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Twelve Christians arrested in India

Pastor Satish and Ravi Photo from Persecution Update India

Pray for the release of these believers. Pray that their testimonies of faithfulness amid adversity will draw non-believers into fellowship with Christ. Pray that the Word of God will continue to be declared with clarity, boldness, love, and power in India (Ephesians 6:19-20). To post a prayer of solidarity with these imprisoned believers, please visit our Persecuted Church Prayer Wall.

For more information on the persecution of Christians in India, click here.

Muslims attack Somali church leader in Ethiopia

Mohamed Ali Garas, a prominent Somali church leader and convert from Islam, was beaten recently by Muslims in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Mohamed, who fled to Ethiopia from Somalia in 2005 after Somali authorities attempted to arrest him, recently moved to a new neighbourhood in Addis Ababa because Somali Muslims had threatened to attack him. While he was walking to his new home on the evening of August 21, he heard two men calling his name. When he approached them, they struck him on the head with a wooden club and knocked him to the ground. The two Somali Muslims then continued to assault him, hitting and kicking him in the chest and stomach. They fled when a neighbour arrived on scene. At last report, Mohamed was being treated at a local hospital for his injuries, which included a damaged kneecap.

Somali Christians living in Ethiopia have come under increased attacks from Somali Muslims in recent months, including a Christian man who was assaulted in July for reading a book critical of the Prophet Muhammad (click here for more information). A Somali pastor in the Ethiopian capital has described this latest attack as "an apparent attempt to scar the Somali Christian community in Addis Ababa who consider Ethiopia a safe haven from religious persecution." (Source: International Christian Concern)

Ask God to give Mohamed healing. Pray that his attackers will be brought to justice. Pray that he and other Somali believers facing persecution in Ethiopia will continue to trust in the Lord to guide and embolden them as they serve Him.

To learn more about the ongoing opposition of believers in Ethiopia, go to the Ethiopia Country Report.

Evangelist arrested in Zanzibar, Tanzania

Security agents have reportedly arrested Peter Masanja, an evangelist in Zanzibar's southeastern town of Paje. Earlier this year, Peter invited fellow members of the Pentecostal Church in Zanzibar to hold religious activities in his home. Local Muslims grew angry, believing that he was planning to establish a church on his land.

In early August, Peter failed to return home and his wife grew concerned. After several days of searching for him, his wife learned that he had been arrested and imprisoned in Kilimani. Local pastors have tried to meet with prison authorities about Peter's arrest, but were told that the person in charge of the prison was away on business. (Source: Compass Direct)

Pray that Peter will be released. Pray also for his family, that their faith in Christ will grow stronger during these difficult days. Ask God to equip Christians in Tanzania through His grace to demonstrate His love and forgiveness amid great opposition.

Pakistani family in hiding following accusations of blasphemy

A Christian man, Tanvir Masih, and his family are in hiding after Muslim militants accused him of blasphemy. On July 28, Muslims in Bahawalnagar district, Punjab province discovered Tanvir, who is a cleaning worker, using a broom covered with a pharmaceutical firm's advertisement cards bearing a verse from the Qur'an in Arabic that read, "God is the best healer!" They then accused Tanvir of "defiling Muhammad." Tanvir tried to explain that others had given him the cards, which were written mostly in English, and that he did not understand English. The Muslims continued to verbally abuse him and brought the matter to Tanvir's employer, a physician, and a district health officer. The two decided that Tanvir committed no blasphemy -- a decision his accusers appeared to accept. However, as Tanvir came out of the clinic he found irate Muslims had swarmed the road. In fear for his life, Tanvir fled the scene. At last report, he and his family have gone into hiding at an undisclosed location. (Source: Compass Direct)

Pray for safety and courage for Tanvir and his two young sons. Pray that Tanvir will be able to stand firm in his faith, despite the difficulties he is facing. Pray that those who falsely accuse Christians of blasphemy will repent of their unjust ways and come to know Christ as Lord.

To find out more about Christians suffering for their faith in Pakistan, visit the Pakistan Country Report.

Pray for Christians in India and Sri Lanka

Two VOM staff members recently returned from India and Sri Lanka, where they met with partners and visited with persecuted Christians in need of prayer as they serve Christ amid great opposition. In India, reports of violence against believers, village churches being destroyed, and church leaders being threatened by local Hindus continue to be a daily reality. Converts to Christianity are often cast out of their families, denied inheritance rights and face poverty and ostracism. In Sri Lanka, Christians often face opposition from militant Buddhists intent on ridding the nation of Christianity. Churches have been burned, believers beaten and Christian leaders killed.

Pray for lasting fruit from the time VOM staff spent in India and Sri Lanka as projects are developed. Pray that the suffering believers they met with will look to the Lord for encouragement. Pray also that VOM will be effective in equipping Canadian Christians to understand the situation facing Christians in India and Sri Lanka and stand in solidarity with them.

You can learn more about the trials facing Christians in India by visiting the India Country Report. You can also stay informed about persecution facing Christians in Sri Lanka by visiting the Sri Lanka Country Report. Be sure to sign up for VOM's free monthly newsletter to read upcoming articles featuring the testimonies of believers in India and Sri Lanka. Subscribe today!

Hearing their cry: The International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church

"You hear, O LORD, the desire of the afflicted; you encourage them, and you listen to their cry" -- Psalm 10:17

In countries around the world, Christians are following Jesus at great cost and risk. Many face violence, imprisonment and harassment and even death. Every November, Christians join in The International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church (IDOP) -- a time set apart for us to remember thousands of our Christian brothers and sisters who suffer persecution, simply because they confess Jesus Christ as Lord. To learn more about IDOP, visit www.idop.org, where you can also download special resources designed to equip you to pray for your persecuted family.

The Persecution & Prayer Alert is a ministry of The Voice of the Martyrs, Canada 
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