Persecution of Christians in Africa
Africa is home of some of the most violent persecution of Christians in the world. Although the rest of the world naively perceives this violence to be typically political in nature, the hostility of Islam toward Christianity is deeply interlaced in the horrific conflicts in Sudan, Darfur, and Nigeria.
Although it would be an over-simplification to describe the African spread of Islam as moving north to south over the continent, there is no doubt that the mosque-building boom has now moved to sub-Saharan Africa. Oil revenues enable Islam to be easily exported from oil-rich Middle Eastern Muslim states to Africa where in Ghana, for example, new mosques are being built so that they dot the countryside no more than 2-3 miles apart from each other.
Prayers for persecuted Christians in Africa
Arrested for the Name of Christ
Mina Talaat did not attend the protest in Maspero, Egypt, but he was arrested anyway because of his faith. His mother says, "Mina was stopped by a soldier, who called a group of 20 people to come quickly, as he had found a Christian. The group beat Mina with short leather batons until his jaw was broken and he had to hold it back with his hand. He also had wounds in the head requiring 12 stitches."
Why was this man arrested and beaten for his faith?
Imprisoned Believers Released
UPDATE: Believers falsely held in prison in EGYPT were finally released, most pending further investigations. They were arrested after the Egyptian military fired on Christians and ran over them with armored vehicles during the protest of a church demolition. Believers are thankful for the release of the innocent, but disappointed at the lack of justice for the Christians’ deaths, which are being treated as accidents caused by “neglect.”
Life on Hold
Imagine your life is on hold: at any time, you could be summoned back to court and told to serve your five-year prison sentence. But you don’t know if or when you will be called back. That is the situation of Abdelkrim Siaghi, a convert from Islam who was accused of insulting Mohammed and of proselytism in Algeria.
Christian’s Hearing Postponed
UPDATE: A Christian appealing a fine and 5-year prison sentence in ALGERIA has had his court hearing indefinitely postponed. He was convicted last year after a Muslim initiated a religious conversation with him and tried unsuccessfully to make him recite the Islamic creed. The Christian was also accused of giving a CD about Christianity to a Muslim.
Pray that his appeal will be heard and granted. “To You, O LORD, I lift up my soul.”
Christians Attacked in the Night
On November 18 in a village in NIGERIA, armed Muslims surrounded the homes of sleeping Christians. One believer awoke and managed to raise the alarm, saving most of his neighbors, but his daughter, wife, and two nieces were killed. Six others, including a 2-month-old, were injured.
Pray for comfort and strength. “...looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.”
Refugee Camps Bombed
The Islamic government of northern Sudan bombed two refugee camps in SOUTH SUDAN in November. Most of the refugees had fled from regions terrorized by the government of the north. A Christian ministry leader reports that one bomb fell in a schoolyard near hundreds of children, but failed to detonate.
Praise God for His protection! “But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem…”
Bible Translator Threatened
A Somali Christian refugee in KENYA has received threats from Muslims who learned that he did translation work with the Bible and a Christian film. His photo was recently posted in a mosque. He has been accused of being a threat to Islam.
Pray for courage in the challenges he faces. “...he endured as seeing Him who is invisible.”
Leader Martyred, Church Members Homeless
Last fall Muslims killed a Christian leader, burned his home, and raided a village in NIGERIA. The local pastor reports that about five dozen of his church members were driven outside the village and are homeless.
Ask God for encouragement and provision. “By faith Abel offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice…. And through his faith, though he died, he still speaks.”
Spiritual Hunger in Chad
Our ministry partner in West Africa reports after a recent visit to CHAD that a cloud of physical and spiritual hunger looms over the nation.
Ask God to help him as he seeks to encourage and assist believers in Chad. Pray that Chadian Muslims will find the Bread of Life. “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”
Islamists Rising to Power in Egypt
As Islamist groups rise to power in EGYPT, Christians are concerned about increasing persecution.
Ask God to give them wisdom and courage in knowing how the church should respond to mounting pressure. “He considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking to the reward.”
