Jumat, 30 Maret 2012

TWIN TERROR STRIKES TIMBUKTU



Twin Terror Strikes Timbuktu

By Charles Gardner
Special to ASSIST News Service

TIMBUKTU, MALI (ANS) -- Timbuktu may seem faraway - even mythical - to many people, but the remote West African city and its environs is facing a twin terror threat from within and without.

Bella tents in Timbuktu
Already suffering famine through drought and now a military coup, Mali is being terrorized by Al Qaida and associated rebels said to be claiming the northern part of the territory as their homeland, according to Tim Yattara, a British Bible college graduate now back working with his own people.

The effects of lack of rain combined with the global recession, exacerbated by rising unemployment and terrible inflation, has led to a mass influx from the countryside so that the city of Timbuktu is now surrounded by tents with many still struggling for food and work.

And with a government now overthrown by a military coup, the security situation has been made even worse by rebels from Libya loyal to their former leader Col. Gaddafi.

They have taken some small towns and captured Malian soldiers as prisoners, but the Malian army has fought back and reportedly killed some 50 rebels.

Tim Yattara
"Famine is now seriously spreading with many people moving into our town in order to survive the considerable impact of misery caused by famine and extreme poverty," Tim told friends in England.

He said Gaddafi's death had opened the way for these rebels to get hold of all his heavy munitions which they are now using against the Mali Government and army.

"We still don't know what is coming next and we are hoping that all this one day ends up in peace and development for a better living condition of our people."

What is certain, he adds, is that there is a very urgent need for food and financial help. Anyone able to contribute should e-mail Tim at timfromtimbucktu@googlemail.com to whom you could send aid directly by Western Union.

Tim knows nothing is impossible with God as he was raised from the dead through the prayers of his pastor father when he was a little boy.

Pray for TATAR of Russia



Tatar of Russia
Tatars are descendents of Mongol, Bulgar and other peoples, and are predominantly Muslim. Russian domination of Tatars began when Czar Ivan the Terrible conquered the Tatar Khanate in 1552, and long periods of forced Russification have since occurred. Since the late 1980s there has been a resurgence of Tatar nationalism. Tatars have a long, if interrupted, history of resisting both imperial Russian and Soviet domination, and this has included resistance to the Orthodox Church's attempts to convert them.

Ministry Obstacles
The past history of ill treatment from Christian Russia is not easily forgotten.

Outreach Ideas
Christians need to live among the Tatar and befriend them, learning their language.

Pray for the followers of Christ
Pray for the Tatar believers, that the Lord will send qualified teachers and pastors, and that it will be more important to them to follow Christ than gain community approval.

Pray for the entire people group
Pray for the Tatar people to increasingly desire to find out more about Isa (Jesus) of the Koran, and that this desire will be satisfied. Pray for workers.

Scripture Focus
"For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea." Habakkuk 2:14


People Name: Tatar
Country: Russia
10/40 Window: No
Population: 5,492,000
World Population: 6,778,000
Language: Tatar
Primary Religion: Islam
Bible: New Testament
Online Audio NT: No
Jesus Film: Yes
Audio Recordings: Yes
Christ Followers: Few, less than 2%
Status: Unreached
Progress Level:
1.2

Selasa, 27 Maret 2012

Pray for Hausa, North of Nigeria



Hausa, North of Nigeria
The Hausa are almost exclusively Muslim and practice agriculture. Their widespread trading activities have contributed to making their language a lingua franca in much of West Africa. In earlier times the Hausa were organized in the Hausa States. Long the vassals of Bornu, the states were conquered by the Songhay in 1513 and by the Fulani in the early 19th century. In colonial Nigeria the traditional Hausa-Fulani social and political structure was largely maintained under the British policy of indirect rule. The Hausa remain a major force in Nigerian politics.

Ministry Obstacles
The Hausa may have only a partial understanding of who Jesus truly is. Pray they will increasingly understand that He is more than a prophet.

Outreach Ideas
Much sustained prayer is needed to prepare the way for the Gospel among the Hausa. Prayer efforts are needed both to prepare the way, and to sustain the workers.

Pray for the followers of Christ
Pray for the few followers of Christ among the Northern Hausa people, that they will grow deeply into the Lord's love and be firmly established in His finished work on the cross. Pray they will be joyful always, praying continually, and giving thanks in all circumstances. Pray they will be zealous to learn, and to be obedient.

Pray for the entire people group
Pray for peace in northern Nigeria. Pray for the Hausa tribes to increasingly be drawn to Isa (Jesus) in the Koran. Pray the Lord will consider revealing Himself to the Hausa as He knows best.

Scripture Focus
"All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to the Lord, and all the families of the nations will worship before You." Psalm 22:27


People Name: Hausa, North
Country: Nigeria
10/40 Window: Yes
Population: 353,000
World Population: 353,000
Language: Hausa
Primary Religion: Islam
Bible: Complete
Online Audio NT: No
Jesus Film: Yes
Audio Recordings: Yes
Christ Followers: Few, less than 2%
Status: Unreached

Pray for Abaza of Russia



Abaza of Russia
The Abaza live in the western Caucasus region of southwestern Russia. In the sixth century, they accepted Christianity; but between the sixteenth and nineteenth centuries, they gradually converted to Islam. In the 1800s, the Abaza fell under Russian control and rebelled against Russian authority several times until the early 1900s. They live in small, isolated settlements high in the Caucasus Mountains. Since there are so many Christian people groups in the area, they are familiar with Christianity; however, they have no real knowledge of the saving power of Christ.

Ministry Obstacles
The Caucasus region at one time had many followers of Christ, but more recently has resisted the Christian message. Many don't fully understand the message of Christ.

Outreach Ideas
Perhaps followers of Christ in the Republic of Georgia will have opportunity to take the Gospel to those in the Caucasus region, including the Abaza. Pray they will be given the heart to do this.

Pray for the followers of Christ
Pray for the believers in Jesus within the Abaza community. They need prayer support. Pray they will find each other in order to fellowship. Pray they will be diligent to study the Scriptures, and will become students of the Word.

Pray for the entire people group
Pray for peace in the Caucasus region. Pray for improving relations with the Russian government.

Scripture Focus
"Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples." Psalm 96:3


People Name: Abaza
Country: Russia
10/40 Window: No
Population: 38,000
World Population: 61,000
Language: Abaza
Primary Religion: Islam
Bible: None
Online Audio NT: No
Jesus Film: No
Audio Recordings: No
Christ Followers: Few, less than 2%
Status: Unreached
Progress Level:
1.2

Pray for Koiri of India



Koiri of India
The Koiri believe they are the descendents of Kush, one of the twin sons of lord Rama. They receive the services of a Brahman priest, who officiates over their life-cycle rituals and religious ceremonies. The majority of the Koiri are engaged in their traditional occupation of agriculture.

Ministry Obstacles
Nominal Christians, whether in India or in the West, may have negatively influenced the Koiri's perception of what it means to be a follower of Christ.

Outreach Ideas
Sustained, focused prayer is needed to open the eyes of the Koiri community to their need and opportunity to know and follow Jesus Christ.

Pray for the followers of Christ
Pray for the Christian believers among the Koiri community, that they will have a strong and faithful testimony for the Lord, and will honor Him with their lives.

Pray for the entire people group
Pray the Koiri community will increasingly hunger to know forgiveness for their sins and the new life offered through faith in Jesus Christ.

Scripture Focus
"He will have compassion on the poor and needy, And the lives of the needy He will save." Psalm 72:13


People Name: Koiri
Country: India
10/40 Window: Yes
Population: 7,287,000
World Population: 7,615,000
Language: Bhojpuri
Primary Religion: Hinduism
Bible: New Testament
Online Audio NT: No
Jesus Film: Yes
Audio Recordings: Yes
Christ Followers: Few, less than 2%
Status: Unreached
Progress Level:
1.2

Senin, 26 Maret 2012

Food crisis threatens millions in West Africa


By Mark Ellis

Child in Niger

The U.N. and international aid agencies are warning of food shortages in the Sahel Region of west Africa, which includes portions of Chad, Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Nigeria. The worst country impacted, Niger, needs millions of dollars in food aid or its crisis could become catastrophic, according to a report by the BBC.

“The hunger season is beginning here in the next few months,” reports Andrew Harding, with the BBC. “A lot of people will be running out of food very soon.” The aid agencies are pushing for more aid so the crisis coming in the next few months doesn’t become as bad as the recent famine in the horn of Africa.

On the arid plains of Niger, with little signs of vegetation amid the dusty reddish earth, brightly clad women pile stones around ditches they dig as catch basins in the event any rain falls. They will attempt to trap rainwater and divert it to their fields, in hopes of a future harvest.

The women are paid two dollars per day by the U.N. World Food Program for this work, which will allow their families a meager survival during the coming months.

“Years of unpredictable rains, intense poverty and a poor harvest in 2011 have left 5.5 million people –over a third of the country’s population — facing significant food shortages this year,” says Thierno Diallo, with MercyCorps in Niger. “A deeply worrying 1.3 million of that number are at serious risk from hunger and need immediate humanitarian assistance,” he notes.

Late rains and damage from insects at the end of last year left more than 70 per cent of farmers with no crops to harvest. Families struggle to make food last from one October harvest to the next during normal years, but with no stored food and little grazing for weakened livestock, the number of people with access to food is falling rapidly, according to Diallo.

Food prices have doubled in many areas. Those with any assets are selling what they have left to buy food, and others are taking on debts. Many people are leaving their communities altogether, in search of work, food and water. Schools are emptying as children leave with their parents to find work for food, according to MercyCorps.

“Women in particular are often missing meals for an entire day or longer,” Diallo observes.

In Filingué, one person reported to MercyCorps, “We have nothing left to eat in this village. Some households are only getting one meal within 36 or 48 hours; now we eat flowers and leaves of the ‘Garbey’ tree. We pound the flower, mix it with lot of water, drink some and keep some so that any time a child cries, we give him or her some mixture to drink and they calm down.”

“There is nothing we can do and sometimes they get diarrhea. We have nothing left, so we need help. This is the worst crisis we have seen in our village for so many years. In 2009 we had at least few of us that could harvest. This year no one could get anything out of the farms. We lost everything. We need help.”

Niger’s government – now a democracy – has taken important steps to acknowledge the scope of the problem. While government leaders have expressed concern, there is no sign of panic at this stage, according to the BBC.

If there is a future harvest, it will not appear until October, so June, July and August will be the most difficult months for survival in this region.

Minggu, 25 Maret 2012

Pray for Lao Phuan of Laos



Lao Phuan of Laos
The Lao people are renowned for being gentle, friendly and peace-loving. Their communities revolve around close-knit family ties. They have a high birth rate, perhaps because of how they value families. The ancestors of these people are believed to have migrated southward from China approximately 1,000 years ago.

Ministry Obstacles
Not wanting to acknowledge the reality of sin and the need for forgiveness of sin is sometimes an obstacle to accepting the Gospel message.

Outreach Ideas
Pray the Lao believers will grow strong in numbers and maturity, that they become able to effectively carry the Gospel message to their own people.

Pray for the followers of Christ
There are Christian believers among the Lao; pray they will be united in love, around truth. Pray they will be without any kind of impurity, or greed.

Pray for the entire people group
Pray the Lao community will retain the good features of their culture while also learning to follow Christ. Pray they be given the gift of faith to trust in Him.

Scripture Focus
"But indeed, as I live, all the earth will be filled with the glory of the Lord." Numbers 14:21


People Name: Lao Phuan
Country: Laos
10/40 Window: Yes
Population: 126,000
World Population: 335,000
Language: Phuan
Primary Religion: Buddhism
Bible: None
Online Audio NT: No
Jesus Film: No
Audio Recordings: No
Christ Followers: Few, less than 2%
Status: Unreached
Progress Level:
1.2

Kayastha of India



Kayastha of India
The earliest textual references to this community occur around the first century BC or first century AD. The recorded evidence of the Kayastha as a caste appeared for the first time during the ninth century AD. The Kayastha claim that Chitragupta, the registrar of Yama, the god of death, is their legendary ancestor. They hold the view that Chitragupta was created by Brahma, and was entrusted to record all the good and evil actions of all beings.

Ministry Obstacles
The Kayastha may see Jesus as just one more god of many.

Outreach Ideas
It may be helpful to emphasize the need for forgiveness, and that God has provided the way of forgiveness through His Son's death on the cross.

Pray for the followers of Christ
Pray for the few Christian believers among the Kayastha community, that they will become mature in the faith, grounded on the truth of Scripture, filled with the Holy Spirit.

Pray for the entire people group
Pray for the Kayastha community to increasingly hunger for eternal life found in Christ, His person and His work on the cross.

Scripture Focus
"Now go out to the street corners and invite everyone you see." Matthew 22:9


People Name: Kayastha
Country: India
10/40 Window: Yes
Population: 7,343,000
World Population: 9,142,000
Language: Hindi
Primary Religion: Hinduism
Bible: Complete
Online Audio NT: No
Jesus Film: Yes
Audio Recordings: Yes
Christ Followers: Few, less than 2%
Status: Unreached
Progress Level:
1.2

Sabtu, 24 Maret 2012

Pray for Hajam of Pakistan



Hajam of Pakistan
The Hajam have been a service community for centuries, and many perform hair-cutting (hajamat). Some of the Hajam have taken to varied urban occupations like selling betel leaf and jobs at hotels. The Muslim code of law is followed in matters of property. The Urdu language and Arabic script are used in the religious sphere.

Ministry Obstacles
A misunderstanding of the full nature of Christ must be corrected.

Outreach Ideas
Pray for workers to carry the Gospel to the Hajam, and for friendships to be developed. Good relationships are important.

Pray for the followers of Christ
There may be no Christian believers among the Hajam, but pray for the believers that will one day emerge. Pray they are properly taught, and will grow strong in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.

Pray for the entire people group
Pray for the Hajam community of South Asia, that they will have good schools available for their children, adequate health care, and good employment opportunities.

Scripture Focus
"All nations you have made will come and worship before you, O Lord, they will bring glory to your name." Psalm 86:9


People Name: Hajam
Country: Pakistan
10/40 Window: Yes
Population: 1,875,000
World Population: 4,105,000
Language: Panjabi, Western
Primary Religion: Islam
Bible: New Testament
Online Audio NT: No
Jesus Film: Yes
Audio Recordings: Yes
Christ Followers: Few, less than 2%
Status: Unreached
Progress Level:
1.1

Kamis, 22 Maret 2012

South Sudan under severe strain as Sudan forces Christians out


New state struggling with food shortage and influx of refugees

By Michael Ireland
Senior International Correspondent, ASSIST News Service

SOUTH SUDAN (ANS) -- Hundreds of thousands of people originating from the mainly Christian, mainly African, South Sudan are effectively being forced out of Sudan, having been stripped of their citizenship.

www.barnabasfund.org says the believers have until April 8 either to leave the strongly Islamic and Arab northern country or to be treated as foreigners under a regime that is extremely hostile to non-Muslims and non-Arabs. The deadline was announced last month.
Barnabas Fund has been helping Christians in Sudan and South Sudan for many years.
(Photo courtesy Barnabas Fund).
In an e-mail to ANS, Barnabas Fund says that an estimated 500,000-700,000 people, who are mainly Christians of Southern origin, are affected by the ultimatum. Many of them fled north during the long civil war and have been there for decades. Few have ties with the South.

A senior Church leader said: "We are very concerned. Moving is not easy . people have children in school. They have homes. It is almost impossible."

Barnabas Fund stated that after the South voted to secede in January 2011, Sudan removed citizenship rights from all those of Southern origin. The Khartoum government considers that people in the North whose parents, grandparents or great-grandparents were born in South Sudan, and those who belong to any Southern ethnic group, are nationals of that country.

In its report, Barnabas Fund said: "There are fears that Christians who remain in Sudan after the deadline may face increased persecution or even forced repatriation. An influx of hundreds of thousands of people to South Sudan is likely to trigger a humanitarian emergency."

Barnabas Fund has been supporting Christians in what are now the separate countries of Sudan and South Sudan for many years, and is on hand to help meet their needs in this latest crisis.

New state under strain

The situation comes as the nascent state of South Sudan is struggling to cope with escalating needs and problems. A major food shortage is pending, as drought has ruined crops. The UN World Food Program (WFP) says that nearly five million people in South Sudan could suffer from food insecurity in 2012, with an estimated one million in severe need.

Barnabas Fund went on to explain the country's resources are also strained by the arrival of refugees from South Kordofan and Blue Nile in the border region between Sudan and South Sudan.

The Fund stated: "Around 185,000 people have fled to South Sudan and Ethiopia to escape the ongoing aerial bombardment of civilians by the Sudan Armed Forces. Many more, over 400,000, are internally displaced. The region has been under attack since mid-2011. The Nuba Mountains area, which is around 30 per cent Christian, has been one of the worst hit.

""This is the latest genocidal campaign by the Sudanese government, which wants a purely Arab and Islamic state.

Dr Patrick Sookhdeo, International Director of Barnabas Fund, said: "Despite the end of the long civil war and independence of South Sudan, Christians in both nations continue to suffer grievously.

"South Sudan is taking the strain as hundreds of thousands of people flee from President Omar al-Bashir's ongoing brutal campaign to Islamize and Arabize Sudan completely. Our brothers and sisters need our help and prayers as they are forced to leave their homes and rebuild their lives elsewhere."

Please Pray:
**For all those who are facing the upheaval of leaving Sudan. Pray that the Lord will give them wisdom about what to do and provide for all their practical needs.
**That the Sudan Armed Forces will stop bombing South Kordofan and Blue Nile, and allow the people there to live in peace.
**That the Lord will prosper South Sudan, and that it will have sufficient food and resources to meet the needs of all its citizens and refugees.

Rabu, 21 Maret 2012

Pray for Ansari of India



Ansari of India
According to a legend, the Ansari were inhabitants of Medina, and Ansari was the title given to those who gave shelter to and helped the prophet Mohammad in his first religious war against Mecca. In recent years, the Tableeghi Jamat has inculcated religious fervor among them and made them aware of the principles of Islam. Their literacy rate is poor and girls discontinue their studies due to social reasons.

Ministry Obstacles
The Ansari must begin to see Isa (Jesus) of the Koran as the very Son of God, more than a prophet. Spiritual truths are spiritually discerned; prayer is needed.

Outreach Ideas
Pray the Ansari will be captivated by Isa (Jesus) as found in the Koran, and be prompted by the Holy Spirit to find out more about this man who is more than a prophet.

Pray for the followers of Christ
There are few if any Christian believers among the Ansari community, but pray for the church that will soon emerge. Pray the Lord will provide excellent teachers and pastors for them.

Pray for the entire people group
Pray the Ansari community will increasingly hunger to find forgiveness for their sins, and recognize the wholly adequate provision found in the finished work of Christ on the cross.

Scripture Focus
"Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me." Matthew 25:40


People Name: Ansari
Country: India
10/40 Window: Yes
Population: 9,923,000
World Population: 15,180,000
Language: Urdu
Primary Religion: Islam
Bible: Complete
Online Audio NT: No
Jesus Film: Yes
Audio Recordings: Yes
Christ Followers: Few, less than 2%
Status: Unreached
Progress Level:
1.1

Selasa, 20 Maret 2012

Pray for Dhangar of India



Dhangar of India
The word dhangar is derived from the Sanskrit word dhenu, meaning cow. They keep a special breed of cows and buffalo known as Dhangar mhasi and Dhangar gai. Children are named after ancestors, gods and goddesses. The sacred thread is worn during marriage. The deities specially worshipped are Khandoba and Biroba. Their literacy rate is very low.

Ministry Obstacles
Their low literacy rate is an obstacle if the Gospel comes to them only in printed form, but isn't necessarily a large obstacle if it comes in oral form.

Outreach Ideas
Teams to carry Gospel films, recordings and stories from Scripture will be helpful.

Pray for the followers of Christ
Pray the Christian believers among the Dhangar community will become mature in the faith, able to have a bold, kind witness for Jesus to their neighbors.

Pray for the entire people group
Pray the Dhangar will increasingly hunger to know the creator God in a personal way.

Scripture Focus
"For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek." Romans 1:16


People Name: Dhangar
Country: India
10/40 Window: Yes
Population: 2,627,000
World Population: 2,639,000
Language: Gujarati
Primary Religion: Hinduism
Bible: Complete
Online Audio NT: No
Jesus Film: Yes
Audio Recordings: Yes
Christ Followers: Few, less than 2%
Status: Unreached
Progress Level:
1.2

Christians win legal challenge brought by Muslims for village in Indonesia




By Dan Wooding
Founder of ASSIST Ministries

HORALE, MALUKU PROVINCE, INDONESIA (ANS) -- Indonesian Christians have won a lengthy legal battle over the ownership of their village against neighboring Muslims who had virtually razed it to the ground in 2008.

Arial view of the destruction
According to Barnabas Fund (www.barnabasfund.org) Horale in Maluku province, Indonesia, was destroyed in an attack by a Muslim mob from the neighboring village of Saleman on May 2, 2008.

They were said to have burnt down 120 houses, three churches and the village school, and destroyed 15 hectares of crops. Four Christians were killed and 56 injured in the onslaught.

"One week after the incident, Muslims from Saleman brought a legal challenge over the ownership of Horale, claiming that the land was part of their territory," said a Barnabas Fund spokesperson. "The case was first heard at county level, where a Muslim is the head of the government. Despite evidence in support of the Horale Christians, the court ruled in favor of the Saleman villagers.

Villagers helped to rebuild their homes
"The Christians appealed to the provincial court, which overturned the verdict, prompting the Muslims to take the matter to the Supreme Court. It has now ruled that the ten square miles in question rightfully belong to the Christian residents.

"Had they lost the case, they would have had to leave the village with nowhere else to go."

Barnabas Fund helped the Horale Christians, who are low-earning farmers, with their legal costs.

The spokesperson added, "We have also helped finance the reconstruction of the village, which is now home to around 150 families (900 individuals). Funds were used to turn 106 semi-permanent houses provided by the government in the aftermath of the attack into permanent homes, and to build 14 new properties for those who had none.

Barnabas Fund helped finance
the reconstruction of Horale
"We assisted in rebuilding the three damaged churches and also provided other resources for the villagers, including rice and electricity.
The attack in May 2008 forced the Christian villagers to flee to the jungle. Now that their properties have been rebuilt and their right to Horale has been established, they hope to be left to resume their lives in peace."

Pray for Tatar, Crimean of Ukraine




Tatar, Crimean of Ukraine
The Crimean Tatars are Turkic people who inhabited the Crimean peninsula, now a part of Ukraine, for over seven centuries. During World War II, the entire Tatar population in Crimea fell victims to Stalin's oppressive policies. In 1944 they were unjustly accused of being Nazi collaborators and deported en masse to Central Asia and other lands of the Soviet Union. There may be a large population in Turkey with Crimean origins, but only a few traceable to the Tatars of Crimea.

Ministry Obstacles
To become a follower of Jesus a Tatar individual risks losing his or her place in society, and may well be cast away from family and friends. This can be devastating.

Outreach Ideas
Gospel radio and Christian websites can be useful in the Lord's hands.

Pray for the followers of Christ
There may be no Christian believers among the Crimean Tatar today, but pray the Lord is now preparing hearts for Himself. Pray He is also preparing pastors, teachers, and language resources for these people.

Pray for the entire people group
Pray the Lord will help the Crimean Tatar overcome the memory of past abuses, and live peaceful, settled lives.

Scripture Focus
"How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, 'Your God reigns!'" Isaiah 52:7


People Name: Tatar, Crimean
Country: Ukraine
10/40 Window: No
Population: 232,000
World Population: 529,000
Language: Crimean Tatar
Primary Religion: Islam
Bible: New Testament
Online Audio NT: No
Jesus Film: Yes
Audio Recordings: Yes
Christ Followers: Few, less than 2%
Status: Unreached
Progress Level:
1.2

Kamis, 15 Maret 2012

Pray for Gadaria, Muslim of India



Gadaria, Muslim of India
The Gadaria are largely shepherds and blanket-weavers. Women participate in the rearing of cattle and in the processing of wool. Property is divided equally among sons only; succession is by the eldest son. They are mainly engaged as laborers in masonry work, while some are involved in animal husbandry. Their literacy rate is low.

Ministry Obstacles
The low literacy rate suggests the Gospel message can best be communicated through scriptural stories told orally, and by films, radio, and recordings.

Outreach Ideas
Christian believers can build healthy relationships with the Gadaria, helping them with physical needs and introducing them to Christ.

Pray for the followers of Christ
Pray for the Christian disciples that will soon emerge from the Gadaria community, that they live holy lives, zealous to know and serve the Lord.

Pray for the entire people group
Pray for the Gadaria community to have adequate health care, be able to find honorable employment, and have good schools available for their children.

Scripture Focus
"How then shall they call upon Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach unless they are sent?" Romans 10:14-15


People Name: Gadaria, Muslim
Country: India
10/40 Window: Yes
Population: 3,400
World Population: 3,500
Language: Urdu
Primary Religion: Islam
Bible: Complete
Online Audio NT: No
Jesus Film: Yes
Audio Recordings: Yes
Christ Followers: Few, less than 2%
Status: Unreached
Progress Level:
1.1

Indonesia receives a unique message of hope and reconciliation




Indonesia receives a unique message of hope and reconciliation from 'Ambassadors for Peace' delegation
Middle Eastern Ambassadors from many Middle East countries gather in Jakarta to hear about the 'Religious Rights Resolution' from the team

By Dan Wooding reporting from Jakarta
Founder of ASSIST Ministries

JAKARTA, INDONESIA (ANS) -- One of the world's largest and most diverse countries - Indonesia - has received a delegation from Ambassadors for Peace, a religious freedom organization, to discuss how everyone can live in peace with others who do not follow their religion or share their beliefs with complete free and open dialogue.

Dr. Ansdell telling the group that there is a need to act now on religious freedom as His Excellency Mohammad Daowdieh, Ambassador for Jordan looks on
The group, founded by Dr. Garry Ansdell, senior pastor of Hosanna Christian Fellowship in Bellflower, California, and Ameal Haddad, an Arab pastor originally from Jordan, has already shared its distinctive message in many other countries such as Egypt, Bahrain, Kuwait, Syria and Morocco.

Ambassadors for Peace was created shortly after the attacks on the World Trade Center in New York City on September 11, 2001, when Ansdell and Haddad began responding Muslim and other leaders who like them thought there was a desperate need to codify and discuss in "an open dialogue, of the differences and similarities of their faith and give dignity and respect to each other."

Dr. Ansdell said, "This is a once in a life opportunity for us to share with political and religious leaders who desire to see religious freedom spelled out for all," Dr. Garry Ansdell, co-founder of the group

Ansdell said, "We all have a divine right to believe in God and acknowledging our differences, gives an honest approach to dialogue instead of pretending we all believe the same way."

Since that time, they have been leading the way internationally for many key members of different religious beliefs to come into agreement for a Religious Rights Resolution. The document's main theme is to "foster religious tolerance, the right to faith, freedom of speech, and freedom from reprisal or persecution. and open dialogue "

"Religious rights have a place in the workplace, community and between institutions and most importantly between individuals," he said. "This document puts in writing what people of religious beliefs already know to be true and necessary.

"The United Nations in Article 18 of its Declaration of Human rights has established the freedom of religion in all countries. This resolution spells out the application of that for the individual from all faiths in all countries."

Ansdell, who was once an atheist, acknowledges "their rights not to believe."

The group of Ambassadors from
throughout the Middle East
On Thursday (March 15, 2012), His Excellency Mohammad Daowdieh, Ambassador for Jordan, invited a group of mainly middle-eastern ambassadors to his home to hear from the group about the vision of Ambassadors for Peace. They included those from Egypt, Palestine, Tunisia, Libya, Algeria, Morocco, Yemen, Oman and Sudan.

They heard Haddad tell them in Arabic, "Violence committed in the name of religion is on the rise and increasing. Whether it's Muslim-on-Muslim oppression based on theological differences taking place in , Syria, or Afghanistan, or attacks perpetrated against those of other faiths in Africa, or even occasional Protestant vs. Christian violence in Ireland, not one day passes without the news media carrying accounts of people whose lives have been lost, houses of worship destroyed, forced deportations, displaced people running out of their own homes and their native countries where their ancestors had lived for centuries.

The brutality, violence and bloodshed that are committed against a fellow citizen, in the name of religion should not be tolerated by other citizen.

"How long are we to remain merely spectators of these international horrors? It is a disgrace for noble peoples to accept, condone, or tolerate bloodshed motivated by religious hatred of any kind.

"There must be a dialogue between the followers of different religions based on equal ground and religious freedom dialogue, which recognizes that all adherents of different religions have an equal right to exchange their views within the context of peaceful co-existence and mutual respect."

Ameal Haddad speaking at the event
with Javier Aguayo watching
He went on to say, "The Ambassadors for Peace Religious Rights Resolution does not seek to unite religions. Quite the contrary, it recognizes that fundamental and irreconcilable differences exist between the various religious traditions, faiths, and practices of human kind. It extends an invitation to those of goodwill who wish to seek peaceful coexistence with those who do not follow their religion or their faith, urging acceptance of others, non-judgment others, and respect others, based upon the content of their character and not their religion."

Javier Aguayo, who is a Southern California businessman, and a board member of Ambassadors for Peace, told ANS that one of his companies, which is called Jav-Air, an air-condition company. He is particularly concerned with freedom of religion in the workplace of any religion. It fits right into the policies and procedures in all companies."

"The reason I got involved with Ambassadors for Peace was when saw the application in the religious document that protects both the employer and the employees.

The group will be meeting many other religious and political leaders while in Indonesia and if you would like more information on their work, please go to: www.am4peace.com

More Refugees Flee Syrian Killing Fields



More Refugees Flee Syrian Killing Fields

LEBANON (March 15, 2012) - Still mostly ignored by international news coverage, the trickle of refugees from the killing fields of Syria is turning into a flood. "The number of refugees is growing daily, mostly women and children," say indigenous leaders here.

Refugees subsist in temporary housing like this.

Most of the poor refugees, made up of nominal Christian and other minorities, are fleeing to nearby Jordan and Turkey as well as here in Lebanon. In all three countries, indigenous missionaries and Christian volunteers are quietly coming alongside to provide emergency aid.

"The good news is that more help is getting in - but the bad news is that things are getting worse!" says the Christian Aid Mission Director for the Middle East in Charlottesville, Virginia. "However, this is an opportunity for us to show the love of Christ to people who are suffering terribly."

In order to collect more help for the innocent victims in Syria and the other frontline border states, Christian Aid has set up a special emergency fund: Gift Code 400REF. Contributions to the special fund are being sent 100% to the Middle East to provide Arabic Bibles, food packages, mattresses, warm clothing and shoes. Credit cards contributions are accepted by calling 800-977-5650 or by giving at our website.

Feeding and housing one refugee family costs about $130 a week in temporary shelters - the cost of food alone is $70 a week.

Christian Aid is enabling indigenous pastors and missionaries to distribute the aid, says the director, because "They are right there alongside the people in most need - and only they can provide holistic help spiritually and physically. This fits well into our concept of providing emergency assistance.

"While American Christians have seen the news about Syria, they have not been informed about these needs and ministry opportunities among the refugees," commented the Christian Aid staffer. "Christians need to be helping those who are on the frontlines of this opportunity; American believers and churches need to provide more help because things are growing much worse."

Bedouin Refugee Numbers Growing
Refugee woman holds gift of food from local Christians.
"An amazing number of Bedouins are coming to believers for help," says the Christian Aid Mission spokesperson.

In Jordan alone, there are over 17,000 Bedouin refugees and over 10,000 in northern Lebanon. Over 100,000 more refugees are expected in Jordan. One local missionary told Christian Aid that he is on the phone daily with believers who are helping the displaced persons in Syria and refugees in Lebanon. Many innocent Bedouins and Christians are living in areas that have been under heavy bombardment.

"We praise God for the believers and the leaders we have that are still working in these difficult areas," said the local leader.

Another leader says, "You and I are not able to save a nation, but we can save a life or a family -- perhaps a whole neighborhood." He said that since feeding a refugee family costs about $70 a week, those who want to help raise funds should collect offerings in multiples of seven. In other words, 10 school children giving $7 each would feed a family for a week or one person giving $700 could feed seven families!

Among Syria's 22 million people, nearly one out of ten is nominally Christian and are paying the highest price during the current civil war. Many believers are among the 7,500 who have been killed so far in the massacres in Homs, although Christians are staying out of the conflict and have traditionally been protected by the Assad regime which is a secular, socialist government.

Many of the survivors are displaced Christians seeking refuge in Wadi al-Nasaria (Valley of the Christians) near the Lebanese border or in Damascus which has a large Christian population.

"Housing is expensive," say native missionaries, "and many are burning their shoes and scrap lumber for warmth because they lack funds to purchase blankets, heaters and fuel. Children have died of exposure and some are starving. We need cash to purchase food, clothing and anything to keep them warm."

Local believers are providing both for the spiritual and physical needs of the refugees, with small group Bible studies, cassette tapes and Arabic language Bibles. Native missionaries say they first noticed the increasing numbers of refugees in June, 2011. There were about 1600 Syrian families estimated to be living in North Lebanon by November.

"We are not really prepared to help these people," says a local missionary leader, "but we cannot keep our doors closed when we see our brothers and sisters in need - whether they are from Christian or Muslim background."

Many of the refugees are parts of families separated by the fighting and have exhausted the funds they brought with them. The husbands and fathers find it almost impossible to obtain paying jobs in the area.

Christians are not being targeted for persecution in Lebanon and the refugees were not involved in political demonstrations or anti-government activities. However, the refugees are afraid that anti-Christian extremists will use the civil unrest to harass and kill them as is happening in Iraq and Egypt.

"God uses times of crisis to soften hearts to the gospel," added the Christian Aid staff spokesman. "This may be a time of harvest among Muslim and Christian refugees. God is sovereign. He cares for Muslims. Countries in the Middle East are going through great upheaval. Now many Muslims are turning to Christ. Maybe the long turmoil in Syria is God's way of bringing this about.

"On the other hand, for the believers who are fleeing Syria, they have left everything behind. At best, most will only be able to find menial labor. There is a role here for us, one that is commanded by God - to take care of our brothers and sisters in need."

Christian Aid has been helping victims of the ongoing violence in the Middle East since 1953 when the mission was formed by Bob Finley, author of the classic book on indigenous outreach, Reformation in Foreign Missions. Today, the work of Christian Aid Mission is being carried on under the direction of a Kentucky pastor, Randy Vaught, who was named president in January 2012.

For more information about indigenous missions in Syria, contact Christian Aid at info@christianaid.org.

Iran Claims Pastor Nadarkhani Won't Be Executed



Iran Claims Pastor Nadarkhani Won't Be Executed

By Michael Ireland
Senior International Correspondent, ASSIST News Service

NEW YORK (ANS) -- An Iranian official has refuted claims of plans to execute imprisoned pastor Youcef Nadarkhani, who has been imprisoned for almost three years on accusations of apostasy, a crime where one disaffiliates themselves from a religion, according to Huffington post www.huffingtonpost.com .

The website says the refutation came after human rights investigator Ahmed Shaheed delivered a recent report to the United Nations.

The UN report, in addition to citing Iran's "striking pattern of violations of fundamental human rights guaranteed under international law" and the country's "maltreatment of prisoners, dissidents, minorities and women," also called for the release of Nadarkhani, according to FOX News.

The Iranian refutation called Shaheed's 36-page report, which first circulated last week, "false," "fabricated," "biased" and manipulated by "certain Western countries and their cronies on the council," according to The New York Times.

Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani
(Photo via Youcef Nadarkhani Facebook page).
The Huffington Post says that Iran's insistence that Nadarkhani will not be executed is "only the latest development in an ongoing legal nightmare, during which a litany of additional accusations, including rape and extortion, have been made against the Christian pastor by the Iranian government."

In September of last year, the Iranian Supreme Court upheld Nadarkhani's initial conviction of apostasy after he allegedly refused to recant his Christian faith, the Huffington Post website stated.

The Huffington Post added that, in February, the American Center for Law and Justice received reports that Nadarkhani had been sentenced to death for the 2010 charges -- a ruling quickly condemned by the White House in a statement.

"This action is yet another shocking breach of Iran's international obligations, its own constitution, and stated religious values," the White House statement read. "The United States stands in solidarity with Pastor Nadarkhani, his family, and all those who seek to practice their religion without fear of persecution -- a fundamental and universal human right."

The Huffington Post says that Leonard Leo, chair of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom, told the Religion News Service last year that Iran's court proceedings can't be trusted.

"The court continues to demand that he recant his faith or otherwise be executed," Leo told RNS. "The most recent court proceedings are not only a sham, but are contrary to Iranian law and international human rights standards."

The Huffington Post reports that deespite the reported execution ruling last fall, Iranian envoy Mohammad Javad Larijani told the Human Rights Council that such punishment is not permitted in Iran.

"In the last 33 years after [the Islamic] revolution, no single person has been put to death or executed or pursued for changing his religion from Islam," Larijani told the council, according to FOX News. "Hundreds of people are changing from other religions to Islam. Why we should be so sensitive about a few people to change their religion from Islam?"

In a press release, dated March 7, which has been posted to the ALCJ website www.alcj.org , the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran at Brasilia "denies all of the News published about the death sentence of Mr. Youcef Nadarkhani, and States that the Power of the Court of the Islamic Republic of Iran delivered no definitive sentence relative to this individual."

The release states: "Article 13 of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Iran recognizes followers of major Heavenly religions, including Christians, as religious minorities; accepting and assuring their rights as religious citizens. According to this Article, they are free to hold services and religious teachings and to practice civil rights based in their background.

"Also these minorities, like the other Muslim organizations inside the Constitution, have representatives in the Parliament. It also says that a peaceful living exists in the Islamic Republic of Iran between the followers of divine religions, with a sincere fatherly spirit that is established between the State and different aspects. Also, we made sure of an independent power of the Court, reminding that the referred individual was arrested based upon laws and regulations of the Islamic Republic of Iran. He has a lawyer who is protecting all of his legal rights, including contact with his family. Department the Press Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran."

The release was made available to ACLJ by Department of the Press, Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Kamis, 08 Maret 2012

Islamists in Egypt Use Rumors to Attack Christians



Islamists in Egypt Use Rumors to Attack Christians
Salafis attack in one village, while officials in another overturn evictions

By Dan Wooding
Founder of ASSIST Ministries

EGYPT (ANS) -- Compass Direct News (CDN) is reporting that tensions remain high in an Egyptian village where as many as 5,000 mostly Salafi Muslims went on a rampage over a false rumor that a church was holding a girl against her will in order to convert her back to Christianity.

Dismissing media reports of 20,000 rioting Muslims, sources told Compass that between 2,000 and 5,000 hardline Muslims, most of them from the Salafi movement, last month harassed Christian villagers in in the Nile Delta, attacked a church building to "save" the girl, damaged a priest's house and then destroyed his car.

CDN went on to say that the girl was not in the church building. She reportedly said her father, a Coptic convert to Islam, treated her poorly and that she had fled of her own accord, and that after hearing reports of the attacks, she contacted police.

"The Salafis have used such rumors to incite other attacks. In January, Salafists terrorized Christians of a village in northern Egypt after an unsubstantiated rumor spread about a video recording of an affair between a Coptic man and a Muslim woman," said the CDN story.

"The Muslims in Sharbat forced numerous Christians to abandon their property in informal but binding 'reconciliation councils,' though a parliamentary commission overturned their rulings last month, and most of the evicted Christian families have returned home."

For more information, please go to: www.compassdirect.org

Egyptian Christian Sentenced to 6 Years in Prison for 'Insulting the Prophet'


Egyptian Christian Sentenced to 6 Years in Prison for 'Insulting the Prophet'

By Michael Ireland
Senior International Correspondent, ASSIST News Service

ASSUIT, EGYPT (ANS) -- In the latest in a series of "defamation of religion" cases, an appeal has been filed on behalf of a Egyptian Christian who was sentenced to six years in prison for "insulting the Prophet," according to Egyptian journalist Mary Abdelmassih, writing for AINA - the Assyrian International New Agency www.aina.org

In its report, AINA says legal observers saw many flaws in the ruling of the judge of the Abanoub misdemeanor court, in Assiut province, while others accused him of appeasing a mob of 2500 Muslims who congregated outside the court and demanded the death penalty for the defendant, Makram Diab.

AINA says that eyewitnesses reported that some of Muslims carried knives and wanted to break into the court and kill Diab, but were blocked by the police.

According to AINA, Diab's Muslim defense lawyer, Ahmad Sayed Gabali, said that during his 18 years as lawyer, he has never experienced what he went through in this case.

"Over 80 Islamist lawyers representing civil rights claimants filled the court, locked the door of the court from the inside, not allowing the judge out, and prevented me as the defense lawyer from going inside the court and defending my client," Gabali said.

A discussion on February 9 between the Makram Diab, who is a school secretary, and a Salafi school teacher became heated but then simply ended, the AINA report says.

AINA states that thirteen days later, on February 23, another teacher named Abdel-Hamid, who was not present during the quarrel or even at school on that day, filed a complaint with the police, signed by another 11 teachers, accusing Makram Diab of insulting Islam's prophet.

"This was a normal quarrel between him and the Muslim teacher," said Gabali, "which could happen anywhere. It was provoked by the teacher, who has been transferred several times from different schools after being reprimanded for causing sedition, and was used by the Salafis for their benefit. This is a group of teachers who used Diab as a scapegoat."

AINA reports that Gabali said that when he approached the court house on the day of the trial, there was a huge mob of Muslims, in addition to high school teachers and students holding banners and chanting Islamic slogans.

"We were about 14 to 15 people, including the 12 policemen who were there to secure the court, facing a crowd of over 2500 people," said Gabali. He waited outside in his car, to be called in by the police warden when it was secure for him to go inside, but this never happened.

"The Muslims' plan was to get the police engaged with me, so that they could attack my client inside the court," Gabali said.

The AINA report goes on to say that the media gave minimal coverage to the case, and no account of the accusation was published, leaving it to the imagination of the readers and viewers.

AINA says that stories differ as to what the insults to prophet Mohammad were.

According to the official court version, Makram Diab allegedly said that Mohammad sexually harassed his disciples.

"This cannot be true at all," said attorney Gabali, who has known Makram personally all his life. "He is simply not capable of it. He is a simple person, who has nothing to do with religion or politics."

AINA reports that Diab's sister Hadia said that her brother simply asked the Muslim teacher whether it was true that Mohammad married 40 wives and the teacher said he would ask and let him know the answer. Michael, Makrab's son, said it was a quarrel. "The Muslim insulted the Christian religion and my father simply answered back. Was my father supposed to be insulted and keep quiet?"

AINA explained that Defamation of Religion is considered a misdemeanor under Egyptian law, punishable by a prison sentence of one month to three years. The Abanoub court is a partial court and the judge is not allowed to pass a prison sentence exceeding three years.

AINA stated that defense lawyer Gabali believes that the Abanoub judge had to pass this flawed ruling as he found himself in the midst of Muslim groups inside and outside the court.

"I saw a group of lawyers entering court weeping, literally weeping, to plead with the judge to give the maximum sentence," Gabali added. He said that he tried to solve the matter amicably before it went to court, but the Muslims refused and the reconciliation meeting was cancelled.

AINA say that Gabali called on the army to secure the court in the appeal session on March 15 in Assuit, "otherwise, we will have a repetition of the Abanoub trial, with mobs everywhere trying to influence the judge morally and religiously."

Gabali called on Field Marshal Tantawi, head of the Supreme Council of the Armed forces to ensure that the trial in Assuit be fully secured by the army outside and inside the court, "otherwise, I cannot guarantee the safety of my client."

Meanwhile, Makram Diab is kept now in the high security section of the Assuit prison.

Libyan Islamists Destroy 150 British Graves From WWII, Tear Down Crosses One Year After Begging For Their Help.



Libyan Islamists Destroy 150 British Graves From WWII, Tear Down Crosses One Year After Begging For Their Help.
How and why did they do it?

By Lisa Gibson
Special to ASSIST News Service

COLORADO SPRINGS, CO (ANS) -- I was saddened when I heard the news about the Islamists in Libya who destroyed the graves of British soldiers at a World War II cemetery in Libya. In my culture it is wrong to desecrate a grave. I would imagine it is wrong in Islam as well, which is why they did it. But even more scandalous was the desecration of the cross that hung above the graves of the soldiers who died there. As Christians, that speaks a very clear and hate filled message.

When I saw the copy of the self- promotional video (www.youtube.com/watch?v=E49R8zMJb5s&feature=youtu.be) created by the vandals that was so brazenly aired on YouTube, I was caught off guard. The vandals wore no masks to cover their faces while committing the crime. Instead, they openly and unabashedly engaged in the crime and destruction while all along chanting "Allahu Akbar", God is great.
Tearing down a cross in the cemetery
The reason for the act was simple, revenge. It was in response to the US burning of the Koran in Afghanistan. Perhaps the Libyan's hadn't gotten the whole story of the secret spy codes in Koran's that were burned, or even heard that the US and even President Obama himself apologized for burning their holy books. But either way, I am confident God wasn't behind either act of destruction so rather than chanting "God is great" while committing the crime, let's keep his name out of it.

What saddened me most about this act, is that the actions don't reflect the sentiment of the majority of Libyans. In fact, many of the progressive leaders I have worked with in Libya in recent months also have concern about the growing fundamentalist influence and the propaganda that is being spread among the Libyan people, especially as the June elections approach.

Lisa teaching conflict resolution
in Libya in January
I was just in Libya in January. We held a two-week leadership training course for 100 medical, business and governmental leaders in Benghazi in ethics, leadership, conflict resolution, and administration. It was the first of many trainings to come, in civil society and capacity building. It was all very new information and designed to help transform wrong patterns of thought that were indoctrinated into the minds of the people during 42 years of tyranny. The leaders were challenged, but greatly appreciated the material and were given concrete skills to apply immediately in their workplaces and lives.

In my experience, the majority of Libyans are peace-loving people who want change and prosperity. They aren't looking for another civil war, or to continue fighting. But just like you have the Taliban in Afghanistan and Al Qaeda in Iraq, you have militant leaders in Libya who are trying to seize power for their own agenda and purposes. They use hate rhetoric and half-truths to stir up discontent among the poor people in the country who are still struggling and not seeing the life altering changes that they believed the revolution would bring. Change doesn't happen overnight. This breads discontent. Discontent can lead to hate and abuse. We have seen this play out time and again through history.

I haven't given up on Libya. Despite the lopsided articles I read in the media, I don't believe it is imploding or bound for ultimate demise. I have a great deal of hope for the future of Libya. They are a people dearly loved by God, who have gone through 42 years of abuse by a brutal regime and they need to learn there is a better way of doing things. They need the western world to go and help them develop, transform and become peaceful and prosperous.

Even though the vengeful acts of destruction make me angry. I refuse to fight with the enemy's weapons. I want to see the vandals brought to justice, so it creates deterrence of future bad behavior. But more than that, I want to see forgiveness and reconciliation reign. Matthew 5:9 says "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God." The reason is simple. The only way to effectively fight hate, is through love!

Lao pastor jailed nearly 13 years for Christian activities set free


Lao pastor jailed nearly 13 years for Christian activities set free

By Michael Ireland
Senior International Correspondent, ASSIST News Service

LAOS (ANS) -- A pastor has been released from prison in Laos after being locked up for nearly 13 years because of his Christian activities.

Barnabas Fund www.barnabasfund.org reports that Bounchan Kanthavong was set free on February 2, having been arrested in June 1999 and then sentenced to twelve years in jail for treason and sedition.

Barnabas Fund says Bounchan's only "crimes" appear to have been receiving Bible training and sharing his faith with people who came into his clothing shop. Bounchan's witness led to around 70 people accepting Christ.

Bounchan had been introduced to Christianity in January 1997 when he spent the night with a Christian family while away on business. When he returned to his home in Vanghai village, Udomsai province, Bounchan began to spread his new faith. People came to his shop from other villages, keen to hear and embrace the Gospel.

According to Barnabas Fund, the Lao authorities repeatedly warned him to stop believing, practicing and spreading the Christian faith and ordered him to cease all worship activities at the shop.

In a media update, Barnabas Fund says: "They were concerned about people leaving the traditional Lao religion (spirit worship) and embracing what they consider a foreign religion, thus becoming loyal to a power other than the Lao authorities. Bounchan's actions were thus perceived as a threat to national security and interpreted as treason and sedition."

Bounchan is married with five children. Following his detention, his wife Sengkham took over the leadership of their Christian community, which has grown to more than 3,000 believers today.

Last April, the authorities told Bounchan that they were willing to release him if he renounced Christ and separated from Sengkham.

Barnabas Fund added: "But he clearly did not as his detention was prolonged. Bounchan's health, particularly his eyes, suffered during his time in jail, and his family struggled without his leadership and provision."

Nigeria: Boko Haram plot to ‘end the Christian presence‘


Nigeria: Boko Haram plot to ‘end the Christian presence‘
-- plus an update on the situation in Sudan

By Elizabeth Kendal
Religious Liberty Prayer Bulletin (RLPB) 149
Special to ASSIST News Service

AUSTRALIA (ANS) -- Religious Liberty Prayer Bulletin | RLPB 149 | Wed 07 Mar 2012

NIGERIA: BOKO HARAM PLOT TO 'END THE CHRISTIAN PRESENCE'

Evidence indicates that the Nigerian al-Qaeda-linked terror group Boko Haram has transformed numerous suburban homes across the north of Nigeria into bomb-making factories. Several militants have been killed recently in Maiduguri, Damaturu and Kaduna when bombs exploded accidentally. Boko Haram's targets include schools, police stations, banks, government buildings and churches. Apart from these strategic bombings, the militants also roam the streets killing people randomly. Bauchi State Police Commissioner Aduba Ikechukwu says these militants are well armed, carrying sophisticated weapons including machine guns, and improvised explosive devices (IEDs). Boko Haram's aim is to make Nigeria ungovernable so they might extract concessions towards the Islamisation of Nigeria. Al-Qaeda supports Boko Haram as a way of furthering its own goal of establishing a sanc tuary and base of operations in Northern Nigeria from where it can launch jihad into West Africa.

For background see: Nigeria: the Boko Haram threat
Religious Liberty Monitoring, 10 July 2011

On Sunday 4 March Egypt-based news website Bikya Masr spoke by phone to a spokesman from Boko Haram who told them that Boko Haram is preparing to launch a 'war' against Christians. He said the campaign, which will involve numerous co-ordinated attacks, is part of a 'plan to eradicate Christians from certain parts of the country'. He also boasted that the government 'cannot be prepared for what is to come'. Such a threat indicates that Boko Haram may be preparing to launch a wave of co-ordinated suicide bombings targeting Christians. The Boko Haram spokesman told Mikya Masr, 'We will create so much effort to end the Christian presence in our push to have a proper Islamic state that the Christians won't be able to stay.'

On Tuesday 6 March the same Boko Haram spokesman told Bikya Masr that the group also plans to 'strike fear into the Christians of the power of Islam by kidnapping their women'. According to the spokesman, the kidnapped Christian women will not be harmed, 'but we [Boko Haram] will demand as ransom that the families leave our Islamic areas'.

PLEASE PRAY SPECIFICALLY THAT GOD WILL --

* protect and deliver his threatened children. 'For he will hide me in his shelter in the day of trouble; he will conceal me under the cover of his tent; he will lift me high upon a rock.' (Psalm 27:5 ESV)

* humble and frustrate those who plot against his Church. 'Give to them according to their work and according to the evil of their deeds; give to them according to the work of their hands; render them their due reward.' (Psalm 28:4 ESV)

* redeem these dark days of suffering, to bring awakening to man y Muslims and revival to the Church. For only then -- after they come to the LORD -- 'they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks . . .' (from Isaiah 2:2-4 ESV).

SUMMARY FOR BULLETINS UNABLE TO RUN THE WHOLE ARTICLE
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BOKO HARAM PLOT TO 'END THE CHRISTIAN PRESENCE' IN NORTHERN NIGERIA

The al-Qaeda-linked Nigerian terrorist group Boko Haram has declared it is plotting to 'end the Christian presence' in much of Northern Nigeria. According to a spokesman, the group is preparing to launch a 'war', a campaign of terror, against Christians through co-ordinated bombings and kidnapping Christian women. The women reportedly will be held for ransom and returned only to Christian families who leave the region. The goal is to eradicate Christians completely so that a 'proper Islamic state' might be established. The authorities say Boko Haram is we ll armed with sophisticated weaponry and munitions. This new threat against Christians is very direct and indicates very dangerous days lie ahead. Please pray that God will shield his people and rise up in defence of his Church. May God be glorified.

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Also: WATCHING SUDAN (Updating RLPBs 147 &148)

The Sudan Revolutionary Front (SRF; also known as the Kauda Alliance) is an alliance of rebel groups from Darfur, South Kordofan and Blue Nile. On 26 February the SRF defeated Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) troops at the strategic garrison town of Jau near the South Sudan border (see RLPB 148). The victory has theoretically opened the Kauda Valley for the Nuba refugees fleeing from genocide. The SRF is appealing for a no-fly zone to be established so that much-needed humanitarian aid can be delivered. On Saturda y 3 March Sudan's President Omar al-Bashir declared that the SAF would 'purge South Kordofan' of 'traitors'. To that end he ordered the reopening of all Popular Defense Forces (PDF) camps across the nation. [The PDF are Arab-Islamic paramilitaries / mujahideen.] He arrogantly predicted that SAF troops would soon perform thanksgiving prayers in the town of Kauda. On 6 March the pro-Khartoum Sudan Vision reported that up to 80,000 paramilitary troops are ready to die in 'defence of the country and its Islamic belief'. Persevere in prayer for our imperilled brothers and sisters fleeing from genocide in Sudan. Psalm 10:16-18.


To see this RLPB with hyperlinks go to Religious Liberty Prayer Bulletin

Minorities Fear Persecution in a Post-Assad Syria


Minorities Fear Persecution in a Post-Assad Syria
Why a swift fall of the Syrian regime may be disastrous for the Assyrians


By Dan Wooding
Founder of ASSIST Ministries

STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN (ANS) -- "While much of the rest of the world is waiting for the Assad regime in Syria to crumble, some Syrians, while not supporting the brutal dictatorship, still dread the prospect of a rapid disintegration of the Syrian state power. One such group is Assyrian Christians, who make up around 5 percent of the Syrian population. "There is great concern and fear among the Assyrians. Many think they will have to leave the country as soon as possible should the regime suddenly fall as a result of the uprising," says Rima Haro, a political scientist and Middle East expert, herself of Assyrian origin, living in Sweden."

So wrote By Aron Lamm in the Epoch Times (www.theepochtimes.com).

File photo of Iraqi Assyrians in Damascus, Syria, wearing traditional dress to celebrate the New Year
(Photo: Louai Beshara/AFP/Getty Images)
Lamm said that the Assyrians are an ethnic group, traditionally spread out over Syria, Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, and Turkey, but with a large diaspora in other parts of the world. As Christians in the Muslim-dominated Middle East, they have faced rounds of persecution throughout history, and just like the Kurds, they have not had a nation-state as a homeland.

One country, with a large Assyrian population is Sweden. Over 100,000 Assyrians live here, particularly in the city of Sodertalje, about 19 miles south of the capital Stockholm, he went on to say. Out of 80,000 inhabitants in Sodertalje, more than 20,000 Assyrians are a core part of the community.

"Haro, 36, has been an interpreter and journalist, and worked for the Swedish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, before becoming a local politician in Stockholm," Lamb continued. "She is an example of why the Assyrians are considered one of Sweden's most well-integrated immigrant groups."

Born of an Assyrian mother and an Armenian father in the northeastern Syrian town of Qamishli, she moved with her family to Sadertalje when she was 10 years old. Like many other Assyrians in Sweden, she is very worried about the current situation in her homeland.

"To be perfectly honest, I dread the prospect of a regime collapse," she said. "I have relatives and friends living there, and I fear for what will happen to them. It will be Iraq or Egypt all over again," she added, referring to the persecution of Christians following both the fall of Saddam Hussein and Hosni Mubarak.

"The several areas where most Christians in Syria live have been relatively quiet, but some Christians, like so many other civilians, have been caught in the crossfire in the brutal siege of Homs recently," wrote Lamm. "Haro hasn't heard of Christians being persecuted in particular, however.

"Haro strongly emphasizes that she in no way supports dictatorship and says that democracy is 'the best thing in the world.' But the fact remains that the Assyrians, with a long history of religious persecution behind them, have had a relatively easy time under Assad, compared to many of their brethren in other countries in the region. If the regime would simply crumble, she, like many Assyrians, fear an even worse bloodbath than the one taking place right now, in the ensuing power struggles and retaliations.

"Furthermore, should fundamentalist forces from the majority Sunni population come to power in Syria, the risk of religious persecution seems obvious to the Assyrians."

Haro, said the journalist, has met many Iraqi Christian refugees in her work as an interpreter, and for them, the persecution that followed in the civil war after the disintegration of Saddam's rule has been a disaster.

Haro says that a similar development in Syria would be a worst case scenario. "We are not too far from that situation right now," she said.

Lamm added, "A peaceful group, largely content with enjoying their religious freedom and not being persecuted, the Assyrians have never challenged the Ba'ath Party's authority. This is also a reason why they have enjoyed relative peace and quiet under the Assad regime, Haro says. Unlike the Kurds, who have carried on an armed struggle for decades, the Assyrians do not pursue dreams of a homeland."

"The Christians in Syria have been very compliant, and in return, their rights have been guaranteed. This has been incredibly important for them," she said.

"Now, however, the Assyrians, like other minorities in Syria, find themselves caught in a bind, Haro says, If they choose not to support the uprising, they may be viewed as regime loyalists and face persecution should the uprising succeed; if they side with the opposition and the regime stays in power, they risk retaliation from the regime."

"I feel really sorry for the minorities right now. They don't know which way to turn," she said.

Lamm said that Haro is very disappointed over the international community's and most of the Western media's stance, that the swift fall of the Assad regime is the only option. She hopes that United Nations-led mediations will be able to break the deadlock and open up for a more peaceful development.

"We need dialogue. Some people say 'It's impossible to have a dialogue with the Assad regime.' But I think we need to try not only once or twice, but three, four or 10 times. People's lives are at stake," she said.

Lamm concluded his story by saying that the best case scenario in Haro's opinion would be if the regime could be convinced to instigate reforms, and eventually to hold free elections. As long as the violence ends and martial law is revoked, years of difficult negotiations would be preferable to an even worse bloodbath.

"It will take a long time, and it's an incredibly complicated situation. It will not be easy to convince the Assad regime to surrender power to anyone else, but I would still like to see all possible options of mediation tried before any attempts at a military solution," she said.