(Source: Religious Liberty Prayer Bulletin)
On November 4, al-Qaeda affiliate Boko Haram launched attacks in Damaturu and Potiskum in Yobe State and in Maiduguri, Borno State. The death toll from the coordinated assaults presently stands at 150 and is expected to rise. Nine churches were targeted, along with mosques, a bank, an anti-terrorist court, police stations, and army posts. Boko Haram spokesman Abul-Qaqa has reportedly stated, "More attacks are on the way."
In Damaturu's mostly Christian New Jerusalem district, six churches were bombed. According to one resident, "The whole city is traumatised." Nigeria's The Nation reported on November 7 that "in spite their churches being burnt, Christians in Damaturu yesterday defied the security panic and held their Sunday service in open air at the premises of their burnt churches."
Radical Muslims seek to turn Ethiopia into an Islamist state
(Source: International Christian Concern)
In a recent press conference, the Ethiopian government expressed its concern over the growing violence against moderate Muslims and Christians by radical Wahhabi Muslims. The government also announced discovering plans of the Wahhabi Muslims to turn Ethiopia into an Islamic country governed by Shariah law.
"We have found evidences and pamphlets were publicly distributed during the month of Ramadan calling on the Muslim community to stand up against all non-Wahhabi Muslims and followers of other religions," said Mersessa Reda, the Director General at the Ministry of Federal Affairs of Ethiopia.
Pray for protection and courage for Christians living in Muslim-dominated areas of Ethiopia. Pray that the Father would frustrate every plan of the Wahhabi Muslims to turn Ethiopia into an Islamist state, which would lead to increased persecution of Christians. Pray for the leaders of Ethiopia.
For more information on Ethiopia's suffering believers, go to the
Ethiopia Country Report.
Attack on church compound kills two, wounds three in Kenya
(Source: Compass Direct News)
On the night of November 5, suspected Islamic extremists with Somalia's al Shabaab militia threw a grenade into the home of Patrick Mutinda, an elder and church guard at an East Africa Pentecostal Church congregation outside Garissa, Kenya. Killed instantly were eight-year-old Winnie Mwenda Mutinda, the daughter of Patrick, and 25-year-old John Kikavu. Patrick's 12-year-old son, Samuel, suffered burns on his chest and leg, while his 10-year-old son, Peter, sustained burns on his hand and leg. The boys' grandmother, Rachael Kandu, was also severely burned. All three were in stable condition at press time.
An area pastor said a fellowship of church leaders met two days before the bomb attack and wrote a letter to authorities requesting police security for churches in Garissa, especially on Saturdays and Sundays. On November 6, the pastor received a threatening message on his mobile phone, stating, "Message from al Shabaab -- You must migrate Garissa town within 48 hours or you see bomb blast taking your life and we know your house, Christians will see war. Don't take it so lightly. We are for your neck."
Al Shabaab activity near the Somali-Kenya border, including Garissa in northeast Kenya, has increased since Kenya began air strikes on al Shabaab-held territory in southern Somalia last month. The air strikes are in retaliation for the rebel group's kidnapping and murder of foreigners in Kenya.
Pray the Lord's protection will be upon these believers, may these latest threats come to nothing! Pray for complete healing for those who were injured. Pray that the Lord will comfort those who are grieving. Ask God to take away any fear and instead give the believers a spirit of power and love (2 Timothy 1:7).
Coptic student in Egypt murdered by classmates for wearing a cross
(Sources: Christian Solidarity Worldwide, Assyrian International News Agency)
Seventeen-year-old Ayman Nabil Labib was murdered following a classroom altercation in Mallawi, Minya province, on October 16. Although Egyptian media reported the incident as non-sectarian, his parents reported that their son was murdered "in cold blood because he refused to take off his crucifix as ordered by his Muslim teacher." Ayman also had a cross tattooed on his wrist, as per the Coptic tradition, as well as another cross which he wore under his clothes. According to witnesses, he was told to cover up his cross tattoo, but refused and defiantly exposed the second cross he wore under his shirt.
While official sources reported that Ayman was beaten up in the school yard, in reality he was severely beaten in the classroom in the presence of the teacher, who allegedly attempted to choke him. Ayman was then followed as he fled to the washroom, where the attack continued. He was still breathing when a supervisor took him to his room, but was dead an hour later when an ambulance transported his body.
Two Muslim students were detained in connection with the murder. However, there are grave concerns that local officials may be "hiding" the evidence and trying to influence witnesses, claiming that the attack took place as a result of friction between students. Meanwhile the governor of Minya has suspended the school's headmaster, two supervisors, and two social workers who were on duty when Ayman was killed. Since then, all five have reportedly disappeared.
Please pray the Lord will comfort this family and the entire Coptic community over this most recent tragedy. Please pray the perpetrators will be brought to justice. Pray that the Lord will use this difficult situation to spread His goodness and grace throughout Egypt.
Go to the
Egypt Country Report for more details on the persecuted Church in Egypt.
