Peaceful Protest Highlights Plight of Coptic Christians in Egypt
Sunday, 28 March 2010
EGYPT— Following the murder of 6 Christians in a drive-by shooting as they left a Coptic Christmas church service in Nag Hammadi (southern Egypt), protestors participated in apeaceful rally in Sydney from Hyde Park to Martin Place on January 19th.
Peaceful protestors gather in Sydney
In stark contrast to the violent demonstrations and severe police reaction in the Qena province in Egypt, the Sydney march drew an estimated 7,000 peaceful protestors, some of whom were bystanders so moved by the event they spontaneously joined the demonstrators to express their concern.
This event drew the attention of several large print and free-to-air mediaoutlets which, however, declined to report on this significant demonstration of public support for the persecuted Coptic Christians. Parliamentary members including Dr David Clarke MLC and the Honourable Max Cracknell (Christian Democratic Party) gave their support along with prominent representatives ofthe religious community, including the Reverend Tara Curlewis (General-Secretary of the National Council of Churches in Australia) and Reverend Jonathan Inkpin (General-Secretary of the NSW Ecumenical Council).
Freedom in Jesus’ Name
Unified in prayer and resolve to bring an end to atrocities systematically inflicted upon Christians in Egypt, the rally drew protestors from the Coptic Orthodox Church, the Anglican Church, the Uniting Church, the Catholic Church and many other denominations in a stand for peace and unity. Their message: united for freedom in Jesus’ name. This was a protest not only addressing violations of religious freedom but also of internationally recognized human rights. Though the events of 6th January sparked the decision to organize the rally, it was intended to raise community and national awareness of the extentof the suffering. A conspicuous outbreak of violence, the massacre is but one in a string of calculated crimes targeting the Coptic Christians of Egypt. The November 2009 Report of Christian Solidarity International documented escalating incidents of Coptic girls being kidnapped, drugged, sexually assaulted, forcibly converted to Islamand married to Muslim men against their will every year.
Complaints against these and other violations of their rights have been met with indifference or direct threats from authorities, indicating official collusion. Many Coptic Christians remain in prison without charge, in spite of court orders issued for their release. Internal security forces have extra-judiciary power, and often disregard the UN Declaration of Universal Human Rights with impunity.
The rally, like the official letter signed by several US Congressmen, to Egypt’s President Hosni Mubarak, sent a clear message that the international community is aware of Egypt’s worsening human rights record and is growing increasingly outraged by these crimes.
Christians Under Fire in Nigeria: Residents of Jos Flee as Violence Escalates
Sunday, 28 March 2010
JOS, NIGERIA - Thousands continue to flee the violence in Jos following the January 19th unprovoked attack by Muslim youths on St Michael's Catholic Church and surrounding churches. Youths launched an attach on the Church, setting it alight with worshippers inside. In the brutality that ensued, an estimated 300 were killed with up to 18,000 fleeing their homes in the wake of the violence.
The attack escalated and the military was called upon to quell theviolence. The operation was complicated as “fake soldiers” dressed in militaryattire are reported to have forcefully entered private residences, pullingoccupants into the street and executing them in Anglo Jos, Eto Baba, and TinnaJunction, Nasarawa. Tina Lambert, Advocacy Director for Christian SolidarityWorldwide, expressed deep concern, citing the impossibility of distinguishingfake soldiers from legitimate armed forces. Mr Greg Ayanting, State PoliceCommissioner, addressed the media testifying that the attack was unprovoked.This supports claims of a movement to Islamize Africa, with concentratedefforts focused on Nigeria due to its size and leadership in the continent. Muslim elements of the Army sent to restore order have reportedly stood idly by as theyouths opened fire on Christians. This follows growing dissension within military ranks between Muslims and Christians.
Fears of an imminent and irreparable rift in the country have alarmedresidents and missionaries alike, with as many as 18,000 fleeing their homes toescape the violence. Instigators of violence are taking advantage of theleadership vacuum created when a gravely ill President Umaru Yar’Adua left toundergo medical treatment in Saudi Arabia on 23rd November 2009. There iswidespread fear that the disturbing events in Jos are indicative of largerscale violence and persecution to come. Tensions continue to mount as residentsbrace for the next assault. Jos is no stranger to sectarian violence, barelyrecovering from the 2001 and 2004 outbreaks before the latest incident.
Sri Lankan Civilians Suffer at the Hands of Government and LTTE
Sunday, 28 March 2010
A former UN spokesman, Gordon Weisshas made stunning allegations against the Sri Lankan government, telling an ABCreporter from Foreign Correspondent that at least 10,000 and up to asmany as 40,000 civilians died in the final stages of the civil war last year.
Having resigned from the UN after a 14 year tenure,Weiss alleged that the Sri Lankan government lied by knowingly understating the number of civilians trapped alongside Tamil Tiger forces in order to justify their final bloody assault on the LTTE. Approximately 300,000 civilians along with Tamil Tiger forces were trapped within a region the size of Central Park in New York City. All fell within range of armaments and the concentrated efforts to smash the Tamil Tiger lines which resulted in the deaths of countless civilians. He acknowledged that Tamil Tiger forces also routinely slaughtered civilians to prevent them fleeing from battle zones.
Forced Conversions in Hanoi
Sunday, 28 March 2010
HANOI, VIETNAM—Growing numbers of Vietnamese, like Sung Cua Po (pictured below) are being subjected to “jungle justice”, according to one source, and forced to recant their Christian faith through violent means.
Sung Cua Po
Po and his wife were dealt more than 70 blows to the head and shoulders by authorities, subjected to severe clan pressure, fined heavily and threatened with death if they did not return to traditional Hmong beliefs.
“I folded—I signed when police threatened to beat me to death if I didn’t recant,” said Po, “Then they would seize my property, leaving my wife a widow, and my children fatherless—without a home.”
Po is expected to offer voluntary sacrifices to his ancestors to prove his sincerity.
Christian Sentenced to Life Under Blasphemy Laws
Sunday, 28 March 2010
FAISALABAD—A young Christian shopkeeper has been fined and sentenced to life imprisonment following a conviction for desecrating the Quran.
The charge was brought against Imran Masih by rival shopkeeper, Hajji Liaquat Abdul Ghafoor, a member of an extremist Islamic proselytizing group. Following a business dispute, overheard by neighbours, Ghafoor allegedly used a mosque loudspeaker to accuse Masih of desecrating the Quran and blaspheming Muhammed, inciting a mob to viciously assault him and loot his shop before handing him over to police.
'Instigating religious hatred and outraging religious feelings' is highly illegal under Section 295-A of Pakistan's notorious legal code; desecrating the Quran is punishable by life imprisonment under Section 295-B and under Section 295-C, blaspheming Muhammad is punishable by death. Widely condemned by the international community, these laws are easily invoked on flimsy evidence to settle personal enmities and persecute minority groups. Tahir Naveed Chaudhary, a Christian member of Punjab's Legistlative Assembly and Sargodha, zone head of the All Pakistan Minorities Alliance, said Masih's case was not unusual, and that APMA would provide legal assistance when he appeals his sentence in the Lahore High Court.
Global Day of Prayer for Burma
Sunday, 28 March 2010
On Sunday, March 14th Christians around the worldwill unite in fervent prayer for the people of Burma, thousands of whom havebeen killed, thousands more internally displaced and severely persecuted by thebrutal, relentless military regime of the Myanmar Republic.
Karen Christian Refugee
We have followed their story over many years, reporting well-authenticated accounts of horrendous abuse and injustice. Yet the people endure, stoically rebuilding shattered lives and villages, their faith and resilience commanding increasing respect and admiration.
James Scott, our former National Director, spent some time with the Free Burma Rangers (FBR) and was profoundly impressed by their courage, resourcefulness and devotion. In situations of severe hardship they provide medical treatment and pastoral care, military advice and record human rights violations; risking their own lives in the service of displaced, persecuted people.
The support of the Christian community here, in prayer and petition, is deeply appreciated, expressed in a recent FBR report, “Thanks so much for helping us put a light on the situation in Burma. May God bless you.” The report openswith the exhortation which expresses Christ in the hearts of the suffering Christians of Burma: “Love each other; unite for freedom, justice and peace. Forgive, and don’t hate one another. Pray with faith, act with courage and never surrender. ”Please join us in continued prayer for the people of Burma.
A refugee mother and children living in the jungle
Shot for Refusing to Recant
Sunday, 28 March 2010
PUNJAB—Two young Christian men attending a wedding in Punjab Province were targeted by Muslim youths who demanded that they recite the Kalima, the Islamic profession of faith, signifying conversion.
The young men instead recited Psalm 91: I will say of the Lord, "He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust". Both men were shot several times, a bullet missing the heart of one by just two millimeters. With a mixture of sorrow and pride, their fathers found them lying in a pool of blood. Though critically wounded, both men are recovering in hospital. Imran Masih said,"Our decision infuriated them, they left us only when convinced that we were dead. Praise the name of Lord Jesus Christ, who raised us from the dead".
Push for Justice in Pakistan
Sunday, 28 March 2010
LAHORE—The violent and tragic death, from torture and malnourishment, of a 12 year-old Christian servant girl, has shone a rare spotlight on the systematic abuse of the Christian poor in Pakistan.
In an uncommon challenge in the predominantly Muslim nation, the Christian parents of Shazia Bashir Masih protested against police unresponsiveness to their pleas to rescue their daughter from the household of influential Muslim attorney, Chaudhary Mohammad Naeem, where she was subjected to physical and sexual abuse. Refusing a bribe for their silence and resisting violent threats, Shazia's family has courageously pursued justice in the courts, capturing widespread media attention and securing Naeem's indictment for murder.
The Chief Minister of the Punjab has visited Shazia's family, promising justice and Pakistani President, Asif Ali Zardari, has matched the gift of 500,000 rupees to the family announced by the Minister of Minorities Affairs, Shahbaz Bhatti. As an indication of public sorrow and outrage, the funeral of this child from the slums drew together Bishops and other prominent clergy, eminent Christian politicians, Ministers of both the Provincial Punjab and Pakistani Federal Parliaments, human rights activists and scores of mourners, united in their determination to seek an end to the violence commonly experienced by Pakistan's 10 million child labourers.
