PERSECUTION.ORG August 2018
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
WWW.PERSECUTION.ORG August 2018 PERSECU ION Life After ISIS ICC helps believers restart their lives as they return to their homes in the Nineveh Plains. 2017 2018 PERSECU ION.org INTERNATIONAL CHRISTIAN CONCERN In This Issue FEATURE 14 | ICC Donors Sow Life for Survivors of Fulani Violence Christians in Nigeria are suffering, but with the help of donors, ICC is able to serve many families by providing communal farms. FEATURE 16 | The Nineveh Plains Blossom Again From the heart of ISIS’ caliphate to the return of Iraq’s Christians, the Nineveh Plains has undergone much transformation within the last four years. FEATURE 20 | ISIS Sinks Its Teeth into Indonesia An ISIS-affiliated family bombs three churches in Indonesia; ICC follows up with the affected communities. 14 16 FEATURE 24 | The Secret Fate of Christians in Evin Prison Iran’s Christians often disappear within the secret institutions of Evin Prison. FEATURE 26 | ICC’s Policy Day A glimpse of ICC’s 2018 Policy Day. FEATURE 28 | Living in Fear in Uttar Pradesh ICC reports back on travels to one of India’s most persecuted states, Uttar Pradesh. Regular Features 20 24 3 Letter from the President A few words from ICC’s president, Jeff King, on our current work to bandage and build the persecuted Church. 4 World News A snapshot of the persecution that impacts our brothers and sisters daily, in every corner of the world. 8 Your Dollars at Work Learn how your gifts are providing comfort, relief, Bibles, education and vocational training to the persecuted. 12 Fund Spotlight The Bible brings life wherever it goes. When governments shut down access to 26 28 the Bible, we get to work. 2 PERSECU ION.org AUGUST 2018 INTERNATIONAL CHRISTIAN CONCERN In This Issue “The greatest moments are those when you see the result pop up in a graph or in your statistics analysis - that moment you realize you know something no one else does and you get the pleasure of thinking about how to tell them.” - Emily Oster, economist Jeff King, President “It is the mark of a truly intelligent person International Christian Concern to be moved by statistics.” - George Bernard Shaw arly last month we held our Bridge Policy Day event on Bibles into the toughest places on earth always yields fruit, ECapitol Hill. It was an honor to have Senators, Congressmen, for God’s word is a two-edged sword and will always convert policy experts, and a victim of Boko Haram come and share hearts over time. their concerns and recommendations on ending the horrific bloodshed in Nigeria. We build and we bandage the persecuted Church. This is the core of what we do. I feel blessed every day to be able to serve I must say that it was very fulfilling to have figures of stature my brothers and sisters in this way and to do so in partnership and influence attend and speak up for the persecuted. with you. What’s even more fulfilling for me, though, is seeing I think the reason it’s so fulfilling is that we are carrying out ICC donors connect with the plight of the persecuted and the the Lord’s commands and fulfilling what’s on God’s own heart. fruit that results as the broken and wounded are restored out in the field. His desire is to touch the despised, heal the broken, and take His word into the corners of the world where Satan works It’s a day-to-day process, but you can see an example on tirelessly to keep it out. page 14. Our donors have really gotten behind our Nigeria communal farming project, and we expect to care for up to Please join us as we bandage and build the persecuted Church. 7,500 Nigerian Christians in the coming year. As always, your donations will be used efficiently, effectively, and ethically. Or, turn to page 10 to read about our work getting Scripture into places where it’s banned or restricted. The work of getting Jeff King PERSECU ION.org INTERNATIONAL CHRISTIAN CONCERN 3 4 6 5 3 2 News 1 “Many Christians believe that the attacks were carried out by a well- connected radical group.” Christians in Nepal Alarmed by Series of Attacks on Churches 2 | NEPAL Nepal’s Christian community suffered a string of several church attacks in May that left many alarmed. On May 9, the Hebron Church in eastern Nepal was set ablaze. On May 10, Emmanuel Church Remains of 20 Egyptian Martyrs in western Nepal was burned, followed shortly by the Returned Home After Three-Year Wait burning of Kanchanpur Emmanuel Church in midwest- ern Nepal on May 11. Lastly, Mahima Church in west- 1 | EGYPT On February 15, 2015, ISIS released a grue- the martyrs’ faith, but ern Nepal was bombed on May 12. While the churches some video depicting the beheading of 21 believers along without the expecta- experienced severe property damage, thankfully no one the shores of Libya. All but one of these men were Copts tion that the remains was killed in the attacks. who had travelled to Libya due to the lack of economic would ever be discov- At the time of writing, authorities have made no opportunities for Christians in Egypt. Though they knew ered. Yet, the congre- arrests in relation to these attacks. Although they have of the terrorist activity in Libya, these men risked their gation built a burial not released an official statement, police have attrib- safety in hopes of providing a better life for their families. place for their loved uted the incidents to the Nepal Communist Party, also For the affected families, the devastation of losing their ones just in case they known as the Biplab Group. However, many Christian loved ones was only deepened by not knowing what hap- were ever found. The leaders throughout Nepal believe that the attacks were pened to their loved ones’ remains. Last October, Libyan internment of the a coordinated effort by Hindu extremists across the authorities made the shocking announcement that the bod- bodies proved to be country. Due to the similarity of the attacks, yet the ies were discovered in a mass grave. While the families a surreal moment for geographic distance between them, many Christians hoped to bury their loved ones by the three-year anniver- many of the families believe that the attacks were carried out by a well- sary of the murders in February, they instead marked this who expressed a mix- connected radical group. occasion with the opening of a church built in their honor. ture of grief, joy, and The affected churches have also been underwhelmed On May 14, after more than three long years of waiting, the relief. One mother by the response from authorities. Although police prom- remains of the 20 Egyptian martyrs were finally returned to shared, “I will visit ised to investigate, the church leaders reported that they their families. them every day at the never received a response about their cases. The sud- The next day, the families congregated at Church church. We thank all den influx of violence and laidback response from the of the Martyrs of Faith and Homeland to lay the mar- people who stood up authorities have left many Christians fearful that attacks tyrs to rest. The church was initially built to honor with us.” of this nature will only increase. 4 PERSECU ION.org AUGUST 2018 INTERNATIONAL CHRISTIAN CONCERN Blasphemy Charges Against Pakistani Christian Man Dropped After Two Years 3 | PAKISTAN Following two years of imprisonment, a Christian man named Usman Liaquat was cleared of blasphemy charges. Liaquat was arrested on May 23, 2016, after reporting an attack that left him with severe head injuries. One of the assailants’ cousin accused Liaquat of blasphemy, shift- ing authorities’ attention away from the assault. Liaquat was eventually acquitted due to a lack of evidence, yet he received no compensation for the unjust imprisonment. Following his release, Liaquat began working for the British Pakistani Christian Association. False accusations are common in Pakistan as radical Muslims often manipulate blasphemy laws to settle personal scores and discriminate against religious minorities. Interior Ministry Tightens Ramadan Restrictions Evin Prison in Iran Sanctioned by U.S. Treasury 4 | IRAQ On May 24, the Interior Ministry of Iraq’s Central 5 | IRAN As previously reported, Iran’s notorious Evin Prison has Government issued a statement saying that it was “taking legal long been condemned by organizations around the world for its measures against people publicly breaking their Fast (during the egregious human rights violations. On May 30, the United States day time) and referring them to the judiciary,” in reference to the Treasury joined the international outcry by imposing sanctions on Islamic holy month of Ramadan. If found in violation of the new Evin Prison. At least 10 Christian converts are currently being held restrictions, citizens could face up to six months in prison. Locals in Evin Prison where they suffer inhumane living conditions and have reported that Muslim groups have begun implementing tighter often lengthy prison terms. According to a statement issued by the restrictions even in neighborhoods that are primarily Christian. Treasury Department, “Prisoners held at Evin Prison are subject Such regulations can lead to business closures and often make it to brutal tactics inflicted by prison authorities, including sexual more difficult for displaced Christians to meet their basic needs. assaults, physical assaults, and electric shock.” On Tiananmen Anniversary, Chinese Government Detains Several Christians 6 | CHINA On June 4, the 29th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square crack- down in China, local authorities raided Autumn Rain Covenant Church in Sichuan, China.