Pakistan: Christians regularly kidnapped and forcibly married
Abduction, forced conversion to Islam, and then marriage against the will of Christian girls, is a growing trend in Pakistan with over 700 cases every year. A typical recent incident involved 14-year-old Mehek Rashid kidnapped at gunpoint from her home by a gang of five armed Muslim men. One of her abductors yelled that he would purify Mehek by converting her to Islam before marrying her. Local authorities refuse to investigate the case because the assailants were a prominent Muslim family. A senior church leader warned that the ‘the cases of forced conversion are rising at an alarming rate’. Another recent case was Mariam Gill abducted on her way home from the market by a Muslim businessman who had asked her to marry him and been refused, so she was forcibly converted and married to her kidnapper. His actions were praised as a ‘pious act’ by the Muslim leader who conducted the wedding ceremony.
Pray: for God to cause authorities and regulators to bring an end to crimes against Christians' human rights. (Ps.5:10,11)
Mexico: Evangelicals leave village amid crucifixion threats
At least 70 evangelical Christians in Mexico's east-central region were homeless on Saturday, September 17th after being expelled by local authorities from their village where traditional Catholics reportedly threatened to ‘crucify or lynch’ them. The government of Puebla state ‘bowed’ to pressure from the traditional Catholics in San Rafael Tlanalapan village, 60 miles from Mexico City. Initially 50 Protestant families were ordered to leave the village by September 12th but some were allowed to stay on condition that they would worship outside the area. Additionally they are not allowed to get involved with traditional Catholics, who practice a mixture of indigenous and Catholic rituals. Regional government officials said, ‘there is an agreement that evangelicals not originating from the area have to go as the state government can not guarantee their safety.’
Pray: for an end to decades of small town persecution of Evangelical Christians by local authorities, and for the Holy Spirit's presence to be established across Mexico. (Is.65:1)
More: http://www.worthynews.com/10963-mexico-evangelicals-leave-village-amid-crucifixion-threats
Pakistan: Christians caught up in floods
Christians in Pakistan are in ‘grievous distresses’ as large swathes of land are again submerged in water forcing thousands of people into emergency camps where facilities are poor and they are at risk from malaria, dysentery and dengue fever. It comes exactly one year after floods covered vast swathes of Pakistan last summer. Barnabas Fund said some areas were worse than 2010 floods, with the equivalent of an entire monsoon season’s worth of rain in just a few days. Christians are particularly vulnerable because they already live in poverty and are often overlooked in aid distribution. One church leader said, ‘I am terribly sad to see the destruction and poor condition of the people affected by heavy rains, and notice Christians are being deprived of the help, relief and support that other people are getting.’
Pray: for fair distribution of food, clean water and hygiene products to Pakistani Christians caught up in the floods. (Ps.40:1)
More: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/pakistani.christians.caught.up.in.floods/28641.htm
Syria: Over 5,000 deaths since March
Pro-democracy protests begun in March 2011 are continuing despite fierce government opposition. President Bashar al-Assad has responded by killing over 5,000 of his citizens according to new statistics from human rights researchers. Thousands more have been arrested and tortured. 148 children were killed mainly by gunshots to the upper body. A report found 16 of the children had suffered severe torture in detention before their deaths. Amnesty International said, ‘It is difficult to second guess the motivation for torturing and killing children in custody. It may be that security forces hope to terrify people off the streets with the threat of what could happen to their children.’ International leaders are calling for al-Assad to step down and cease his attempts to put down and crush the serious threat to his family's 40-year rule. He repeatedly rejects these calls claiming demonstrations are ‘foreign-inspired plots,’ Syrian Christians request prayers for God to intervene and for political and emotional healing for the land.
Pray: for a peaceful transition of power, and for leaders to truly know God and serve with integrity. (Zec.13:9)
More: http://www.trust.org/alertnet/news/syria-new-report-indicates-over-5000-deaths-since-march
