The Persecution & Prayer Alert

The Persecution & Prayer Alert

The Voice of the Martyrs, Canada

http://www.persecution.net

Thursday, March 24, 2011

“I had to endure insults from unbelievers…and suffer many
persecutions…

I am ready and willing to give up my own life, without hesitation, for
His name”

– St. Patrick

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.

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In this week’s edition: reports from Saudi Arabia, Egypt, China and
Turkey.

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1. Indian Christians arrested in Saudi Arabia

(Source: International Christian Concern)

Two Indian Christian men working in the state of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
were recently arrested and sentenced to 45 days in prison. At
approximately 8:30 p.m. on March 11, Vasantha Sekhar and Nese Yohan
were beaten and arrested in the city of Batha on accusations of
“proselytizing.” Their apartment was ransacked after they were
imprisoned, and local Christians believe they were arrested to keep
them from practicing Christianity privately in their home. An employer
has returned the passport of one of the Christians, making it clear
that his job is no longer available, and he will be expelled. The
other Christian awaits information regarding his legal status and job.

Pray that these believers will be released. Pray that they will
testify to the love and truth of the Lord in prison. Ask God to give
all Christians ministering in Saudi Arabia grace, wisdom and endurance
as they serve Him (1 Peter 5:10).

You can learn more about the opposition facing Christians in Saudi
Arabia at http://www.persecution.net/saudiarabia.htm
.

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2. Convert from Islam escapes Egypt with daughter

(Source: Compass Direct)

An Egyptian father and daughter who have been in hiding for
two-and-a-half years after converting from Islam to Christianity (for
more see http://www.persecution.net/eg-2010-04-22.htm
) recently fled the country. In February, Maher El-Gohary (58) and his
daughter, Dina Mo’otahssem (17), flew from Cairo to Syria. After
contact with a U.S. organization that concentrates on religious
freedom, El-Gohary expected he would quickly be able to obtain a visa
to the United States, where his wife lives. He tried for over a week,
however, and was not able to make any headway. He then went to a U.N.
office in Syria seeking assistance, and an appointment was scheduled
for late April at last report.

Although El-Gohary and Dina do not live under the same type of threats
as they did in Egypt, they still spend much of their time trapped
between the four walls of their apartment because Syria is a country
where converts to Christianity from Islam are persecuted. They are
also struggling for basic necessities due to El-Gohary’s lack of
income. “I feel like we’ve stepped out of a prison cell and into a
fire,” El-Gohary said.

Even in this time of struggle, he acknowledges God’s enduring care.
“Without God’s love, we would have been dead by now,” he said.

Thank the Lord for the ways in which he has provided for El-Gohary and
Dina. Pray that they will continue to rely on His strength and not on
their own (2 Corinthians 1:8-9). Pray all Egyptian converts from Islam
will be bold and wise witnesses for Christ.

You can learn more about the opposition facing Egyptian believers at

http://www.persecution.net/egypt.htm

.

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3. Update: Imprisoned Chinese Christian released

(Sources: China Aid, Christian Broadcasting Network)

Shi Weihan, a Christian bookstore owner and house church leader, has
been released from prison nearly three years after his arrest for
“illegally” printing and distributing Christian literature (see

http://www.persecution.net/cn-2009-06-17.htm

). Weihan, who was first arrested in November 2007, was reportedly
released on February 9. He is said to be in “stable condition both
mentally and physically.” At last report, he was at home with his wife
and two children, but government officials were closely monitoring his
activities.

Thank the Lord for Shi Weihan’s release! Ask God to give him peace and
strength as he adjusts to life outside prison walls. Pray that he and
his family will continue to look to the Lord, rejoicing in His love
and care. Pray that other imprisoned Chinese Christians will also be
released and reunited with their loved ones.

Find out more about the persecution of Christians in China at

http://www.persecution.net/china.htm

.

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4. Update: Court cases continue for several Turkish Christians

(Source: Middle East Concern)

Turkish Christians are requesting prayer in response to three
long-standing court cases involving injustice against Turkish
believers.

There continue to be complications in the ongoing trial of the five
men charged with the vicious murder of three believers at a
Bible-publishing house in Malatya in April 2007 (see

http://www.persecution.net/tr-2007-04-25.htm

for more) as a result of efforts to identify those behind the five
suspects. The trial has been underway since November 2007. On March
17, twenty people suspected of being involved in the slayings of the
three Christian men, Necati Aydin, Ugur Yuksel and Tilmann Geske, were
arrested. The arrests were seen as a victory for the victims’ family
members. In another recent development, however, a chairman of the
judges’ panel was taken off the case after being promoted to a higher
court, and it is feared that the introduction of a new judge could
cause further delays in the complex trial. The next hearing is
scheduled for April 29.

In another ongoing case, Hakan and Turan Topal, two Christians accused
of insulting Turkey and its people by spreading Christianity, continue
to wait after appealing a conviction and fine for supposedly
collecting data illegally. The men were cleared of other serious
charges in October 2010, but given a hefty fine of 4,500 lira
(approximately $3,200 CAD) (see

http://www.persecution.net/tr-2010-10-28.htm

for more). The current case relates to their work with a Bible
research centre providing correspondence courses.

Finally, a ruling has reportedly been given in a land ownership case,
against the St. Gabriel Monastery in eastern Turkey, which began in
2009. In January, the Supreme Court ruled against the monastery,
thereby assigning ownership of some land within its long-standing
boundary wall to the Turkish Treasury. The ruling followed several
postponements, and the case is but one of five on-going cases
involving the monastery.

Pray that family members and friends of the three men killed in
Malatya will continue to know the peace of Jesus as the trial process
continues. Pray that all those who aided or perpetrated the murders
will have a deep conviction about what they have done, and understand
the depths of Jesus’ forgiveness. Pray that Hakan and Turan will be
acquitted. Pray that the true ownership of land surrounding St.
Gabriel Monastery will be accurately identified. Pray that Turkish
Christians facing opposition will know the Spirit’s enabling,
equipping and assisting as they persevere in their efforts to share
the gospel.

Find out more on the trials facing Christians in Turkey at

http://www.persecution.net/turkey.htm

.

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5. VOM’s Persecuted Church Conference in Ontario this weekend!

This Saturday, March 26, join with believers from across Canada in
remembering persecuted Christians around the world at VOM’s Prayer
Conference in Mississauga, Ontario. A special guest speaker will be
Russell Stendal, a missionary to Colombia with courageous testimonies
of Colombian believers who have shown resilient faith in the face of
opposition. You will also hear how VOM Canada has been working
alongside suffering believers for the past 40 years and how you can
get involved in empowering, equipping and encouraging believers today.

For full details on this exciting conference, go to our website at

http://www.persecution.net/vomc-events.htm

. We hope to see you there!

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The Persecution & Prayer Alert is a ministry of The Voice of the
Martyrs, Canada. (Mailing address: P.O. Box 608, Streetsville,
Ontario, L5M 2C1)

Tel. (905) 670.9721. Website: http://www.persecution.net