Tag: World Watch List

Please Pray for Christians in Mali – World Watch List #7

Persecuted Church: Mali – World Watch List #7

Map of Mali
Map of Mali

Population: 16.3 million (351,000 Christians)

Until recently, Mali was a relatively stable, constitutionally secular state with a moderate Muslim population. However, following a military coup in March 2012, Islamist fighters and Tuareg rebels seized control of the north, declaring it an independent state and establishing a harsh Islamic regime. Tens of thousands of Malians fled south or left the country, including many Christians. There is now a very high degree of hostility towards Christianity in the north – Christians simply cannot exist.

Mali4Please Pray:

  • For those providing aid and shelter to Christians who have fled to the south
  • That international forces will intervene successfully against the occupation of the north, and restore peace and stability
  • That the tendency towards religious radicalisation in Malian society would be reversed.

Persecution Dynamics:

Mali’s appearance towards the top of the WWL is surprising. The country has always been a typical West-African state with a moderate version of Islam and a secular constitution, which proscribes religious political parties, even though a high percentage of its population is Muslim. In the north, the situation has been more difficult than in the south, but international missionaries have even been able to work there.

Islamists terrorize Mali, Christian leader beheaded
Islamists terrorize Mali, Christian leader beheaded

However, the situation changed with the capture of the north of the country by Tuareg separatist rebels and Islamists fighters, and the creation of the independent state of Azawad in northern Mali. The Islamists soon established an Islamic state with a stern Sharia regime in the north. Christians couldn’t stay. They were also very hard on traditional Muslims, killing people, amputating limbs and destroying Sufi sanctuaries. Since the fighting started in March 2012, tens of thousands of Malians have fled to the south or to neighbouring countries. There is a very high degree of hostility – Christians and churches simply cannot exist. In the south, Christians can live but have to be cautious.

Malian refugees in a makeshift shelter in Burkina Faso
Malian refugees in a makeshift shelter in Burkina Faso

There is widespread concern that Mali is fast becoming a Jihadist hub. Much will depend on the success of the intended intervention of the international community against the occupation of northern Mali. In October 2012, the UN stated that they were ready to send international forces to help the Malian government reclaim its lost territories in the North. Preparations for this are expected to take several months.

Please Pray for the Few Christians in Maldives – World Watch List # 6

Please Pray for the Few Christians in Maldives – World Watch List #6

Peanut Gallery: Sharia law in “paradise”… no place for Christians.

2013, Novemer 13, News from Maldives: “An American citizen linked to the Bangladeshi who was caught bringing books on Christianity written in Dhivehi into the country, has been blacklisted and banned from entering the Maldives. Maldives Customs said that the American, Kevin Thomas Greenson, was blacklisted following the collection of sufficient evidence by the Police of his connection with the Bangladeshi, Jathis Biswas, 44. Jathis Biswas has also been deported, following accusations of spreading other religions in Maldives in cooperation with a group of Maldivians. Customs found 11 books on Christianity with Jathis Biswas, who arrived in Maldives on 27 September 2012 on Sri Lankan Airlines.” (SunOnline)

image
The Maldivian economy is to a large degree based on tourism.

This is the only country in the world which requires all citizens to be Muslim. [The government does not distinguish between national and expat believers.] Conversion to another faith is prohibited by law and converts face extreme persecution from family and society – often having to leave the country. The authorities exert extensive control on the people to correct any deviation from Islam. There are no church gatherings or buildings. Religion is moving towards Deobandi Islam – the religion of the Taliban, whose mission is to cleanse Islam of all other influences. There are very few indigenous Christians. (Open Doors UK)

Pray:

  • For the handful of secret believers to grow in the love of God
  • For young people who seek education outside the islands. Pray that they will receive the gospel and return to share it with their communities
  • That the translation of the New Testament into the Dhivehi language would be completed.

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Open Doors Background: The Maldives are well-known as a dream destination for holidays. The islands are located in the midst of the Indian Ocean, surrounded by blue water and white beaches stretched out under the blazing sun. This is the picture authorities want to give to the outside world. The harsh attitude the government takes towards all Christian believers is less known, darkening the lovely picture of the country considerably. Continue reading “Please Pray for the Few Christians in Maldives – World Watch List # 6” →

Please Pray for Christians in Somalia – World Watch List #5

Peanut Gallery: Christian Persecution – Somalia #5 on World Watch List 

East-Africa-Map

It is too dangerous for believers to meet openly in this strictly Islamic state. Terrorist groups such as al-Shabaab target converts to Christianity and eliminate them.

Aid workers, Christian or otherwise, require tight security due to the risk of abduction.

The election of a new parliament and president in 2012 created a framework for a more legitimate government. But for Christians the future still looks bleak, as the provisional constitution does not allow for religious freedom. (Population: 9.8 million – a few hundred Christians)

Please Pray:

  • Al-Shabaab, which is backed by al-Qaeda, remains a serious threat. Pray that its influence will diminish
  • That Christian radio programmes will bring hope to isolated believers and those who are seeking God
  • Some of those who have returned to Somalia following the political changes have been exposed to Christianity. Pray this will bring more tolerance towards Christians.

Prayer: Heavenly Father – May your Kingdom come… and your will be done… in Somalia, as it is in heaven. Feed your people and deliver them from evil. Lord Jesus – Come in power to Somalia… break their bondage to sin and death… set them free – may your Word go forth with power accomplishing your Kingdom purposes. Holy Spirit – Move among your people… strengthening, encouraging, protecting them. I ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Somali-woman-mourns-near--007Persecution dynamics

Islamic leaders maintain that Somalia remains a strictly Islamic state with no room for Christians. Children attend mandatory Madrasa Islamic classes, people are buried with Islamic burial rights whatever their religion might be, and it is extremely difficult to openly declare faith. It is too dangerous to meet openly and families of converts are fearful that they might be suspected of conversion and risk execution. Continue reading “Please Pray for Christians in Somalia – World Watch List #5” →

Please Pray for Christians in Iraq – World Watch List #4

Peanut Gallery: Christian Persecution – Iraq – #4 (worldwatchlist.us)

Christians in Iraq are on the verge of extinction. Large numbers have fled abroad or to the (until recently) safer Kurdish region, where they face unemployment and inadequate schooling, medical care and housing. The church faces many challenges – members being killed or abducted, and a lack of capable leaders. In central and southern Iraq, traditional Christians suffer as much as Muslim-background believers, as a result of their visibility. In May 2012, 20 Christian families in Mosul received threats, and the house of another Christian was set on fire.

Prayer Request:

  • For the many Christians displaced from their homes by threats of murder or abduction
  • Ask God to raise up godly, wise leaders to shepherd the church
  • For Open Doors trauma counsellors working with children and families affected by persecution.

Sargon’s Story: Sargon* and his wife Leja* once lived in Baghdad, where Sargon worked as a mechanic. Now, they live in northern Iraq in a small, sparsely furnished apartment.

Iraqi Christians Flee North
Iraqi Christians Flee North
While still in Baghdad, the fallout from a bomb claimed three of the lives of Sargon’s fellow mechanics. To this day, though he survived, Sargon carries shrapnel in his shoulder that cannot be removed and continues to cause him pain.

The effects of that day have also resulted in emotional shrapnel in Sargon’s heart, aggravated by increased terrorist attacks in the couple’s neighborhood in Baghdad.

One day Leja found a letter in their mailbox, “You had better get away quickly, or you may die.”

As other Christian in Baghdad had to do, the traumatized couple had to take the letter very seriously. They gathered as much of their possessions together as possible and took off that same night in their old car, heading for northern Iraq.

Sargon found work at a small local garage in their new city. He earned little; hardly enough to pay their rent. So after a while he and his wife began making serious plans to return to Baghdad, despite the dangers.

When Open Doors learned of their situation we provided the couple with a micro loan, which enabled Sargon to start up his own garage.

Although the small micro-loan helped Sargon and Leja make a new start, they still wrestle with serious issues: Tenants moved into their Baghdad home, with the help of the government, and the couple will not be able to get it back without costly legal assistance.

There is no “happy ending” to Sargon and Leja’s story yet, and unfortunately their story is also the story of many Christian refugees in northern Iraq.

*Sargon & Leja – not their real names.

Country Video:

Please Pray for Christians in Saudi Arabia – World Watch List #2

Peanut Gallery: Christian Persecution – Saudi Arabia – #2 (worldwatchlist.us)

Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia

There is no provision for religious freedom in the constitution of this Islamic kingdom. All citizens must adhere to Islam and conversion to another religion is punishable by death. Public Christian worship is forbidden; worshippers risk imprisonment, lashing, deportation and torture. Evangelising Muslims and distributing non-Muslim materials is illegal. Muslims who convert to Christianity risk honour killings, and foreign Christian workers have been exposed to abuse from employers. Despite this, converts are responding to Christian TV programmes and to dreams and visions from God.

Anecdotal Report: Rashid (not his real name) is a Saudi Arabian student who attended a Western university and surrendered his life to Christ after his roommate shared the gospel with him.

Excited about his newfound faith, Rashid returned home and shared the good news of Jesus with his loved ones. But he chose a public venue to tell one relative about his decision. A bystander reported Rashid to Saudi religious police, who threw him into jail.

Rashid’s cell mate, Tareq (not his real name), kept staring at him. At last Tareq spoke: “You’re the man I’m supposed to talk to.” Continue reading “Please Pray for Christians in Saudi Arabia – World Watch List #2” →