Persecution, by Voice of the Martyrs Canada

(All material is taken from the Persecution & Prayer Alert of Voice of the Martyrs Canada, 22 July 2010)

More deadly attacks on Christians in Nigeria

Muslims attacked the predominately Christian village of Mazzah, near the city of Jos, on July 17, killing eight people and burning seven houses and a church building. At approximately 1:30 a.m., Muslims entered the village and began shooting sporadically in the air to lure sleeping residents outside their homes. They then attacked people with machetes, including children. Seven were killed instantly, while another died on the way to the hospital. Three others were seriously injured.

During the attack, Reverend Nuhu Dawat of the Church of Christ in Nigeria escaped with one of his children, but his wife and two other children were killed. His grandson, Nanfa, was shot in the foot, thrown in a bathroom and left to die. Fortunately, he was found by the police and taken to hospital, where he is recuperating well.

Villagers claim that although the security forces were called and arrived in time to quell the violence, they waited until the attack had ended before entering Mazah. The area is currently reported to be "quiet but tense." Some residents have fled the area in fear of further violence.

The attack followed recent clashes in eastern Nigeria in which eight people were also killed and several buildings torched (click here for more). Some observers say the violent attacks are the result of religion being exploited in the struggle for local power. There is also fear that such conflict could increase in the run up to elections expected early next year. (Source: AFP, Christian Solidarity Worldwide)

Please pray that those who have lost loved ones will know God's comfort. Pray for Nigerian authorities as they seek to restore law and order in the region. Pray that those responsible will be brought to justice. Ask God to enable Nigerian Christians to respond to their persecutors in a Christ-like manner, with forgiveness and without retaliation.

For more information on persecution in Nigeria, please visit the Nigeria Country Report.

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Two Christians murdered after accusations of blasphemy in Pakistan

Rev. Rashid Emmanuel (32) and his younger brother, Sajid Emmanuel (30), were shot and killed on July 19 after they were accused of blaspheming the prophet Muhammad. The two men, leaders of United Ministries Pakistan, were being returned to jail under police custody when they were attacked and shot by several masked men. Sajid was instantly killed, while Rashid later died from his injuries. The bodies of the two reportedly bore cuts and other signs of being tortured while in police custody.

Rashid was arrested for blasphemy on July 1 at a train station, where he went to meet with a stranger who had requested to see him. When Rashid arrived he was surrounded by police, who showed him copies of a three-page document that insulted Muhammad and was supposedly signed by Rashid and Sajid. Police arrested Sajid three days later. On July 14, handwriting experts notified police that the signatures on the blasphemous document did not match the brothers' writing. Sources believe the brothers were likely to be exonerated of the charges.

When news of the murder reached the brothers' neighbourhood of Dawood Nagar, Faisalabad, Christians gathered to protest. Police fired teargas cannons at the protestors, who in turn threw stones. The situation quickly became volatile, with indiscriminate shooting occurring between Christians and Muslims. At last report, a curfew had been initiated in the area.

In the days before the murder, Muslims organized large demonstrations calling for the death penalty for the brothers. Islamic extremists reportedly led the protests, which were attended by hundreds of Muslims. A church building was damaged and believers hid in their homes or fled the area. Announcements were also broadcasted from mosque loudspeakers, calling on Muslims to "burn the houses of Christians." (Source: Compass Direct)

Pray for all those mourning the loss of Rashid and Sajid. Pray that those who perpetrated this attack will repent and come to know the Lord. Pray that, even in the midst of such injustice, Christians will respond with grace and love. Pray for lasting peace between Muslims and Christians in Pakistan. Post a prayer for those who are grieving for Rashid and Sajid; visit our Persecuted Church Prayer Wall.

To learn more about persecution in Pakistan, please visit the Pakistan Country Report.

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Pastor murdered in Dagestan, Russia

On July 15, Pastor Artur Suleimanov (49) was murdered by a gunman who shot him in the head as he was getting into his car to leave the Hosanna House of Prayer in Makhachkala, Dagestan -- a federal republic of Russia in the North Caucasus region. He passed away approximately an hour later in hospital. Pastor Suleimanov was well known as a dynamic leader of one of the largest Protestant churches in the republic. "Pastor Suleimanov was a wonderful Christian brother and his shocking death is a devastating loss for the Dagestan church," a coordinator with Barnabas Fund has said. "He and the Hosanna House of Prayer church were very active in ministry and outreach in particular. We see his murder as an attempt to put further pressure on Christian converts in Dagestan." Pastor Suleimanov leaves to mourn a wife and five children. (Source: Barnabas Fund)

Pray for Pastor Suleimanov's wife and children as they grieve his loss. Pray that the comfort of Christ will be more than enough for them (2 Corinthians 1:5). Ask God to change the heart and mind of the man behind this murder. Pray that God will embolden Christians in Russia to continue spreading the gospel in their nation amid opposition.

For more on the trials facing Christians in Russia, go to the Russia Country Report.

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Authorities crackdown on Christians in Uzbekistan

Authorities in Karakalpakstan, an autonomous republic in Uzbekistan, have renewed a crackdown on Protestant activity in recent weeks. On July 8, two Christians were handed 10-day prison terms to punish them for their religious activities. One of the imprisoned believers, Lepes Omarov, has previously endured opposition. In 2003, he was dismissed from his job as a teacher after he rejected pressure from a local ideology official to renounce his beliefs. In 2006, a criminal case was launched against him for violating the law on religion, but the case never came to trial.

Only state-registered Muslim communities and one Russian Orthodox parish are allowed to operate in Karakalpakstan. All other religious activity in the area is illegal. Police raided many homes belonging to Protestants between May and early July, confiscating Christian books, DVDs and computers. One believer was summoned to the Prosecutor's Office in mid-June and pressured to sign a pledge to no longer keep Christian books in his home upon threat of criminal prosecution. The believer refused to the sign and was eventually allowed to go. (Source: Forum18)

Pray for boldness and enduring faith for Christians in Karakalpakstan. Pray that they will confidently entrust themselves to Christ so that they can preach the gospel without hesitation (2 Timothy 1:7-12). Pray that the charges against the two believers will be dropped. Pray that religious freedom will be respected in Uzbekistan.

Click here for more information about the persecuted Church in Uzbekistan.