Blast kills 21 outside church in Alexandria, Egypt

(Source: Compass Direct) At least 21 people were killed and 90 wounded on January 1, when a bomb outside a church in Alexandria, Egypt, exploded as congregants were leaving a New Year's Eve Mass. The explosion ripped through the crowd shortly after midnight, leaving the entranceway to the Church of the Two Saints, a Coptic Orthodox congregation, covered with blood and severed body parts.

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Witnesses reported a driver parked a car at the entrance of the church and then ran away seconds before it exploded. Government officials say they found remnants of the bomb, filled with nails and other makeshift shrapnel, at the site; they suspect an unidentified suicide bomber, rather than a car bombing. No one has claimed responsibility for the bombing, but the attack comes two months after an Islamic group known as the Islamic State of Iraq issued a threat, stating "All Christian centres, organisations and institutions, leaders and followers are legitimate targets for the muhajedeen wherever they can reach them." Pray the Lord will give grace and strength to the injured and the loved ones of the dead. Pray they will keep their eyes on Jesus, persevere in the faith and not grow weary or lose heart. Pray those in authority will be spurred on to bring about justice and protection for Christians in Egypt. To read more about the persecution of Christians in this area, visit the Egypt Country Report.

Elderly Iraqi Christian couple killed inside their home

(Source: Release International) An elderly Christian couple in the Ghadir district of Baghdad was killed when terrorists placed a bomb outside of their home, rang the doorbell and then fled. Fawzi Rahim, 76, and Janet Mekha, 78, were killed instantly when they opened the door. The bombing happened at the same time other Christian-owned homes and neighbourhoods throughout Baghdad were being attacked. Thirteen people were wounded in the attacks. Pray Christians in Iraq will experience the Lord's rest and peace (John 14:27, Matthew 11:28-30). Pray He will strengthen the small church. May they remain steadfast in their faith and be the light of Christ in this troubled nation. You can read more about the suffering of Christians in Iraq at the Iraq Country Report.

Pakistani Christian Asia Bibi 'has price on her head'

(Source: BBC News) VOM continues to follow the case of Asia Bibi, a Christian woman sentenced to death under Pakistan's blasphemy law. Asia's husband, Ashiq Masih, says his family has been receiving threatening phone calls, forcing him and his children to flee their home. Ashiq told the BBC that they move constantly, trying to stay one step ahead of the anonymous callers who have been menacing them. "I ask who they are, but they refuse to tell me," Ashiq said. Ashiq insists that his wife is innocent and will be freed, but he worries about what will happen if she is released. "When she comes out, how she can live safely?" he asks. "No one will let her live. The mullahs are saying they will kill her when she comes out." In addition to the death sentence hanging over Asia, a radical cleric has put a price on her head, promising $6,000 CAD to anyone prepared to "finish her" (click here for more information). Please pray the Lord will protect and provide for Ashiq Masih and his children. May the entire family know the Lord's strengthening presence. Pray the Lord will use Asia's situation to bring about change in Pakistan for His glory. Pray for her release. For more on trials facing Christians in Pakistan, visit the Pakistan Country Report.

Pakistani governor assassinated for opposing blasphemy law

(Source: BBC News) The governor of Pakistan's Punjab province, Salman Taseer, was killed by his own bodyguard in Islamabad on January 4, allegedly because he spoke out against the country's controversial blasphemy law. Interior Minister Rehman Malik said the guard told police that he killed Taseer because of the governor's opposition to Pakistan's blasphemy law. Taseer recently made headlines for speaking out against the law, which was used to sentence Asia Bibi, a Christian woman, who was convicted of insulting the Prophet Muhammad. Friends of the governor say he knew he was risking his life by speaking out. Pray the Lord will use the work of Salman Taseer for His good purposes and for the benefit of the Church in Pakistan. Pray there will be great support for reform. Pray the Lord will raise up other leaders who are willing to speak up for the Christian minority in Pakistan. For more on believers suffering for serving Christ in Pakistan, visit the Pakistan Country Report.

Pray for Sudan amid historic referendum

(Source: Evangelical Fellowship of Canada, VOM) Sudan is a country with a long history of violence and conflict, including two civil wars between the largely Islamic North and the Christian and animist majority in the South. Christians, in particular, have endured severe opposition, and they continue to face many challenges to their witness. In the North, believers are subject to many restrictions. Evangelism is fiercely opposed and thus very limited, and all non-Muslims face intense pressure to convert to Islam. There have also been reports of violent attacks on Christians in other regions in recent years (click here to learn more). In 2005, the government in Khartoum and the Southern Sudan People's Liberation Movement signed a peace agreement. This agreement, which ended the country's second civil war, established semi-autonomy in the South and called for a referendum on independence. This referendum is scheduled to take place on January 9. While many are hopeful that the January 9 referendum will allow the South to separate from the North peacefully, there remains concern over the effect this transition will have on the country. Recent comments made by President Omar al-Bashir, regarding the reinforcement of Islamic law, have raised particular fear for Christians and all non-Muslims in the nation in the aftermath of the vote. "If south Sudan secedes, we will change the constitution," President al-Bashir has said. "Shariah and Islam will be the main source for the constitution -- Islam the official religion and Arabic the official language." Pray for a free and democratic vote in this referendum. Pray that international governments will encourage Sudanese leadership to hear and accept the voice of their people. Pray that Christians throughout Sudan will continue to entrust themselves to Christ and preach the gospel boldly, knowing Jesus is the ruler over the kings of the earth (2 Timothy 1:7-12, Revelation 1:5). Pray that many more people will come to know Christ as Lord in Sudan. Pray for true and lasting peace in the country. To learn more about the trials facing Sudanese Christians, visit the country report at the Sudan Country Report.

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