The Voice of the Martyrs 8/24/04

MALAYSIA (Compass Direct)
In 1992, four Malay Muslims--Mrs. Kamariah Ali, her husband Mohamad Ya (who died in October 2003), Daud Maumat and Mad Yacob Ismail--applied to change their religion to Christian. Since all ethnic Malays are considered Muslims from birth under the constitution, all four were arrested and imprisoned for 20 months. In 1998, they formally renounced Islam before a commissioner of oaths, attempting to sidestep the Shariah Law court system. However, in 2000, they were charged with contempt for refusing to attend "repentance" classes, which were part of their original sentence. They were then sentenced to three years at an Islamic rehabilitation camp.

Pray Jesus will protect all those who have turned from Islam and have chosen to follow Him. Pray the government of Malaysia will act in courage to give Muslims the freedom to convert to Christianity. Pray the believers' witness of faith and love will draw many to faith in the Son of God.


NEPAL (ASSIST News Service)
The life of a Gospel For Asia missionary named Besh is in danger, as radical Maoists forcibly abducted him a week ago. According to GFA's president, more than 200 people--teachers, students, village officials and commoners--have been abducted by the Maoists and killed without mercy since 1996, when the insurgency began. Missionaries are even more at risk as they travel to share the Good News. (Click here)

Pray God will protect Besh and allow him to return safely. Pray Besh will be courageous and bold in sharing his faith. Pray the Maoists will come to know the joy of salvation.


NIGERIA (Compass Direct)
The religious crisis in the Central Nigerian state of Plateau has claimed an estimated 10,000 lives in three years and destroyed property worth millions of dollars. Over 300 churches have been destroyed, 250,000 people displaced and $1.25 million spent on relief. Meanwhile in Kebbi State, police arrested the leader of an extremist Islamic sect, and the governor has apologized to Christians on behalf of the Kebbi government for previous violence.

Pray the Christians in Nigeria will not be caught up in revenge but demonstrate the supernatural power of Jesus to forgive their enemies. Pray the governing authorities in Plateau will work to restore stability to their state. Pray Muslims will tire of the violence and seek the peace that only God can give.


PAKISTAN (ASSIST NEWS Service)
The International Society for Human Rights (ISHR) has called on Pakistan to change the controversial blasphemy act, under which an alleged defamation of Islam or the prophet Mohammed may be punished with the death sentence. Many Christians have been indicted and convicted, but the law is often abused as a means of private revenge. Two Christians convicted under the act are currently on death row--Anwar Kenneth and Kingri Masih. Pakistan's president Pervez Musharraf has promised to change the blasphemy law, but his announcements have never been put into practice, a result of pressure from Islamic extremists. ISHR also called for the abolition of other brutal forms of punishment, for example, stoning or whipping for offenses such as adultery, gambling and alcohol consumption.

Pray God will prevent the sentences against Anwar Kenneth and Kingri Masih from being carried out. Pray that in their suffering they will experience Jesus' presence with them and within them. Pray our omnipotent Father will work in love and power to overturn the blasphemy law in Pakistan.


TURKEY (Compass Direct)
Nine months after he was beaten into a prolonged coma by ultra-nationalists opposed to his conversion to Christianity, Yakup Cindilli, 31, has made personal contact with Christian acquaintances. Friends noted that Cindilli spoke rationally but was not always able to pronounce his words clearly and did not have full use of his right arm. A friend said Cindilli's faith appears to remain intact, even after all he has endured.

Give thanks to God that Cindilli survived the severe beating and was able to contact his Christian friends! Pray his health will improve each day and he will be completely well again. Pray the men who beat him will come to know the love of Jesus Christ.

1 Malaysia:
http://www.assistnews.net/Stories/s04080089.htm

www.persecution.com