EGYPT: Mourners Assaulted by Muslim Rioters

Sources: Christian Solidarity Worldwide, CP Middle East, International Christian Concern Hundreds of people gathered at St. Mark's Cathedral in Abbassia, Cairo, on April 7th for the funeral of four Christians who were killed during an uprising of inter-religious violence in the nearby community of Khosous two days earlier. (Two Muslim men had also died in the conflict.) As the mourners were leaving the service, they were pelted with stones by a growing number of angry Muslim rioters. This quickly escalated into a massive attack on the cathedral involving firearms, petrol bombs and tear gas. Two other Christians died and over 80 people were injured during the riot which lasted five hours. According to reports, some Christians had retaliated in the mounting conflict. As a result, Egyptian officials have arrested four Christian men.

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Tensions leading up to the assault ignited Friday when youth spray-painted inflammatory symbols, including a swastika, on an Islamic institution. This led to a quarrel with onlookers in Shubra el-Kheima, located just north of Cairo. The argument spiralled into a street fight involving automatic weapons. Meanwhile, a local imam called on Muslims who owned weapons to "Kill the Christians and cleanse el-Kheima (of) infidels" during Friday prayers. The mob then attacked a Baptist church and damaged a nursery run by St. George Coptic Church, in addition to destroying and looting several Christian-owned businesses. To learn more about what Christians in Egypt are facing, go to the Egypt Country Report. Please pray for God's peace to infiltrate these areas of conflict, as well as the hearts of the people involved. Ask Him to comfort all who are grieving the loss of loved ones and minister healing to the injured. Also pray that the believers would keep their eyes on Jesus, persevere in their faith, and not grow weary or lose heart (Hebrews 10:32-39; 12:1-3). On behalf of all Egypt's citizens, may the Lord guide the leaders of this nation to promote true justice and equality by honouring Him.

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IRAQ (Kurdistan Region): Muslim Leader Converts to Christianity

Source: Mohabat News On April 1st, it was reported by the Kurdish news agency, Rudaw, that a Muslim leader converted to Christianity. Confirming this news, an official in the Ministry of Endowments and Religious Affairs of Iraqi Kurdistan announced that the Fatwa Committee in their ministry do not execute those who convert from Islam to any religion. The Iranian media covered this news report as well. The news website, Bultannews, affiliated with the Iranian Intelligence services, reported that a daughter of another Muslim leader in Erbil (Iraqi Kurdistan) also converted to Christianity along with her husband. The following statement was included in the website article: "For some time now through the work of the missionaries in Iraqi Kurdistan, a number of people are changing their religion.... The government of Iraqi Kurdistan is not reacting to the activities of missionary organizations and, as a result, Christian converts have been able to hold four conferences in that area." Young people in other Muslim countries are also showing interest in knowing and accepting Christ as their Saviour. Last year, another website, Jahan-News, reported that a child of an Iranian ambassador in a foreign country has converted to Christianity and is not willing to return to Iran. As it turns out, the attraction of Muslim youth to Christianity is becoming more evident. While believers in other parts of Iraq are still subject to persecution (read more here), we can be thankful for the fact that God is clearly at work in this part of the world. May these new converts experience His protection and blessing as they become strong in their faith and bold in their witness. Pray that the Lord will continue to make great inroads among all the people groups of Iraq, including their youth who are earnestly searching for truth and answers to life's complexities.

KAZAKHSTAN (Update): Court Decision to Destroy Bibles Overturned

Source: Forum 18 News A previous court decision involving Baptist believer Vyacheslav Cherkasov, ordering that the Bibles confiscated from him be destroyed, has been overturned and the Bibles returned. Unfortunately, the fine remains as originally ordered. (Click here to read the previously reported prayer alert.) A journalist by the name of Sergei Duvanov believed it was possible for the book-burning decision to be overturned if greater awareness was made over the plight of the accused. Thankfully, due to the diligence of human rights defenders in Oslo who have given the case wide publicity, and the prayers of concerned Christians around the world, the outcome of the confiscated Bibles has been favourable. However, another situation serves as a reminder of our need to continue praying that the government in Kazakhstan will grant believers the freedom to gather together for times of worship and prayer. On April 4th, police raided a prayer service involving seven members of a small Baptist church in Ayagoz (East Kazakhstan Region) for holding unregistered religious services. Of the seven who were fined the equivalent of nearly two months' local average wages for a teacher were a couple of grandmothers in their late 70s. Pray that God will recompense these Christians for their financial loss, blessing them abundantly for their faithfulness to Him and His work. May He also touch the hearts of the political and judicial leaders, helping them to realize the importance of following the statutes of His Word in order to make positive progress and thrive as a nation. Important Note Concerning Previous Azerbaijan Alert: Since last week's Persecution & Prayer Alert, The Voice of the Martyrs ministry has received clarification from Forum 18 News that it was Hamid Shabanov's wife, Hinayat, who was fined. (Hamid was away in Russia at the time.) RECENT PRISONER UPDATE

IRAN: Pastor Saeed's Faith Remains Strong Despite Inhumane Treatment

Source: The American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ) American Pastor Saeed Abedini, who is serving an eight-year prison term in Iran because of his Christian faith, has been suffering from internal bleeding for months. The injuries, which are causing him frequent fainting spells, are the result of repeated beatings in prison. Sources state that the physical abuse and psychological torture are intensifying...an inhumane and gross violation of Iran's international obligations. These troubling developments are of grave concern to Pastor Saeed's wife, Naghmeh, who lives with their two young children in the United States. Prison officials want one thing: Pastor Saeed to recant his faith in Christ. And while they continue to try, his faith remains strong; a faith that is clearly sustaining him in his time of great need. For more about his story, click here. Please continue to uphold Pastor Saeed and his very concerned family in prayer. Plead the blood of Jesus over his life, as well as the lives of other believers and human rights defenders there in Evin Prison. May the Lord send His angels to minister ongoing strength and encouragement to them. And in cases such as Pastor Saeed's, where required medical help is not being provided, may the Great Physician personally and supernaturally bring healing to their every wound.

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