheism has long been the primary belief system for many in China, this official acknowledgement by the president is a serious indicator of the beliefs and intentions of the ruling party. As a part of the Chinese government’s campaign to silence the Christian population and remove foreign influence, over 2,000 church crosses have been forcibly removed since 2013. In addition to the church destructions and cross removals, many pastors and activists have been detained for opposing this campaign against religious freedom. The public must speak out in order to protect the liberties of religious minorities throughout China.

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Nigeria’s Buhari Orders Crackdown on Deadly Fulani Herdsmen 1 | NIGERIA As attacks continue to mount, Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari has called on the country’s security forces in order to prevent future attacks at the hands of radical Fulani herders. Extremist Fulani cattle herdsmen have gained a reputation in Nigeria for ravaging Christian farming communities. The damage that they inflict is ruthless in nature, as they carry out violent murders, burn down homes, and destroy property. A recent attack in Enugu State led to the deaths of 45 people. Some sources tallied the death tolls as high as 100. This attack was particularly concerning as it indicated that these attacks are no longer contained to the “Middle-Belt” region. Rather, they continue to extend further and further into southern Nigeria. Unfortunately, despite the enormity of this issue, it has gone largely unrecognized by international mainstream media. Most media sources and governments that do report on Fulani attacks often misrepresent the issue, citing

cattle theft, land disputes, and tribal conflicts as the motivation for these attacks. All the while, the notion of religiously motivated violence remains ignored as attacks on Christian communities continue. It is clear that Fulani-led violence is one of the biggest threats to Christians in Nigeria. In February, hundreds were killed while thousands of others were displaced as Fulanis led a major raid on Benue State. People were killed, homes were destroyed, crops were razed; the damage was endless and only continues to grow. While the government response has been relatively quiet compared to the outrage against Boko Haram, Christians worldwide are grateful that the Nigerian government and media are beginning to acknowledge this issue and take action to ensure the safety of all Christian Nigerians.

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“...the bombing was intended to target Christians...” Christians Are Still Suffering from the Easter Bombing in Pakistan 2 | PAKISTAN On March 27, Easter Sunday, a terrorist from a branch of the Pakistani Taliban attacked a public park in Lahore, killing more than 70 people. Later that day, the terror group claimed responsibility for the attack, explaining that the bombing was intended to target Christians celebrating the holiday. Although many Christians were indeed killed, many Muslims also lost their lives in the attack. Although Western media briefly covered the attack, many have since forgotten this tragedy in the midst of the daily distractions of life. However, months later, the Lahore Christian community is still suffering the repercussions of this attack. This bombing was the second deadliest attack on Christians in Pakistan’s history, falling second only to the 2013 attack on All Saints Church. Shortly after the attacks, Muslims and Christians gathered in solidarity throughout the country to hold memorial services for those who lost their lives. The government in Punjab also declared that there would be three days of mourning in commemoration of the victims. In recent months, the Pakistani government has taken steps forward to better ensure freedom of religion. Some believe that this suicide bombing may have been a public message in response to the government’s evolving attitude toward religious minorities. It is essential that the government continues in their positive growth in defending religious freedom and stand strong against ever present terror threats. JULY 2016

Woman Buried Alive While Blocking Church Demolition 3 | CHINA On April 14, a demolition team intended to begin tearing down Beitou Church in China’s Henan Province. In an effort to protect their church building, church leader Li Jiangong and his wife Ding Cuimei stood before the bulldozer. Unfortunately, the demolition team went forward with the demolition and buried the church leader and his wife in the rubble. Although Li Jiangong was able to dig himself out and reach the surface, Ding Cuimei suffocated under the weight of the dirt and lost her life as a result. Those responsible for her death were detained following media pressure. The death of Ding Cuimei represents a piece of the greater conflict between the communist Chinese government and the Christian community.

India Warned by USCIRF Regarding Christian Persecution

ISIS Attacks Christian Village North of Mosul

4 | INDIA The United States Commission for International Religious Freedom has issued a warning to India that they will consider recommending that India be labeled as a “Country of Particular Concern” if the country does not demonstrate improvement. India has denied the existence of religious discrimination and persecution numerous times, once dismissing specific incidents as “aberrations.” Countries that receive the title of “Country of Particular Concern” are characterized by religious freedom violations that are “systematic, ongoing, and egregious” in nature. The Catholic Secular Forum recorded 365 incidents of persecution last year, making 2015 the worst year for Christians in India’s independent history.

5 | IRAQ In an attack that took place in early May, ISIS militants launched an attack on a Christian village in Iraq, north of Mosul. This village called Teleskuf was initially taken into ISIS control in the summer of 2014, causing many Christians in the area to flee the region. However, the terror group left the village later that year. Christian security forces who were stationed to guard the village were injured during this recent attack and have since been taken to a nearby hospital. According to Asia News, this attack has church leaders worried that Christians will leave the region for fear of future attacks.

Iconic Mosul Church Destroyed by ISIS 6 | IRAQ Toward the end of April, the iconic Clock Church located in Mosul, Iraq was destroyed by ISIS militants. The attackers stripped the church of valuables before evacuating the area and demolishing the building with explosives. This church’s well-recognized clock tower was a gift to local Christians in Mosul by the wife of Napoleon III, given in appreciation for the church’s response to a typhoid outbreak in 1879. This recent demolition is yet another example of ISIS’ attempt to eliminate Christianity from modern culture, in addition to the history books. ISIS forces have found themselves under mounting pressure in the city of Mosul with Kurdish, government, and Shia forces closing in from every angle. While local Christians are devastated by this recent attack, Christian leaders around the world are condemning this senseless act of destruction.

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Your Dollar$ at Work School for Kids Kids Care

or many Christian children in Peshawar, Pakistan, their lives were dramatically affected by events that took place on September 22, 2013. On that day, two suicide bombers from the Pakistani Taliban attacked their church, killing over 100 and maiming hundreds more. As is often the case, the surviving children were the victims most affected. ICC, in partnership with Voice of the Martyrs, has been supporting 30 Christian children whose parents were killed or handicapped by the violence by providing for all of their educational needs. This includes tuition, books, and other necessities these Christian children need to succeed in school. Without this assistance, it is likely that many of these children would have been forced to drop out of school, allowing the bombing of All Saints Church to leave a permanent mark on Peshawarâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Christian community.

Chinese Bibles

Bibles for the Persecuted

hina remains a nation where professing your faith and devotion to Jesus Christ can invite serious consequences from the communist regime. With the government cracking down on both registered and unregistered churches, it would seem that Christianity would be on the verge of a decline among the Chinese people. Yet, the opposite seems to be occurring in China as current models estimate that by 2030 China will have the largest Christian population in the world. Even though China has made major strides in opening itself up to the world, distributing Bibles in country remains a dangerous venture for everyone involved. Christian organizations risk having their ability to operate in country revoked. Furthermore, individuals working for these organizations face potential detainment by authorities. To help support these projections and our Christian brothers and sisters, ICC has been partnering with regional organizations to aid in the distribution of thousands of Bibles to Christians in China through its Bible Fund.

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JULY 2016

School for Fatherless Children

N Small Business

Kids Care

icholas, Faith, and John desperately miss their father Meshack. Meshack was traveling through dangerous territory in northeastern Kenya in December 2015, headed to the city of Mandera for a job to try to provide for his Christian family. Sadly, al-Shabaab militants attacked the bus that Meshack was riding. During the attack, when gunmen attempted

to separate Christians to execute them, brave Muslim countrymen helped the Christians disguise themselves, even declaring their willingness to die for the Christians. While these heroic acts saved many Christian lives, Meshack was one of two people murdered during the assault. His children are left without their dad, who was the primary breadwinner. ICC teamed up with the local community in Nakuru, Kenya to cover one year of school fees for his three children.

Community Rebuild

hen ISIS burst onto the scene in Iraq in 2014, thousands upon thousands of Christians were forced to flee their homes in search of safer locations. Unfortunately, this meant that thousands of Christians were forced into Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps, dependent on aid distributed by the international community. Now, almost two years later, many of these Christians remain displaced, unemployed, and living in nearly the same conditions they faced when they first arrived at the IDP camps in 2014. To help normalize the lives of some of these Christian IDPs, ICC has started to initiate small businesses with displaced Christians in Iraq. Recently, ICC was able to help two young Christian men start a mobile phone repair shop and a small mechanic shop. These small shops will allow these Christian men to earn their own living and, hopefully, begin to rebuild the lives that were interrupted by ISIS. “I have twin daughters,” one of the beneficiaries recently shared with ICC. “My work is now very important as it allows me to cover their school expenses. Thank you so much for your help.”

Cows for Suffering Families

Community Rebuild

n 2008, the Kandhamal District of India’s Odisha state was scene to the worst instance of Christian persecution in the country’s history. Anti-Christian riots swept across Kandhamal with mobs of enraged Hindus moving from village to village searching for Christians. As a result of nearly three months of rioting, over 5,600 Christian homes were destroyed,

over 300 churches were burned, and over 100 Christians were killed. This unprecedented violence displaced more than 50,000 people. Today, Christians in Kandhamal continue to face discrimination and persecution. Recently, ICC assisted several Christians by providing them with cows. These cows will act as a lifeline for these Christians as they will help plow fields, produce offspring that can be sold, and produce milk.

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Your Dollar$ at Work

Food and Medical Assitance to Victims of Easter Sunday Bombing in Lahore

Community Rebuild

his past Easter, Christians in Pakistan once again found themselves under attack by Islamic terrorists. A suicide bomber from a group affiliated with the Pakistani Taliban attacked Gulshan-e-Iqbal Park as many Christian families celebrated the Easter holiday in Lahore. When the dust settled, over 70 were dead and over 300 more were wounded. Following the attack, a spokesman for the terrorist group left no question as to who was the target of the attack when he claimed, â&#x20AC;&#x153;It was our people who attacked the Christians in Lahore, celebrating Easter.â&#x20AC;?

The attack left many Christian families devastated. Out of the 70 killed, over 20 were Christians. Also, the wounds sustained by many of the victims were so serious that they were admitted to the ICUs of many hospitals across Lahore. In response, ICC called on its donors to raise money to support the Christians affected. In one month, ICC was able to raise more than $26,000.00. Initially, ICC divided its response into two phases. Short-term assistance to help stabilize the Christian families affected and long-term assistance geared at helping these families fully recover from the effects of the violence. In the weeks following the bombing, ICC

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provided food aid to many of the families. For those families whose loved ones were in the hospital for an extended period of time, ICC provided funds to help pay for the transportation to and from the hospital. In the long-term, ICC will seek to provide educational support to Christian families who find themselves under financial strain following the bombing. Also, ICC will help develop and initiate several small businesses for Christian families who lost their breadwinners or whose breadwinners were handicapped in the bombing.

JULY 2016

Your Dollar$ at Work

Business for Suffering Families

Community Rebuild

ife in Nyeri, Kenya is difficult. It’s a region marked with poverty and low wages. For quarry workers in this part of central Kenya, dozens risk their lives because the work offers more lucrative pay in dangerous Mandera, near the Somali border, smack in the middle of countryside filled with roving terrorists. Life is made even harder in Nyeri when families lose their primary breadwinner. Sadly, that’s what happened to seven families in Nyeri when al-Shabaab Islamist militants attacked a quarry compound in August

2015, targeting Christians. Of the 15 people killed during the assault, seven were from Nyeri County from the same village. When these families lost their husbands, brothers, and fathers, the specter of poverty deepened further. ICC stepped in to provide replacement businesses for these suffering families. Rather than risking their lives to quarry in northeastern Kenya, the grieving families strive forward in hope, thanks to the loving support of our donors. That is because ICC has provided dairy cows for these suffering families to make ends meet.

Cell Phone Business

Community Rebuild

magine being forced to flee across the country from your home because al-Qaeda fighters have announced a price on your head. The story sounds like something out of Hollywood, but it represents reality for pastors in northern Mali. For the past five years, Islamist terrorists have overrun the towns in this region, imposing Muslim law and targeting Christians for execution. Pastor Jonah (name changed for security) is one of these pastors. In God’s providence, he was visiting the US when terrorists came looking for him. However, feeling God’s call to go back and serve his people, Jonah and his family returned to Mali where they now live in the capital of Bamako, displaced from their homes. Even in the south, away from the insurgency, Jonah faces social exclusion, and job discrimination. ICC has stepped in to help Jonah and his family restart the business they were doing in Mali’s north before al-Qaeda overran their city. Jonah and his family now sell phone cards, freeing Jonah to shepherd his church in Bamako while estranged from his northern home.

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The Smile: Finding God in the Graveyard of Hope By William Stark

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JULY 2016

A woman from Kandhamal goes about her daily routine (Photo: ICC)

A Feature Article

fter eight hours in the 4x4 on rural India’s small dirt roads, I began to feel every bump and jolt. Truthfully, the ride with all its roughness was a welcome diversion as I was heading to India’s Kandhamal. You may not be familiar with that name but for Indian Christians it is associated with great sadness and national shame as it was the scene of a seemingly never-ending period of murder and attacks against Christians that unfolded in 2008. These were the Orissa riots. This notorious attack stands apart as India’s worst attack against Christians. I am familiar with many of the individual stories that made up the whole of the incident and was feeling a great sense of dread and sadness as we bounced along; moving ever closer to a place where Satan was unleashed and had his way with the India’s tribal Christians. As we came closer, I steeled my emotions knowing I would hear many stories of suffering, fear, despair, and destruction. While I did find these stories in abundance, I also found a story I never expected: a story of light in the midst of darkness and of hope through suffering. The trigger for this unprecedented violence took place on August 24, 2008 when a high profile radical Hindu priest was murdered and the Christians were blamed for his death. This took place in spite of the fact that a communist group claimed responsibility for his murder. Located in a village called Tumidiband, it was surreal for me to stand in front of the priest’s infamous ashram (Hindu religious retreat), knowing that the actions that took place there had such dramatic consequences for thousands of Christians. Somewhere between 100 and 300 Christians were killed, 5,600 homes were destroyed, 350 churches were destroyed or desecrated, and 56,000 were displaced. After visiting the ashram, we drove deeper into Kandhamal. We drove through K. Nuagoam, a small town in Kandhamal, and one of the local pastors pointed out a Catholic center called Jan Vikas Kendra. Immediately, I recalled the name of the center and the inhuman persecution suffered by one of the nuns working there. When the riots reached the center, a mob of enraged Hindu radicals ransacked the center’s facilities, set the center’s vehicles on fire, and gang-raped a nun captured by the mob. Further still, the mob then forced the nun to march around naked to shame her and the religion she

The grieving faces of the people of Kandhamal testify to the pain that remains from the devastating attacks on Christians. Bottom Left Photo Credit: Aid To Christians In Need (ACN) represented. As I looked out of the window at the Jan Vikas Kendra center, I could still remember the anger I felt when I read the headlines about this incident that had taken place over 600 miles away. Now, sitting meters away from the spot where it happened, I felt emotionally drained. As we moved on, I turned to another local “In the middle of one of the burned homes, pastor traveling with me who was in Kandhamal I saw a dead body that had been left out in the in 2008. I asked this pastor whether there were open for days,” the pastor continued. “This any particular incidents that have stuck with broke me because I realized the body had been him from the riots. left because of fear.” “It was the third day of the riots,” the We finally arrived at our destination. Deep local pastor recalled. “With much difficulty, in the forests of Kandhamal are seven Christian I [reached] a Christian village in Kandhamal families that were perhaps most affected by the that was totally destroyed. The houses were 2008 riots. Following the killing of the Hindu completely burned. As I looked at the destroyed priest, seven Christian men were rounded up, homes, I saw something that shattered me.” falsely accused of his murder, and finally sen-

“In the graveyard of hope, I encountered the God who redeems time and life lost. . .”

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JULY 2016

tenced to life in prison. During our visit with the families, each of them shared heartbreaking stories of extreme poverty as they have tried to survive without their sole breadwinner. For the last eight years, survival has become their main focus as their loved ones remain unjustly imprisoned. As the years go by, the hope that justice will prevail in this case is slowly fading. “I was admitted in the hospital due to depression,” Gomili Sonamachi, the wife of one of the seven imprisoned, told me. “I lost my hair and my health deteriorated, thinking of my husband. Ever since my husband went to jail, I have had to conduct two weddings for my sons. We did not have money for the wedding feast. Due to our culture, it was a huge embarrassment not having wedding feasts.”

Leelandhri Nayak, the wife of another prisoner, told ICC how the imprisonment of her husband has affected the future of her children. “When my husband [was] jailed in 2008, my children were small,” Leelandhri said. “Now, they are grown up and their education is affected as we are not able to [cope] with the fees.” Seeing the suffering of these families firsthand was difficult for me. It wasn’t difficult to connect with the injustice these seven families have endured for the past eight years because of our mutual Christian faith. It felt as though the weight of suffering inflicted upon the Christian community of Kandhamal would never be lifted. Then I saw the smile. Gurunath is one of the seven prisoners falsely imprisoned for life and it just so happened that

he was temporarily released from jail for one month because his father is dying. His reprieve happened to coincide with my visit, allowing me to get an exclusive interview a few days before this prisoner would be forced to return to his prison cell for the rest of his life. Expecting to hear another tragic story of suffering, I was stunned to discover God at work in a very special way in the life of this uneducated, rural, persecuted Christian who I assumed had been languishing in prison for the past eight years. As I sat down for our interview, I was shocked to see a smile on his face. Instead of delving into the questions I had prepared for the interview, I asked Gurunath why he was smiling. His response was surprising, but it revealed to me how God is still at work in Kandhamal in spite of all of the atrocities that have happened against His people there. “I have been given bail because of my ailing father,” Gurunath said. “I am overjoyed though because my [time in prison] has forever changed my parents. During these past days while I have been home, my parents have professed their faith in Jesus.” As my conversation with Gurunath continued, he revealed that not only is God working in the lives of his parents, but also in the lives of other inmates that he and the other falsely accused Christians live with. “We have daily devotions and Bible study in prison,” Gurunath shared. “We are jailed with many men accused of taking part in the riots. At first they were resistant to us, but over time, six of them have [heard] the Gospel and converted to Christianity. They also attend our daily devotions.” “In spite of the challenges I have faced, I thank God for turning my mourning into dancing,” Gurunath said. “I will go back to the jail putting my trust in His hands. I do believe God will help and all seven of us will be proven innocent and released from prison.” It was beautiful to see how God was at work in the middle of India’s worst incident of persecution. Not only was God actively comforting these prisoners, He was also at work through the prisoners by reaching out to those who had actively defied Him in 2008. As we got back into the 4x4 and departed Kandhamal, the heaviness was gone. I was stunned and left with the wonder of God and a deeper trust that in my life and yours, He can truly work all things together for good. In the graveyard of hope, I personally encountered the God who redeems time and life lost, the God that brings life from death. I found living proof of the verse that God works all things together for good.

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REMNANTS OF A MASSACRE ICC interviews victims of the Fulani attacks in Benue State. By Troy Augustine

he expression on Laraba’s face mirrors those of countless Christians displaced from their farmlands in Benue State, Nigeria. Her eyes reveal her grief. Her hollow stares give away the time she spends deep in thought, reliving her nightmare and furiously contemplating the way ahead after losing so much. I watch her eyelids slowly sink, weighed down

by emotional and physical exhaustion. Laraba’s persecution experience is just one of thousands from Nigerian Christians crying out in pain and for justice. She is a new widow, trying to adjust to the painful reality of providing for her six children, without her husband or extended family. “My husband was killed at Ayila. I lost everything,” she told International Christian Concern. “I have no clothes to wear. I have nothing and no one to help me. All my brothers were killed too. I am left all alone,” she lamented.

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“They totally razed our home at Ayila. Everything was destroyed. What I’m wearing is all I [was] left with. They attacked us unexpectedly and we ran for our dear lives. My husband was killed because he hesitated, looking out for one of our children who was sick,” Laraba explained. Another victim we spoke to, James, escaped Oju village, but sustained crippling gunshot wounds to his knees. He would have died, if not for the help of a neighbor. “Thank God someone I knew who was also on the run passed by. I beckoned him to JULY 2016

A young Nigerian Christian boy from Agatu is one of the many left shaken and homeless by the recent attack. help me but he was afraid and complained he couldn’t carry me. But after begging desperately, he eventually obliged and carried me on his back. Still they were chasing after us,” James told ICC. Laraba and James are survivors of a string of deadly attacks on dozens of Christian villages in Benue State. The attacks happened one after another during the final two weeks of February 2016. Radical Islamist Fulani militias rampaged through a swath of Benue state, attacking 40

different communities, leaving the ground littered with 500 corpses. The Fulanis, a tribe of nomadic herders that have been armed (probably by Boko Haram); attack and chase Christian famers from their land and so that they can use it for cattle grazing. Observers refer to the ongoing tragedy that rages on since 2001 as the “Fulani militia” or “Fulani herders” crisis.

Ongoing Bloodshed

I wish I could tell you the Benue massacre was a one-off violent event. However, the existence of Christians in central Nigeria is precarious. Attacks are geographically widespread and continuous. In Benue State alone, Christian residents count 37 such attacks from April 2013 to the present. The government is inept (or worse) and does not protect them. While the recent Benue attacks with 500 victims had the highest body count since 2010, Christian farming communities across at least an eight-state patch of central Nigeria

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The men of Makurdi gather in protest after recent Fulani attacks. continually face the threat of similar annihilation. A typical assault produces a far smaller death toll than Benue but the attacks are strikingly similar. Radical Islamist gangs roving the agrarian countryside from Zamfara State in the far North all the way to Enugu State in Nigeria’s Southeast, attack with machetes, assault rifles, and heavy weapons, torching everything in all homes and crops in their path. The result is that huge swathes of indigenous Christian villages and lands have been cleared and taken by the Fulani Islamists. A cursory scan of Nigerian news since the beginning of 2016 shows multiple smallerscale Fulani attacks in Nigeria: nine in Taraba State on February 27 and 44 on April 13; 12 in Benue State on February 27, 40 on March 8, two on March 25, and 25 villages reported sacked on March 17; at least 57 murdered in Enugu State in April, and 15 suspected killed on May 15 in Bukuru, LGA, Benue State, just to name a handful of attacks. The provided list represents just a miniscule sampling of repeated raids occurring on a near weekly basis across Nigeria in the past decade and a half. The scale and ferocity of the violence is leading analysts to start using the term genocide. Meanwhile, the Global Terrorism Index ranked the Fulani militias of Nigeria as the world’s fourth deadliest terror threat in 2014, and called the group responsible for 81 percent of violent deaths in the “Middle-Belt” in 2015.

Sadly, the crisis rages on unabated and yet only a few people have ever heard of it. If terrorists inflicted this scale of death and destruction across the American Midwest instead of the Nigerian “Middle-Belt,” the entire world would be informed and outraged.

A Chorus of Wailing Voices Screaming to Deaf Ears Recently, ICC attended a massive protest of hundreds of mourners in Makurdi (Benue State) after the recent massacre. The Christian protestors chanted: “We represent our ancestors who are too dead to speak.” “We represent our fathers who are too weak in the IDP camps to come.” “We represent our mothers who are grieving

“We came representing our fathers who are too weak in the IDP camps to come. We also represent our mothers who are grieving”

the loss of their loved ones killed by Fulani herdsmen.” As you can imagine, Nigeria’s Middle-Belt Christians have grown weary of the endless bloodshed. What adds to the pain is the shocking fact that the Nigerian government, at all levels, has done little to protect them or to arrest and imprison perpetrators. Furthermore, Fulani attacks are typically described as land disputes or tribal conflicts by the press. This completely obscures the real nature of what is taking place. This same dynamic is seen around the world where the Western press is confused by the myriad of names and flavors of Islamist groups. The correct way to view all of these attacks is that they all come from radical Islamists that use different tactics and methods but all have the same source book (The Quran and Hadiths) and goal: to bring land under submission to Allah and Islam. Meanwhile, Laraba, and thousands like her, are left destitute and alone, trying to figure out how to feed her six children and live life without a breadwinner and without the emotional space to properly grieve the loss of her husband.

– MEN OF MAKURDI

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Forced Conversion in Nigeria

A mother and her son carry on after the destruction.

Remains of a burned down home in Agatu.

Abduction, forced conversion, and rape. These words typically are part and parcel of the persecution testimonies of young Christian girls throughout the fundamentalist Muslim world. One such case in Nigeria involved Ese Oruru whose story captured headlines in Nigeria through the spring of 2016 in a country split between Christians and Muslims where the majority of cases go unreported. Ese Oruru, a 13-year-old Christian girl from southern Nigeria, was discovered pregnant and “married” to an adult Muslim man, now living in the north and being forced to worship the god of Islam. Police found her in February in the northern city of Kano and soon discovered that Yinusa Dahiru abducted her, forcibly converted her to Islam, married her, and then repeatedly raped her. This all happened under the blessing of the Emir (Muslim leader) of Kano, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, in whose palace the wedding took place. On March 8, a court arraigned Dahiru on criminal counts related to abduction and sex crimes against a minor after the Kano State Sharia Council called for the release of the girl to the Nigerian police after seeing the mounting negative publicity surrounding her kidnapping. The United National Convention on the Rights of a Child prohibits marriage to a child under 18 in Nigeria. This exists to protect the freedom of thought and religion of vulnerable children. However, countless cases of abduction, forced conversion and marriage of Christian girls is a common and widespread operation among extremists in Nigeria, which Sharia law commonly permits. Fundamentalist Islam allows marriage to girls as young as nine since Muhammad married (and consummated the marriage with) one of his wives when she was nine years old. He had originally attempted to marry her when she was six years old. Since he is seen as having lived the perfect moral life, marrying young girls is recommended. Knowing this background gives you insight into the infamous case of the kidnapped Chibok girls who were taken and sold as sex slaves or forcibly married by Boko Haram. Ese’s case brings to light this under-reported abuse that transcends the Boko Haram insurgency. Her story made national headlines only because she is from the far south, a predominately Christian area. But, how many Christian parents from the oft-forgotten “Middle-Belt” and northern states similarly grieve their lost daughters? These victims and stories are typical and therefore not reported, leaving hundreds or thousands of girls lost to their loved ones forever.

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Cold War Christianity: China’s Hidden War CHINA’S HARDLINE REGIME CONTINUES ITS CRACKDOWN ON THE CHURCH

By Andrew Kerr

s the son of a minister, my entire life has been spent in the church. There is a running joke in church circles for the families of deacons where whenever the doors are open they are inside, even if it means watching the pastor wash windows. That joke encompasses the amount of time pastors, church leaders, and their families spend in and around the church. While it is lighthearted here in the United States, there are instances during the amount of time spent in church when the lighthearted feelings are meant to

subside. Youth groups are known for their creative approaches to reaching young people and offering them a glimpse into the life of Christians around the globe. One which I recall participating in was the well-known underground Church scenario. In this scenario, students are split into different groups consisting of townspeople, a pastor, and the police. The object of the game is to simulate the risks in which people take to worship Jesus in countries where it is not welcomed or even illegal. The entire game is played in the dark and the police roam the room searching for townspeople to arrest, whereas the pastor is looking to rescue them by bringing them to the hidden church. It is a fun game for youth groups during overnight “lock-ins,” but it is also

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The remains of St. Pauls Church. Photo credit: Flickr Creative Commons.

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Chinese Protestor. Photo credit: Flicker Creative Commons.

meant to be a teaching tool, posing the question of how far one is willing to go to reach Christ. Sure we take part and feel a sense of sadness for the persecuted and maybe even pride for understanding how far our brothers and sisters are willing to go for the Gospel. But do we really put a face to the underground Church, or do we consider them to be faceless people in a far off land? I always viewed the game as describing the Chinese Church and the daily threat that Christians face. Historically speaking, it has not been a safe haven for the faithful since Mao’s Cultural Revolution oversaw the deaths of over 1.5 million people. There have been peaks and valleys along the road for the Church, but even during the harshest of times I never put that face on the millions of Christians living in China. I gather many reading this story have either done the same or have tried in the past, but have lost sight of what they look like. Let us return and embrace that long lost brother and sister we forgot so long ago during our youth. Let us begin with our sister in Christ, Ding Cuimei, of Henan province. This may sound more like a scene from a horror film or someone’s nightmare, but it

was the reality for a Christian woman by the name of Ding Cuimei who perished in April of 2016. She and her husband, a pastor of a house church in Henan province, attempted to stop a demolition crew from carrying out their orders to destroy the church. As they both stood between the bulldozers and their church building a cry came out from a member of the demolition crew saying, “Bury them alive for me…I will be responsible for their lives.” And so they did. Dirt poured over their bodies from the bulldozer as the order was carried out. In those frightening moments, Ding Cuimei’s husband was able to dig himself out, gasping for air. However, Cuimei suffocated under the weight of the earth crushing her. The aftermath of her death brought a wave of media attention as the story just did not seem to be plausible coming from modern China. With it came outrage for the murder of Ding Cuimei and news reports calling her a “martyr” and “symbol of religious persecution.” Dr. Bob Fu, President of China Aid, who works to raise awareness and provide support for the persecuted in China, said in an interview with ICC that Ding Cuimei’s death “is the tip of the iceberg on the brutal religious policy that is designed for discrimination and really sys-

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tematic animosity specifically directed toward Christianity.” Making matters even worse for Chinese Christians is the fact that the nation censors all forms of media and communication. As a result, the death of Ding Cuimei was suppressed by Chinese media as ICC partners were able to determine from interviews with Christians. According to our partners, “This was never in the news in China; the only way any Chinese people found out about this incident was by WeeChat.” Even then, not every story is factual, making dissemination difficult. Once they were able to read the news reports from Western media outlets, their reaction to it was that the incident was, “a very bad human rights issue, not a religious issue.” It can be argued that they consider her death to be separate from religious persecution due to the limited media coverage of the communist regime’s general campaign against Christianity in China. That policy has become a national campaign to reduce the presence of Christianity in China, but also to bring religion in general under the umbrella of socialism. Since 2013, the Chinese government has conducted a campaign titled, “Three Rectifications, One Demolition,” in which JULY 2016

officials target churches and church crosses for demolition. Based on the historical context of the Church in China, it would make sense for the campaign to target what are considered “underground” churches. This is occurring, but they are not the only churches being targeted as government-registered churches face persecution as well. Current figures from various Chinese and Western non-profit organizations estimate that over 2,000 church crosses have been removed, surpassing the 2,000 mark in just the first month of 2016. Along with the cross removals, over 400 church facilities have been demolished, similar to Ding Cuimei’s church. Both Cuimei’s death and the cross removal campaign follow a pattern of oppression and religious persecution brought on by communist principles. According to Karl Marx, the father of communism, religion is “the opiate of the masses,” a manmade object that limits the people from doing what is necessary, clouding their judgement. Mao Tse Tung followed the Marxist principle on religion and pushed it further by calling religion “poison” in need of eradication. The modern Chinese government would likely state that they do not follow the approach that either of the two had regarding

“Bury them alive for me...I will be responsible for their lives” – LEADER OF DEMOLITION CREW

religion, as they try to create an “open and free society.” Yet the people would suggest otherwise. “Some have compared President Xi to Mao in the sense that he likes very much to have control,” said ICC’s partners. “The general feeling we got is his suspicion toward all foreign influence that may be working against the government.” Hearing and reading the realities of Christianity under communist rule over the past year has been as if the mud had been washed from my eyes and I finally am able to see. Some have read stories out of the old Soviet Union dealing with the treatment of religious minorities, but those same people likely think it is all just history. History, if

not learned from, is doomed to repeat itself, whether it be in China or elsewhere. Yet all is not hopeless. Organizations like China Aid are “very optimistic for the expansion of God’s kingdom in China...by 2030 China will host more Christians than any other country on earth.” Until that moment arrives or until Christ’s return, we as a part of the Body must remember that when one part of the Body suffers, the whole Body suffers. As Christians who desire to aid our brothers and sisters in China, prayer is always important. Along with prayer, training and proper biblical teaching of pastors is possibly the single most important need for the Chinese Church. Apostasy and general lack of experience in leading churches have just as dangerous an impact on the Church as do cross removals and bulldozers. While the latter stories reflect an attack on the physical, the former reflects an attack on the spiritual. Just as I was able to do, so must others in understanding that persecution is real and there are many levels to it. But it must never be taken lightly and we must be willing to suffer along with those who suffer, as we are all children of the living God.

One of hundreds of crosses being systematically removed in China. Photo Credit: Gospel Herald.

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RISING FROM THE DEAD Hundreds of Christian women in Pakistan are forcibly abducted, converted and married each year. One woman details her descent into hell.

M By ICC’s Pakistan Correspondent

“

misery started around the middle of June, the hottest month of 2015,” Komal (name changed for security), a Christian teenager in Pakistan, told ICC with tears streaming down her face. It was then that Komal joined the ranks of hundreds of Christian girls in Pakistan who are abducted, raped, and forcibly converted to Islam each year. According to many of Pakistan’s Christian leaders, the abduction and forced conversion to Islam of young Christian girls is just as serious a problem as the murder and/or imprisonment of Christians for false blasphemy accusations. The Movement for Solidarity and Peace in Pakistan published a report in 2014 that said that as many as 700 Christian girls, usually between the

ages of 12 and 25, are abducted and forcibly converted each year. Similar to other attacks, Komal was abducted by a group of Muslim men. She was repeatedly beaten and raped, forced to convert to Islam, and then forced to marry one of her rapists. Her final deconstruction as a human being came when she was forced into prostitution by her Muslim “husband.” Her hellish experience lasted six months in all, until through a daring escape, she was able to return to her parents and share what she endured. “I am 15 years old [and] the youngest daughter of my elderly parents who work at a brick kiln factory,” Komal told ICC. “They did not have enough of [an] income for my education, therefore I have never been to school, although I wished.” “I was sleeping along with my mother on a single bed in the yard of our house since the power had been cut (this happens often in Pakistan),” Komal said, remembering the day she was abducted. “Around midnight, five armed men with masks climbed over our [security] wall and entered our house.” “The armed men brutally beat the

Komal rejoices in the freedom she has found in Christ.

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JULY 2016

entire family and threatened them [with] severe consequences if they shouted for help,” Komal continued. “Then, the kidnappers dragged me from my mother’s lap to their car in the street.” “My eyes and mouth were covered with a piece of cloth and they took me to [an] unknown place where five of them raped me in front of each other, taking turns,” Komal said. “I think it was a neighboring city from where they kidnapped me.” Komal’s abduction was, unfortunately, only the beginning of her suffering. “Burning my female parts with cigarettes was a routine exercise for them,” Komal shared when asked about how she was treated in captivity. “The kidnappers often [degraded] Christians, especially Christian women. For almost two months, they beat me every day for nothing and did not give [me] enough food to eat.” “After two months of inhuman treatment and humiliation, they took me to a courthouse and forced me to put my thumb impression on a document that declared me the wife of a Muslim,” Komal con-

tinued. “I did not want this to happen, however, I had no other option because they threatened to kill my parents if I did not obey. Therefore, they forcefully married me to a Muslim and converted me to Islam.” “Without my wish they changed my religion, my identity and even my name,” Komal said. “My new husband, who continued to rape me for the next two months, then moved to another city. This man already had two wives at his house.” Komal’s treatment is tragically common. Since child marriage is illegal in Pakistan, documents claiming she was over 18 were forged and in Pakistan, a woman’s husband has full legal custody (control) over his wife. This leaves victims without power and trapped. “At this stage, I experienced the worst agony of all,” Komal continued. “I felt like dying every day when my husband forced me to have [relations] with other visitors for earning money. I had become a forced prostitute. He even hired a watchwoman to keep an eye on me almost round the clock.” “I spent the next six

months in captivity but had faith that Jesus would get me out of this hell. In February, I had a golden opportunity to escape. Before [the] sun rose, I managed to sneak away from the house to an urban area after a five hour walk. I begged for money to cover a bus fare and was able to reach my parent’s home after sunset that same day.” “I am thankful for this mercy and the miracle of rejoining my parents now,” Komal said with a smile on her face. “I couldn’t stop crying when I hugged my parents and family for the first time. One can hardly imagine the painful situation which I and my parents experienced. It was like rising from the dead.” Despite returning home to her family, Komal still faces significant struggles following her abduction and forced conversion. “When I returned home, I was five months pregnant,” Komal shared. “I am confused about what to do with my unborn baby. What will the future of my child be if I give birth to him or her?” For all Christian victims of forced conversion, the pursuit of justice is nearly impossible. In many cases, police side with the Muslim

abductors and often forcefully return victims to their Muslim “husbands” because they have primary custody. In cases where victims are able to secure legal representation, the Christian family is threatened with violence or a false blasphemy accusation until they are forced to drop their case. “I want justice, but don’t want to put my parents into danger,” Komal said when ICC asked her what she wanted to do now. “Those people are very rich and influential and therefore we cannot go into the legal process against them. I just want to be divorced and try to plan a happier life.” Unfortunately for Komal, her Muslim abductors may have already robbed her of that simple wish. As an uneducated Christian girl in Pakistan, her opportunities for securing a happy life were already limited before her abduction. Her best opportunity was her ability to secure a good marriage. The stigma of being a rape victim and giving birth to the child of an unknown Muslim father will likely deter most suitors, leaving Komal forever scarred by persecution.

Komal is just one of many Christian women in Pakistan who live under the threat of kidnap and rape.

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Lives Adrift: Iraqi Christians

Most of the Christi Iraq are cen

Flickr Creat M

Wherever the wind drives, we move. . .

angled powerlines hang slightly too low, touching the trailer rooftops of the Erbil refugee communities. Metal folding chairs accompany piles of rubber shoes on concrete slabs outside thick metal doors while clothing lines crowd small cracked windows. The tenants, weary eyed and soft spoken, shield their faces from foreign cameras in response to intrusion and a fear of greater persecution. Most of

their stories will remain untold. “As Christians, our life in Iraq seems like a boat without oars,” Saleem said, taking a seat. “Wherever the wind drives us, we move.” Saleem, 49, and his family have been uprooted and exiled three times in the last 12 years. They currently live in an Erbil trailer with rooms of only 22 square feet and just enough food to stay alive. “I met my wife in Kirkuk; at the time she was [a] college student in Kirkuk, but her parents were in Baghdad, so we married in Baghdad in 1993,” said Saleem. Saleem’s wife Zeena adds, “Our life was

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normal till 2004 when my husband started working with a US army contractor in the green zone.” 2004 was during Operation Iraqi Freedom where, for an Iraqi national, working with the US Army was equated with infidelity and treason by the Islamist militia. Before the 2003 war in Iraq, there were over 1.5 million Christians living peacefully in the country. The law and the tyrannical rule of Saddam Hussein actually protected these communities from the demonic Islamic fundamentalists. When war came and the law fell, Christians were left utterly exposed. “We were threatened in 2005 by Islamic militia. They sent us an envelope with bullets and a message to leave,” Zeena told ICC. “The deadline was three days away.” The family of three took all they could and JULY 2016

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search for a place to call home

hristian refugees in e centered in Erbil. Photo credit: Creative Commons. Mustafa Khayat

Due to the ongoing threat of ISIS, Christians in Iraq are forced to flee their homes and move to IDP camps.

fled to the city of Mosul where they were adopted by relatives for a time. “It was not easy to change our community and to move from the capital where I was born and raised,” Saleem explained. “But I was able to start working again in January of 2006. I felt it was a Christmas gift from God.” Soon, they were able to move into a house in Mosul and begin rebuilding their lives. Both Saleem and Zeena found work while their son proved to be an excellent student, outperforming his peers in school. “In 2007, we started noticing that many Christians were being kidnapped and gangs were asking for huge [ransom] sums for their release,” Saleem’s countenance dropped at these words. At first, the family was determined to stay in Mosul in order to preserve their son,

Sarmad’s, future. “We felt that we had to choose either saving Sarmad or saving his education,” Saleem explained. Understandably, the family chose the former. “Moving from Mosul to Qeraqosh was the hardest decision yet,” Zeena told ICC. “This time the loss was different, this time we lost our son’s future.” Qeraqosh had been a safe haven for Christians for a long time. Before ISIS was even a household name, this small town was an escape for Christian families suffering persecution in other parts of Iraq. For example, in 2010, four terrorists attacked the Saydat Al Najat Church in Baghdad, killing more than 50 Christians. Many survivors of this bloody event migrated to Qeraqosh to live in peace, away from the threats of Islamic extremism. The area was

almost entirely occupied by Christian families. Like others, Saleem and his family thought that they would be insulated from the neverending and exhausting onslaughts of persecution they felt elsewhere in Iraq. In August 2014, Qeraqosh tragically fell at the hands of the Islamic State, only two months after the fall of Mosul in June 2014. The city was emptied of its Christian population as the refugees fled. Saleem’s family was able to escape and flee, though they could take nothing with them. They fled to Erbil, where they now live in a trailer among thousands of other internally displaced people. Restarting and rebuilding again has not been possible for the family. After losing everything three separate times, the trauma has overwhelmed their hope for a secure living. “We depend on the relief we get from organizations,” Saleem said, breaking eye contact. “We don’t have any other choice.” Families like this live in limbo. Trailer cars and unemployment don’t amount to a fulfilling life. All these families know to do is trust in the Lord. Saleem’s family, much like many other Christian famlies, is unlikely to return home. Even if ISIS were overthrown and they could return to Mosul, they wouldn’t. An IDP pastoral assistant in Iraq named Karam explained this phenomenon to ICC. “During the last two years, people that remained in Mosul have seen nothing but ISIS,” Karam said. “Even if people didn’t join them, they have definitely been affected by their thoughts and by what they witness every day.” ISIS is preparing a new generation of persecutors with their public executions and barefaced disregard for human rights. Many Christians will likely never be comfortable returning to a place like this, even if ISIS is ultimately cast out. In the end, control in life is an illusion, often a Western one. Though our hope rests in what lies beyond this life, there is a battle being waged that must be endured. Saleem’s family has endured more than their fair share. Though displacement is not death, it is a great loss. In death, there is release and a promised hope fulfilled. In loss, there is only trust in the Lord for things unseen. Remember to pray for these dear brothers and sisters.

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In the Midst of Trial and

A colorful mosaic is proudly displayed on one of the most prominent churches in Cairo.

“We were in a state of fear and terror... our lives were in danger every day.” By Sandra Elliot

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spent three years and two months in prison,” Bishoy explained to ICC. “But I thank God for everything.” It was on July 28, 2012, that Bishoy Kameel Kamel Garas, 28, was unable to reach his friend, Nathan, over the phone. Something so innocent and nondramatic worried Bishoy, as Nathan always answered his calls. Later that day, Bishoy learned why his friend was seemingly ignoring him. A fake Facebook account made under his name and featuring his photo had been sending insults to Nathan, along with many others. Bishoy Garas is from Tima, Egypt, where he is a teacher as

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well as a minority Christian. Upon seeing the Facebook account under his name, Bishoy immediately posted on his real social media outlets to warn his friends and others of the impersonator. Bishoy also contacted the internet police to report the fake account and request an investigation. The next day, July 29, Bishoy was called into the police station at Tima, presumably to discuss what he had reported. Upon his arrival, Bishoy met with the chief detective and another man. That man was Sheikh Mohamed Safwat Tammam, a Muslim from Salamon village in Tima. He had filed a formal complaint against Bishoy. Despite the day-old report to the internet police, the warnings JULY 2016

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Injustice, God Has a Plan on Bishoy’s real Facebook page, and the full trust of the police chief, Mohamed insisted on pressing charges against Bishoy for insulting his sister, the government, and Islam. Bishoy was taken to face the prosecution in Tima the very next day. Having also seen the complaint and the warnings, the prosecutor was convinced of Bishoy’s innocence, but caved to the pressure of the angry protesters who had gathered outside the court. On the prosecutor’s orders, Bishoy was remanded and held in custody. On July 31, 2012, Bishoy’s father discovered who had created the fake account. Michael Atif Naeem had admitted his wrongdoing to Nathan and another one of Bishoy’s friends. The two friends recorded his confession as evidence for the court. The following weeks were a blur of cancelled hearings, angry protesters and renewed imprisonments as the prosecution faced unfailing evidence proving Bishoy’s innocence. By September 18, 2012, the Sohag Misdemeanor Court had sentenced Bishoy to six years in prison for blasphemy and defamation of President Morsi, the plaintiff and the prophet Mohammad. At an appeal hearing on September 27, the judge paid little attention to the evidence of the defense and confirmed the previous verdict, satisfying the cries of the angry Muslim mob outside. As Bishoy headed to an unjust imprisonment, his family began receiving regular, descriptive threats from protesters and angry Salafis. Kameel was forced to travel to work undercover. Bishoy’s youngest sister left her schooling for a month for fear of being kidnapped. Bishoy was a target for persecution in Sohag prison.

“We thank God so much for standing with Bishoy, protecting him and acquitting him.” – BISHOY’S MOTHER

“We were in a state of fear and terror,” Sana, Bishoy’s mother, told ICC. “Our lives were in danger every day.” On April 4, 2016, Bishoy was acquitted and declared innocent of contempt of Islam and other charges from 2012, having served a little over half his sentence. Though nothing can undo the injustice done to Bishoy and the Garas family, their great trust in God’s will has carried them through this difficult time. “We thank God so much for standing with Bishoy, protecting him and acquitting him,” his mother told ICC. During his imprisonment in New Valley prison, Bishoy explained how he spent his time meditating on the Word and learning how to trust God and His will, regardless of what was just or unjust. “[My imprisonment] was the will of God, and we have to accept God’s will. Our view is limited, but God’s [view] is unlimited,” he explained. Bishoy’s release is, indeed, a celebration and victory, but the real victory is in his testimony of God’s sovereignty over all things. In the midst of trial and injustice, the Lord has a plan for those faithful unto Him. Bishoy, though scarred by his imprisonment, has attained more crowns of glory for the true God of Egypt.

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