WWW.PERSECUTION.ORG
APRIL 2015
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Rising from the Ashes Christians around the world face persecution and martyrdom with hope, joy and compassion.
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INTERNATIONAL CHRISTIAN CONCERN
Table of Contents
In This Issue: FEATURE
16 | Faithful in Final Moments
Remembering the 21 Coptic Christians martyred by ISIS militants in Libya. FEATURE
18 | Picking up the Pieces
A family that lost everything in riots sparked by Charlie Hebdo protests reflects on loss and hope. FEATURE
22 | Faith Refined by Fire
An American missionary shares her eyewitness account of church burnings in Niger following Muslim protests. FEATURE
24 | Death on the Horizon
Nigerians fear this year’s presidential elections may be a repeat of the bloodshed that followed the 2011 elections.
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FEATURE
26 | India’s Most Hostile State
ICC investigates persecution in a district that has made Christianity, and any nonHindu religion, illegal in 50 villages. FEATURE
30 | India’s Untouchables
India’s laws on caste benefits force the nation’s “untouchables” to choose between Christ and government assistance.
Regular Features
3 A Note from the President A few words from ICC’s president, Jeff King, on the Bible’s promise to restore order and bring justice to the persecuted.
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4 World News A snapshot of the persecution that impacts our brothers and sisters daily, in every corner of the world. 8 Your Dollars at Work Learn how your gifts are providing comfort, relief, Bibles, education and vocational training to the persecuted. 14 Volunteers Learn how members of ICC’s volunteer teams are making an impact in their communities for the persecuted. 2
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A Note from the President
ONCE UPON a time …
I saw the souls of those who had been slain (in Rev. 20:4, beheaded) because of (Jesus) and their testimony. They cried, “How long, O Lord, holy and true, will You refrain from judging and avenging our blood?” They were given a white robe and told to rest for a bit, until the number of their fellow servants and their brethren who were to be killed as they had been, would be completed. Revelation 6:9-11
Jeff King, President International Christian Concern
When I think about the 21 Christians slaughtered on the beach in Libya (page 16) and so many others beheaded or killed for their faith by Islam, I often return to the verse above. The verse is comforting in a strange way because it speaks of the martyrs’ reward and hints at the fact that none of this is a surprise to the Lord and that all will be made right when His rule is reinstated. This realm, this epoch, we live in and under, is governed and ruled by an evil king who is a usurper that has stolen the crown and twisted the rightful order. So, for a time, we must live in a world upside down. But, the true King is coming back!! Until then, the martyrs and ourselves (citizens living under foreign occupation) are told to be patient for a while. He knows our pain, and the terrible injustice we and this world are subjected to again and again; but we must for a little while, rest. . . before all is made right. This isn’t a fairy tale; rather, fairy tales are usually modeled after this hidden truth of a world captured and under a spell, twisted, and waiting for restoration. Alice In Wonderland, Beauty and the Beast, Sleeping Beauty, Lord of the Rings, Narnia, and the modern fairy tales, Harry Potter, Star Wars, Avatar, and The Matrix (and so many others) are built around a world captured and upside down, waiting to be restored. In these tales there is always an ordinary person who is awakened to the hidden reality that is chosen to help restore the rightful order. That is where you and I come in (after Jesus). You see, while we wait for the end of this epoch, there are victims of the evil king that we must free and rescue. There are damsels in distress, held in towers that call out to us, who will perish unless we act. Let your secret desire to be the hero of the story rise up and be expressed in the rescuing of the victims of the evil king. Together, we can do much good, and will know that we didn’t sleep (like most), but that we did what we could. . . while we waited. . . for all to be made right! As always, your donations will be used efficiently, effectively, and ethically. I Promise!
Jeff King President, International Christian Concern, Persecution.org
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News –
1 | NIGER Over the weekend of January 16, Muslim protests against the latest depiction of the Prophet Mohammed by French satirical magazine, Charlie Hebdo, devolved into violent mobs that proceeded to burn and ransack as many as 70 churches and dozens more Christian homes and businesses across Niger. Niger’s historically tolerant Muslim population has been radicalized by Gulf state imams’ harshly conservative teachings over the past two to three decades. The spread of radical Islam in Niger has concerned experts, and their increasing concerns were validated as the Muslim mobs rampaged through major cities across Niger in January, leaving death and destruction in their wake. Entire Christian communities were left devastated. Neil and Danette Childs witnessed the destruction of a Christian community in Niger, a 97 percent Muslim
nation in West Africa, first hand. “We immediately started packing a trunk [when we saw the smoke from three burning churches], putting in our valuables, our documents, and we loaded up the car,” Neal told Fox News. “There were concerns our family would be targeted.” Other pastors in the area lost everything. “While the mob was burning the front of the house, his neighbors came in through the back and hauled out clothes and everything they could get through the back window,” Neal recalled. Despite the violence Christians in Niger have experienced, the response has been faith inspiring. “We are preaching the Gospel and living as an example before the people,” Neal said. “It was demonstrated in our response. It is not our nature to be aggressive or violent. We forgive those that attack.”
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Muslim mobs protesting a depiction of their Prophet Mohammed ransacked this Christian home, along with dozens of others and as many as 70 churches.in Niger.
Churches Burned, Christians Killed in Bloody Charlie Hebdo Protests in Niger
INTERNATIONAL CHRISTIAN CONCERN
Nigerians Worry Elections May See Repeat of 2011 Bloodshed 2 | NIGERIA The upcoming Nigerian general elections have Christians in the West African country fearful of what the future might hold. In 2011, the last time Nigerians went to the polls, post-election violence resulted in the destruction of more than 700 churches and 3,000 Christian homes and businesses across the country. In the last four years, 1,000 churches have been destroyed, many by Boko Haram, a radical Islamic insurgency. As the terrorist group has gained power, they have increasingly conquered territory in the country through obscene violence and murder — killing as many as 1,800 Christians last year alone. The Nigerian government’s attempts to eradicate Boko Haram have proven fruitless, and there is great fear that the terrorist group will wreak havoc during the election by targeting voters, especially in more rural areas, as they exercise their right to vote for president. The people of Nigeria have not forgotten the violence that occurred after the last election, and no matter who wins this election, there remains the very real possibility that the outcome will be the same.
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Boko Haram Strives to Assert Control Over Nigeria 3 | NIGERIA According to estimates, Boko Haram, a radical Islamic insurgency bent on establishing a separate Islamic state to be ruled by Sharia law, has destroyed more than 1,000 churches across Nigeria since 2010. For years, Boko Haram has waged a campaign of terror against Christians living and working in Nigeria’s remote north. In 2014 alone, Boko Haram abducted hundreds of Christians, forcing them to convert to Islam and, in the case of more than 200 schoolgirls taken from Chibok last April, selling them into lifetimes of domestic and sexual servitude as child brides.
Radical Islamic insurgency, Boko Haram, has destroyed more than 1,000 churches in Nigeria since 2010.
Pastor Murdered by Fulani Muslims
Congress Discusses ‘Nigeria on the Brink’
4 | NIGERIA Joshua Adah, a pastor known in Nigeria for bringing “education, medicine and clothing to thousands of impoverished people,” was murdered by Muslim Fulani herdsmen. The senseless attack left Pastor Adah’s wife to mourn as a widow and his two children without an earthly father. Years of battles between Fulani Muslim herdsmen and Christian farmers over territory in Taraba and other “middle belt” states have left hundreds dead, churches destroyed and Christian communities decimated.
5 | NIGERIA in light of Nigeria’s potential for unrest following its elections, the U.S. Congress held a hearing called ‘Nigeria on the Brink.’ “Nigeria is an important African nation, not just for that region, but also for the international community as a whole. [Nigeria] is facing a variety of crises, including an increasingly vicious war against Boko Haram, the threat of post-election violence following the upcoming presidential election, ongoing interreligious and interethnic conflict,” said House Committee Chairman Christopher Smith.
ISIS Brutality Reaches New Heights 6 | WORLD The inhumanity and cruelty of ISIS is escalating, and their true barbarity continues to reveal itself. ISIS has filmed and aired the brutal beheading of journalists and humanitarians from around the world, including the United States, Britain and Japan. Perhaps the most shocking hostage slaying has been that of the Jordanian pilot who was locked in a cage and burned alive. ISIS jihadists have also begun throwing blindfolded men off rooftops as punishment for being homosexuals. In one situation, a terrified man survived the seven-story fall and was stoned to death by onlookers. Recently, the UN has received reports describing the rape, crucifixion and beheading of children, in addition to others being buried alive. Among those unwilling to convert to Islam, ISIS has shown little discrimination in the selection of their targets, with victims ranging from infants to the elderly.
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News
Modi Remains Silent on Persecution 1 | INDIA Christians in India suffered a string of attacks from Hindu radicals at the beginning of 2015, ranging in severity from wrongful arrests to beatings to raids on church meetings. While the radicals claim the silence of Prime Minister Modi in the face of the attacks on Christians and other minority communities is a sign of his tacit approval, Christians and other communities are calling on the prime minister to make his position clear. Many Christians across India feel insecure under the current government. Instead of remaining silent, they are now taking to the streets to demand better. Hundreds of Christians in Mumbai participated in a protest, and hundreds more were arrested by police in Delhi when they took to the streets to protest attacks on churches. In India’s rural areas, church burnings, beatings, social boycotts and forced conversion attempts have become commonplace. India’s national government has remained strangely silent on the issue of religious intolerance, regardless of the effect on millions of its own citizens. Prime Minister Modi has been called on multiple times to publicly speak on this issue, but he has remained silent. This silence has disappointed India’s religious minorities and further emboldened India’s Hindu radicals. ICC applauds the actions of Christians as they attempt to encourage their government to protect the rights of all its citizens, including religious minorities.
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U.S. President Barack Obama Urges India to Embrace Religious Freedom 2| INDIA During a trip to India, President Obama called on the country not to fracture along religious lines and to protect the constitutional right of religious freedom. Drawing on his experience as a minority, President Obama highlighted the right of religious freedom as one of the cornerstones of a healthy democracy. At the National Prayer Breakfast, Obama said that recent “acts of intolerance” against India’s religious minorities would have shocked Mahatma Gandhi. Obama’s statements come at a time when religious minorities across India feel under threat from Hindu radical organizations.
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Christian School Ransacked by 300 Charlie Hebdo Protesters 3 | PAKISTAN Since the attack on a French magazine publishing caricatures of the Prophet Muhammad, anti-Charlie Hebdo protests have been flaring up across Pakistan. With some of the strictest blasphemy laws in the world, many Pakistani Muslims have joined in the protests against the French magazine. Generally, these protests have remained peaceful, but recently, in the city of Banu, protesters turned their anger on St. Paul High School, a local Christian school. Reports indicate that upwards of 300 protesters climbed the outer wall, forced open the main gates and stormed inside the Christian boys’ school. Protesters then proceeded in assaulting students, smashing windows and destroying property. According to reports, four students were injured in the attack, and local Muslims are now demanding that the Christian school be closed. Christians in Pakistan are marginalized: considered low class citizens in Pakistan and betrayers of their country by practicing the Christian faith. The Christians of St. Paul High School are peaceful and nonviolent. Sardar Mushtaq Gill, human rights defender, said that hurting Pakistani Christians would be hurting Pakistan.
APRIL 2015
Christian Clergymen Arrested by National Intelligence and Security Service in Khartoum 4 | SOUTH SUDAN It has been confirmed that two Christian clergymen, Yat Michael and Peter Yein Reith, from South Sudan have been arrested and are currently being detained in Khartoum by the National Intelligence and Security Service. After the Reverend Yat Michael referenced the government confiscation of property belonging to the church during a sermon, he was charged with “instigating Sudanese citizens against their government.” The Reverend Peter Yein Reith was arrested shortly after when he arrived in the city of Khartoum. The Sudan Presbyterian Evangelical Church was partially demolished and a portion of its 2,000 reported members were arrested and, in some cases, fined by Sudanese officials in 2014. Characteristic of an alarming trend, multiple churches have been forcibly closed and demolished by Sudanese officials.
A new law in Burma may require those wishing to convert from their religion to first apply for permission before a committee.
A Christian man who cut down trees so a fellow believer could erect a cross on his property was arrested by Burmese officials.
Burma Seeks Restrictions on Conversion
Burmese Government Arrests Christian for Cutting Down Trees Used to Build a Cross
5 | BURMA A new law in Burma inflicts a restriction on religious conversions. If the law, which was passed in the Upper House of Parliament, is implemented, it will require anyone wishing to change their religion to apply for permission to do so to an 11-member committee. The UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in Burma noted the “significant human rights concerns” in regards to this law. The basis of his argument is that the freedom of religion and the freedom to choose and change one’s religion is a fundamental human right that should not be controlled by the government.
6 | BURMA A Christian in Burma is facing jail time for cutting down trees to create space for an “illegal” cross. The trees were harvested from the land of a fellow Christian who used the wood to build the cross and erected it on his property in the space created from the felled trees. Burmese officials arrested the man for cutting down the trees without government permission; however, it is believed the true purpose behind the arrest was to remove the cross, a symbol of the Christian faith that is routinely discriminated against and persecuted by the Burmese government.
Protestants in Mexico Told They Must Convert or Pay Heavy Fine to Return to Their Own Village 7 | MEXICO Protestants who were expelled from their village in Chiapas, Mexico, for religious reasons in 2012 were told by the government they could return and their religious freedom would be protected; however, when they returned, under the protection of state officials, they were told they would only be granted entrance if they converted or paid an extremely high fine. This, as well as attacks, beatings, barring Christian children from school and cutting off access to water and electricity, are just a few examples of the types of religious freedom violations they have experienced. Despite numerous complaints filed with the municipal and state governments, no actions have been taken to protect the rights and religious freedoms of the Protestants who are suffering persecution for their faith. The law has yet to be upheld.
Protestants face persecution in Chiapas, Mexico.
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Your Dollar$ at Work ICC Providing Education for 30 Children Impacted by Suicide Bombing
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Kid’s Care
n September 22, 2013, the Christian community of Peshawar, Pakistan, was devastated when suicide bombers attacked All Saints Church. As Christians were leaving the church following a Sunday morning service, two bombers from the Pakistani Taliban attacked, exposing over 600 Christians to the deadly blast. When the dust settled, over 130 Christians were killed and scores more were seriously injured. Though often overlooked, children were among those most affected by the bombing. Many Christian children had lost either both parents or their family’s breadwinner in the attack. In addition to the immense emotional pain of losing a parent, many of these children might have been forced to drop out of school because their extended families were not able to afford to provide for their educational expenses. Without proper education, the next generation of Christians in Peshawar were faced with a bleak and uncertain future. Fortunately, your gifts to ICC’s Kid’s Care fund are helping to ensure a brighter future for 30 Christian children whose lives might have otherwise been devastated by the bombing of All Saints Church. Over one year ago, ICC reached out to the families of these 30 children and has since been paying for their school fees, books, uniforms, tutoring and other education related expenses. In 2015, ICC hopes to continue to provide this necessary support to Peshawar’s Christian children. Through partnership with donors like you, ICC hopes to continue to invest in the education of Christian children affected by persecution and provide them with a hope and a future.
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APRIL 2015
Rejoice in all Circumstances
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Underground Pastors
astor Agbe and his wife were out for a walk when the protest against Christians began. As the mob grew in size and volatility, the pastor received a phone call from his Muslim neighbor telling them to “go home quickly because your house and church are about to be burned.” The couple ran home and, finding their house and church on fire, piled their six children in the car and sped away to avoid conflict with the enraged Muslim mob. ICC was able to assist this family in Niger with a disaster relief packet filled with their immediate needs such as water, food, blankets and clothing. We were moved by the family’s response to losing everything they owned: “God’s Word tells us to rejoice in all circumstances, and that is what we are currently doing because everything contributes to the good of those who love God.”
Family Rises Small Gifts, from the Ashes Big Changes
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Underground Pastors
astor Zabeyrou and his wife, six-monthspregnant Salamatu, fled for their lives, along with their three children, as an enraged Muslim mob descended on their town in midJanuary. Both their home and church were set on fire, and all of their property was destroyed. When ICC heard of the attacks on Christians in Niger, we were quick to send aid. Pastor Zabeyrou’s family was one of the families you were a part of helping. This project restored water and electricity to his family’s home and church building so he and his family could move home and begin the rebuilding process. When asked how we could pray for them, they asked, “Pray for our family in our time of need, and that our church would rise from the ashes stronger and bolder in Christ.”
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Community Rebuild
n the wake of violent attacks against Christians in Niger, churches were burned to the ground, businesses were destroyed and believers were beaten. Dozens, if not hundreds, of Christians have been left homeless, hungry, thirsty and impoverished in the wake of the riots. ICC partnered with organizations on the ground to bring relief to 10 families with the most immediate needs. These families all received relief aid packages to help them get through the first weeks after the attacks as they began to put their lives back together and make plans for the future. Water, food, blankets and temporary shelter are just the first step as plans are being made for long-term, large-scale relief and development efforts in service of Niger’s persecuted church.
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Your Dollar$ at Work
ICC Secures Release of Prisoners
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Legal Assistance
n Ethiopia, two Muslims, Soka Araro and Obsa Ogeto, found Christ but were confronted by Muslims and pressured to recant. When they refused, Muslims planted false criminal evidence on their land and notified the police. They were arrested and detained. These situations are common in Muslimmajority areas of the country, but ICC has had success in these cases by reminding officials of the laws that afford citizens religious liberty. In November 2014, both men stood before a federal court facing charges that could result in sentences of up to seven years. ICC hired a lawyer for the men and, though Araro was briefly detained, he was released on bail after negotiations between ICC’s Ethiopian staff, our lawyer and prison officials. Ogeto was released on bail shortly thereafter and acquitted of all charges in January. Araro was fully acquitted in February.
Bibles for Christians of Burned Church Bibles to the Persecuted
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lim Fire Church was demolished by Indian authorities in the early morning hours of November 1, 2014. Claiming the church to be an illegal construction, Indian authorities arrested the pastor of the church, Pastor S. David, and sent him to jail in Hyderabad. Following the arrest and demolition, ICC assisted the Christians of Elim Fire Church by providing vital emergency support. Pastor S. David was soon released from jail, but returned to a broken church and a discouraged congregation. Through its Bibles fund, ICC provided the Christians of Elim Fire Church with their very own Bibles. Due to their poor economic status, most of the Christians never dreamed they would ever own a Bible in their own language. ICC hopes that with these Bibles these Christians will be able to find comfort and security in the Word of God.
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APRIL 2015
Your Dollar$ at Work
1,632 Hmong Bibles to Vietnam
W Vocational Training for Christian Girls
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Bibles to the Persecuted
hat a challenge to get Bibles to Vietnam in the native language of the people — but worth all the effort! Last quarter, we delivered 1,632 Bibles, printed in the Hmong language, to underground churches and believers in Vietnam. The Bibles first had to be printed, packed and shipped from our partner to the drop location
in Vietnam. Then the Bibles were loaded onto the motorcycles of excited Christians to be taken deep into the jungles and other villages nearly impossible to reach by other types of vehicles. As our partners headed back home, the Bibles made their way into the hands of believers, many of whom held a Bible in their language for the first time. Thank you for giving to the Bible fund!
Save Our Sisters
s part of its commitment to assist persecuted Christian girls in Pakistan, ICC has opened several vocational training schools for Christians forced to work in situations that expose them to abuse. ICC has opened three sewing centers and one beautician training salon in Faisalabad, Pakistan. Each of these centers trains Christian girls in a skill they can use to start their own business. ICC also provides each of the girls with small business training specifically targeting skills women business owners need to run successful small businesses in Pakistan. Upon completion of the course, ICC provides each graduate with a “graduation package” and a certificate to signify they have completed a vocational training course. Included in the graduation package are items needed to help the girls launch a small sewing or beautician business out of their own homes. In 2015, ICC is preparing for the graduation of almost 40 Christian girls who have completed their training at one of the vocational training centers.
Overwhelming Demand for Bibles
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Bibles to the Persecuted
hristians in China are still desperate for Bibles. A pastor in connection with our partners for Bible distribution in China reports that pastors from both cities and rural areas consistently ask him for Bibles. This pastor travels extensively around China and notes that Christians living in rural areas are the ones with the greatest need. He reported to us
that so many pastors in these areas are calling to ask for Bibles that he can’t keep up with the demand! Our partners took a team to deliver Bibles to some of those requesting Bibles and said, “The believers were delighted and grateful that we delivered to them. We had no one to interpret for us that day, but the delight was clear on their faces.”
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Your Dollar$ at Work
ICC Provides Relief to Family Forced from Their Home by Death Threats from Islamic Extremists
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Hand of Hope
eter Masih (name changed for security purposes) was born “Muhammad Nazar,” an Islamic name he bore until his conversion to Christianity in February 1996, when he changed his name and began living to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ. For the last 14 years, Peter has been preaching the Word of God in different communities across Pakistan. Before accepting Jesus, Peter was a cleric in a mosque and taught in an Islamic seminary to youngsters who wanted to become Imams or religious scholars in the Muslim community. In addition to his religious duties, Peter
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worked at a bus service and also ran his own business selling fruit and vegetables. As is the story for most Christians from a Muslim background, as soon as Peter’s family became aware of his conversion to Christianity, they tortured him physically for more than a year in an attempt to force him to return to Islam. At the first opportunity, Peter fled his parents’ house and went into hiding. Since then, Peter has had to keep moving from one city to another to keep from being found and persecuted by radical Islamists. In 2006, Peter married a Christian woman and started a family of his own. He was finally starting to live a happy life and serving the
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people of God. Unfortunately, Peter’s past caught up with him in July 2014, and he and his family were forced to flee their home again after receiving severe and credible death threats from local Islamic extremists. When ICC heard Peter’s story and his current situation, assistance was immediately disbursed. Through ICC’s Hand of Hope: South Asia fund, ICC was able to meet the immediate needs of Peter and his family. Food, clothes and a place to hide were deemed essentials as ICC sought to secure Peter and his family during this time of trouble. Thank you for your gifts to this fund that enabled us to serve and bless this family! APRIL 2015
Your Dollar$ at Work
Caring for the Families of Coptic Christians Martyred in Libya
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Suffering Wives & Children
he world was shocked by the video showing the brutal killing of 21 Christians by ISIS in Libya. For ICC, this story is all too close to home as we have been working with victims who faced a similar fate exactly one year earlier. In February 2014, seven men were taken from their housing complex in Benghazi, Libya, and were found executed on a beach
a few days later. These men had risked their lives because desperate poverty made it nearly impossible to provide for their families in their village in upper Egypt. With your support, we were able to help care for the families they left behind. We provided new livestock and feed for these families. It is a simple investment, but one that adds a new source of income for the family and a new source of food for these children who lost their father. Your gifts help us to care for families like these!
House Church Raided in Beijing
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Underground Pastors
CC sponsors an underground pastor in China who is a well-known house church leader in Beijing. He is a prominent dissident who adheres to the calling of the Bible above the repressive laws of the country that restrict religious freedom. As such, his church tends to attract like-minded believers and serves dissidents, political prisoners and those who seek to serve the Lord despite persecution. This pastor has always faced great pressure from the government. Earlier this year, the pastor and about 18 others were studying the Bible in the private home of one of the church members. The doors suddenly burst open and police came pouring in claiming they had received a report of a large gathering. The police arrested everyone, save four elderly and sick individuals, without following proper procedures. The pastor and 12 other believers were detained. A month later, due to international attention via phone calls from Christians worldwide, they were finally released. Continue to keep this brave pastor and his congregation in your prayers.
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Volunteers
Speaking Out on Behalf of the Persecuted Church
Raising Her Voice
SARAH SMITH VOLUNTEER AWARENESS TEAM
HAZEL OWENS* VOLUNTEER AWARENESS TEAM
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or Sarah Smith, the journey toward serving the persecuted church as an ICC volunteer began through a very personal encounter. In the summer of 1997, Sarah had the opportunity to travel with a team to China. During the trip, she was able to interact closely with the women of Beijing’s underground church, who distributed over 100,000 Gospel pamphlets via bicycle in one summer alone. Seeing the love for Jesus Christ and the courage that these women displayed inspired Sarah to take action in her own hometown. Once she returned to New York, Sarah designed an initiative which she called the “Adopt-A-Nation Prayer Project,” which highlights various countries that face high levels of persecution, in order to inform others and encourage them to pray. A few weeks later, Sarah connected with the general manager of the evangelical Sound of Life Radio, hoping to promote that year’s International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church (IDOP). Sarah has worked faithfully with the radio ministry since 1997 and, in February of 2012, they began airing her “Adopt-A-Nation Prayer Project” spotlights twice daily. In November 2014, during Sarah’s semi-
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annual ministry trip to India, she led an IDOP prayer service and conducted several training sessions titled, “Praying Effectively for Suffering Christians.” Six months prior, All India Radio MKG began airing a customized version of her prayer spotlights. While reflecting on her time spent in the region, Sarah said, “They are joyously willing to make all sacrifices and face all dangers in order to build God’s Kingdom. …All they ask from other Christians is prayer support.” She summed it up perfectly by saying, “Prayer is the least we can do and the most we can do.” As a member of the awareness team, Sarah has had the opportunity to raise her voice on behalf of the persecuted and make their prayer requests known. As a constant reminder of her original mission, she clings to Hebrews 13:3 which states, “Remember those who are in prison as if you were in prison with them and those who are being mistreated as if you were there with them being mistreated too.” For those considering volunteering, Sarah encourages you to ask yourself the question, “What would you want someone to do for you if you were in prison or being persecuted?”
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s a singer and songwriter, Hazel Owens* (name changed for security) has used her God-given talents to raise awareness for the persecuted church. When she first began contemplating the idea of a fundraiser, Hazel initially intended to organize a garage sale. However, after talking with her husband, they concluded that hosting and performing in a benefit concert would have a greater impact. During her concert, Hazel interspersed songs, Bible verses, images and stories of the persecuted. An offering was taken at the end of the concert, and many church members volunteered to sell and raffle off items to further the cause. In addition to raising funds for the persecuted, multiple members of her church donated their time to help with the behindthe-scenes details necessary for organizing a concert. As a result, Hazel said that her church has “become more passionate about the cause of the persecuted.” While reflecting on her work as a volunteer, Hazel was struck by the story of Queen Esther. She said that, like Esther, “those of us with religious freedom need to start viewing this freedom as a gift from God and a responsibility to help our brothers and sisters who are being persecuted.” APRIL 2015
Looking for a Way to Make a Difference in the World? Join Our Team of Volunteers! For those wishing to make an impact on the world, many are unsure where to begin when facing an issue like religious persecution. However, volunteers across the globe are making a difference within their own towns as members of ICC’s five volunteer teams: Advocacy, Awareness, Office, Prayer and Special Projects. By standing up for the persecuted in a number of ways, ICC’s volunteers have helped to connect the global Church by bridging the gap between the persecuted and the Western Church. One person can make a difference — are you willing to take the call?
Volunteers make an impact on governments across the nations.
Prayer volunteers conduct IDOP services throughout the world.
Calling for Justice
The Number One Request of the Persecuted
As a member of the advocacy volunteer team, Joe Fontanetta regularly calls out for justice on behalf of the persecuted. In December of 2013, a Christian convert in Egypt named Bishoy Armia Boulous was imprisoned for his faith. On behalf of Bishoy’s case, Joe had the opportunity to speak out against the injustice. He was able to both call and send a letter to the Egyptian embassy, calling for the release of this innocent man. In addition to Joe reaching out to the embassy, many advocacy volunteers were also able to call upon their own Congressmen, encouraging them to advocate for Bishoy.
Out of all possible requests, members of the persecuted church ask for prayer more than anything else. ICC’s prayer volunteer team has offered them just that. In 2014, eight volunteers organized or helped lead programs for the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted, whether in their churches or through radio ministries. Greater still, countless volunteers set aside daily time to pray for the persecuted, whether individually, as a church or as a family, according to ICC’s prayer calendar. The dedicated prayers offered by volunteers are making a difference for the persecuted church in countries across the world.
Volunteer Teams 1 Advocacy Fight for justice for the persecuted through petitions, embassy calls and more.
2 Awareness Raise your voice for the persecuted Church through speaking in churches, writing and social media.
3 Office Lighten the load of our staff by helping with administrative tasks. 4 Prayer Intercede for our brothers and sisters in Christ, both individually and as a church.
Interested in Serving? Online Apply on our website at:
http://www.persecution.org/how-you-canhelp/volunteer or send an email to volunteer@persecution.org
Phone Want more information? Feel free to call us at (301) 585-5915.
5 Special Projects Volunteer on your own schedule through one-time projects.
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Faithful in Their Final Mom Remembering the twenty-one Coptic Christians martyred by ISIS in Libya
By Rebecca Seiler, Communications Coordinator
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orror and sorrow spread from nation to nation as people across the world opened their computers and witnessed the gruesome beheading of 21 Egyptian Christians. In a video uploaded by the media branch of the Islamic State and titled, “A Message Signed With Blood to the Nation of the Cross,” ISIS militants are shown walking along what appears to be the shoreline of the Mediterranean Sea of northern Libya, leading 21 Coptic Christians in orange jumpsuits to their deaths. With unparalleled brutality, the militants then forced the captives to kneel before beheading them one by one in a similar fashion to their other execution videos. The incredible cruelty of ISIS should no
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longer shock us, but each new event seems to be more satanic than the last. The video features an English-speaking militant who menacingly says, “The sea you have hidden Sheikh Osama bin Laden’s body in, we swear to Allah, we will mix it with your blood.” One of the ISIS militants also issues a threat, saying, “O crusaders, safety for you will be only wishes,” as he links the terrorist group in Libya to the Islamic State, which has a stronghold on many parts of Iraq and Syria. Radical groups throughout Libya and other regions within North Africa have pledged their loyalty to ISIS and allowed them to advance operations throughout the country.
Plight of Coptic Christians
Throughout Egypt, Coptic Christians are being forced to flee the country for both social
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and economic reasons. As religious minorities making up only eight to 11 percent of the country’s population, Coptic Christians are ostracized from the Muslim-majority community. Those who are able to find work are often forced into menial, low-paying positions such as garbage collection and recycling, leading them to live in the slums. For those unable to find work, many emigrate to neighboring Libya in search of job opportunities in order to provide for their families. Unfortunately, Egyptian Christians often find themselves in a worse situation in Libya than they had ever imagined. Coptic Christians often fall victim to the kidnapping schemes of Islamic radicals, which lead to the potential for their enslavement, torture and death. Many Christians become trapped in Libya with no way to return home to their families without risking more abductions. APRIL 2015
ments
In response to the callous executions of these 21 martyrs, there has been widespread outrage throughout the international community. Both the U.S. State Department and the White House have condemned the attack, saying that the Islamic State’s “barbarity knows no bounds.” U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry agreed to keep in close contact with Egyptian Foreign Minister Shoukry as the Egyptian government contemplates the best course of action in response to the murders. The UN Security Council has also strongly condemned the attack, calling it a “heinous and cowardly apparent murder.” President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi of Egypt officially declared a seven-day period of mourning following the confirmation of attacks. Shortly after, Egypt launched an aerial attack against ISIS militants in Libya, killing up
Photos Below: Families Mourn Martyred Sons
Though the martyred men who repeated the name of Jesus as they knelt awaiting their deaths have certainly found eternal comfort, their fathers, mothers and families are left to mourn. Please join us in prayer for these families to find solace in the Father and in the testimony their sons lives have left to the world.
to 64 militants and destroying the group’s weapon reserves and training grounds.
A Badge of Honor
In the midst of tragedy, one of the only things that provides solace is the proclamation of faith that these 21 martyrs made in their final moments. In the video of the executions, many of those killed were seen repeating the words “Lord Jesus Christ” until the moment of death. Since the release of the video, multiple bishops in Egypt have encouraged the construction of churches dedicated to these men because of their faith. Greater still, the brother of two of the murdered men, Beshir Kamel, thanked his brothers’ killers for including their final words in the footage. He stated that he was proud of them and that that they were “a badge of honor to Christianity.”
The faith and bravery displayed by the 21 Christian martyrs as they faced their imminent deaths is truly remarkable. Kamel said that rather than fear driving Christians in the region away from their beliefs, the attacks have only strengthened their faith. By seeing the peace on the faces of the victims, it is abundantly clear that they were confident in their faith as they faced death. Kamel stated, “We are proud to have this number of people from our village who have become martyrs.” ICC helped families of an earlier group of Egyptian Christians that were killed in Libya, and we are working out which of these families need help, as well. Our deepest condolences go out to the loved ones of these men during this time of tragedy. We commend these 21 men for clinging to Jesus in their final moments.
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PICKING UP THE PIECES Tragedy in Niger
A family that lost everything reflects on loss and hope in the deadly and destructive aftermath of Charlie Hebdo protests. By Rebecca Seiler, Communications Coordinator
Y
ou hear angry shouts rising from afar, but that is nothing out of the ordinary, so you are not alarmed. However, around midnight a neighbor hurriedly approaches you and warns you to go home immediately. He has just heard that your house and church are about to be set ablaze. Panic rushes through you as you think of
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your children waiting for you at home, trembling in fear as you see flames rising outside their window. This is exactly what happened to Pastor Lawrence* (name changed for his security), a victim of the Charlie Hebdo riots in Niger.
Rise in Islamic Extremism
The West African country of Niger has been praised by the international community for years for its religious tolerance toward minorities and its secular government. Despite the
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fact that an overwhelming 98 percent of the population of the country professes Islam, there has been relative peace between religions in the past. Since 1990, however, there has been a sharp increase in radical Islam within the borders of Niger. The often praised secularism of Niger was undermined by the emergence of democracy, which has led to the development of dozens of fundamentalist Muslim groups willing to use violence as a means of asserting control. This increase in radicalism may be attributed APRIL 2015
Though covered in ash, parts of a Bible remain unburned after protesters set fire to a church in Niger. to the teachings of severely conservative Gulf state imams, the increase in recruiting efforts among extremist Islamic groups and growing sympathy toward such groups. The rise in Islamic extremism has given way to a movement striving to restrict the freedom of religious minorities. This has led to a rise in fear among Christians who no longer feel safe in their own towns. This recent shift toward strict, Islamic regulation in Nigerian culture may be seen in numerous outlets, ranging from voting pat-
terns to fashion trends. Reports indicate that it is not uncommon for Christian girls who are found at the market wearing Western outfits to be sexually abused for not adhering to the harsh regulations.
Protests Turn Deadly
On January 16, 2015, what began as protests against a cartoon portrayal of the Prophet Mohammed by the French satirical publication, Charlie Hebdo, quickly spiraled into aggressive mobs looting and burning down
Christian homes, businesses and churches throughout Niger. In one week alone, the mobs were responsible for the destruction of more than 70 churches. The protests began in the southern city of Zinder before spreading rapidly north to the capital of Niamey only a day later. Though security forces attempted to gain control by firing tear gas into the crowds, their attempts were futile against the angry mob. It is reported that at least 10 Christians died in the attacks.
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Niger Christians worship in the midst of persecution. According to a local missionary, the Nigeriabased extremist insurgency Boko Haram, was responsible for the attacks. During the demonstrations in Zinder, their iconic black flag was waved. In a video posted shortly after the original attacks in Paris, the leader of Boko Haram, Abubakar Shekau, praised the attackers, saying in Arabic that he was “very happy with what happened at the heart of France,” while holding his AK-47.
Picking up the Pieces
“I could not imagine such wickedness and hatred toward Christians,” said Pastor Lawrence, whose home and church were robbed before being set ablaze by radical Muslims. Now without a home, Lawrence, his wife and their six children have been forced into living with his older sister. Much of the shock among Christians in Niger stemmed from the fact that though the protests were supposedly against secular media house Charlie Hebdo, the attacks were aimed specifically at Christians. For those affected by the senseless violence, countless unanswered questions remain as they are left to pick up the pieces of all that they have lost. During the attack, Pastor Lawrence lost nearly all of his property: amounting to over 5 million CFA francs in damages. Not only did they lose their home and church, but also all that was left inside. All six children lost their
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birth certificates, graduation papers and many other certificates in the fire. All of their school materials and uniforms were reduced to ashes. Even the family’s most basic necessities were consumed in the fire, leaving Pastor Lawrence and his family to rely on others for clothing, food and a place to temporarily call home. Looking back at where his home once stood, all that remains are the memories of what once was and the clothes on their backs. Though Pastor Lawrence used to have a steady income to support his family, his business has been devastated since the attacks, cutting his income by over 80 percent. Due to the fact that Pastor Lawrence lost all of his work materials, primarily art supplies, he is unable to produce enough to support his family. For now, Pastor Lawrence must rely on others in order to provide for his family.
Loving Our Enemies
– WIFE OF PASTOR LAWRENCE
Thankfully, Pastor Lawrence and his family were safe during the attack; however, two young men associated with the attackers were killed. When the men tried to enter the home, attempting to loot the property, they were trapped by the flames and smoke. In spite of their difficult situation and the damage done, Pastor Lawrence’s wife admitted her feelings of grief for those lost. She admitted that “it pains [her] too much to see these two young men who came to destroy” lose their lives in the fire because they “died without knowing Christ.” In the midst of their pain and loss, it is abundantly clear that Pastor Lawrence and his family cling to the love of Christ as their rock and foundation. In spite of the hate and violence surrounding the protests and attacks, Christians in the region are responding out of love. Local pastors and missionaries have called upon Christians worldwide to turn to Christ to forgive those responsible for the attacks. Countless Christians in Niger, including Pastor Lawrence and his family, are holding fast to Matthew 5:44, which says, “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” Their dedication to show love in the midst of such hurt is a true testament to the grace found only in Christ.
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‘It pains me too much to see these two young men who came to destroy [lose their lives, because] they died without knowing Christ.’
INTERNATIONAL CHRISTIAN CONCERN
Protests Around the World 1 One piece of a cross clings to a burnt church’s entry Unfortunately, Pastor Lawrence’s situation 2 One of 70 churches looted and burned by protesters is not uncommon. Charlie Hebdo riots have 3 A wooden cross remains unsinged in the ashes plagued much of Africa. Though the most violent riots took place in Niger, there were many similar incidents in Sudan, Somalia, Algeria and Kenya. During one particular incident in Algiers, the capital of Algeria, a peaceful protest quickly devolved into a violent riot during which police fired pellets at protesters who were throwing bottles and rocks at the officers. Dozens were arrested and several, including multiple police officers, were injured during the incident.
Rebuilding from Ashes
While Christians in Niger are attempting to rebuild their lives, there is still much left to be done. In addition to immediate relief needs such as food and shelter, long-term rebuilding efforts are also a great concern. With the countless churches, homes and businesses that have been reduced to ashes, many are being forced to rebuild not only the buildings they lost, but also their livelihoods. Many families that were once financially stable do not even know where they will find their next meal. In addition to the immeasurable financial loss, it seems as though the emotional toll was even greater. Uncertainty weighs heavily, as Christians are unsure who they can trust. Many have been driven to rely solely on family because friends and neighbors who were once trusted have turned to violence. Those who endured such tragedy have been thrust into a life plagued by worry and fear for the future as they begin to rebuild their lives, quite literally, from the ground up.
Pray for Niger’s Christians
As Christians in Niger begin to pick up the pieces of their shattered lives, we ask that you support them in prayer. • • •
• •
Pray for provision for Pastor Lawrence and his family and that their spirits would be lifted. Pray that the country of Niger would return to the state of religious tolerance that they were once famous for. Pray that both the immediate and longterm needs would be fulfilled among those whose lives were struck by tragedy. Pray for the hearts of the persecuted, and that the violence would stop. Pray for peace.
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Faith Refined by Fire An American Missionary’s Eyewitness Account of Church Burnings in Niger
I By Isaac Six
n almost every direction, columns of black smoke billowed into the sky. Every few minutes, the roar of an angry mob marching past the church walls would grow louder and then fade as they moved on down the street. Sitting on the porch of the mission compound, a small group of American missionaries could do nothing but wait and pray as phone call after phone call came in. The churches of Niger were on fire and their turn could be next.
A Call to Full-Time Missions
Abigail Deblois, who goes by Abi, had only been a missionary in Niger for four months the day the attacks started. An MBA grad from Boston, Abi had been pursuing a successful career in accounting when she felt God begin to lead her in a different direction. “I worked full-time, sort of traveling around the world for about ten years, and finally I felt like the Lord was saying, ‘Ok, this is not the point. This is not it,’” said Abi. “He told me it was time to ‘pursue the things that you’re passionate about, because I have put those passions in your heart.’” Abi didn’t waste any time. Leaving her job, Abi took a short-term trip with her church to Niamey, Niger, and immediately felt that God had opened a door for her to serve full-time in West Africa. Saying goodbye to friends and family, Abi plunged into full-time mission work just two months later in September 2014. Little did she know how quickly her commitment, and her faith, would be put to the test.
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Churches Attacked On Friday evening, January 16, reports of churches being attacked in the city of Zinder started to trickle in. Protesters had taken to the streets, reportedly angry over the publication of a depiction of the Prophet Mohammed by the Charlie Hebdo satirical magazine in France. The danger seemed distant. Zinder was nearly 500 miles and an 11-hour drive away from Niamey.
The missionaries could do nothing but wait and pray as phone call after phone call came in. The churches of Niger were on fire, and their turn could be next. PERSECU ION.org
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That next morning, Abi was awakended by a phone call from the head of her mission in Niamey, telling her, “Abi, people have broken into our compound in Maradi and burned our church, and there are rumors that things are going to get bad here. Start praying.” Abi said as soon as she hung up the phone she burst into tears. Her thoughts went to the thousands of pounds of food, literature and Bible supplies kept at the Maradi church. If it had all been destroyed, how would they continue to do any kind of ministry? A few minutes later, Abi grabbed her passport and joined her mission director and his family at a compound up the street. For the rest of the day, Abi said they simply had to sit and wait as call after call came in from Christians around the city. “They would call and tell us, ‘The pastor’s house has been burned’ or ‘They’ve gotten into the church’ or ‘They’ve broken into the compound, the gates have been stormed, there is fire here,’” said Abi. Soon, they could see smoke billowing in every direction. “We could hear big groups of people going by and then explosions as they hurled big glass bottles of gasoline into the fires,” said Abi. “People were yelling everywhere. The air was filled with the smell of burning rubber as the mobs would light tires on fire and hurl them over the walls of the churches.” Miraculously, Abi’s compound was spared. They discovered later that teenagers had been racing around on motorcycles, marking churches for the mobs to attack. At one of the churches connected with Abi’s ministry, the church youth had to physically brace themselves against the walls of the church as an angry mob on the other side attempted to APRIL 2015
Abigail Deblois After only four months as a missionary to Niger, Abi came face to face with persecution as Muslim protesters set fire to Christian homes and churches.
force their way in. The next day, Sunday morning, Abi and her fellow missionaries made their way out of the compound through streets littered with broken glass and burn marks. When they passed a nearby church, they were surprised to hear sounds of worship coming from windows blackened with soot. Inside, about 30 Christians were worshiping, using a stick on a metal chair to keep time since all of their instruments had been destroyed. “It was scalding hot in there. Heat from the fire was still radiating from the walls and the floor,” said Abi. Local Christians appeared to be filled with hope, and the sermon preached that morning was one of the most powerful Abi said she had ever heard, recalling, “The pastor prayed, ‘Lord, through all of this, find us faithful. For every church that was burned, let two rise up in its place, and may those who burned our churches one day become a part of the very churches they burned.’” The Christians of Niger were praying for revival. “What does hope mean? What does faith mean? What does obedience mean? And what does forgiveness mean? This experience was so life-changing because I now have a whole new context surroundings those words,” said Abi. “I will never read the words of Matthew 5:44 (love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you) in the same way again.” Those who attacked the church compounds weren’t radical groups from distant parts of the country, they were her neighbors, meaning that forgiveness and grace had to be put into action almost immediately. She pointed out that anger against those who persecute you is a real emotion to be dealt with. Abi says she would like to see Christians in the U.S. make it a priority to become more aware of what is happening around the world. “I think prayer is such a powerful tool. We need to know what’s happening so that we can partner with people in prayer,” said Abi. “Also, our dollars can go a very long way, especially when the average annual income for someone in Niger is $700.00. People don’t realize what their generosity can really do.” At the time of writing, the church in Niger remains on high alert. A little more than a week after interviewing Abi, she returned to Niger to continue her missionary work.
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Death on the
Horizon Will history repeat itself in the Nigerian 2015 presidential election? As of press time, the world waits with hope and dread.
W By Corey Bailey
hen the smoke cleared, the dust settled and the machetes dropped, when the mobs dispersed and the dead were counted, it was clear that in retaliation for the election of a Christian in Nigeria’s 2011 presidential election, Christians had paid for the election in blood. As the March 28, 2015, presidential election nears, the world waits to see if history will repeat itself in this country that seems on the verge of disintegration. Violence seems likely as the same candidates square off, an even more entrenched Islamist terror group (Boko Haram) stalks the country, and a delay in voting has been seen as a tactic by the incumbent to delay a defeat. It will be a surprise if the election goes off without major violence and persecution while the most extreme predictions involve national disintegration.
2011: Christians Pay In Blood
The 2011 presidential elections in Nigeria had often been referred to as “Nigeria’s fairest election in decades.” However, when Christian incumbent Goodluck Jonathan was re-elected, widespread protests by supporters of Muslim candidate General Muhammadu Buhari quickly devolved into violent riots and mass murder across the country.
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Buhari’s followers claimed the election was rigged, and mobs of Muslims in Muslim-majority states targeted Christian villages, homes and churches — burning them down and murdering people en masse with machetes. There were reports of Christians being dragged from their vehicles and killed as they attempted to escape the post-election violence in Lagos. In other areas, Christians defended themselves and/ or targeted Muslims in retaliation. The country erupted into a three-day orgy of extreme violence. In the end, more than 800 people were murdered, the majority of whom were Christians. More than 65,000 people were displaced, and Christian leaders reported 350 church burnings in 10 northern states. Many observers said that Nigeria’s Muslims were blackmailing the country to ensure a Christian would not be elected again.
Nigeria’s North-South Divide
Christian minorities living in the Muslim north have faced a religious cleansing via Boko Haram for the last decade. Boko Haram has
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APRIL 2015
‘Despite the fear that our nation may not survive the elections, I remain optimistic that we have the maturity to rise above the challenges. Our nation will not disintegrate after the elections. ‘ – NIGERIA SENATE PRESIDENT DAVID MARK
killed more than 15,000 Nigerians — the majority being Christians. Christians and others have suffered an unrelenting nightmare of unending bombings and murder at the hands of the Muslim majority. Since the introduction of Sharia law in northern Nigeria in 2001, as many as 15,000 Christians have been killed. In fact, northern Nigeria has become the world’s most dangerous place to be a Christian. Boko Haram, a radical Islamic insurgency bent on establishing a separate Islamic state in northeast Nigeria, has waged a campaign of terror against the West African nation’s northern Christians for years, killing thousand and destroying hundreds of churches. Boko Haram has gained power and now controls more than 20,000 square miles of land in northeast Nigeria, essentially control of three northeastern states. In recent months, they have been called “the ISIS of Africa” as they continue to impose Sharia law on hundreds of thousands.
Imminent Meltdown?
The concern now lies with the 2015 election. Fears circulate about whether or not history will repeat itself, as well as whether Boko Haram militants will disrupt the election process by attacking Christians who attempt to re-elect Jonathan. There have already been increasing attacks from Boko Haram in anticipation of the election. Tensions are near the breaking point. Nigeria’s electoral commission delayed the election, under pressure from President Jonathan, from the original date of February 14. Why would an incumbent seek to delay an election? The obvious answer is because they see a looming loss ahead. The opposition and human rights advocates see this as the real reason
for the electoral commission’s delay. Local church leaders are hopeful that the decision was made with the right intentions, and that the election will take place in a fair and safe manner on the newly scheduled date. The delay, whether done for legitimate reasons or for vote rigging, almost guarantees an explosion of violence if Jonathan wins.
A Shaky Foundation
Nigeria was created in 1914 by Britain. It was created out of a territory that spoke more than 500 languages and was divided along Christian and Muslim lines. It was created without much thought to the cultural cohesion that comes from shared tribal, religious or language connections. Like Iraq, it has always struggled as a viable and unified country and holds together tenuously. In spite of this shaky foundation and extreme tensions over the election, the breakup of the country seems unlikely. “Nigeria has an enormous capacity to absorb risk,” ICC’s Africa Director Comfort Ero said. “While there are significant concerns about the elections, we are not predicting break-up.” Senate President David Mark, in speaking to Nigeria’s parliament last week, echoed those same sentiments, “Despite the fear that our nation may not survive the elections ... I remain optimistic that we have ... the maturity to rise above the challenges. Our nation will not disintegrate after the elections.” Pray for Nigeria. Pray for our brothers and sisters.
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ICC INVESTIGATES
CHHATTISGARH India’s Most Hostile State ICC investigates persecution in Chhattisgarh, India’s state that is most hostile toward Christians. Believers tell us how an anti-Christian resolution in over 50 villages has heightened persecution against Christians. By ICC’s India Correspondent
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n some parts of India, the mere survival of Christian communities is almost impossible. Attacks and hate campaigns led by Hindu hardline groups like Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) have nearly stripped these communities bare, leaving many to wonder if they have a future in India. “Every person has the right to practice his
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faith without any persecution,” declared U.S. President Barack Obama in a speech during a visit to India in the end of January, but Christians in India are currently experiencing the exact opposite of President Obama’s declaration. They are paying dearly for openly practicing their faith. Since the right-wing Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janatha Party (BJP) came to power following a landslide political victory in May 2014, attacks on India’s minorities, particularly Christians, have skyrocketed. Many
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observers believe the election of BJP has emboldened radical Hindu nationalist groups. This has led to these groups carrying out increased attacks on minority communities they believe don’t fit into their vision of India’s future. One Christian community that has been hit particularly hard since BJP’s rise to power is the Christian community located in the Bastar district of India’s Chhattisgarh state. When ICC discovered the extent of suffering and persecution these Christians were going APRIL 2015
Christians pray for fellow believers in a village where Christians have been banned from the only well with safe drinking water. through, we sent a representative to Bastar on a fact-finding mission; he discovered Hindu radicals were making the lives of Christians almost unbearable.
Sirciguda: Christianity Made Illegal Sirciguda, a village located about 20 miles from the capital of Bastar district, Jagdalpur, is home to a small Christian community. ICC was told that Christianity came to the village
in 1998 when one of the families in the village experienced a miraculous healing. From that moment on, the family professed their faith in Jesus and their numbers expanded from just a single family to over 150 Christians. Because of this growth, Hindu radicals targeted the Christian community. When ICC’s representative arrived in Sirciguda, members of the Christian community gathered together and recounted the intense persecution they had experienced. One Christian, Bodka Kunjan, was brutally
attacked and almost beaten to death in June 2014. He spoke with ICC’s representative and narrated the day in which Christianity was made illegal in their village. Sitting with ICC’s representative and ten other victims, Bodka said, “I thought that it was my last day of life as we were being beaten up mercilessly. They hit us with heavy wooden lathes and clubs. I saw fellow Christians also being beaten up, blood all over their bodies. We couldn’t do anything because we were small in number. But, we have no
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regrets for what happened to us. God has given us this life and we will not leave him no matter what may come.” The trouble for the Christians of Sirciguda began soon after BJP rose to power. Twentyeight Christian families were suddenly denied their regular food ration, a subsidized food program that the Indian government provides poor people. Quickly, the Christians discovered that the reason for this denial was that the Christians of Sirciguda had refused to participate in Hindu ceremonies and worship the village god. Before being denied their food ration, the Christians had been harassed by the Hindu radicals multiple times and were accused of practicing a “foreign religion” and “defiling the village culture.” “They refused to make donations and used derogatory language against Hindu gods, so we banned them,” Jamuna Baghel, Sirciguda’s village leader, said in an interview. After two months of repeated pleas to the village leader to reinstate the food ration, the Christians lodged a complaint with the Food Officer at the district headquarters in Jagdalpur. In response to the complaint, the Food Officer scheduled a meeting at the village secretariat’s office on June 16, 2014. The purpose of the meeting was for the Christians and the Sirciguda’s village council, along with the village leader, to settle the dispute over the food ration. On the day of the meeting, to the surprise of the Christians, the Food Officer and a large group of what local sources estimated to be about 400 Hindu radicals joined Sirciguda’s village council and assembled at the village secretariat’s office. When the Food Officer tried to explain to the village leader that everyone in the village, including the Christians, should receive the food ration, the Hindu radicals became enraged and aggressive toward the Food Officer. Sensing trouble, the Food Officer and his assistant quickly left the village, abandoning the Christians to the mob of Hindu radicals. The Hindu radicals attacked and started beating the Christians with the heavy wooden lathes and clubs they brought to the meeting. According to the Christians of Sirciguda, the situation became dreadful when more than half a dozen Christians were severely injured, sustaining broken bones, lacerations and internal bleeding. Following the mass assault on Sirciguda’s Christians, Hindu radicals registered a criminal case against 10 Christians who they alleged used derogatory language against Hindu gods. Because of this false accusation, two Christians were sent to jail. The next day, another meeting was convened by local VHP leaders and hundreds of radical Hindu activists assembled in Sirciguda. The Hindu community, village council and
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Villagers show the clubs and lathes Hindu radicals used to beat Christians in Sirciguda. village leader, along with the village leaders of many other villages, also assembled at the gathering. At its conclusion, the gathering passed a resolution, banning “all non-Hindu religious propaganda, prayers and speeches in the villages.” Effectively, Christianity was made illegal by village ordinance in over 50 villages in the Bastar district of Chhattisgarh. “Over 50 gram panchayats (village leaders) in Bastar have passed orders under Section 129 (G) of the Chhattisgarh Panchayat Raj Act, banning ‘all non-Hindu religious propaganda, prayers and speeches in the villages,’” said Suresh Yadav, Bastar District President of the VHP, in an interview with the Deccan Chronicle. “The villagers came to us with their problems. The VHP only told them about
‘Over 50 [village leaders] in Bastar have passed orders ... banning all non-Hindu religious propaganda, prayers and speeches in the villages.’ – BASTAR DISTRICT PRESIDENT OF VHP
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the law. Now that the gram panchayats have passed the orders, it is the responsibility of the district administration to implement it, otherwise we will protest. We will also approach the CM (Chief Minister) and the governor to get the ban imposed.”
Ammuguda: Resolution Bans Pastors This resolution, which was widely covered by the media, has created a great deal of fear among the Christian communities in the villages of Bastar. It has also dramatically affected the way these communities are able to practice their Christian faith. Ammuguda, another village in the Bastar district, is a perfect example of how the resolution has dramatically changed the way in which Christians are treated in the district. Ammuguda is home to over 200 Christians who worship in a house that belongs to a member of the Christian community. Due to the resolution, trained pastors were chased out of the village and are now barred from entering Ammuguda. This has forced Mangudu Badhani, an uneducated farmer, to become the lay leader of Ammuguda’s 200 Christians. Besides the resolution, Hindu radicals have continued to harass Christians in the village, imposing greater and greater restrictions on the practice of their faith. The VHP leaders APRIL 2015
now hold regular gatherings in the village and infuse hatred towards Christians by telling Hindu villagers that Christianity is a foreign religion and that by accepting Christianity in their village they are defiling the country, the village and their home. At these gatherings, radicals often encourage Hindu villagers to beat up Christians. If a villager fails to attend a gathering, VHP leaders impose a fine of 6,050 Indian rupees, which is equivalent to almost $100. For rural villagers, this fine is exorbitant. On top of pressuring the Christian communities of Bastar district, VHP leaders also visit many Hindu households and force them to sign papers saying they will not convert to any other religion besides Hinduism. Mangudu Badhani, the current lay leader of Ammuguda’s Christian community, described the pressures Christians and even Hindus are now facing in Ammuguda. He told ICC that as he was talking to a young man named Latch, a Hindu from Ammuguda, Latch told him that he was interested in going to church, but said he was made to sign papers which said, “I will not leave Hinduism, and I will not convert to Christianity.” Latch asked Mangudu, “What should I do?” Mangudu told ICC that he encouraged Latch to count the cost before he makes the decision to convert to Christianity.
Jamguda: The Social Boycott In a more recent incident, similar to what happened in Sirciguda, Christians in the village of Jamguda have also been forced to endure terrible humiliation and persecution at the hands of Hindu radical groups. Trouble for the Christians of Jamguda started shortly after the resolution passed in Sirciguda was being implemented in their village. Local Christians from Jamguda reported that Hindu radicals told them, “Either you leave Jesus or you leave the village.” Essentially, the radicals were threatening Christians with being socially boycotted by the village. The threats became serious on November 1 when Hindu radicals and four village leaders from Jamguda and nearby villages assembled at Jamguda’s secretariat office and decided they would hold a ghar wapsi (homecoming) ceremony for the surrounding region. A ghar wapsi ceremony is something Hindu radicals across India have used to attempt to forcefully convert both Christians and Muslims to Hinduism using threats and occasional financial inducements. Following their preparatory meeting, Hindu radicals went to every Christian house and forced each Christian family to pay 150 Indian rupees, the equivalent to $2.50, per person, to fund the ceremony planned for the following Sunday.
A farmer helps lead the church after a law banned pastors from his village.
Christians have been banned from drawing drinking water from the only clean well in the village of Jamguda.
When no Christians attended the ceremony to convert to Hinduism, the radicals became enraged and initiated the social boycott against the Christians. Radicals told the Christians, “You (Christians) defile yourself and you defile this village by accepting a foreign religion. You are now untouchable! You are not allowed to take water from the bore well.” This bore well represented the only clean source of water in the village. One Christian woman, who didn’t want to be mentioned by name, told ICC, “We had to drink dirty water from the gutter for almost eight days, as we were barred from taking water from the village bore well. Even today we are being harassed when we go to fetch the water. The whole village sees us as inferior and outcast.” When the Christians lodged a complaint about the ghar wapsi ceremony and being cut off from the local bore well, police protection was provided to the Christians, and the Christians were allowed, once again, to take water under police supervision. Despite this, the water issue remains a problem in Jamguda. “When the police are present, we get water. If they are not, we are sent back with an empty pot,” a Christian women from Jamguda put it simply. The pastor of the local congregation was also chased out of the village and is no longer permitted to enter the village to preach about Christianity or even to visit Christian homes. The current lay leader, who now leads worship and other meetings in place of the pastor, told ICC, “We are unable to hold meetings because of the pressures from the Hindu radicals. There has been a decrease in attendance at the gatherings we have on Sunday. Life is not easy. At times, it seems impossible.”
Persecution Continues to Spread Across Bastar
Victims of persecution in Sirciguda gathered at a believer’s home to share their stories with an ICC representative.
Jamguda Christians, victims of a social boycott, share their stories with ICC.
Recently, Christians in some villages were told by Hindu radicals that they would not be allowed to collect the harvest from their fields because they did not worship the village god. This, just like the well in Jamguda and the food ration in Sirciguda, represents a clear assault on the very existence of Christianity in these villages. Imprisonment, drinking water from the gutter, spending weeks in the hospital with broken limbs and becoming socially boycotted because of your faith in Jesus are the daily struggles of Christians living in the Bastar district of Chhattisgarh. This gross violation of human rights is not acceptable. Religious freedom is being infringed upon in the world’s largest democracy, leaving 28 million Christians wondering what India’s future holds for them: change or persecution?
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India’s Christian Untouch
Hindu radicals fight to keep lowest caste members from turning to Christ
T By William Stark
old they have been cursed with the sins of their previous lives, 165 million people live as untouchables in India. Members of the nation’s lowest caste, the untouchable Dalits are born into extreme poverty, discrimination and oppression from which they have little hope of escape. Little hope, that is, apart from God. Today, an incredible 25 million Dalits have given their lives to Jesus and found that He does not call them untouchables, but brothers and fellow heirs with Him in the kingdom of Heaven.
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Government Benefits vs. Christianity Unfortunately, India’s Scheduled Caste Order of 1950 dictates that once a Dalit converts from Hinduism, he forfeits the little assistance afforded him by India’s government. New believers are thus immediately forced to decide if they will hide their faith to keep what little aid they are given or live openly and depend solely on the Father for his and his family’s provision. Ratnam, whose name has been changed for security, is an elder of a Baptist church where 30-40 Dalit Christians gather every Sunday for worship in a structure intentionally located outside of the village. Recently, he asked his pastor to write a letter indicating that he and his family were not Christians or members of the local Baptist church. “I need this letter in order to show
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the government that we are low caste Hindus, so that my son can do higher studies under the schedule caste reservation quota,” said Ratnam. Without this letter, Ratnam’s son would be considered ineligible for government assistance and would likely not be able to continue his education. “I know that I love Jesus and I will continue to do so. God understands my situation,” said Ratnam. “I do not want my children to struggle like we do as unskilled laborers barely meeting the ends. I want my children to study and to escape the struggles that we are going through because we are uneducated. My family should not be denied the scheduled caste benefits because I go to church and believe in Jesus.” Every Christian family in this village has a similar story. Once a Dalit becomes a Christian, they find that while they remain essentially on APRIL 2015
ables Face Tough Choices India’s lowest social rung, they are stripped of their caste benefits and made the targets of Hindu radicals. This “double persecution” is used by radicals to dissuade conversion to Christianity and to compel Dalits who do leave Hinduism to reconvert.
“But we are discriminated against when it comes to the affirmative action plan of the government. We are denied reservations in education and employment because of our Christian identity. We are no different from Hindu Dalits in our economic status and social discrimination. Despite this, our rights are taken away just because we go to church on Sunday morning and worship Jesus.”
Reconversion Tactic
Hindu radicals recently claimed one such successful reconversion of 72 Dalits in Asroi village. One of the 72 said the villagers made the decision to return to the Hindu faith because they found themselves in a “worse position being Christians,” noting that while they had no status as Hindus, they at least had caste benefits. Devadanam, a 52-year-old man from Kollur, is a second generation Christian Dalit who reconverted to Hinduism when he realized his Christian faith was hindering his son from academic success. With much difficulty, Devadanam had been able to provide primary education to his two children. Unfortunately, when Devadanam’s oldest son finished his primary education and wanted to pursue engineering, Devadanam became disillusioned. Despite his son’s good marks on the engineering school’s entrance test, he was denied enrollment because he could not produce a schedule caste certificate because he was not a Hindu. “I don’t want my religion to pull me or my family backwards,” Devadanam said. “I will, however, continue to worship Jesus in my heart.” Prior to Devadanam’s reconversion, more than 100 Christian families, most them from the Dalit caste, met at the local Mennonite Brethren Church in Kollur. “We are forced to continue to do our caste work, like removing dead animals, digging the tombs for dead bodies and all the menial jobs of the village on par with our counterpart Hindu Dalits,” said Timothy, the church secretary.
India’s Great Lie?
‘We are no different from Hindu [untouchables, but] our rights are taken away just because we go to church on Sunday morning and worship Jesus. ’
“The government is forcing us to lie,” a government official who was able to rise to his position by hiding his Christian faith told ICC. The official went on to say that he is no longer able to maintain his “double life” and has decided to finally reveal his faith. “Whatever the consequences, God will take care of me,” said the official to ICC. Franklin Caesar, a Christian rights activist, told ICC, “This system is against the fundamental rights provided to all India’s citizens in the constitution. The Scheduled Caste Order of 1950 has destroyed fundamental and constitutional rights of Dalits from Christian and Muslim backgrounds. The benefits must be delinked from religion.” Unofficially, it is estimated there are millions more Dalits who consider themselves Christians, but officially report as Hindus. If these Dalits were allowed to receive scheduled caste benefits, India’s religious landscape would likely change overnight. Everyday in India, Dalit Christians are forced to choose between living openly as Christians and receiving government benefits meant to assist Dalits who have suffered discrimination in India for generations. This choice is a clear denial of Dalit Christians’ Article 25 freedom of religion rights. With Hindu nationalists currently in power, it is highly unlikely that this situation will change.
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