India: Pastor arrested for baptising seven Muslims
Kashmir region’s grand mufti used a video from YouTube showing Rev Khanna baptising seven young Muslim men and women to have the Reverend arrested. The video was linked by other online platforms provoking an avalanche of verbal attacks against the clergyman. In early November the grand mufti summoned Rev Khanna of All Saints Church to appear before a Sharia Court accused of converting Muslims in exchange for money. The grand mufti called the police who then arrested him and later arrested the seven men and women who were in the video. According to witnesses, police beat the seven in order to testify against the pastor. The Jammu Christian Federation called on the government to release the pastor since administering the baptism on consenting adults is his prerogative. ‘The rights of Christians are being sacrificed on the altar of political expediency and convenience,’ said the Global Council of Indian Christians.
Pray: for Indian Christians to continue to be entitled to minority rights and that Sharia Courts would not enforce laws on Christians. (Pr.3:27)
More: http://www.asianews.it/news-en/Kashmir-pastor-arrested-for-baptising-seven-Muslims-23237.html
Egypt: Elections from 28th November - 10th March 2012
Egyptian Christians request our prayers for Parliamentary elections within the current context of protest, violence and lack of security. Christians are concerned that the pattern of protest and violent response is nurturing an environment of indifference towards violence, including sectarian violence. Christians continue to be a vulnerable group, disproportionately affected by the lack of security in Egypt, fearing the current climate of intimidation, violence and instability could lead to fewer Christians voting, which would impact their representation in Parliament. Also Christians are concerned that if some parties achieve power they intend to restrict freedom of expression and the religious freedom of minority communities. Although most parties have pledged to fight against sectarianism and discrimination, Christians fear that some parties, likely to have significant representation, would not honour such pledges. Please pray that the elections which are undetaken in stages on 10 March next year, will be conducted in a peaceful environment, in a fair manner, and that all Egyptians, including Christians, will have confidence in the process.
Pray: for an end to violence and for all political parties to uphold current commitments on freedoms of belief and expression.(Pr.2:20-22)
Nigeria: Christians still being murdered
Muslim herdsmen and soldiers killed at least 45 ethnic Berom Christians in Plateau state in the past week. Smaller attacks beginning on Nov. 20th over allegations by Fulani Muslims of cattle theft preceded an attack on a church on Nov. 23rd killing four Christians, and an assault the next day left 35 Christians dead. Thousands of Christians are fleeing because they have no guns with which to fight back against aggressive Muslims with guns. Nearly all Christians have fled to Jos or have left Plateau state. In Thursday's attack the Fulani Muslims were shouting ‘Allahu Akbar’ (God is greater). Alhaji Kasimu is one of leaders of the Muslim community in Barkin Ladi responsible for arming Muslims to attack Christians.
Pray: for the thousands of displaced Christians to know God’s provision and protection and for security agencies to take the necessary steps to check violence. (Ps.71:1-4)
More: http://www.compassdirect.org/english/country/nigeria/article_123658.html
Somalia: Suicide bombing in Mogadishu
A suicide bomber killed at least five people on Wednesday when he detonated explosives outside a government military base. This is the latest in a series of attacks in violence-ridden Mogadishu. The attacker detonated his explosives after being approached by security forces. The city is regularly targeted by the Somali insurgent group al-Shabab. On Monday, a series of blasts killed at least six people including two people at a hospital for women and children. In recent months, Somali forces backed by African Union troops forced al-Shabab from Mogadishu, but the insurgents have continued to wage guerrilla-style warfare in the capital. The US State Department says it is 'extreamly concned' about al-Shabab's announcmen ot ban 16 international aid organizations' accusing them of promoting secularism, immorality and what it describes as ‘the degrading values of democracy in an Islamic country.’ The UN agencies have been removed from regions where nearly 250,000 people are at risk of starvation and need emergency assistance.
Pray: for life saving aid groups to return and for Kenyan troops and Somalia’s transitional government to win the battle against al-Shabab. (Ps.17:8-9)
More: http://blogs.voanews.com/breaking-news/2011/11/30/five-dead-in-suicide-bombing-in-mogadishu/
