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What can we learn from Nigerian -Muslim-Christian Clashes? Ethiopian News Journal US-based Human Rights Watch put the number of Christian dead at 65. Official police figures were significantly lower with 35 people dead, 40 injured and 168 … Nigeria: After the Jos Blood BathAllAfrica.com Voice of the Martyrs AlertCrosswalk.com MCC plans response to violence in NigeriaReliefWeb (press release) Washington Times (blog) -Right Side News -WIBW all 408 news articles »

(author unknown) Africa, Cross, Family, Martyrs, Muslim, Nigeria, People, Web

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Leadership transition is always
tricky. Which leader will be better for
the purposes of the Gospel? We asked Todd Nettleton with Voice
of the Martyrs what Christians might expect from a leader whose
style they already know. That, too, is
an unknown. "He (Rajapakse) has talked a lot about economic development. He has not talked, that I have seen, a lot
about religious freedom. So, it will be interesting to see if that does become
part of his platform moving forward."  

For example, a controversial
anti-conversion bill is in the works in Parliament. Nettleton says Parliament deferred the bill's
debate last spring. Was that due to the
election? Nettleton explains that
between the end of the war with the Tamils and the recovery from natural
disaster, the government's hands were quite full. 

(author unknown) Conversion, Gospel, Martyrs

Read the Full Article at UCA News

NEGOMBO, Sri Lanka (UCAN) — Not one person has been held accountable for the murders of 13 clergy and lay rights workers who struggled for justice during more than 25 years of civil war.
But the men and women have been declared martyrs as their friends, family and parishioners try to make sense of the deaths.
The [...]

editor Family, Martyrs, Women

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The Age

Over 100 Coptic Christian Teenagers Arrested in Egypt AINA More than one hundred Christian youth have been arrested without charge. Arrests of Copts after every sedition is the usual scenario as a pressure card in … Egypt's sectarian shameThe Guardian SILENT HOLOCAUST OF CHRISTIAN MARTYRS — A WARNING OF THINGS TO COME?TheRealityCheck.Org Egyptian Christians feel vulnerable after deadly shooting spreeMcClatchy Washington Bureau UPI.com -IRINnews.org -Sydney Morning Herald all 101 news articles »

(author unknown) Coptic, Egypt, Family, Holocaust, Martyrs, Muslim, Nun, Youth

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Algeria (MNN) ― On the day after Christmas, a congregationof nearly 350 people gathered for a church service and Christmas celebration at their new building in Tizi-Ouzou, Algeria. They found almost 50 of their Muslim neighbors barring the doors toblock them from holding their service. 

“The local Muslims were unhappyto have a church so close to their homes,” said Todd Nettleton of Voice of theMartyrs.

(author unknown) Christmas, Martyrs, Muslim, People

Read the Full Article at Mission Network News

(Image courtesy of VOM-Canada)

Pakistan (MNN) — On December 3, Pakistani Christian Patras Masih was gunned down by three of his childhood friends: Sohail Muhammad, Imran Muhammad, and Amir Muhammad. The murder occurred in Karol village, Punjab Province, Voice of the Martyrs-Canada reports.

Two days prior, the three men and another friend, Anees Mahammad, had asked Patras to obtain alcohol for them. Pakistan prohibits Muslims from purchasing or consuming alcohol.

Patras obeyed the men's request, but locally brewed liquor in Pakistan is often toxic. 14 Pakistanis have died from drinking toxic liquor in December alone. Unfortunately, Anees Mahammad was one of their number. He died on December 3.

The other three Muslims came to Patras' home and accused him of killing Anees deliberately. They said they would spare his life only if he turned away from Christianity and became a Muslim. According to Patras' father, Gulzar, they had pressured Patras to convert many times in the past, always without success.

Patras refused to convert on this day as well, and his friends shot him multiple times in the chest. "My son bravely refused to recant Christianity and clung to Christ," Gulzar said. "He bravely embraced martyrdom."

The local police have registered a murder case against the three men, who remained at large at last report. Pray for comfort, protection, and wisdom for the Christians of Punjab Province as they deal with this sad and difficult situation. 

(author unknown) Alcohol, Canada, Court, Cult, Martyrs, Muslim, Pakistan

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Two days before Christmas, two churches were bombed in Mosul, Iraq, on December 23, Voice of the Martyrs reports.

At 11:00 a.m., a bomb was detonated near the Syrian Orthodox church of St. Thomas. On the same day, a bomb exploded in a cart of vegetables near the Chaldean church of St. George. The latter bomb killed three people, including one Christian and two Muslims.

Many Christians have fled Mosul, which is the primary target for a series of attacks against believers in recent months…. >>

(author unknown) Chaldean, Christmas, Iraq, Martyrs, Muslim, Orthodox, People

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Pakistan (MNN) — A judge’s ruling yesterday may be a glimmer of hope for Christians across Pakistan. Voice of the Martyrs, USA continues to cover the story of Sandul Bibi and her father, Gulsher Masih, who have sat in prison for over a year. VOM’s Todd Nettleton reports: “The good news that has come to our office from our staff is that they have now been found innocent of these charges. They have been set free–released from prison. This is a great ending to the story.” The pair was arrested on Oct. 9, 2008 under the charge of tearing pages out of the Koran. Under blasphemy laws passed in country, Christians can be held on charges against Islam for unlimited periods without evidence against them or a trial. But this new ruling may mean future change: “In the case of Sandul Bibi and Gulsher Masih, they’ve lost fourteen or fifteen months of their lives, but still, it is good news that Christians can find justice in Pakistan.” Continue to pray for Pakistani Christians to remain faithful and bold, even when falsely accused.

(author unknown) Blasphemy, Cross, Judge, Martyrs, Pakistan

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Eritrea (MNN) — There are unconfirmed reports of a new wave of arrests against Christians in Eritrea over the weekend. Todd Nettleton with Voice of the Martyrs says there are now over 3000 Christians in detention in Eritrea. This comes on the heels of raised concerns at the Human Rights Council over the extent of human rights violations taking place in the country. “For the representatives of Eritrea to stand before the UN and say, ‘We have religious freedom, we have human rights’ — that’s a fairy tale.” It’s frustrating to know that little can be done to help the imprisoned Christians. “Not a single one of them has been charged with anything. Not a single one has had a trial. None of them has been allowed a lawyer to represent him or her. Christians basically disappear into the Eritrean prison system.” Nettleton says it’s not hopeless. People are still responding to the Gospel. “The most important thing we can do is simply to pray for our brothers and sisters who are there, because every time they meet together with other believers, they risk disappearing into the prison system.”

(author unknown) Eritrea, Gospel, Martyrs, People

Read the Full Article at Christian Newswire: All Releases

Contact: Dr. Selim Naguib, Founder, Canadian Coptic Association, 514-569-6507 cell, 514-485-1533 fax, ssnaguib@sympatico.ca, ssnaguib@hotmail.com

MONTREAL, Quebec, Nov. 30 /Christian Newswire/ — The Canadian Coptic Association releases the following open letter to President Mubarak, of Egypt:
16 HATOR, 1726 of the Martyrs — November 25, 2009 AD
The Undersigned appeal to His Excellency Mr. Hosni Mubarak – the President of all Egyptians to urgently intervene to salvage Egyptian Cop Source: CCN

(author unknown) Abuse, Coptic, Egypt, Martyrs

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The Holy Father has sent a message to Vietnamese Catholics who recently opened their Jubilee Year marking the 350th anniversary of Catholic vicariates in the country. In the text, made public today, the Pope encouraged evangelization and the promotion of reconciliation, reports Catholic News Agency.

In his letter, addressed to the Vietnamese bishop’s conference, the Pope remarked that the opening of the year coincided with the feast of the 117 Vietnamese martyrs. He expressed hope that thei… >>

(author unknown) Bishop, Catholic, Martyrs, Pope, Vicar, Vietnam

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Sixteen members of Colombia’s Kogui tribe were recently kidnapped in an attempt to force them to recant their Christianity, says Voice of the Martyrs Canada. Currently held in a remote location, these believers won’t be released until they renounce their faith in Christ, reports MNN.

Consisting of men, women and infants, the group was captured during a community meeting summoned by the Kogui governor. Believers were taken prisoner by the governor and his followers; community leaders shouted i… >>

(author unknown) Canada, Martyrs, Women

Read the Full Article at ChristiansUnite Christian News

The Voice of the Martyrs recently learned of the arrest of Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani in Guilan, Iran on October 12 after he protested against the decision of local authorities to impose the reading of the Koran on Christian children…. read more.

(author unknown) Iran, Islamic, Martyrs, Pastor

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Uganda (MNN) — Around 40 Muslims armed with machetes and clubs attacked a church in Kampala, Uganda, on Nov. 1, according to Voice of the Martyrs Canada. They damaged the back stairwell of the church and beat a church member before neighbors began to help ward off the attackers. When police finally arrived, they stopped the attack but made no arrests. Christians now live in fear of another attack, and church attendance has dropped. Pray for God to empower these individuals with strength and boldness to press on.

(author unknown) Canada, God, Martyrs, Muslim, Uganda

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A number of newly formed radical organizations have been identified by authorities in India, who fear they are targeting Christians for persecution.

The Voice of the Martyrs, in fact, has estimated that more than 70,000 Christians already have been left homeless in India by Hindu radicals.

Among the groups are the Abhinav Bharat (Pride of India), the Rashtriya Jagran Manch (National Revival Forum), the Sri Ram Sena (army of the god Rama), the Hindu Dharam Sena (Army for Hindu Religion) and the Sanatan Sanstha (Eternal Organization), and critics say they are breakaway groups from the Rashtriya Swayaamsevak Sangh (the RSS).

(author unknown) God, India, Martyrs, Persecution

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Long considered the last frontier for Catholic missionaries, Africa is now
sending thousands of its own missionaries back to the once thoroughly Christian West. They have also reached Alaska, where four African missionaries now share the Gospel at Providence Alaska Medical Center and Providence Extended Care in Anchorage, reports Catholicanchor.org.

FAITH GROWS WITH MARTYRS
The four Alaska-based missionaries come from a homeland that is undergoing extraordinary spiritual growth.

While t… >>

(author unknown) Africa, Catholic, Gospel, Martyrs

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Indonesia (MNN) — Nearly 1,000 Arastamar Bible school students faced eviction from their temporary residence last week. The day before their eviction notice, the local government shut off their electricity and water. This led to the students demonstrating and creating a human barricade with their bodies. Riots ensued as police tried to evict the students. Since an attack on their school by extremists in 2008, Voice of the Martyrs has supported these students and encouraged to maintain their witness for Christ.

(author unknown) Bible, Indonesia, Martyrs, School

Read the Full Article at International Christian Concern

President of the Indian Catholic Bishops Conference releases book on martyrs’ faith in Orissa

(author unknown) Bishop, Catholic, India, Martyrs

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The attacks on believers in India are growing more vicious. David Shibley with Global Advance reports, “One of our pastors who has helped in the coordination of our Global Advance events in Northern India, Pastor Victor, was brutally beaten for his faith in Christ. He is now in a coma,” reports MNN.

Sadly, his situation is not uncommon for those who share the Gospel in India. According to Voice of the Martyrs Canada, reports of violence against believers, village churches being destroyed, and… >>

(author unknown) Canada, Gospel, India, Martyrs, Pastor, Persecution

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Dr. Paul L. Williams Bio Shop CFP Photo Gallery The Last Crusade Somalia (MNN) ? Somalia?s Muslim militants are hunting down converts to Christianity. According to Voice of the Martyrs Canada, Al-Shabaab members have murdered 14 believers since July

(author unknown) Africa, Canada, Martyrs, Muslim