Sources: Australian Evangelical Alliance Religious Liberty Commission, Fox News
The criminal court of Beni Suef (south of Cairo) has sentenced an entire single-parent family to prison for converting to Christianity. Nadia Mohamed Ali, who was born into a Christian family, converted to Islam when she married Mustafa Mohamed Abdel-Wahab 23 years ago. When Mustafa died in 1991, Nadia decided to return to Christianity, bringing her seven children with her.
In 2004, the family decided to take Christian names and have their identity cards amended. Seven Registry Office officials facilitated this. Now Nadia and her seven children have been convicted and sentenced to 15 years in jail, while the seven Registry Office officials have each received 5-year sentences.
Samuel Tadros, a research fellow at Hudson Institute's Centre for Religious Freedom, said conversions like Nadia's have been common in the past, but that Egypt's new Sharia-based constitution "is a real disaster in terms of religious freedom."
President Mohamed Morsi, who was elected last June and succeeded the secular reign of Hosni Mubarak (who is now in prison), pushed the new constitution through last year. The constitution limits the practice of Christianity because "religious freedom has to be understood within the boundaries of Sharia." He prescribes that the highest Sunni authority should be referred to as an interpreter of the religion clause contained in the constitution. To review past reports, please go to the Egypt Country Report.
Please pray that the Lord will mightily intervene in this situation, and that the family and Registry Office officials involved will be released. In fact, may this particular case serve to highlight the true nature of Islam and the injustices that can result from a Sharia-based constitution, bringing about the restoration of genuine religious freedom in this nation. Despite the present challenges facing the persecuted Church in Egypt, may it continue to grow in strength, faithfulness and number.
UZBEKISTAN: Christian Woman Faces Imprisonment After Police Raid
Sources: Barnabas Aid, Forum 18 News Service
During the month of January, the home of a Christian woman in northwest Uzbekistan (Urgench) was raided on two separate occasions by police. As a result, Sharofat Allamova is now facing criminal prosecution for "illegally" storing religious literature. During the first raid, which took place on January 4th, officers confiscated a total of three Christian books, two DVDs (a Christian film and a sermon), and a video titled, "Life in the Church." The second raid took place just 12 days later, but no religious materials were found in the home at that time.
Due to previous convictions of a similar nature, Sharofat could face a fine of up to 200 times the minimum monthly wage or a prison term of up to three years. In 2007, she was given a six-month suspended jail term after Christian books and films were found in her bag while aboard a bus. In May of 2012, she was fined ten times the minimum monthly wage for possessing religious literature.
Christians in the Tashkent Region are also upset and outraged over an incident that took place on December 24th, 2012, as church members were beginning their Christmas celebrations. In this case, Judge Ikrom Obidov fined four local believers and ordered the destruction of Bibles. This judge has already punished many people locally for exercising their right to freedom of religion or belief. In an appeal made against an earlier fine imposed by Obidov, an appeal judge ignored evidence that the original case against believer Vadim Shim had been fabricated. For more about the challenges faced by the followers of Jesus in Uzbekistan, review the Uzbekistan Country Report.May the Lord Himself, who has promised to be a "Vindicator" of His people, personally take up the cause of these oppressed Christians in the nation of Uzbekistan, meting out justice on their behalf. Also pray that these believers will be further encouraged by His Word, mindful that the 'schemes of men' will never thwart His purposes (Job 42:2). Ask that His strength and wisdom be imparted to Sharofat throughout the legal process and that the outcome of her trial be favourable. May the reverential fear of God come upon Judge Ikrom Obidov and others in positions of judicial authority so that they will honour Him by raising up a standard of truth, righteousness and justice.
INDIA: Christian Villagers Assaulted by Angry Mob
Source: Release International
On January 14th, three Christian women were attacked by Hindu extremists in Tamsai village (located near Navi, Mumbai). The incident took place while they were washing clothes at a public well. It all began because the 12-year-old daughter of one of the Christian women listened to Gospel songs on a mobile phone, causing the other villagers nearby to become irritated. These angry people protested that Christian music should not be played within their hearing range.
Eventually, the number of enraged villagers increased, developing into a mob of about 50 people. After gathering near the houses of the Christian women, those in the mob physically assaulted them. Apparently, the Hindu extremists of Tamsai are strongly opposed to the use of Christian worship during healing services. Yet despite their anti-Christian actions, and the resulting violence against believers, it has been reported that many Hindus in the vicinity are coming to Christ. For more about the situation in India, please go to the India Country Report.Pray that God will protect and bless the Christians of Tamsai village, and that His divine healing touch would minister powerfully to the women who were injured in the attack. May these believers have the assurance that God is their refuge and strength, an ever present help in trouble. Let's also remember to pray for the salvation and spiritual deliverance of the Hindu extremists...that they, too, would experience a radical change of heart through the power of Christ's unfailing love.
