Thirty-five young Christians were arrested by police in Meung Feung in northern Laos on September 18. All of the believers, who were reportedly in the area for a tree-planting project, were then held in detention. Later on, 30 of them were released, including the mother of a four-month-old child. The group is reportedly very active in sharing the gospel and has helped lead many people to the Lord. Many are deeply concerned for the welfare of the five who remained detained.
Imprisoned Laotian Christians often face brutal treatment at the hands of authorities, including vigorous interrogation, torture and solitary confinement. In some instances, believers have been given sentences of over one year. The families of imprisoned believers also occasionally face harassment. (Source: VOM-New Zealand)
Pray for the release of the five believers. Ask God to give them endurance of faith as they suffer for Him. Pray for boldness and wisdom for Laotian Christians as they share the love of Christ amid ongoing threats of harassment and imprisonment.
Find out more about the trials Christians face in Laos at the
Laos Country Report. You can post a prayer for Laotian Christians on our
Persecuted Church Prayer Wall.
Pastor charged with forced conversions in India
On Sunday, September 26, Hindu militants stormed a small, mostly tribal fellowship in Umachagi village, Karnataka, which has been led by Pastor Shivanda Siddi (45) for the past five years. After interrupting prayers, they tried to argue with Pastor Siddi while abusing believers and taking their Bibles. For the next half hour they insulted, beat and stripped the pastor before phoning the police and falsely accusing him of forced conversions. When the police arrived they arrested the pastor, seven women and two children. While the Global Council of Indian Christians (GCIC) was able to intervene to get the women and children released, Pastor Siddi was tried and charged under Section 295 of the Indian Penal Code, which prohibits "forced" conversions. At last report, the pastor had been released on bail.
Omar Beiler, a regional director with AG World Missions, has shared, "Although I'm deeply pleased that GCIC was able to secure the release of Pastor Siddi...this kind of incident is not isolated or restricted to India. Persecution is a very real experience for many Christians around the world. I believe our prayers for the suffering Church can make the difference between life and death for many of our brothers and sisters in Christ who experience -- at the very least -- daily threats." (Source: Australian Evangelical Alliance Religious Liberty Commission, AGNews)
Thank the Lord that this pastor has been released on bail. Pray that all charges will be dropped. Ask the Lord to continue to strengthen His church in India so they will remain faithful in spite of the opposition. Pray for the perpetrators of this attack and those in authority.
For more information on persecution in India, please visit the
India Country Report.
Christian charged in Bangladesh despite thief's confession
Police in Bangladesh's Nilphamari district have charged Christian day labourer Abul Hossen (41) with cattle theft despite a confession from the primary suspect, according to a defense attorney and a local official present in the courtroom. Police submitted the charge sheet against the convert from Islam on September 12, even though Sirajul Islam had confessed to the crime and testified on September 8 that Abul was not involved and that he did not know him.
Abul has reported that when he was arrested on August 21, police inquired about his conversion to Christianity, questioned the religion of his wife and father, and asked whether Christians offered him money to convert. Local believers have said that influential Muslims had Abul accused in order to discredit his ministry. (Source: Compass Direct)
Please pray the truth will come to light and that justice will be upheld in this case. Please pray for Abul and other Christians in the community, that they would be faithful and strong and that God would give them wisdom when dealing with the authorities.
Visit the
Bangladesh Country Report to find out more about persecution in Bangladesh.
Church raided, members beaten and robbed in China
On September 26, a house church meeting in Youqing, Sichuan province was interrupted by 10 police and security people, who proceeded to destroy and confiscate private property and detain and beat church members. The authorities, who claimed the gathering was illegal, smashed one desk and about 30 benches and hauled them away. They also confiscated the Christians' books, as well as 500 Yuan (approximately $75 CDN). They then took 20 Christians to the police station where they were interrogated. Five were released after their families posted bail, but the others remained detained for several hours before being released. During the detention, the director of the station beat two of the believers, Wang Junzhang and Yan Chuanchun. When the some of the believers returned the next day to retrieve their property, five were given 15 days' detention for "disrupting the public order under the guise of religion." (Source: ChinaAid)
Praise the Lord for the faithfulness of Chinese Christians who continue to meet together in fellowship, at great risk. Please pray for the release of those in custody. Pray that those who were beaten will be strengthened and fully restored.
To learn more about the suffering Church in China, please visit the
China Country Report.
Christians face court in Algeria
On October 5, a court in the Kabylie region of Algeria acquitted Christian converts Hocine Hocini and Salem Fellak of the charge of "non-compliance with a precept of Islam." They had been arrested for eating lunch during Ramadan. During this and an earlier trial, hundreds of concerned citizens and civil society groups stood alongside Christians in a display of public solidarity to protest growing intolerance and abuse of power.
On October 10, four Protestant leaders will face court on the charge of "practicing non-Muslim worship without authorization." The fellowship led by Pastor Yahou Mahmoud and elders Raid Abdenour, Mokrani Nacer and Haouedj Idir is affiliated with the Protestant Church of Algeria, a large nationally accredited denomination. (Source: Australian Evangelical Alliance Religious Liberty Commission)
Thank the Lord for the outcome for Hocine Hocini and Salem Fellak, and for the support from the many citizens across the nation. Pray the Lord will be with the church leaders who will soon face court. May they speak with confidence as the Lord gives them the right words when they are questioned (Matthew 10: 19-20). Pray the Lord will use this case to strengthen His church and further the Gospel in Algeria.
Please visit the
Algeria Country Report for more information on the plight of believers in Algeria.
