tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-113205252024-03-13T12:41:57.825-04:00Speaking OutA forum for speaking out about the persecution of Christians around the world - please contact me if you can't reach anyone else.Janet Lingel Aldrichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05633969913976791146noreply@blogger.comBlogger374125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11320525.post-1357052617873608692018-06-25T15:24:00.000-04:002018-06-25T15:24:00.080-04:00Open Doors: Pray for Pastor RaymondAs the months since the last day she saw her husband continue to pass, Susanna Koh is again taking intentional steps to bring home Pastor Raymond Koh. The church leader was abducted in broad daylight on February 13, 2017, only miles from his home in Petaling Jaya, West Malaysia. <br />
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On Sunday June 24 (June 23 in the United States), <strong style="box-sizing: inherit; line-height: inherit;">Susanna and the families of three other abductees kidnapped under similar circumstances are gathering in a public prayer gathering</strong>–an opportunity to encourage supporters to join their brothers and sisters in Malaysia, as well as believers around the world as we pray with the Kohs. <br />
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Susanna Koh asks for continued prayers that the government will pursue this breakthrough and ultimately, for her husband’s return. Leave your prayer for the Koh family on the page linked below. <a class="_58cn" data-ft="{"tn":"*N","type":104}" href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/findpastorraymond?source=feed_text" style="background-color: white; color: #365899; cursor: pointer; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-decoration-line: none;">#findpastorraymond</a><br />
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<a href="https://www.opendoorsusa.org/christian-persecution/stories/susanna-koh-calls-for-prayer-pleads-for-action-on-breakthrough-in-pastor-raymonds-abduction/" target="_blank">Read More >></a>Janet Lingel Aldrichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05633969913976791146noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11320525.post-51016115038460624562018-06-21T08:35:00.004-04:002018-06-21T08:35:35.460-04:00World Pressure is Building Up to Free Pastor Brunson<b>From <a href="https://www.opendoorsusa.org/christian-persecution/stories/28-days-before-next-hearing-pressure-to-free-u-s-pastor-andrew-brunson-heats-up/" target="_blank">Open Doors</a>:</b><br />
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With 28 days remaining before the next hearing for U.S. Pastor Andrew Brunson, U.S. lawmakers and international groups are turning up the pressure on Turkey’s leaders to release the North Carolina native. For more than 600 days, Pastor Brunson has been imprisoned on false accusations of espionage and terrorism since his arrest in October 2016. </div>
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In what the American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ) called “the most significant legislative action on behalf of Pastor Brunson to date,” U.S. lawmakers are working to deny Turkey access to 100 key U.S.-built F-35 fighter jets–with Pastor Brunson’s release being the major point of contention. The U.S. Senate approved the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) which includes a provision that, if passed, would significantly curtail the modernization of Turkey’s air force.</div>
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“What we offered in the NDAA is an examination of whether or not that relationship [between the U.S. and Turkey] makes sense because of the way they are treating one of our American citizens and not letting him come home …” said North Carolina Senator Thom Tillis who has visited Pastor Brunson in prison and is one of the major proponents spearheading efforts to free him.</div>
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> Read more ... click the link above.</div>
Janet Lingel Aldrichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05633969913976791146noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11320525.post-70487231034629341152018-06-20T13:11:00.000-04:002018-06-20T13:12:16.704-04:00Living In Fear: The Every Day Peril of African ChristiansFrom <b>Open Doors</b>:<br />
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Right now, Christians in sub-Saharan Africa are under attack and suffering for their faith. In East Africa, Christians are being targeted by extremist groups such as Al-Shabaab, while in Central Africa, extremist groups are violently oppressing Christians. And families are suffering from the aftermath of Boko Haram kidnappings of young girls.<br />
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<a href="https://go.opendoorsusa.org/africaneed/?_ga=2.196079596.1188884808.1529508547-977564586.1529508547" target="_blank">Read more</a>Janet Lingel Aldrichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05633969913976791146noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11320525.post-49901671220435623152018-06-20T11:51:00.002-04:002018-06-20T11:51:37.674-04:00Coming backI'm not sure why I wound up letting this blog go -- but you can see that I did.<br />
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The Lord's been working in my heart to bring it back. This will be a long journey, but a worthwhile one. If you have come by here, wondering about new content, I hope you will join me in becoming aware of the persecution of our brothers and sisters in Christ for their faith, that you will join me and others in praying for them, advocating and providing for them and standing alongside them.<br />
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I'd love to hear from you. If you're in one of those countries my government calls Countries of Particular Concern and you want a voice so that people know about conditions where you are, we want to hear from you, too.<br />
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"Grace be to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ."<br />
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2 Corinthians 1:2 (KJV)<br />
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Brothers' KeeperJanet Lingel Aldrichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05633969913976791146noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11320525.post-80468997185275603342009-08-26T07:41:00.001-04:002009-08-26T07:43:12.784-04:00Barnabas Fund: Pakistan - Evicted Christians Living in Squalor<span style="font-family:arial;"><strong>2,000 Pakistani Christians evicted to the roadside and living in fear of typhoid </strong></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><strong><br /></strong>Local doctors and experienced news correspondents are shocked by the appalling conditions being endured by some 2,000 Christians in downtown Islamabad, the Pakistani capital. Despite being only ten minutes from health centers, two people have died in the 110 degrees Fahrenheit (43 degrees Celsius) heat, with many more in danger of dying from dehydration, infection or the cumulative effects of poverty.<br /><br />How did they end up here? Approximately a year ago, around 214 Christian families were promised land in the Chak Shahzad district of Islamabad. The Capital Development Authority (CDA) of Islamabad arranged their move and told the families to set up tents there until possession had been finalized. Then three months ago the CDA changed their minds forcing the Christian families to live in the road amidst squalid conditions, where their only water supply runs all too close to an open pit latrine and a waste dump. There are up to 20 people sharing one tent, which only adds to the discomfort.<br /><br />Our partners in Pakistan commented, “Since Christians are discriminated against by the majority population, nothing has been done to help them.”<br /><br />Whilst the Pakistan authorities are still to act, Barnabas has been able to secure a way to provide practical aid to the families now. This aid will take the form of food items including rice, lentils, onions and cooking oil for each affected family, as well as buckets and water containers to reduce the risk of typhoid affecting the tightly packed camp.<br /><br />For only $56.94 (£34.75 or €40.33) you can feed a whole family for a month. Five water containers each capable of carrying 20 liters, costs only $12.15 (£7.40 or €8.60). Any one of these items could be a lifesaver. </span><a href="https://secure.barnabasfund.org/"><span style="font-family:arial;">Donate here.</span></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /><br />Dr Patrick Sookhdeo, International Director of Barnabas Fund says, “Here is a real opportunity to save lives. Our brothers and sisters in Islamabad are in dire need of material assistance to prevent disease ravaging their already stricken camp. Please be praying that we can raise the necessary funds quickly to meet this life-threatening need.” </span>Janet Lingel Aldrichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05633969913976791146noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11320525.post-81346872071382925842009-08-25T12:05:00.002-04:002009-08-25T12:09:07.503-04:00ICC: (From the Seoul Times) - Pakistan: Christians Burned Alive in Retribution<span style="font-family:arial;">Pakistani Christians in Gojira, as many as six, and possibly more, have reportedly been burnt alive by Islamic extremists following a rumor of desecration of the Koran (with no evidence).<br /><br />Read more here:<br /><br /></span><a href="http://www.pakistanchristianpost.com/headlinenewsd.php?hnewsid=1313"><span style="font-family:arial;">http://www.pakistanchristianpost.com/headlinenewsd.php?hnewsid=1313</span></a>Janet Lingel Aldrichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05633969913976791146noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11320525.post-53222357748803614182009-08-25T08:31:00.002-04:002009-08-25T08:33:09.858-04:00Compass Direct: Somalia - Christian Convert Murdered<span style="font-family:arial;"><em>8/22/09</em><strong> </strong></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><strong>Somalia (CompassDirect)</strong> </span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">A Somali man who converted from Islam to Christianity was shot dead Tuesday morning near the Kenya border by members of Al Shabaab, the Muslim extremist group. The group is currently hunting converts to Christianity as they seek to establish Sharia (Islamic law) throughout the country.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;">Read more at:</span><br /><br /><a href="http://persecution.org/suffering/newssummpopup.php?newscode=10719"><span style="font-family:arial;">http://persecution.org/suffering/newssummpopup.php?newscode=10719</span></a>Janet Lingel Aldrichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05633969913976791146noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11320525.post-748588398546494202009-08-13T08:08:00.003-04:002009-08-25T08:34:16.283-04:00Florida School Administrators Face Prison Time (OneNewsNow)<span style="font-family:arial;">A principal and an athletic director are facing criminal charges for a lunch-time prayer.<br /><br />Last year, the American Civil Liberties Union filed a lawsuit against Pace High School in Santa Rosa County, Florida. The ACLU claimed some teachers and administrators were endorsing religion, but the school chose to give in to the ACLU's demands rather than fight them in court.<br /><br />According to the settlement, all school employees are banned from engaging in prayer or religious activities before, during, or after school hours. Now two school officials are facing criminal charges for offering meal-time prayers at an appreciation dinner for adults who had helped with a school field house project. Principal Frank Lay and athletic director Robert Freeman are scheduled to go on trial next month on criminal contempt charges. If convicted, both are subject to fines and imprisonment.<br /><br />Matt Staver is founder of Liberty Counsel, which will argue the court order prohibiting prayer at school-related events violated Lay's and Freeman's constitutional rights.<br /><br />"In this particular case, Principal Frank Lay asked the athletic director to have a prayer for the meal at an honorary luncheon in celebration for some of the athletic achievements. And then in [another] situation, the clerical worker at an event where some employees of the school were present asked her husband, who is not an employee of the school, to have a blessing over a meal," he explains. "Because of those two events, these individuals now face criminal contempt."<br /><br />Staver believes that the accusers in this case are students who recently graduated. If that is the case, he says the case is moot. However, Staver adds it is outrageous to punish a school official with potential jail time for simply praying.</span>Janet Lingel Aldrichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05633969913976791146noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11320525.post-4618628475198422842009-08-13T08:08:00.000-04:002009-08-13T08:09:35.502-04:00Florida School Administrators Face (OneNewsNow)<span style="font-family:arial;">A principal and an athletic director are facing criminal charges for a lunch-time prayer.<br /><br />Last year, the American Civil Liberties Union filed a lawsuit against Pace High School in Santa Rosa County, Florida. The ACLU claimed some teachers and administrators were endorsing religion, but the school chose to give in to the ACLU's demands rather than fight them in court.<br /><br />According to the settlement, all school employees are banned from engaging in prayer or religious activities before, during, or after school hours. Now two school officials are facing criminal charges for offering meal-time prayers at an appreciation dinner for adults who had helped with a school field house project. Principal Frank Lay and athletic director Robert Freeman are scheduled to go on trial next month on criminal contempt charges. If convicted, both are subject to fines and imprisonment.<br /><br />Matt Staver is founder of Liberty Counsel, which will argue the court order prohibiting prayer at school-related events violated Lay's and Freeman's constitutional rights.<br /><br />"In this particular case, Principal Frank Lay asked the athletic director to have a prayer for the meal at an honorary luncheon in celebration for some of the athletic achievements. And then in [another] situation, the clerical worker at an event where some employees of the school were present asked her husband, who is not an employee of the school, to have a blessing over a meal," he explains. "Because of those two events, these individuals now face criminal contempt."<br /><br />Staver believes that the accusers in this case are students who recently graduated. If that is the case, he says the case is moot. However, Staver adds it is outrageous to punish a school official with potential jail time for simply praying.</span>Janet Lingel Aldrichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05633969913976791146noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11320525.post-88918258517924307952009-08-06T08:10:00.002-04:002009-08-06T08:11:03.594-04:00VOM: Pakistan - Third Instance of Houses Burned, Christians Killed<span style="font-family:arial;">According to VOM contacts, Muslims have burned 45 Christian homes, as well as a church in Toba Tek, Punjab. Nine people, including women and children, may have died during the violence according to Window International Network. Some victims are assumed to have been burned alive. The rampage began after Muslims announced on loudspeakers they were going to “to teach a lesson to infidel Christians,” whom they accused of burning pages of the Quran. Muslims also blocked the road to keep assistance from reaching Toba Tek.<br /><br />This mass destruction of homes is the second wave of violence in Punjab province. The first came on July 1, 2009, when Muslims made a similar false accusation of blasphemy against Christians in the village of Bahamin Wala.<br /><br /><strong>Please Pray!</strong><br /><em>Pray for God's comfort and peace to reign in the hearts of the victims and families affected by this latest attack against Christians in Pakistan. Pray for the salvation of the Muslims in Pakistan, and that the perpetrators of these crimes will to be brought to justice.</em><br /></span>Janet Lingel Aldrichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05633969913976791146noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11320525.post-48399646447780693922009-08-06T08:05:00.000-04:002009-08-06T08:06:50.287-04:00Open Doors: Pakistan - Christians burned out of homes, killed<span style="font-family:arial;">Following an accusation of “blasphemy” of the Quran, Islamic extremists set ablaze more than 50 houses and a church in the town of Gojra in northwestern Pakistan on Saturday, August 1. At least 14 Christians died in the attacks. The dead include women and children, with several other burn victims unable to reach hospitals for medical care, according to the Centre for Legal Aid Assistance and Settlement (CLAAS).<br /><br />Clerics at local mosques broadcasted messages that those “who love Muhammad and Islam should gather with them to defend the Islam because it is in danger,” according to CLAAS and reported by Compass. As the crowd size grew, the attacks intensified. The Islamists managed to block main roads and railways to keep fire brigades from fighting the house fires. Authorities, in an effort to keep more Muslims extremists from entering from neighboring villages, blocked the roads into Gojra. Another six people died when Islamists shot at police and the police responded in return with tear gas and gunfire. </span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><br />The same rumor of desecration of the Quran prompted an arson assault by Islamic extremists on the village of Korian last Thursday. At least 60 houses were gutted in that attack. Punjab Minister for Law Rana Sanaullah reportedly said an initial investigation of allegations of the Quran being blasphemed indicated “there has not been any incident of desecration.” Pakistan is ranked No. 13 on the 2009 Open Doors World Watch List of 50 countries which are the worst persecutors of Christians.<br /><br /><em>Father we pray for the victims of these heinous and violent crimes, asking for Your peace that passes all understanding to dwell in their hearts and homes. We bring before You the families enduring the loss of a loved one. Father, please replace their pain with love and forgiveness. We trust to You their comfort and ask that You empower believers in Pakistan to stand strong in their faith in You. Amen.</em></span>Janet Lingel Aldrichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05633969913976791146noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11320525.post-28195473407135513932009-08-01T10:18:00.002-04:002009-08-01T10:20:14.326-04:00Forum 18: Uzbekistan<span style="font-family:arial;">28 July 2009<br /><strong>UZBEKISTAN: "JOY" CHILDREN'S HOLIDAY CAMP ATTACKED<br /></strong></span><a href="http://www.forum18.org/Archive.php?article_id=1332" target="_blank"><span style="font-family:arial;">http://www.forum18.org/Archive.php?article_id=1332</span></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Uzbekistan</span> Baptist Union is facing criminal charges for <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">allegedly unlawfully</span> teaching children religion, and for supposedly misusing <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">their property</span> as a summer camp, Forum 18 News Service has learnt. As a result, Baptist Union Chair Pavel <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Peichev</span> faces huge fines, the confiscation of <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">the property</span>, imprisonment, or some combination of these penalties. <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Baptists have</span> vehemently denied the allegations. The authorities have <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">also instituted</span> checks on the tax and other obligatory payments by the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Baptist Union</span>. The first sign of trouble for the Baptists were two <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">articles published</span> by a government-sponsored news agency. Independent human <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">rights defender</span> sources think that the agency is sponsored by the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">NSS</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">secret police</span>, and that the author may be an <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">NSS</span> officer. The authorities <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">have refused</span> to discuss the details of the case, although the main <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">prosecutor claimed</span> to Forum 18 that "we have nothing against the [Baptist]denomination.". Repeated attempts to contact the author of the articles <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">and the</span> news agency have been unsuccessful.</span>Janet Lingel Aldrichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05633969913976791146noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11320525.post-55374275579378336212009-07-30T07:40:00.000-04:002009-07-30T07:40:44.415-04:00Open Doors USA: Email - Weekly Prayer Alert - Third Christian this Year Dies in Eritrean Military Prison<a href="http://members.opendoorsusa.org/site/MessageViewer?em_id=38861.0&dlv_id=48641">Open Doors USA: Email - Weekly Prayer Alert - Third Christian this Year Dies in Eritrean Military Prison</a>:<br /><br />"Yemane Kahasay Andom, 43, died last week on July 23 at Mitire Military Confinement Center in Eritrea. According to sources, he was kept in solitary confinement in an underground cell two weeks prior to his death for his refusal to sign a recantation form. It is not clear what the contents of the recantation form were, but most Christians interpret the signing of such a form as the denouncement of their faith in Christ. Weakened by continuous torture, Andom was also suffering from a severe case of malaria.<br /><br />Andom becomes the third recorded Christian to die while being incarcerated at the Mitire Confinement Center. In early January this year Mogos Hagos Kiflom, 37, died allegedly as a result of torture, and Mehari Gebreneguse Asgedom, 42, died as a result of ongoing physical torture and complications from his diabetes.<br /><br />With the death of Andom last week, the number of Christians who have died while imprisoned for their faith in Eritrea now total nine. More than 2,800 Christians still remain imprisoned for their faith in Eritrea, which is ranked No. 9 on Open Doors’ World Watch List of the 50 countries which are the worst persecutors of Christians.<br /><br />Father, please visit the imprisoned with your gentle company and comfort. Send strength to the families of those who have died while incarcerated. Give them grace to grieve, forgive their oppressors and reach out with Christ's love to a dying world. We pray you would turn the hearts of men in power; that the government would end the persecution of Christians and grant religious freedom to all.<br /><br />“Thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ.” (2 Cor 2:14)"Janet Lingel Aldrichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05633969913976791146noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11320525.post-33401560073143722542009-07-29T07:52:00.000-04:002009-07-29T07:55:01.897-04:00VOM: Two Boys Beheaded by Islamic Extremists<span style="font-family:arial;">Islamic extremists have beheaded two boys in Somalia because their Christian father, 55 year-old Musa Mohammed Yusuf, refused to give them information about an underground church leader.<br /><br />The extremists from the group al shabaab killed 11 year-old Abdi Rahaman Musa Yusuf and 12 year-old Hussein Musa Yusuf, after abducting them in front of their mother. The terrorists are currently looking for Yusuf in Kenyan refugee camps.</span>Janet Lingel Aldrichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05633969913976791146noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11320525.post-38648859499273438382009-06-08T16:25:00.002-04:002009-06-08T16:30:10.811-04:00ICC: Burmese Army attacks ICC Orphanage<span style="font-family:arial;">ICC has advised that their orphanage in Burma was attacked by the Burmese Army as a result of fighting against the Karen people of that country. Some 400 children and adults were forced to swim the nearby river to Thailand, and they are now (those who made it) homeless, in wet clothing and without food.</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">ICC is requesting donations to help these children and the orphanage staffers. Please go to </span><a href="http://editor.ne16.com/etapestry/rd.asp?desturl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.persecution.org%2Fsuffering%2Fdonation.php&name=Link%202&tapMemberId=34185&tapMailingId=52922" target="_blank" shape="rect" rel="nofollow"><span style="font-family:arial;">http://www.persecution.org/suffering/donation.php</span></a><span style="font-family:arial;"> and help out. Make sure to note that you are contributing to assist the "Burma Orphanage" when you do so.</span>Janet Lingel Aldrichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05633969913976791146noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11320525.post-55053762862960045232009-06-08T16:23:00.001-04:002009-06-08T16:30:39.696-04:00Forum 18: Azerbaijan (Direct Post)<span style="font-family:arial;"><em>3 June 2009<br /></em><strong>AZERBAIJAN: REPRESSIVE NEW RELIGION LAW AND NEW PUNISHMENTS ENTER INTO FORCE</strong><br /></span><a href="http://www.forum18.org/Archive.php?article_id=1305" target="_blank"><span style="font-family:arial;">http://www.forum18.org/Archive.php?article_id=1305</span></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><br />Azerbaijan's repressive new Religion Law, and amendments to both the Criminal Code and the Administrative Code came into force on 31 May, Forum 18 has learned. New "offences" - such as more severe censorship - and new punishments are introduced for religious activities and organisations the government does not like. All registered religious organisations must reregister by 1 January 2010, the third time reregistration has been demanded in less than twenty years. It is implied that unregistered organisations are illegal, and stated that "all religious organisations" can act only after gaining state registration. Parliamentary Deputy Fazil Gazanfarolgu Mustafaev told Forum 18 that "the new Religion Law will limit people's rights to freedom of conscience - that is clear." He thinks the Law should have been drafted in accordance with international human rights standards, and that this would have been more likely if expert advice from organisations like the OSCE and Council of Europe had been sought.</span>Janet Lingel Aldrichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05633969913976791146noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11320525.post-87120323431284638532009-05-14T08:01:00.004-04:002009-05-14T08:04:14.520-04:00Prayer Bulletin from Voice of the Martyrs: China - Church Members Arrested<span style="font-family:arial;">On April 30, 2009, 18 house church Christians and leaders were arrested by Public Security Bureau (PSB) officers, while they were gathered for communion at a house church in Xinye city, Henan province, according to China Aid Association.The Christians were taken to the PSB office in Xinye city and each forced to pay a 1000 Yuan (about US$150) fine. Currently 16 Christians are still being held by the PSB, including 10 preachers from Hubei province. The imprisoned pastors are, Wang Donggui, Yang Chengqun, GuoDaying, Hao Xuecheng, Lun Zhidian, Lian Fengmei, Chen Mingao, Ren Zhiai, Zhai Laoxue and Zhai Jinai<br /><br /><strong>Please Pray !</strong><br /><br />The Voice of the Martyrs has supported persecuted believers in China for more than 30 years. VOM has numerous projects assisting believers in China some of which are, providing emergency aid to the families of imprisoned believers and supplying Mandarin Bibles to the Chinese church.<br /><br />Ask God to encourage those remaining in prison and pray their testimonies will lead others to Christ.<br /><br />Pray also that these believers are released.</span>Janet Lingel Aldrichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05633969913976791146noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11320525.post-85528930374504735272009-05-13T11:04:00.001-04:002009-05-13T11:06:51.178-04:00Forum 18: Azerbaijan (Direct Post)6 May 2009<br />AZERBAIJAN: WILL REVISED RELIGION LAW BAN UNREGISTERED WORSHIP?<br /><a href="http://www.forum18.org/Archive.php?article_id=1291" target="_blank">http://www.forum18.org/Archive.php?article_id=1291</a><br />Azerbaijan is apparently rushing restrictive amendments to its Religion Law through parliament, Forum 18 News Service has learnt. "Only the parliamentary deputies have the text, and it will only be published after its adoption," a parliamentary aide told Forum 18. The amendments - which reportedly include a ban on unregistered religious activity - have not been made public, and the full parliament is due to begin consideration of them on Friday 8 May. The refusal to make the text public denies the opportunity for public discussion of the proposals, complains Eldar Zeynalov of the Human Rights Centre of Azerbaijan. "Everything prepared in top secrecy is bad for human rights," he told Forum 18. Parliamentary Deputy Rabiyyat Aslanova, who chairs one of two committees which prepared the draft, told Forum 18 that state registration will be compulsory, but claimed that: "No one will be punished for practicing without registration, as long as they don't preach against the national interest or denigrate the dignity of others." She declined to discuss what this means, and confirmed that religious communities will have to re-register. Religious communities -especially of minority faiths - have struggled to re-register afterprevious changes.Janet Lingel Aldrichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05633969913976791146noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11320525.post-76324844096423838432009-03-25T07:53:00.002-04:002009-03-25T07:56:06.475-04:00WEA RLP: More bad news from Orissa/Prayer Request (Direct Post)<span style="font-family:arial;"><strong>KANDHAMAL DISTRICT, ORISSA STATE, INDIA,</strong> where Christians made homeless by the Hindu August-September 2008 pogrom are too afraid to leave the relief camps. Those who do return to their villages are finding that Hindus persecute and impose humiliating and repressive restrictions on them with impunity.<br /><br /><strong>UPDATE: CHRISTIANS BEING EVICTED FROM ORISSA RELIEF CAMPS</strong> On 16 January 2009 the Orissa High Court rejected a petition from rights activist Keshamati Pradhan against the Orissa State Government's forcible closure of Kandhamal relief camps. The High Court said this was because the Supreme Court was considering Kandhamal riot cases, so Pradhan took her petition to the Supreme Court. However, the Supreme Court returned the petition to the High Court on 23 March, saying it wanted to hear the State's position first. Meanwhile, the Orissa State Government is declaring peace and evicting Christians from the relief camps in order to close them. The traumatised, homeless Christians are then forced to return to their villages without any protection or security. Pradhan's petition goes before the Orissa High Court on 6 April. Please pray.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><strong>ANOTHER RSS LEADER MURDERED IN ORISSA -- SITUATION 'EXPLOSIVE'</strong> On 19 March some 15 suspected Maoist rebels shot dead Hindu nationalist RSS leader Prabhat Panigrahi in Rudhiguma village, Kandhamal district. Just as in August 2008, the Hindu nationalists are saying that a 'nexus' between the Maoists and Christians is responsible. According to local Hindu nationalist BJP officials the situation in Kandhamal is 'explosive'. Meanwhile the BJP has named the Hindutva activist Ashok Sahu as its candidate from the Kandhamal Lok Sabha (Federal parliament) constituency. According to Sahu, Kandhamal is the 'model area' for Hindutva in the entire country. The Indian elections commence on 16 April. Please pray.</span>Janet Lingel Aldrichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05633969913976791146noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11320525.post-54210569630252312262009-03-17T15:28:00.001-04:002009-03-17T15:30:05.152-04:00Forum 18: Tajikistan (Direct Post)<strong><span style="font-family:arial;">TAJIKISTAN: "THIS LAW WILL WORSEN THE SITUATION WITH RELIGIOUS LIBERTIES"</span></strong><br /><a href="http://www.forum18.org/Archive.php?article_id=1266" target="_blank"><span style="font-family:arial;">http://www.forum18.org/Archive.php?article_id=1266</span></a><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Tajikistan's</span> restrictive new Religion Law, approved by both Houses of Parliament with little debate this month, could go to President <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Emomali Rahmon</span> for signature within days, Akbar <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Turajonzoda</span>, an independent <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">member of</span> Parliament's Upper House, told Forum 18 News Service. "This <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Law contradicts</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Tajikistan's</span> Constitution and international norms," <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">he insisted</span>. "I voted against." Protestant communities are also concerned,with one pastor telling Forum 18 that "this Law will worsen the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">situation with</span> religious liberties". The new Law favours the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Hanafi</span> school of <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Islam over</span> other schools, restricts the number of mosques, requires the state <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">to name</span> all imams, restricts religious education, imposes <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">compulsory censorship</span> of religious literature and imposes wide-ranging state <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">control over</span> the activity of all religious associations. Officials reject <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">the possibility</span> of allowing debate on the Law. "We have already had <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">enough public</span> debates," a parliamentary official told Forum 18. "What we need <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">is just</span> to finally adopt it."</span>Janet Lingel Aldrichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05633969913976791146noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11320525.post-68619075284448790442009-03-06T08:02:00.002-05:002009-03-06T08:04:10.718-05:00Forum 18: Uzbekistan (Direct Post)<span style="font-family:arial;"><em>6 March 2009</em></span><br /><strong><span style="font-family:arial;">UZBEKISTAN: HOW MANY RELIGIOUS BELIEVERS BARRED FROM TRAVELLING?</span><br /></strong><a href="http://www.forum18.org/Archive.php?article_id=1264" target="_blank"><span style="font-family:arial;">http://www.forum18.org/Archive.php?article_id=1264</span></a><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Natalya <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Kadyrova</span> is one of several Protestant Christians known to Forum 18News Service to have been denied the exit visas Uzbek citizens need <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">before they</span> can leave their own country, apparently as punishment for their religious activity. The wife of a pastor of a Tashkent Protestant church,<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Kadyrova</span> has already been fined for her involvement with her church.Muslims and Jehovah's Witnesses have told Forum 18 that their <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">adherents have</span> faced exit visa denials in the recent past. Human rights defenders <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">are among </span>others who face similar problems. However, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Saken</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Kojahmetov</span>, head <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">of the</span> Department of Entry and Exit at the Interior Ministry's Department <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">of Entry</span>, Exit and Legalisation of Citizenship in Tashkent, denied this <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">to Forum</span> 18. "We don't obstruct Uzbek citizens from travelling freely," <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">he claimed</span>. Asked why a number of religious believers cannot get exit visas,he responded: "If some people are saying this, let them come to me <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">and raise</span> their case and we will resolve it."</span>Janet Lingel Aldrichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05633969913976791146noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11320525.post-58250535042066015262009-03-03T07:50:00.001-05:002009-03-03T07:52:04.203-05:00Barnabas Fund: Violence in Nigeria (Direct Post)<span style="font-family:arial;"><strong>NINE CHRISTIANS KILLED AS VIOLENCE ERUPTS IN NORTHERN NIGERIA</strong> </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">An outbreak of violence between Muslims and Christians in the capital of Bauchi province in Northern Nigeria has left at least eleven people dead. Nine of the victims are said to be Christians, six of whom were shot and three killed with machetes. At least six churches, perhaps as many as 13, have been destroyed by fire, as well as three mosques and over 200 houses. Around a hundred people have been injured. About 4,500 people were displaced from their homes, and many of them have taken refuge in military barracks. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">The latest eruption arose from a dispute between the congregations of a mosque and a nearby church on February 20, although the details remain unclear. Violence appears to have continued for at least three days. A night-time curfew has now been imposed, and a military and police presence established on the streets; the federal government has sent soldiers to the state to provide additional security. The security forces have also been deployed or placed on alert in adjoining states. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">The police have given assurances that those responsible for the outbreak will be punished, and the state governor has asserted his resolve to maintain peace. However, some doubt the authorities’ commitment to the security of lives and property, especially those of Christians. Dr Patrick Sookhdeo, International Director of Barnabas Fund, says, “The chair of the Christian Association of Nigeria in Bauchi, Musa Tula, has expressed dissatisfaction over the measures being taken to ensure the safety of Christians in the state. He has also disputed the governor’s claim that the crisis is politically motivated, attributing it instead to religious tensions.”<br />Nigeria is almost evenly split between a mainly Muslim North and a largely Christian South. Some of the territories that lie along the dividing line explode into violence from time to time. Tensions have been running high in Bauchi since November 2008, when more than 300 people died in Jos, in neighboring Plateau State. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Christian and Muslim leaders have called for calm and for peaceful co-existence between adherents of the two religions. But various Christian groups have asserted that violence in the North is likely to stop only if the government acts more strongly to prevent the killing of Christians and to bring their murderers to justice. </span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><strong>Please Pray</strong>:</span><br /><ol><li><span style="font-family:arial;">For the Christians injured and bereaved in the violence, and for those whose churches, homes or businesses have been destroyed. Ask that God will comfort them in their distress and provide for their needs. </span></li><li><span style="font-family:arial;">For the rapid restoration of order in Bauchi, and that those responsible for the killings will be brought to justice. Pray too that the continuing tensions between Christians and Muslims in Northern Nigeria will not erupt into further violence. </span></li><li><span style="font-family:arial;">That the Nigerian authorities will act decisively at local and national level to provide protection for the country’s Christian citizens and to deter attacks upon them.</span></li></ol>Janet Lingel Aldrichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05633969913976791146noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11320525.post-75147641446168365882009-02-27T12:27:00.002-05:002009-02-27T12:31:53.413-05:00Forum 18: Azerbaijan, Serbia, Russia, Uzbekistan (Direct Post)<span style="font-family:arial;"><em>24 February 2009<br /></em><strong>AZERBAIJAN: LITERATURE CENSORSHIP FOR EXPORT ALSO?<br /></strong></span><a href="http://www.forum18.org/Archive.php?article_id=1259" target="_blank"><span style="font-family:arial;">http://www.forum18.org/Archive.php?article_id=1259</span></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><br />Azerbaijan's wide-ranging religious literature censorship system <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">has started</span> to affect the export of such literature, Forum 18 News Service <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">has found</span>. Customs authorities recently confiscated Christian <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">religious literature</span> from Azerbaijani citizens leaving Azerbaijan. No mention is <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">made in</span> Azerbaijan's laws of censorship of religious literature taken out of <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">the country</span>. Similarly, Forum 18 was told by a customs official that <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">customs regulations</span> are also silent on this point. An official of the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">State Committee</span> for Work with Religious Organisations, speaking after <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">the confiscation</span> of Muslim literature, told Forum 18 that "our society <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">doesn'tneed</span> books that don't suit our laws and our beliefs." He claimed <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">that unspecified</span> religious literature could cause unspecified "social harm <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">andpossibly</span> inter-religious and inter-ethnic violence."<br /><br /><em>26 February 2009</em><br /><strong>RUSSIA: GOVERNOR ORDERS CHURCH LAND GRAB</strong><br /></span><a href="http://www.forum18.org/Archive.php?article_id=1261" target="_blank"><span style="font-family:arial;">http://www.forum18.org/Archive.php?article_id=1261</span></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><br />Apparently unaware that he was giving a public address, the governor <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">of Kaluga</span> Region has ordered that land legally owned by Word of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">Life Pentecostal</span> Church be seized by "any" means, Forum 18 News Service <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">has learnt</span>. The order, made at a recent local government meeting broadcast <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">live via</span> the regional administration's website, has been captured and posted <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">on the</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">Internet</span> site YouTube by a church member. No official was prepared <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">to comment</span> to Forum 18. Word of Life has complained of frequent <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20">bureaucratic harassment</span> ever since its land and building became an impediment <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_21">to shopping</span> mall construction plans in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_22">Kaluga</span>. In <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_23">Udmurtia</span>, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_24">Philadelphia Pentecostal</span> Church is the latest congregation to report <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_25">similar bureaucratic</span> obstruction, which state officials usually insist is <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_26">lawful and</span> routine. Such problems are usually encountered by Protestants, who <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_27">are more</span> likely to have unsecured worship premises.<br /><br /><em>26 February 2009</em><br /><strong>SERBIA: RELIGIOUS FREEDOM SURVEY, FEBRUARY 2009<br /></strong></span><a href="http://www.forum18.org/Archive.php?article_id=1260" target="_blank"><span style="font-family:arial;">http://www.forum18.org/Archive.php?article_id=1260</span></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><br />In its survey analysis of freedom of thought, conscience or belief <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_28">in Serbia</span>, Forum 18 News Service notes that the most serious remains <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_29">violent attacks</span>, especially on Jehovah's Witness and Adventist property. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_30">The numbers</span> of these attacks have been declining, and a crucial factor in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_31">this has</span> been positive changes in media portrayals of non-Serbian <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_32">Orthodox communities</span>. Gaining legal status is difficult for communities defined <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_33">by the</span> Religion Law as "non-traditional" who must apply for recognition, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_34">and may</span> face apparently arbitrary denials of status. This leads to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_35">practical problems</span> for some communities, such as an inability to employ people.Restitution of confiscated property is a problem for most <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_36">religious communities</span>, including the Serbian Orthodox Church which suffered <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_37">most communist</span>-era confiscations. Legally, restitution of Jewish <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_38">property confiscated</span> in the Second World War is also difficult. Education is <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_39">a sensitive</span> issue, with problems such as negative portrayal of"non-traditional" communities in school religious education.<br /><br /><em>27 February 2009<br /></em><strong>UZBEKISTAN: "YOU CALL WHITE BLACK AND BLACK WHITE"<br /></strong></span><a href="http://www.forum18.org/Archive.php?article_id=1262" target="_blank"><span style="font-family:arial;">http://www.forum18.org/Archive.php?article_id=1262</span></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><br />Uzbekistan imposed harsh prison sentences yesterday (26 February) on five writers for the Islamic periodical <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_40">Irmoq</span> (Spring), Forum 18 News <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_41">Service has</span> learnt. The verdicts were: <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_42">Bakhrom</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_43">Ibrahimov</span> and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_44">Davron</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_45">Kabilov received</span> 12 year sentences in general regime labour camps; <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_46">Rovshanbek Vafoyev</span> received a ten year general regime labour camp sentence; <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_47">and Abdulaziz</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_48">Dadahonov</span> and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_49">Botyrbek</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_50">Eshkuziyev</span> each received eight <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_51">year general</span> regime labour camp sentences. Uzbek officials have refused <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_52">to discuss</span> the case with Forum 18. All five were arrested in mid-2008 by <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_53">the NSS</span> secret police on "suspicion of being sponsored by a Turkish <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_54">radical religious</span> movement <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_55">Nursi</span>." The <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_56">Ezgulik</span> human rights society stated that <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_57">the defendants</span> insisting they had violated no laws. "We want children to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_58">know the</span> truth, to be able to tell the difference between black and white," <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_59">they told</span> the court. "But you call white black and black white." The verdict <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_60">in a</span> similar case against contributors to the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_61">Yetti</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_62">Iqlim</span> (Seven Climates)Islamic periodical is awaited. As part of the continuing crackdown <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_63">on religious</span> literature, pressure also continues on Baptists <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_64">distributing literature</span> in the street.</span>Janet Lingel Aldrichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05633969913976791146noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11320525.post-57372837786484167662009-02-26T07:56:00.001-05:002009-02-26T07:58:08.258-05:00Open Doors: Egypt, Kenya (Direct Post)<span style="font-family:arial;">February 25, 2009<br /><br /><strong>Egyptian Law Granting Twins to Muslim to be Reviewed<br /></strong><br />In a turn of events the Egyptian Prosecutor General last week granted the mother of 14-year-old twins the right to appeal a custody decision awarding her sons to their Muslim father. The boy's father, who is a Muslim convert, was granted custody of the boys last September, contrary to Article 20 of Egypt’s Personal Status Law, which states children should remain with their mother until age 15.<br /><br />Family Court decisions are not usually given recourse to the Court of Cassation, one of Egypt’s highest courts. “The Court of Cassation will pronounce a decision on the legal rule that Christian children, when one of their parents converts to Islam, should be automatically moved to the Muslim parent’s custody,” told the Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights (EIPR) Director Hossam Bahgat to Compass News. “So it is very important in terms of changing the legal rule.”<br />Praise God for these turn of events and pray for the intersession of the Holy Spirit in their circumstances. </span><a href="http://members.opendoorsusa.org/site/R?i=6BcEp4vyN26_PJliJSVotQ.."><span style="font-family:arial;">Read the full story</span></a><span style="font-family:arial;">>><br /><br /><strong>Kidnapped Nuns from Kenya are Released</strong> </span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><br />Two nuns who have been held captive in Somalia since last November have been freed. Praise God!<br /><br />In an early morning ambush, gunmen snatched Sister Olivero and Sister Caterina from the small north east Kenyan border town of El Wak taking them across the border into Somalia. Father Bongiovanni Franco, who worked with the sisters, told Compass that the sisters are fatigued. “Their movement from one place to another, and living in house confinement most of their stay in Mogadishu, seems to have affected their health it was like a prison cell.”<br /><br />Both of the nuns have worked in Kenya since the 1970s providing much needed medical and nutritional care to malnourished children, expectant mothers and the elderly. We thank God for His protection and their safe release. </span><a href="http://members.opendoorsusa.org/site/R?i=4OWRFSdA-rFvmZetNX0rxg.."><span style="font-family:arial;">Read the full story</span></a><span style="font-family:arial;">>><br /></span><span style="font-family:arial;"></span><ul><li><span style="font-family:arial;">Pray for the Egyptian mother and her children. Pray for their witness before the Muslim community in which they serve Christ. May His light shine forth through them and touch the hearts of many. To God be the glory!</span></li><li><span style="font-family:arial;">Pray for Sister Olivero and Sister Caterina as they recover from their incarceration. Pray for their physical and emotional healing as well as a special time of refreshing. Praise God for orchestrating their release!Pray for many Christian worldwide who suffer because of their faith in Jesus. Pray for His protection, provision and anointing as they build the church. Pray with them “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. It is better, if it is God's will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.” 1 Peter 3:15-17</span></li></ul>Janet Lingel Aldrichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05633969913976791146noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11320525.post-88878322101167472212009-02-20T08:14:00.002-05:002009-02-20T08:17:59.731-05:00Forum 18: Maldives, Serbia and Uzbekistan (Direct Post)<em><span style="font-family:arial;">18 February 2009</span></em><br /><strong><span style="font-family:arial;">MALDIVES: REFORM EXCLUDES FREEDOM OF RELIGION OR BELIEF</span></strong><br /><a href="http://www.forum18.org/Archive.php?article_id=1257" target="_blank"><span style="font-family:arial;">http://www.forum18.org/Archive.php?article_id=1257</span></a><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Mohamed <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Nasheed's</span> election as President of the Maldives was hailed as <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">the dawn</span> of a new era of democracy and freedom in the Indian Ocean country.Under former President <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Gayoom</span>, the once religiously tolerant Maldives -which tended towards folk Islam - was changed into a society intolerant <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">ofall</span> beliefs except state-approved Sunni Islam. President <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Nasheed</span> has, Forum18 News Service notes, taken no steps to dismantle the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Gayoom</span> legacy <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">of continuing</span> religious freedom violations. Indeed, the scope for <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">violations has</span> been increased by the creation of a new and powerful Ministry <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">of Islamic</span> Affairs. The 2008 Maldivian Constitution, inherited from the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Gayoomera</span>, also places many obstacles in the way of establishing human rights.Many Maldivians - especially secular and non-Muslim Maldivians forced <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">to conceal</span> their beliefs - have begun using anonymous <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">weblogs</span> to voice <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">their concern</span> over the situation. Fear of social ostracism and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">government punishment</span> prevents this concern from being openly expressed. If <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">President Nasheed</span> does not respect all Maldivians' right to freedom of religion <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">or belief</span>, he will not be able to fulfil his promises to respect their <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">human rights</span>.* See full article below.</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"></span><br /><em><span style="font-family:arial;">20 February 2009</span></em><br /><strong><span style="font-family:arial;">SERBIA: WHO CAN GAIN LEGAL STATUS?</span></strong><br /><a href="http://www.forum18.org/Archive.php?article_id=1258" target="_blank"><span style="font-family:arial;">http://www.forum18.org/Archive.php?article_id=1258</span></a><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">State registration, or legal status, is difficult for "non-traditional"religious communities to gain in Serbia, Forum 18 News Service has found.This can prevent communities from, for example, employing people as <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">clergy or</span> other religious workers. However, although some religious <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">communities known</span> to Forum 18 are without legal status, this has not <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">practically affected</span> them. There does not appear to be a pattern in why <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20">some communities</span> are practically affected but not others, and the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_21">Religion Ministry</span> itself is not actively harassing unregistered organisations. Several unregistered religious communities are challenging the decision not to register them. These include the Jehovah's Witnesses, the Seventh-day Adventist Reform Movement, and the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_22">Montenegran</span> Orthodox Church, which is not recognised by other Orthodox churches. A number of smaller communities have considered trying to register as non-governmental organisations(<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_23">NGOs</span>), but as a draft <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_24">NGO</span> Law has not been passed by Parliament it <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_25">is unclear</span> when this will be legally possible.</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"></span><br /><em><span style="font-family:arial;">17 February 2009</span></em><br /><strong><span style="font-family:arial;">UZBEKISTAN: MUSLIMS AND CHRISTIANS LATEST VICTIMS OF RELIGIOUS <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_26">LITERATURE CRACKDOWN</span></span></strong><br /><a href="http://www.forum18.org/Archive.php?article_id=1256" target="_blank"><span style="font-family:arial;">http://www.forum18.org/Archive.php?article_id=1256</span></a><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Uzbekistan continues to attack the sharing of information and opinion <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_27">in religious</span> literature, Forum 18 News Service notes. In the most recent <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_28">known cases</span>, contributors to two Islamic religious periodicals - <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_29">Irmoq</span> (Spring)and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_30">Yetti</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_31">Iqlim</span> (Seven Climates) - are facing criminal charges, <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_32">allegedly for</span> distributing information on the Turkish Muslim theologian Said <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_33">Nursi</span>. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_34">Obiddin</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_35">Makhmudov</span> of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_36">Uzbekistan's</span> state Agency of Press and <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_37">Information told</span> Forum 18 that "I just found out yesterday from the national TV <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_38">channel that</span> the magazine's [<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_39">Irmoq's</span>] staff are suspected of having ties with <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_40">a banned</span> religious organisation." Baptists are being punished <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_41">for distributing</span> religious literature free-of-charge, in one case <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_42">being questioned</span> for seven hours without food or water. A different Baptist <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_43">has been</span> fired from his job as an electrician, after the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_44">NSS</span> secret police <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_45">and ordinary</span> police confiscated his religious literature from <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_46">his mother</span>-in-law's flat. Asked by Forum 18 why police raided the flat, <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_47">Police Inspector</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_48">Alisher</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_49">Umarov</span> claimed they were "allowed" to do passport control"anywhere and anytime."</span>Janet Lingel Aldrichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05633969913976791146noreply@blogger.com0