barnabasaid.org MARCH/ barnabasaid APRIL 2021 BARNABAS AID - RELIEF AGENCY FOR THE PERSECUTED CHURCH - BRINGING HOPE TO SUFFERING CHRISTIANS

NORTH KOREA INDIA ARMENIA Christian Survivors of the Secretive Old and New Forms of Barnabas Petition for Recognition State’s ”Re-Education” Camps Persecution on the Rise of Armenian Genocide The Barnabas Aid Distinctive What helps make Barnabas Aid distinctive from other Christian organizations that deal with persecution?

We work by: communities, so they can maintain their presence and witness, rather than setting ● directing our aid only to Christians, up our own structures or sending out How to Find Us although its benefits may not be exclusive missionaries to them (“As we have opportunity, let us You may contact do good to all people, especially to those ● tackle persecution at its root by making Barnabas Aid at the who belong to the family of believers” known the aspects of other religions and following addresses: Galatians 6:10, emphasis added) ideologies that result in injustice and oppression of Christians and others ● channeling money from Christians through Christians to Christians (we do ● inform and enable Christians in the West International Headquarters not send people; we only send money) to respond to the growing challenge The Old Rectory, River Street, of other religions and ideologies to the Pewsey, Wiltshire SN9 5DB, UK ● channeling money through existing Church, society and mission in their own Telephone 01672 564938 structures in the countries where funds countries are sent (e.g. local churches or Christian Fax 01672 565030 organizations) ● facilitate global intercession for the From outside UK: persecuted Church by providing Telephone +44 1672 564938 ● using the money to fund projects comprehensive prayer material developed by local Christians in their own Fax +44 1672 565030 communities, countries or regions ● safeguard and protect our volunteers, Email [email protected] staff, partners and beneficiaries ● considering any request, however small ● keep our overheads low USA Office ● acting as equal partners with the 80 Abbeyville Road, persecuted Church, whose leaders often We believe: Lancaster, PA 17603 help shape our overall direction Telephone 703-288-1681 ● we are called to address both religious and ● acting on behalf of the persecuted Email [email protected] secular ideologies that deny full religious Church, to be their voice – making its liberty to Christian minorities – while needs known to Christians around the continuing to show God’s love to all people world, and the injustice of its persecution known to governments and international ● in the clear Biblical teaching that bodies Christians should treat all people of all faiths with love and compassion, even We seek to: those who seek to persecute them ● meet both practical and spiritual needs ● in the power of prayer to change people’s lives and situations, either ● encourage, strengthen and enable the through grace to endure or through existing local Church and Christian deliverance from suffering

“Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” (Matthew 25:40)

publication. Barnabas Aid apologizes for any errors or barnabasaid The Magazine of omissions, and will be grateful for any further information Barnabas Aid regarding copyright. Published by Barnabas Aid All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are 1934 Old Gallows Road, Vienna, VA 22182, USA taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, © Barnabas Aid 2021 Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com The “NIV” and “New Email [email protected] International Version” are trademarks registered in the For permission to reproduce articles from this United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™ magazine, please contact the email address above. Front Cover: Christian girl in India To donate by credit/debit card, please visit www.barnabasaid.org or call 703-288-1681. To guard the safety of Christians in hostile environments, names may have been changed or omitted. Thank you for your understanding. Every effort has been made to trace copyright holders and obtain permission for stories and images used in this ...Editorial Contents

Compassion in Action 4 Survivors of violence in Cameroon Redeemed and Triumphant find new hope as food aid arrives.

ne of the remarkable aspects of human life is how an individual can triumph Indian Christians over adversity, bringing good out of the most difficult situations. An English 6 Face New Challenges pioneer missionary, John Williams, who was used by God to help establish Despite “tough days” and rising O the Church in the Pacific Islands (eventually being killed and eaten by the persecution the Church is growing in India. inhabitants of Erromango island, part of modern Vanuatu) wrote of a cheerful and persevering believer he met on Rarotonga (one of the Cook Islands). The man’s name was Buteve and he had neither hands nor feet but still managed to cultivate his patch of A Brave New Dawn for Sudan land and grow plenty of food for his wife and children. He could not walk with the other 8 After decades under sharia, local people to church to hear John Williams preach on a Sunday, but he would sit by the Sudan is taking great strides toward road when the people returned after the service and “beg a bit of the Word” from each one religious freedom. as they passed by. He would receive a variety of brief answers, some remembering one point in the sermon and others another. Buteve would store up in his heart all the answers and prayerfully meditate on them until he understood them. In this way he became a staunch Meditation on The and faithful Christian. Three times a day he would pray: 10 Lord’s Prayer “O Lord, I am a great sinner, may Jesus take my sins away by His good blood; give me the righteousness of Jesus to adorn me, and give me the good spirit of Jesus to Understanding Islam instruct me, and make my heart good, to make me a man of Jesus, from a Christian Perspective The Muslim Jesus (part 1)

and take me to heaven when I die.” Pull-out

Buteve shows us the triumph of hope over despair, of light over darkness. This is the message of the Christian faith at Easter, when Jesus burst from the grave and rose victorious from the dead. True Comfort Last Christmas, the UK television program Songs of Praise ran a survey to discover the 12 Exploring the meaning of nation’s favorite Christmas carol. To the surprise of the presenters, it turned out to be “O Biblical comfort and the peace and Holy Night”. This was sung on the program by Andrea Bocelli, with the original French strength it offers Christians words, which focus as much on Easter as on Christmas, as much on our redemption as on the incarnation. The final words in French are “Noël Noël, chantons le Rédempteur” meaning “Christmas, Christmas, we sing the Redeemer”. We could just as well sing “Easter, Bethlehem Project Update Easter, we sing the Redeemer.” For Jesus’ redeeming work is at the heart of Easter. 11 Healing and happiness for The Bible character Job endured intense suffering. In the midst of his agony of sickness, Christian schoolchildren in Bethlehem pain, loss, bereavement, rejection and dishonor he cried out, “I know that my Redeemer lives” (Job 19:25). When all seemed hopeless, then came the vision of a Redeemer. As Christians, we too can hold on to the knowledge that we have a Redeemer. The Old More Than Conquerors Testament Hebrew word is goel, that is, a kinsman-redeemer, the closest relative who will 14 Brave survivors of North deliver us and rescue us. For Ruth it was Boaz (Ruth 3:9). For us it is Jesus (Galatians 3:13; Korea’s “re-education” camps Titus 2:13-14). Our Kinsman-Redeemer is our blessed Lord, on Whom we have set our hope. describe their ordeals.

There is a Redeemer Jesus my Redeemer Jesus, God’s own Son Name above all names In Brief Precious Lamb of God, Messiah Precious Lamb of God, Messiah 17 Islamist militants brutally Holy One Oh, for sinners slain slay four Christians in a remote Indonesian village. Whatever we must face today, whatever uncertainties lie in the future, we can affirm with Job that our Redeemer lives, singing: Recognize The I will sing of my Redeemer, I will sing of my Redeemer, 18 Armenian Genocide And His wondrous love to me; And his heav’nly love to me; Support Barnabas’ call for governments On the cruel cross He suffered, He from death to life hath brought me, to recognize the Armenian Genocide by From the curse to set me free. Son of God with Him to be.1 signing our petition. DR. PATRICK SOOKHDEO International Director In Touch 19 USPS issues have delayed our 1 Keith Green, 1982 2 Philip P. Bliss, 1876 mailings and the receipt of donations. ... How Barnabas Is Helping

Armenian Refugees Fleeing Conflict in Food Aid Raises Up Nagorno-Karabakh Christian Survivors of Will Never Forget Adult Literacy Attacks in Cameroon Barnabas Friends Classes for Brick-Kiln Workers in Pakistan “Nothing is impossible to God,” “Though we lost both our home and proclaimed widow Madeleine, who has our garden, our faith in our God twice escaped attacks by jihadists on Adult literacy rates in Pakistan keeps us hopeful for the future,” said her village. “God remains a source of are among the lowest in the world, grandmother Lyuba who, with eight help and hope,” she added, dancing for especially among women. Barnabas members of her family, fled the recent joy as she received millet and maize to supports five adult literacy centers conflict in her homeland of Nagorno- feed herself and her four children. within Pakistan’s brick-kiln Karabakh to neighboring Armenia. communities to enable low-paid The small, temporary shelter where Barnabas provided three months of Christian workers and their families the family found refuge has no water food aid to 1,000 Christian families to break free from the cycle of mains or electricity, but they are in the Far North region of Cameroon, illiteracy and poverty that has trapped thankful for a roof over their heads. where tens of thousands have been previous generations. displaced by a deadly wave of Boko Lyuba’s family was among thousands of Haram attacks. The devastated The centers employ Christian teachers Armenian Christians who escaped after Christian-majority communities have and together train 150 to 200 students their communities came under attack also been impacted by Covid-19. a year using teaching materials based from Azerbaijani forces in September on the Bible. The ability to read 2020. Armenia, a desperately poor A pastor from a community that and write strengthens learners’ job country afflicted with Covid-19, suffered atrocities in the attacks prospects, improves families’ quality struggles to provide for them. Thanks to said the help given by Barnabas of life and makes them less vulnerable our supporters, thousands of Christians supporters would never be forgotten. to exploitation. It also enables them to in Nagorno-Karabakh and Armenia He said, “These people [Boko Haram] read the Bible for themselves. received food, warm clothing for think they are dispossessing us and children and other aid. discouraging us in our faith, but God “Naomi” never had the opportunity of an is raising up people from far away to education. For her, the literacy classes “You are our friend during these come to our aid … Let us be firm in are “a dream come true.” She said, “I difficult times; we will never forget,” our walk with the Lord.” felt like God has heard my prayers and said grateful grandmother Zemfira. gave me a chance to study. I learned Another Armenian grandmother how to read and write. Now I can read prayed for peace, pleading, “May no verses from the Holy Bible.” single child become an orphan and no wife become a widow.”

Pakistani Christians are eager to learn at Christian children in warm winter clothing A Cameroonian Christian woman signs to the brick-kiln adult literacy centers. provided by Barnabas. confirm she has received food aid. $5,310 for five adult literacy $26,800 $248,450 centers for one year Project reference: PR1539 Project reference: PR1530 Project reference: PR1315 Compassion... in Action Barnabas Aid March/April 2021 5 Strengthened and encouraged – this is what we often hear from Christians who have received support from Barnabas Aid. Thank you for making this possible. Here are just a few examples of the many ways we have recently helped persecuted and oppressed Christians. Kazakhstan Covid Sufferers Cry Tears Farm Animals of Joy as Prayers for and Training for Medicines Answered Marginalized Small Loans Enable “Nobody draws attention on our Indonesian Converts problems; only church and Barnabas Marginalized Egyptian [Aid] do it,” cried a Christian suffering from Covid-19 in Kazakhstan. Women to Become A Barnabas-supported project is Hospitals struggling to cope in the transforming the lives of marginalized pandemic were accepting only the Self-Sufficient Christian converts from Islam critically ill at this writing, and in Muslim-majority Indonesia. Christian patients could not afford Women are especially vulnerable in Communities of new believers in medicines that were expensive and in Egypt, and even more so if they are Java, who suffer harassment and short supply. a Christian and a widow, left without discrimination from the authorities the provision and protection of a and from Muslim neighbors, are Churches in central Kazakhstan set up husband. Barnabas is helping poor and becoming self-sufficient. a committee to ensure ill Christians marginalized Christian widows and received telephone advice or home female-headed households in Upper Advisors showed families, otherwise visits from Christian doctors. With Egypt to become self-sufficient and reliant on low-paid day-laborer jobs, Barnabas funding, more than 250 financially independent by providing how to get best use from their swampy Christians suffering from Covid or them with a microloan to set up their land that regularly floods, and taught non-Covid pneumonia were given own small businesses. them the most nutritious vegetables medicines and treatment. to grow. Families learned to care “Ruth” is a 61-year-old widow. Her son is for the chickens and goats or sheep Covid patients Victor and his wife Lilia, too sick to work, so he cannot support we provided as a source of food and both age 71, cried “tears of joy and his mother. She struggled to survive on a income. They also received regular thanksgiving” after their prayers for small pension until getting a microloan discipleship training. medicines were answered. “We have from Barnabas, which she used to set up seen God’s love and mercy through the a small poultry business. Despite losing “Praise the Lord; we are successful,” means we received just in time,” said all her flock to bird flu at one point, the said a villager who grows enough Lilia, who almost died from the virus. enterprise is now very successful. vegetables for his family and has “How wonderful that there [are brothers] surplus to share and sell. Villagers who have heard the Lord and organized Spiritual support is also offered to the give excess produce to their Muslim such a fund.” women and project staff make regular neighbors, which is a bridge to share home visits to offer educational support. the gospel with them. to the school-age children of widows.

A new Christian with one of the goats Ruth’s poultry business is now flourishing. provided by Barnabas. Victor has been left weakened by Covid. $16,340 to help 61 women $16,900 to help 60 converts $12,255 Project reference: PR1304 Project reference: PR1512 Project reference: PR1530 6 March/April 2021 Barnabas Aid Indian Christians

Christians Vulnerable to False Accusation Under Anti-Conversion Laws Not only did anti-Christian violence become more deadly in 2020, but new laws were also introduced that brought new restrictions. Uttar Pradesh state passed an anti-conversion law in November 2020, which brings to nine2 the number of states with this type of legislation in force. Typically, these anti-conversion laws ban the use of “force, fraud or allurement” in conversion. They are often misused to falsely accuse Christians evangelizing in legal and proper ways. Christians and other religious minorities become vulnerable to being “targeted by just about anyone, especially vigilante groups many of whom are complicit in the mob violence,” says the Evangelical Fellowship of India. According to an Indian Christian leader, accusations are often “created Indian Christians to threaten and stop regular worship activity by intimidation.” Commenting on the troubling trend, he continued, Face New Challenges “Christian prayer meetings that have gone on for many years without much disturbance are being targeted … There Through “Tough Days” is a pattern here and it must be exposed.” Indeed, soon after the law was passed hese are tough days, but police custody in Tamil Nadu state. In in Uttar Pradesh, police in the state’s God is good.” This is how the same month, a 14-year-old boy – a Shahjahanpur district were instructed one Indian church leader convert who was very active in sharing to keep a watch on Christian prayer “ summed up the increasing his new faith – was tortured and killed meetings to see if there are any unlawful T restrictions and growing in Odisha state, and a Christian man efforts to convert people to Christianity violence facing Christians was stabbed to death by extremists in at such gatherings. in India, where at the same time the Jharkhand state. It has been suggested that local church continues to grow. In July, a Christian woman living political leaders can advance their Last year saw at least seven nearby died as she tried to protect careers by accusing Christians of Christian martyrdoms across India her daughter from sexual assault; breaching anti-conversion laws because from May to July, in a country where the mother had been harassed by this helps their accuser “to get into the anti-Christian violence has rarely extremists since her conversion six limelight” and gain the approval of more resulted in deaths before. This followed years earlier. Also in July, a pastor was senior regional and national politicians. a peak of other, less deadly, anti- shot dead in Maharashtra state by Christian violence in March, which had Maoist Naxalites, who were angered Close Monitoring of Christian coincided with a nationwide lockdown that he had become a Christian, left the Finances and Operations at the beginning of the Covid crisis. extremist group and started a church. In September 2020, the Indian The Evangelical Fellowship of India government amended the Foreign Indian Martyrs of 2020 (EFI) is aware of 327 instances of Contribution (Regulation) Act 2010, The first Indian Christian martyr discrimination and targeted violence making it a requirement that financial of 2020 was a woman raped and against Christians in India in 2020, support from overseas be channeled murdered in Chhattisgarh state in although the actual figures are likely through one State Bank of India May, having previously been publicly to be far higher. Uttar Pradesh state branch, in New Delhi, which is closely threatened four times to renounce her was the worst for targeted attacks on monitored by the Ministry of Home Christian faith. Christians, with 95 incidents, many Affairs. While this in itself is not a In June, a Christian father and violent, followed by Chhattisgarh problem for honest organizations, it puts son, who belonged to the lowly Nadar with 55, and Jharkhand and Madhya in place a mechanism that could later be caste, died after being tortured while in Pradesh with 28 and 25 respectively. used to limit funding received by Indian Indian Christians Barnabas Aid March/April 2021 7

campaigns in which Christians are pressured to convert to Hinduism. “The narrative of India as a Hindu nation is now rarely contested in the media and by most Indians,” explained an Indian Christian leader. “That is the challenge Indian Christians face, as all have an Indian ancestry, whereas many Muslims were immigrants,” he added. In October 2020, about 40 Indian A church service in India. Christians in India comprise nearly 4% of the population. Christians were arrested by police when an angry mob of 1,500 locals, led by Christian organizations from foreign Dalit Christians Doubly extremists, converged on their village Christian agencies. The act also now Persecuted to try to pressure the believers into requires organisations to renew FCRA Dalits, formerly termed “untouchables,” renouncing their faith in Christ. approval by October 2021, and without are at the lowest level of the Hindu this approval, they will be unable to caste system and were a traditionally “Unwritten Rules of New India” receive donations from overseas. despised group. They are among the Generate Climate of Fear Increasingly onerous paperwork poorest in society and extremely for Christians is also being required by the Indian vulnerable to discrimination and Members of the BJP, Vishva Hindu authorities from charities that attack. For many decades there have Parishad (VHP) and Rashtriya receive funding from overseas. While been quotas to ensure that Dalits from Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), a not directed specifically against religions that originated in India can paramilitary Hindu nationalist group, Christians, it is becoming very hard access education and employment, continue to monitor, report and disrupt for small ministries to meet all the but these do not apply to Christian or Christian activity under the banner requirements, and the least slip Muslim Dalits. of “Mission Kaali” (Kaali is the Hindu can be a potential pretext for the goddess of death and destruction).Local authorities to hamper their work or Hindu Radical Groups Monitor units of Hindu radicals at the grassroots even close the organization down. and Attack Christian Activities level watch the funding and activities Extreme Hindu nationalism has been of the Christians and look for ways to Indian Government’s Legislation growing under the Bharatiya Janata hinder them, for example by preventing Restricts Support for Christians Party (BJP), which was elected to pastors and evangelists from entering The Juvenile and Justice Act (2015), the national government in 2014 and certain villages or causing the legal which applies to children under 18, re-elected in 2019. The BJP promotes registration of a ministry to be canceled has been used to force the closure of Hindutva (Hindu-ness), an extreme on some pretext. Such intimidation and many Christian hostels that serve Dalit Hindu ideology that first emerged in the harassment has been reported in Tamil and other impoverished Christians. 1920s, which aims to create a religiously Nadu, Chhattisgarh and Odisha. The hostels provide residential pure nation. Hindutva has been An Indian Christian leader has accommodation for older children influential in Indian politics since the described this as “the unwritten rules of from rural areas, who have to travel 1980s. Hinduism is strongly connected New India,” the aim of the radicals being long distances to get to schools or with Indian identity, but Christianity “to create an atmosphere of fear among colleges for more advanced study is perceived as foreign and dangerous, the Christian community and other than is available in their villages. and a threat to the public order. religious minorities.” The reported closure of almost 90% Mob violence by Hindu radicals of Christian hostels in Kandhamal, is common in some parts of India. Despite the increasing persecution Odisha state, has meant that many Typically the attacks are launched when and hardship Indian Christians rural children now lack access to Christians have gathered for prayer and face, with the new difficulties and education beyond middle school. worship; church property is damaged challenges facing them in addition The authorities closely monitor and Christians are injured, and often the to the old ones, they continue to be the Christian hostels, looking for any police arrest the Christian victims. active in outreach and evangelism, infringements of the law, no matter and the church in India is continuing how small or accidental. In some Forced Conversions to Hinduism to grow. instances, where no other pretext can So-called “re-conversion” to Hinduism be found, authorities have reportedly is tacitly approved by the BJP created or manufactured complaints government, although many of the 1 The nine states of India with active anti- of sexual harassment against Christians targeted have never been conversion laws in force are: Arunachal Christian leaders. The end result is Hindus, nor their families for many Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Himachal the closure of the hostel. generations. Ghar Wapsi, or “returning Pradesh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, home," is the subject of numerous Odisha, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand. 8 March/April 2021 Barnabas Aid

Sudan: A Brave New Dawn

hristians in Sudan have suffered decades of Sudanese Minister of Justice Nasr al-Din Abdel Bari said in fierce persecution under 30 years of sharia law his announcement that the Act repealed the apostasy law, during the despotic rule of President Omar protected freedoms and also granted previously-forbidden al-Bashir. But, since a popularly supported liberties. Other changes included allowing women to travel military coup ousted al-Bashir’s Islamist abroad with their children without the written consent of their government two years ago, Sudan has seen husband or male family member, and criminalizing female C remarkable changes that seem to herald a new genital mutilation (FGM). dawn for religious freedom in the country. After widespread street protests had erupted in December Monumental Breakthroughs Came With Peace 2018, a military coup ousted Bashir’s Islamist government Agreements in 2020 in April 2019 and a Transitional Military Council (TMC) A third monumental breakthrough came on August 31, 2020, was established in Sudan, appointing a civilian government. when Prime Minister Hamdok signed a historic peace accord Since coming to power, the TMC has begun to take brave and with rebel groups. The agreement ended decades of bloody decisive action to reform Sudanese law. conflict in Darfur, where more than 300,000 people have been killed and 2.7 million forced from their homes since 2003. Five Remarkable Steps Toward Religious The agreement also brought peace to the volatile border Freedom in Sudan states of Blue Nile and South Kordofan, which includes the In the first of three landmark developments since the coup, Nuba Mountains – Sudan’s oldest Christian region. Both Sudan’s Interim Constitutional Declaration was signed on states had remained in dispute since South Sudan gained August 4, 2019. The agreement established a three-year independence in 2011. More than 500,000 had died in those transition period under a civilian government, the TMC, led regions during the conflicts of the 1990s, which saw aerial by Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok, and brought together bombing, forced conversion to Islam, systematic mass rape, Sudanese military leaders with a coalition of rebel groups, and the jailing of Christian leaders. known as the Forces for Freedom and Change (FFC). Then, just days later, on September 3, the TMC agreed in This declaration marked the first point in many Sudanese principle to separate religion and state after three decades Christians’ lifetimes that the country’s constitution does of Islamic rule in the country. Prime Minister Hamdok not make reference to Islam as the principal source of law, and Abdelaziz Al-Hilu, the leader of the rebel SPLM-North and importantly, the interim constitution states that, “every faction, signed a declaration affirming that “The state citizen has the right to freedom of religion or belief.” shall not establish an official religion. No citizen shall be discriminated against based on their religion.” Notorious Apostasy Law Swept Away in July 2020 Then, in July 2020, Christians rejoiced greatly, especially Freedom of Worship for All Sudanese People converts from Islam, when the wonderful news came that Confirmed in October 2020 Sudan’s apostasy law, which carried a death penalty for A fifth decisive step toward religious liberty came in October leaving Islam (as in sharia), had finally been abolished. The 2020, at a conference in Khartoum, where Christian and Miscellaneous Amendments Act had been reviewed without Muslim leaders signed the landmark International Religious objection in April by the new Sovereign Council, which Freedom Round Table Declaration aimed at promoting peace replaced the Transitional Council as Sudan’s ruling body on and freedom of religion in Sudan and promising freedom of August 21, 2019. worship for all Sudanese people. Sudan Barnabas Aid March/April 2021 9

After a vision that Muslim clan chief Abdalla Yousef had “Change Will Not Happen Overnight” in 1991, he and his entire clan of around 100 people became Hopes for the transition to a peaceful democracy in Sudan have Christians. Despite assurances given to the church that the been raised high by this series of political and constitutional people were free to choose their religion, several of the converts, reforms. However, church property that was destroyed or including Abdalla, were arrested in 1994 and sentenced to confiscated under al-Bashir has not yet been restored or 100 lashes, after which they faced execution if they did not returned, apparently slowed by bureaucratic processes. return to Islam. Abdalla Yousef and Mahanna Mohamed were Many Christians may continue to face persecution in their executed by crucifixion in August of that year. communities as Sudan struggles to overcome its long legacy of systematic oppression. The TMC’s reforming and liberalizing agenda has not been universally accepted, and has faced a backlash from hard-line Islamists in the country.

Three Crushing Decades of Oppression Under Sharia Law Sudan, a country with more than 30 million Muslims (about 91% of the population), adopted sharia (Islamic law) in 1983 under President Jaafar al-Nimeiri. The decision provoked another civil war between the Arab Islamic government in the north of the country and the predominantly African population in the south, as the South tried to resist the imposition of sharia on its predominantly non-Muslim population, which included many Christians. More than two million people in southern and central Sudan died in the civil war, up to the time of the peace Prison ministry in Sudan agreement in 2005. It was estimated that up to five and a half million were displaced, mostly internally, with at least 350,000 In 1994, Salvatore Ali, a captain in the Sudanese army who fleeing to neighboring countries as refugees. had converted to Christianity, was dismissed from his post, Later, under Omar al-Bashir, who became president of tried and sentenced to death for apostasy. He was placed under Sudan in 1989 following a military coup, the use of sharia as considerable pressure to return to Islam and was eventually the basis of law and government became more definite, and the helped by fellow Christians to leave the country. Meriam Christian minority in the north (now estimated at 3%) came Yahya Ibrahim was sentenced to death for apostasy from Islam under intense persecution. Al-Bashir’s regime was supported in 2014 after marrying a Christian man. Though she had by the extremist National Islamic Front led by Hassan been brought up by her Christian mother as a Christian, the al-Turabi, and in 1991, sharia was enforced in the Sudanese authorities claimed that she was a Muslim by birth because it constitution, establishing the country as an Islamic state. was the religion of her estranged father. The accusation against her had been based on the Islamic concept that children take Apostasy Punishable by Death the religion of their father, therefore making her guilty of In Islam, conversion is seen as equivalent to treason against apostasy. An international outcry led to her eventual release, the state and hence punishable by death. According to and her sentence was overturned in June 2014 by Sudan’s all schools of sharia, mentally sane adult male apostates appeal court. face the death penalty. The Maliki school of sharia, which predominates in Sudan, also prescribes a death sentence Other Punishments for Converts From Islam for sane adult female apostates, and holds that even inward Converts from Islam in Sudan are also persecuted in many unspoken apostasy is punishable. It allows just three days for other ways without it ending in a death sentence. Many repentance before the death sentence is implemented. have faced arrest, imprisonment, beatings, torture or forced Under section 126 of the Sudan Criminal Law of 1991, injection with unknown drugs. apostasy was a criminal offense punishable by death. Representatives of the Sudanese government claimed that A Crucial Time for Prayer manifestation of apostasy was a threat to public order and As Sudan approaches crucial elections in 2022, the country’s should be prosecuted as high treason. government has called for national and international support. Sudan has carried out executions for apostasy in Sudanese Christians, many having lived their entire lives recent decades; more are known to have occurred in Sudan under pressure and persecution, have learned what it means to than in any other modern country. In 1985, Mahmoud patiently wait upon the Lord. It is a time for faithful prayer for Mohammed Taha, a Muslim man in his mid-70s, was all as we wait and trust alongside them for Sudan’s transition hanged after a two-hour trial for preaching a moderate and to a secular democracy, with religious freedom for all, to be liberal form of Islam. peacefully fulfilled. 10 March/April 2021 Barnabas Aid

Meditation on the Lord’s Prayer

ur Father in heaven, And forgive us our debts, Who alone knows our as we also have forgiven our debtors. O brokenness and pain. Father, forgive our many sins Who honors us by making us Your children Through the shed blood of Your Son Equal members of Your family, Who died for us and rose again. And gives us a new identity Release us from the burden of our debts As Your beloved chosen people, And give us grace to forgive Those in debt to us. Hallowed be Your name, Father, make us generous and merciful. For You are pure and sinless, You are the great I AM, And lead us not into temptation. Before whom we stand in awe, Father, give us faith to overcome God of truth and righteousness, our fears, doubts and worries. God of mercy and justice. Father, do not test us more than we can bear. Give us the strength to endure patiently, Your kingdom come. The grace to accept and persevere. Let Your glorious rule Give us a life of godliness and contentment. Cover the earth And banish all injustice, But deliver us from the evil one. Cast out all corruption Father, rescue us from Satan’s wiles, And right all wrongs. Free us from bondage, Set Your people free from oppression Snatch us from calamity, death And let Your reign begin in us. And the injustice of evil men.

Your will be done, For yours is the kingdom, On earth as it is in heaven. The power and the glory. Help us to accept Your purposes, Father, establish Your sovereign rule. Your good and perfect plan for our lives, Glorify Your name and keep us safe As one day all creation will submit For now and eternity. And bow before You In Whom is perfect peace and freedom. Amen

Give us today our daily bread, Based on Matthew 6:9-13 For we are poor and needy, And we depend on You. Father, provide our food and water, Our clothing and shelter. Day by day, our eyes look to You. © Patrick Sookhdeo, 2021 Pullout

UNDERSTANDING ISLAM FROM A CHRISTIAN PERSPECTIVE

Our pullout series for 2021 is taken from "Understanding Islam From a Christian Perspective" by Rosemary Sookhdeo, Barnabas Aid’s International Director of Finance. The following excerpts from her popular and informative book give invaluable insights into areas where the religion of Islam, which was established 600 years after Christ, has borrowed from Christianity, and explain the key theological differences between the two religions. ii March/April 2021 Barnabas Aid Pullout ...

CHAPTER NINE The Muslim Jesus (Part 1)

esus is called Isa in Islam. There are two cf. Luke 13:33). However, the New Testament, apart main sources for the Muslim Jesus: the from the above references, makes no explicit mention Quran gives a history of his life, while of Jesus using the title of prophet. the haditha establishes his place in the Muslim understanding of the end times. J Christians who engage in dialogue with Parallels and differences between the Muslims sometimes argue that the Isa found in the Biblical Jesus and the Muslim Isa Quran is essentially the same as the Jesus of the New Testament. However, all the evidence from the Quran, the hadith and the New Testament leads both Muslims The birth of Isa and Christians to precisely the opposite conclusion. In The Quran states that a “spirit” appeared to Mary and fact, the Isa of Islam and the Jesus of Christianity are promised her a son. Islamic tradition assumes this to radically different and irreconcilable in their person have been the angel Gabriel. The messenger goes on and work. If Isa and Jesus shared the fundamental to say that the child will be a sign not only for his own commonalities then either Islam or Christianity would people but for all humanity. Sura 19:21 states: “We have to rewrite and reinterpret all the theology and wish to appoint him as a sign unto men”. teachings of their faith. The Quran says that Isa was born of Mary, who was a virgin. Mary is mistakenly called Miriam the sister of Aaron and Moses whose father was Imran.b Isa is only a prophet There is no mention of Joseph in the Quran. In the Gospel of Luke, when Mary asks the angel Gabriel how her conception is possible since she is a virgin, Isa (the Muslim Jesus) is a great prophet in Islam, but the angel replies: “The Holy Spirit will come on you, he is a different person from the Jesus whom we know and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. as the Son of God. In the Quran, “Christ the son of So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of Mary was no more than a Messenger; many were the God” (Luke 1:35). messengers that passed away before him” (sura 5:75). The place where Isa was born is not clear, but the There are 28 prophets in the Quran and Isa is one of Quran states that he was born in a remote place under a them. Six of these prophets receive special titles: Adam palm tree. Straight away Isa comforts Mary in her pain the Chosen of God, Noah the Prophet of God, Abraham and her fear of people’s rejecting her. Isa then speaks the Friend of God, Moses the Converser with God, Isa from the cradle and says, “I am indeed a servant of the Spirit of God and Muhammad the Apostle of God. Allah: he hath given me Revelation and made me a Muhammad is called the last and Seal of the prophets. prophet” (sura 19:30-31). Isa is considered to be the greatest of the prophets However, there are stark differences between the before Muhammad, yet he is human like the prophets virgin births in Christianity and Islam. The virgin of old and is superseded by Muhammad, the “Seal”.67 birth in Islam was a divine sign but was not indicative In the Gospels Jesus is called a prophet by those of a special role or purpose. Isa was created out of the who first hear His teaching (Mark 6:15, 8:28) and dust of the earth. The Bible says Jesus was born of God accepts this title when He says that a prophet is not and “conceived of the Holy Spirit”. The virgin birth was without honour except in his own country (Mark 6:4, the indication of His role as Son of God. ... Pullout Barnabas Aid March/April 2021 iii

Isa and miracles The Muslim gospel mentions nothing of the life of Isa According to the Quran Isa raised the dead and healed or any of his teachings. There is also no reference to the blind and leprous and breathed life into clay birds. any content from the book of Acts or any of the epistles “I have come to you, with a Sign from your Lord, in that of Paul, Peter, James or John. The message Isa gives I make for you out of clay, as it were, the figure of a bird, is one confirming the message of earlier prophets. and breathe into it, and it becomes a bird by Allah’s “We [Allah] sent Jesus the son of Mary, confirming leave: And I heal those born blind, and the lepers, and I the Torah that had come before him: We sent him quicken the dead, by Allah’s leave; and I declare to you the Gospel: therein was guidance and light. And what ye eat, and what ye store in your houses. Surely confirmation of the Torah that had come before him: therein is a Sign for you if ye did believe” (sura 3:49). a guidance and an admonition to those who fear Allah. According to this verse (in Arabic) Isa did Let the People of the Gospel judge by what Allah hath God’s work and bore God’s attributes (e.g. creator), revealed therein. If any do fail to judge by what Allah but he was able to perform miracles only with hath revealed, they are those who rebel” (sura 5:46-47). Allah’s permission. The apostle Paul categorically rejects any other The story of Jesus creating a bird out of clay is message as “a different gospel which is really no gospel reported in a number of apocryphal gospels. The at all”. He emphatically makes clear that the Gospel Infancy Gospel of Thomas narrates: “This little child of the Lord Jesus Christ is non-negotiable. “But even Jesus when he was five years old was playing at the ford if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel of a brook … and having made soft clay, he fashioned other than the one we preached to you, let them be thereof twelve sparrows. And it was the Sabbath when under God’s curse! As we have already said, so now I he did these things … Jesus clapped his hands together say again: if anybody is preaching to you a gospel other and cried out to the sparrows and said to them: Go! and than what you accepted, let them be under God’s curse!” the sparrows took their flight and went away chirping”. (Galatians 1: 8-9).

Isa was sinless Isa was only human and the son of Mary Muslims believe Isa was sinless, as in sura 19:19: “(the As we have seen, Muslims believe that Isa was a mere angel says) I am only a messenger from thy Lord, (To man like any other prophet, and that all of them have announce) to thee the gift of a holy son.” been superseded by Muhammad. Isa was created from dust and lived like other prophets or messengers sent Isa was the only prophet mentioned in the Quran who by Allah before him. Hence, it is not surprising that the had these three characteristics mentioned above. Quran repeatedly refers to Jesus as “son of Mary”. This title occurs 23 times in the Quran, 16 times as Isa, son of Isa is the “Word of God” and “Spirit of God” Mary, and seven times as Son of Mary alone or with some Isa is called “Word of God” and “Spirit of God” – the other title. In marked contrast, the New Testament calls only prophet who is given these titles in the Quran (sura Jesus “Son of Mary” only once in the Gospel of Mark. “Is 4:171). “Christ Jesus the son of Mary was (no more than) not this the carpenter, the son of Mary?” (Mark 6:3 KJV). a messenger of Allah, and His Word which he bestowed The Islamic commentator M. Ali notes that “the epithet on Mary and a Spirit proceeding from Him.” However, Ibn Maryam (Son of Mary) is added to show that he was the Quran indicates that Isa is only “a” word of God a mortal like other prophets of God”.68 and not “the” Word of God (or the divine logos who was “The use of the title Son of Mary, found only once pre-existent with the Father at creation) as described in the Bible, was not taken up by the early church in John 1:1, “In the beginning was the Word, and the generally. A search in the orthodox Christian literature Word was with God, and the Word was God”. of the centuries after the Bible was written has found no trace of this title, though it is possible that it was Isa brought a gospel to humankind used occasionally or obscurely. Even apocryphal and Muslims believe that Isa brought a gospel called the heretical works rarely use it,” writes Parrinder.69 The injil and a law to humankind. However, this gospel exceptions are the Arabic Infancy Gospel and the Syriac bears no resemblance to the four Gospels in the New Infancy Gospel where the title “Son of Mary” occurs Testament or to the Gospel, which is the Good News of five times and 15 times respectively. Both these works salvation through Christ alone. Since the Quran denies were never accepted by orthodox Christians and entirely the crucifixion of Jesus, it eliminates any possibility of rejected by the Church. defining the Gospel as the belief that “Christ died for Christians believe that even though Jesus was fully our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, human, He was also fully God. He had a human body (and) that he was raised on the third day according to and exhibited normal human characteristics such as the Scriptures” (1 Corinthians 15:3-4). hunger and thirst and weariness. Both human and iv March/April 2021 Barnabas Aid Pullout ...

divine natures came together in one person. “... Christ concerning which they are in doubt. It is not for God Jesus ... being in very nature God, did not consider to take to himself any offspring; glory be to him! When equality with God something to be used to his own he decides a thing, he simply says ‘Be!’ and it is” (sura advantage, rather, he made himself nothing by taking 19:35-36).70 the very nature of a servant, being made in human Paramount in Islam is absolute monotheism or the likeness,” the apostle Paul explains (Philippians 2:5-7). unity of Allah (tawhid) and this is in direct opposition to the Trinity and therefore the divine nature and Sonship Isa is the Messiah but not the Redeemer of Jesus Christ. Muhammad believed the idea that Allah Isa is called the Messiah in the Quran eleven times. should have a son is a lie believed only by those that are However, the title is empty and meaningless, as it does ignorant. We read in (sura 18:4-5). “What they say is not carry the Old Testament meaning of “Messiah” or its nothing but falsehood!” fulfilment in the Jesus of the New Testament, where it Islam not only proclaims the unity of God but means “Anointed One” and “Redeemer” or “Deliverer”. constantly attacks the Sonship of Christ at every level The Quran does not explain the title. from its theology to its practice. Muslims consider the statement that “Jesus is the Son of God” to be Isa is not the Son of God blasphemous, and it will cause them to react sharply Muslims deny the deity of Isa and therefore do not with great disgust (sura 19:88-92). accept him as the Son of God. They quote sura 4:171 of the Quran: “O People of the Book! Commit no excesses in your religion: nor say of Allah aught but the truth. a The hadith is the second sacred source text of Islam. There are Christ Jesus the son of Mary was (no more than) a six authoritative hadith collections, which include thousands of messenger of Allah, and His Word which he bestowed Muhammad’s sayings that were passed on by his companions and on Mary, and a Spirit proceeding from Him: so believe were collected from 275 to 350 years after his death. The way of life in Allah and His Messengers. Say not “Trinity” desist. It of Muhammad as recounted in the hadith is known as the sunna and will be better for you: For Allah is One God: Glory be to is used as guidance for his followers. Him: (Far Exalted is He) above having a son”. b In the Quran, Mary the mother of Jesus is confused with Miriam the Muslims believe that Isa confirms this himself, sister of Aaron who was the first high priest of Israel. “When Jesus and say the idea that Allah could have a child is was born Mary’s neighbours said to her, ‘Mary! Truly an amazing blasphemous. “They do blaspheme who say: ‘Allah is thing has thou brought! O Sister of Aaron! Thy father was not a man Christ the son of Mary’. But said ‘Christ O Children of evil, nor thy mother a woman unchaste!’” (sura 19:27-28). Muslims of Israel! Worship Allah, my Lord and your Lord’. say that Mary had a brother called Aaron, but in the Quran the only Whoever joins other gods with Allah – Allah will forbid one called Aaron is the brother of Moses (sura 20:30). him The Garden, and the Fire will be his abode. There 67 Parrinder, Geoffrey Jesus in the Qur’an. London: Sheldon Press, will for the wrong doers be no one to help” (sura 5:72). 1965, p. 40. The Quran has many passages denying that God 68 M. ‘Ali, Translation and Commentary on The Holy Qur’an. 4th edition, has offspring. The most famous is the short sura Lahore, 1951, p. 40. recited daily by Muslims. “Say: ‘He is God, One; God, 69 Parrinder, p. 26. the eternal; he brought not forth, nor hath he been 70 Sura 19:35-36 in Richard Bell, The Qur’an: Volume I. Edinburgh: T & brought forth; Co-equal with him there hath never T Clark, 1937, p. 287. been any one’” (sura 112). Another sura confirms this: “That is Jesus, son of Mary – a statement of the truth To be continued in Barnabas Aid May/June 2021

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Healing and Happiness for Christian Schoolchildren in Bethlehem

will not replace our Christian children can receive a distressed and had to go and school with any other. good education. live with her grandmother for Here I feel closer to a while. But St. Aphrem’s cared God. We pray, we are Aram Able to Learn in a for the whole family, and now told Bible stories. The Christian Setting Marielle is back with her mother, teachers always smile Aram, now in second grade, used who has found work as a cook “I at us. We are happier to be a very troubled little boy. so she can support her daughter. than at home.” This was the His family is poor and, though Marielle is thriving at school and answer from one little boy when they are Christians, live in a doing very well in her studies. asked what was special about his Muslim area of Bethlehem where school, St. Aphrem’s, which is they suffer abuse from their “The School Is Our Refuge” supported by Barnabas Aid. neighbors. Aram’s behaviour Bethlehem, a city very dependent Life is hard for many of the became so extreme that he was on the tourism industry, was children in Bethlehem, especially in danger of being taken into hit hard economically by the in the cold winter months. Some care. But St. Aphrem’s accepted coronavirus pandemic. The live in homes with no heating him on to the school roll, and Christian minority is especially or hot water, or in basements brought his mother to school too vulnerable, as many used to be without daylight. But at St. so she could learn how to help her employed in the tourism industry Aphrem’s they find both physical son more effectively. The school and suffer discrimination from warmth and loving care from the also provided transportation for the majority population. teachers in a unique Christian the family to go to church each During this difficult time, setting. One mother explained, Sunday. Aram is quiet, attentive the school had to close during “You can feel the joy in the and learning well, while the lockdown. But the staff and morning prayers; especially family has benefited from being pupils pray continually for the these days where we cannot go to more among fellow Christians. care of the Lord Jesus, and the church, the school is taking care school is providing help, healing of the spiritual side as well.” Practical and Spiritual and wholeness. One father The school provides vital Support for says, “In times of trouble and practical, educational and Devastated Marielle worry, the school is our refuge.” spiritual support, irreplaceable Marielle’s father was used and Thankfully, no children have to the 600 Christian children deceived by some local Muslims, been affected by Covid and who attend and their parents. ending up in huge debt because none of the teachers have been St. Aphrem’s charges very low of the way they exploited him. seriously ill. “It is the protection fees to needy Christian families, The result was devastating for of God,” commented one teacher. or in some cases nothing at the family, and especially for Project reference PR420 all, so that even the poorest little Marielle, who was greatly 12 March/April 2021 Barnabas Aid

True Comfort

he longing for comfort has never been comforted in the Lord,” which to him meant “Be empowered more urgent. Living with pain, sorrow and in the Lord.” William Tyndale, in the 15th century, first gave uncertainty is never easy. Being lonely and us “Be strong in the Lord.” isolated, cut off from loved ones, can be devastating. People dying surrounded by Comfort, Comfort My People strangers, their loved ones unable to be at The Bible was not originally written in English, so to better T their bedside or say goodbye to them, is a understand God’s Word to us, we must look at the meanings new kind of trauma that the world has perhaps never seen of Hebrew and Greek words later translated as “comfort”. before. For some, even the solace of a funeral at which to The most famous use of the word “comfort” in the Old mourn those they have lost and celebrate their lives has Testament is surely the command: been impossible. In his second letter to the Corinthians, Paul reveals his Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. Speak heart, emotions, and above all his sufferings. In opening, he tenderly to Jerusalem, and proclaim to her that her hard speaks of God as “the Father of compassion and the God of service has been completed, that her sin has been paid all comfort” (1:3). Ultimately, it is God’s very nature to bring for, that she has received from the Lord’s hand double succor and help to His afflicted people. The short passage (vv. for all her sins (Isaiah 40:1-2). 3-7) resounds with the word “comfort” – repeated nine times and interwoven with words for suffering and affliction seven Based on this text, “comfort” resounds thrillingly as the first times. Paul derives great comfort, strength and reassurance word of Handel’s magnificent oratorio Messiah. from knowing that God Himself is the source of all his The Hebrew word is nachămū, from which the names comfort, albeit channeled to him through Christian brothers Nehemiah and Nahum come. Its literal meaning is “to cause and sisters. to breathe again,” or letting one’s breath out in relief. It is an emotionally charged word that certainly includes the idea of The Biblical Meaning of Comfort consolation in grief (Genesis 37:35; 1 Chronicles 7:22; Jeremiah But what does “comfort” mean? Some English words have 31:15). But it means more. It also describes a process of learning changed their meaning dramatically. Today the word to think differently about a situation. A rabbi explains: “Comfort “comfort” has a “soft and fluffy” feel to it, but in the 14th begins when we can reframe the immediate pain of a loss in a century, when John Wycliffe was translating the Bible, it larger, more encompassing picture or story.”1 was a robust and powerful term. Most of its broad range of meanings have disappeared, leaving little but the idea The Source of Job’s True Comfort of soothing and consoling with sympathetic words. It has Job’s sufferings – his excruciating agony of spirit as well as become a mundane, everyday word, with little substance. body – are recounted vividly in the Old Testament. Before In order to understand the word “comfort” in the Bible, long his wife was revolted by him, most of his friends and we must banish modern ideas from our minds. We must not relatives abandoned him, his servants refused to obey him think of reassuring blankets, cosy armchairs or easy lifestyles. and little children mocked him (Job 19:13-19). However, there The “fort” part of the word “comfort” comes from the were three friends who stood by him and tried, in a misguided Latin fortis, which has two meanings: (1) physical strength way, to comfort him, although in fact only making his mental and (2) courage and steadfastness. So, the old meaning of torment worse. But Job tells us that he did have one source “comforting” someone was to make them strong and brave of true comfort – the fact that he had not denied the words to endure. Wycliffe even translated Ephesians 6:10 as “Be ye of the Holy One (Job 6:10, NKJV). True Comfort Barnabas Aid March/April 2021 13

The Friend and Helper Who Is Always With Us What Kinds of Troubles Are These? In most English New Testaments, occurrences of the word Paul uses the word thlipsis in this passage, and later the “comfort” are concentrated in 2 Corinthians 1, where the stronger term stenochoria. Literally, thlipsis is a crushing Greek parakalein, and words from the same root, appear weight or pressure, and stenochoria is confinement in a small nine times in five verses (vv. 3-7). Literally meaning “to be space. Both can be used to describe real physical suffering. called to the side of,” the idea is of summoning someone to Centuries ago, English law had a punishment that consisted come and help in time of need. This root gives us the noun of placing heavy weights on a person’s chest until they were parakletos (one who is summoned to be alongside), used crushed to death. The torture method of confining people in by Jesus to describe the Holy Spirit (John 14:16; 14:26; a box or cage so small that they cannot stand, sit or lie down 15:26; 16:7). has been used in many countries throughout history. The early church fathers sometimes took the meaning Metaphorically, we all know the feeling of pressure as to be “consoler” and sometimes “advocate.” Some English troubles of various kinds become a burden, weighing us translations, reluctant to diminish the rich variety of down. We can feel there is no escape from our problems. meanings by selecting just one of them, put “Paraclete” Paul’s words cover the wide spectrum of troubles we may where Jesus speaks of the Holy Spirit. Wycliffe decided to face. His message is that God is alongside us in them all, use the word “Comforter,” conveying the thought that the giving us strength and courage, and enabling us to pass the Holy Spirit fills us with courage and strength to cope with breaking point without breaking. whatever comes our way. Comforting Others: A Complete Cycle of Blessing Our Advocate and Our Consoler Our suffering can equip us to be “an agent of God’s bountiful “If anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father comfort”2 for others in distress. Paul tells the Corinthians – Jesus Christ, the Righteous One.” We must remember that God comforts us so that we can comfort others in that when Jesus spoke four times of the Holy Spirit as trouble with the same comfort God has given us (1:4). the parakletos, His role as our advocate was part of the meaning, along with being our counselor and consoler, our For when we came into Macedonia, we had no rest, friend and ally who fights for us in spiritual battles. He is but we were harassed at every turn – conflicts on our encourager who urges us to stand firm and face our the outside, fears within. But God, who comforts the perils and difficulties with courage. downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus, and What a holy mystery it is that Jesus’ going away was for not only by his coming but also by the comfort you had our good, so that the parakletos, our friend and helper, could be alongside us (John 16:6-7) forever (John 14:16). This is given him. (2 Corinthians 7:5-7.) how Jesus fulfils His promise to be with us to the very end The Corinthians comforted Titus, Titus comforted Paul of the age (Matthew 28:20). – and then Paul comforted the Corinthians, making a complete circle of blessing. The God Who Always Comforts Us in All Our Troubles If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and Let us now turn to what Paul wrote to the Corinthians salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, about parakalein. It was unusual for Paul to begin a which produces in you patient endurance of the same letter by pouring out his personal anguish as he does sufferings we suffer. (2 Corinthians 1:6) in this one. But he had just come through a time of terrible suffering, and the wonderful message that he The result of Christian comfort is a change in attitude, not gives to the Corinthian believers is that God the Father a change in circumstances. The new attitude is neither is “the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our unfounded optimism nor permission to wallow in self-pity. troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble It is a “patient endurance” that is triumphant, even joyful – with the comfort we ourselves receive from God” it is not about holding on through gritted teeth. Nourished (2 Corinthians 1:3-4). by a fresh infusion of divine power, we are comforted by a The God of all parakleseos (v.3) is the God who is always renewed inner experience of God’s grace, our spiritual muscles there as our parakletos. The God of all comfort does are strengthened, and we have courage to cope. more than sympathize. He strengthens us and inspires us to endure. He encourages us to face troubles boldly and DR. PATRICK SOOKHDEO bravely. If it is not irreverent, we might even say He is the International Director of Barnabas Aid God who cheers us on. We can depend on our heavenly Father’s comfort, for it 1 Rabbi Julian Sinclair, “Nachamu”, The Jewish Chronicle, 15 August will never fail. His comfort is abundant and overflowing 2008, https://www.thejc.com/judaism/jewish-words/nachamu-1.4503 (v. 5). He comforts us in all our troubles (v. 4a). We also [accessed 3 January 2021]. know that He comforts us in any kind of trouble because 2 Murray J. Harris, The Second Epistle to the Corinthians: A Commentary we learn from Him how to do that for our brothers and of the Greek Text, Grand Rapids, Eerdmans and Milton Keynes, sisters (v. 4b). Paternoster, 2005, p.137. 14 March/April 2021 Barnabas Aid More Than Conquerors

More Than Conquerors Survivors describe courage of Christians tortured, starved and abused in North Korean prison camps.

North Korean prison guards force water mixed with red pepper powder down the nostrils of inmates to extract false confessions from them. [Image credit: Korea Future Initiative]

Christian woman sat weeping in a crowds as a deterrent to others. A witness interviewed by prison cell, in agony after enduring a the London-based campaign group, Korea Future Initiative1, prolonged beating from a prison guard. described being among 1,000 people forced to watch a “I am God’s daughter,” she whispered. Christian being shot by a firing squad in a marketplace. “I am crying because I am worried that Another described how their uncle was shot – “our whole God will be in pain seeing his daughter school attended,” they said. A being assaulted in prison.” Some parents dare not even let their own children The anguish of this faithful and brave sister is repeated know they follow Christ, as pupils are encouraged at many times over in North Korea, where tens of thousands school to report their parents if they see them praying of Christians have been starved, tortured and worked to or reading Scripture. The state indoctrinates children in death in political labor camps, or “re-education” camps, kindergarten with the message that Christianity is “bad” because of their faith. The harshest punishments are often and missionaries are “evil.” reserved for Christians. The closed country is under the despotic rule of Families Prayed Together Silently in Their Cells President Kim Jong-un and strict communist control. His Entire Christian families are sent to prison camps. A grandfather, Supreme Leader Kim Il-sung, established the witness described the courage of two families, whose state-propagated ideology of Juche, or human “self-reliance,” members ranged in age from 10 to almost 80, as they which is almost a religion, along with near-worship of Kim were arrested for worshiping at an underground church. A Il-sung and his successors. teenage child was admitted to a pre-trial detention center as an adult, while the younger children were forcibly Christians Executed in Front of Large Crowds placed into care. as Deterrent In another case, the child of a Christian was imprisoned North Korea is one of the most dangerous places in the in a North Korean political prison camp because their world to be a Christian. Believers whose only “crime” is to parent attended a church in China. The parent was later possess pages of a Bible are executed, often in front of large informed that their child had died at the camp. More Than Conquerors Barnabas Aid March/April 2021 15

Korean woman and driven to the Chinese border on the Harrowing Accounts of Forced Abortions Amnok River (also known as the Yalu). The Christian was Christians recalled inhumane forms of torture. “Men bundled into a boat by at least four waiting North Korean were beaten like dogs,” added a Christian woman. “They security agents and taken across the river to North Korea screamed like crazy because they hurt so much. Even for interrogation. though women were beaten less, I was hit in the face … Other Christians explained how their documents I wept a lot when they hit me again.” authorizing their forced repatriation to North Korea had In another instance, a Christian was forced to sit curled been marked by China’s Ministry of Public Security with inside a tiny steel cage, measuring 4 feet long by 3 feet a black stamp. The stamp indicated that the victim had high, its bars heated with an electric current. “Usually practiced Christianity in China. prisoners lasted only 3-4 hours, but I sat there for 12 hours and prayed,” he said. “I kept praying for God to save me.” Christians in North Korea “Usually prisoners lasted only 3-4 hours since 1945 but I sat there for 12 hours and prayed” At the end of the Second World War, the Christian community accounted for 2-3% of the population Harrowing accounts are given of pregnant women forced of Korea2. The north of the Korean Peninsula, to undergo abortions. A witness described how babies which became North Korea in 1948, was the who survived at birth were suffocated by guards, and their powerhouse of Korean Christianity, with an mothers were forced to resume manual labor the following estimated 300,000 Christians and many of the day, without medicine or rest. best of the church leaders. Starving Prisoners Beaten With Shovel In 1946, the pacifist Presbyterian leader of the for Picking Grass to Eat interim northern government mysteriously A prison camp inmate described being fed a soup made disappeared and was never seen again. of water, salt and sand. When forced to labor in the A young communist, Kim Il-sung, seized power. camp’s agricultural fields, the inmate received a soup Although Kim’s mother and maternal grandmother containing liquefied grass thickened with corn flour. were staunch Presbyterians, Kim began a gradual Prisoners caught picking and eating grass from the field suppression of Christianity. were beaten with a shovel. In 1948, Korea was divided into two nations, and A prisoner released after a three years in one of the Kim assumed leadership of the North. Two years camps weighed just 60 pounds and had lasting damage later, in June 1950, he authorized a surprise attack to a kidney. on South Korea. Most Protestant missionaries Death rates are high among prisoners, and corpses were fled the country. Church leaders were taken burned every few days, said a survivor. “The cremated body prisoner and carried back to the North when the ash was scattered on the field, and the whole field was communist army was forced to retreat. About 500 black when it rained in the summer because the body oils church leaders died in captivity. resurfaced,” said the former inmate. “When they planted spinach, it would grow thick and tall.” By 1953, an estimated 100,000 Christians had moved from North to South Korea, depleting the Christian Prisoner: “A Light That Warmed Me” North of up to one third of its Christian population. Despite the torture and violence suffered by Christian In South Korea, the church has grown rapidly, prisoners, courageous believers helped support others, and Christians now account for about 30% of even though they knew that discovery would result in a the population. severe beating. One recalled how a Christian prisoner told her, “God had sent me here for you.” The survivor said, By contrast, North Korea, ruled by Kim Il-sung and “Eventually I listened to her … she was a light that came his descendants, is a place of terrible persecution, and warmed me when I was drowning in my sorrow … and only God knows how many faithful followers of I would have killed myself if it were not for her.” Christ there are in that country.

China Enables North Korean Regime’s Persecution of Christians 1 Korea Future Initiative, 2020, Persecuting Faith: Exiles have affirmed rumors that the Chinese government Documenting religious freedom violations in North Korea. cooperates with its communist North Korean neighbour in https://www.koreafuture.org/projects/forb the arrest, detention and abuse of North Korean Christians (Accessed January 21, 2021) and their forcible repatriation. 2 Hated Without a Reason: The remarkable story of Christian In one instance a North Korean Christian was persecution over the centuries, Patrick Sookhdeo, Isaac abducted in China by three Chinese men and a North Publishing, 2019, p115 16 March/April 2021 Barnabas Aid In Brief

Christian Couple Christian Businesses Eleven Armenian Arrested as Prosecuted for POWs Killed “Apostates” in Selling Audio Bibles and 70 Soldiers Somaliland in China Captured Following Now Released CHINA Azerbaijani SOMALILAND Ceasefire Violations AZERBAIJAN DJIBOUTI Eleven Armenian prisoners of war have been killed by their Azerbaijani captors, and more than 70 Armenian soldiers captured, following Azerbaijan’s violation of a ceasefire halting fighting in Nagorno-Karabakh in November. A Christian husband and wife, detained for Footage emerged in December showing being “apostates and evangelists spreading the shooting of the prisoners. Christianity” in Somaliland, where almost Azerbaijani forces also took control the whole population is Muslim, were of four Armenian villages in addition unexpectedly released and deported by a to territory gained during the fighting, regional court on November 1. An audio Bible player manufactured in which took place from September to The couple’s lawyer said the decision Shenzhen, China. November last year. came after European government representatives raised the case with the Five Christians have been prosecuted The incidents come amid Ministry of Religious Affairs. It allowed by Chinese authorities in Shenzhen for them to travel with their youngest child to selling audio versions of the Bible as allegations of Azerbaijani a safe country, where they were reunited part of the government’s ongoing policy war crimes committed with their two elder sons. to eradicate “illegal publications.” during that fighting. The couple were arrested by police on In two separate trials, on December September 21 when Christian material was 7 and 9, first Christian businessman Lai The incidents come amid allegations found at their home. Shortly afterward, a Jinqiang, and then businesswoman Fu of Azerbaijani war crimes committed police colonel threatened that “whoever Xuanjuan and three of her staff, were during that fighting, including the dares to spread Christianity in this region tried for “illegal business operations” beheading of two elderly men and an should be fully aware that they won’t escape over the sale of audio Bible players. attack on Ghazanchetsots Cathedral in the hand of the law enforcement officers No sentences had been passed Shushi. Azerbaijani soldiers have also and that the spread of Christianity will not at this writing, but the prosecutor been accused of defiling corpses and be allowed and is considered blasphemy.” recommended that Mrs. Fu be desecrating graves. Many members of the small sentenced to five years in prison. A Russian-brokered ceasefire Christian community in Somaliland Her three Christian employees were agreement, signed on November 9, had were reported to have fled abroad recommended to receive sentences of led to an abatement in the conflict. The following the couple’s arrest. between 18 months and three years. agreement required Armenia to cede large Islam is the official religion Sui Muqing, a Chinese human rights areas of the Nagorno-Karabakh region of Somaliland, which declared lawyer, said that trials such as these are previously under its control to Azerbaijan, independence from Somalia in 1991. Its intended to stop the spread of the Bible creating the possibility of a land corridor constitution states that individuals have in China. linking Azerbaijan with Turkey. the right to freedom of belief. However, The Chinese Communist Party Although nominally within the the constitution also prohibits Muslims (CCP) has stepped up the increasing borders of Muslim-majority Azerbaijan, from converting to another religion, bars enforcement of its ban on the the region is populated by Armenians the propagation of any religion other than printing of Christian and other religious and has, since the end of the first Islam and stipulates all laws must comply material by threatening printers and Nagorno-Karabakh war in 1992, been with the general principles of sharia reprographics businesses with closure, largely self-governed by Armenians. (Islamic law). Sharia lays down a death and owners and staff with large fines Most Azerbaijanis are Muslims, whereas sentence for apostasy from Islam. or imprisonment. Armenians are Christians. In Brief Barnabas Aid March/April 2021 17

Islamist Militants Brutally Murder Four Nigerian Christians Christians in Remote Indonesian Village Murdered as a INDONESIA “Christmas Present” in Terror Attacks on Christmas Eve NIGERIA

The Christians of a remote forest village in Central Sulawesi mourn with devastated relatives the deaths of four members of the community murdered by Islamist militants.

Four Christians were killed in a brutal The terrorists also tore down the attack by Islamist militants on a church church building and set six village and homes in a remote Christian homes on fire. community and Salvation Army post Regional contacts report that the on the Indonesian island of Sulawesi attack was perpetrated by the Islamist on November 27. terror group East Indonesia Mujahidin. In the raid on Lemban Tongoa, “The security situation has Central Sulawesi, a gang of around 10 deteriorated since extremist cleric militants armed with guns and knives Rizieq Shihab, in exile in Saudi Arabia At least 24 people were killed, over 20 beheaded one victim, slit the throat of a for the past three years, recently abducted, a church burned and a pastor second and broke the neck of a third. A returned to Indonesia,” explained a kidnapped by jihadi militants during fourth victim was burned to death. All regional expert. Shihab founded and two attacks on Christmas Eve in Borno four of the adult victims were church leads the Islamic Defenders Front and Adamawa states, Nigeria. members and belonged to the same (FPI), which wants to establish an On December 24, armed militants extended family. Islamic state in Indonesia. thought to belong to Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) raided the predominantly Christian village of Pemi, near Chibok in Borno state, Muslim Neighbors Protect Egyptian killing 11 people and setting fire to buildings. Christian Family After “Insulting” Jihadists abducted at least 20 Christians in the region and singled out Facebook Post Prompts Mob Attack five to be lined up and shot in a second Christmas Eve attack in Garkida, EGYPT Adamawa state. In an online video A Muslim mob took to the streets in attack Girgis’ family home, but were released by the militants showing al-Barsha village, Minya governorate, unable to reach it, as their Muslim the killings, a voice said, “Celebrate Upper Egypt, attacking Christian neighbors stepped in to protect them. your Christmas with the present of the homes and the church of Abu- Property damage incurred by the heads of these Christians,” followed by Seifein, in violent retaliation to a Christians in the village included the the sound of gunfire as the Christians Facebook comment deemed insulting burning down of a stable, theft of were shot. to Muhammad. cattle and damage to a bus belonging The murders are part of a continuing Christian, Girgis Sameeh, who to the church. wave of anti-Christian attacks in allegedly posted the comment, In subsequent hostilities on northeast Nigeria carried out by claimed that his social media account November 29, six farm huts and yards jihadists, many of which go unreported. was hacked. owned by Christians were burned Stones and Molotov cocktails by Muslim villagers. Some Muslim To view our most were thrown during the violence on extremists called for a boycott of current news, scan this with your device. 25 November. The mob attempted to Christian-owned businesses. 18 March/April 2021 Barnabas Aid Armenian Petition

Sign Our Petition Barnabas calls for the U.S. Government to recognize the Armenian Genocide #RecognizeArmenianGenocide

blanket of “denial” More Than Ever, the threats against the country of Armenia about the Armenian Genocide’s Warning From itself, the world’s oldest Christian Genocide – the History Must Be Heeded nation. Armenians fear the conquest of Turkish Ottomans’ Today, a century later, this issue is their homeland and another genocide staggering crime again of urgent concern. A short but while national powers turn a blind eye. against humanity bloody conflict flared up in September A – hangs over what 2020 when Azerbaijan, supported by historians now widely describe as the Turkey, attacked civilian communities Between 1893 and 1923, some 1.5 first modern genocide. The national in Armenian Nagorno-Karabakh, million Armenians died in the Ottoman powers of the day took little action to raising the specter of renewed anti- Empire in a policy of extermination avert the Ottoman atrocities against Christian atrocities. of Christian minorities. In addition Armenians and other Christian some 2.25 million Assyrian, Greek and minorities before, during and after Thousands of Armenians were killed Syriac Christians were also killed within World War I. in a few brief weeks of battle, and some Ottoman territories between 1914 and 90,000 fled their homes, as hostile 1923, making a total of 3.75 million Even today only 32 countries officially forces, including jihadi mercenaries, Christians killed. recognize the Armenian Genocide, overran the enclave within Azerbaijan. including Chile, France, Germany, Some were killed by having their throats Historians and scholars agree that Russia and Syria. In 2019, the U.S. cut, just like a century ago under the Turkey’s murderous policy was Congress voted to recognize the Ottoman Empire. state-sanctioned and directed against Armenian Genocide, to the anger Christians. Some Christians were of their NATO ally Turkey, but An uneasy ceasefire halted the fighting, spared death, but only if they converted the decision was not ratified after with Azerbaijan retaining the territory to Islam. President Erdogan threatened to close it had taken from the Armenian down an air base in Turkey that is inhabitants of Nagorno-Karabakh. But Immediately after World War I, few Turks hosting U.S. nuclear weapons. in November, Azerbaijani ceasefire in Anatolia (now western Turkey) publicly violations saw 11 Armenian POWs doubted that Armenians had suffered The United Kingdom has yet to killed, 70 soldiers captured and four atrocities that were extreme even by the recognize the Armenian Genocide, Armenian villages taken. standards of that terrible war. although the parliaments of Wales and Scotland have voted in favor of Will There Be Another doing so. The Australian states of New Armenian Genocide? Sign our petition for recognition of the South Wales and South Australia have Since Azerbaijan’s victory in November Armenian Genocide – and a second recognized it, but not Australia 2020, there have been Azerbaijani one may be averted. as a whole. New Zealand has not recognized the genocide, nor Please join with us and sign the petition to the U.S. presidential administration has Israel. (enclosed with this magazine) and encourage family, friends and others to follow your example. You are welcome to photocopy it. Turkey continues to deny the genocide Further copies of this petition are available from 80 Abbeyville Road, Lancaster, PA and has made it illegal to even use the 17603, or by download from www.barnabasaid.org/armenian-genocide term “Armenian Genocide”. 19 March/April 2021 In Touch Barnabas Aid

Pray for God’s persecuted family around the world Prayer is crucial for the ministry of Barnabas Aid, and we have many resources available to support and assist local prayer groups and individuals in their prayers. We encourage you to make sure the persecuted Church is included in the intercessions at your church or fellowship’s Sunday worship. Are there any prayer items for the Could your church persecuted Church in your church’s bulletin or newsletter? There are daily prayer suggestions in our printed Barnabas take up an Easter Prayer diary that you receive with this magazine, which are also available on our website and social media channels, and. offering for monthly prayer suggestions in our Prayer Focus Update, giving We also have a weekly email, Christian Newsline news related to Christians under pressure and persecution. Barnabas Aid? This Easter, as we remember Christ’s own Our annual booklet, Praying for the Persecuted Church, sufferings and His joyous resurrection, provides news from the persecuted Church together with could your church take up an Easter offering associated praise and prayer points. for Barnabas Aid, to bring hope and aid to The Barnabas Aid Daily Prayer can be viewed on your believers who are celebrating in the midst of smart phone or tablet device by visiting us and on isFacebook also persecution because of their faith in Christ? (facebook.com/BarnabasAidUSA), app. The plight of many of our brothers and available on the PrayerMate sisters has been made much worse by the impact of a long hard year of coronavirus. We are hosting regular online meetings via Zoom to bring together supporters for intercession on behalf of God’s Particularly at this time of year we think persecuted family around the world. of Christ’s simple promise to us, “Give, and it will be given to you” (Luke 6:38). For Details of how you can sign up for one or all of our prayer suffering believers, the knowledge that fellow resources can be found on: barnabasaid.org/pray Christians around the world are praying for them, standing with them and supporting them practically is a great encouragement.

Please check for Annual Giving Statement mail. If you have any concerns, We would like to apologize for any please call us on 703-288-1681. delays to the delivery of our magazines and mailings, caused by circumstances Delays arose because USPS became beyond our control. overwhelmed with mail in December 2020 as more people ordered online and We would also ask you to carefully check used postal services to send letters and the Annual Giving Statement that we are packages. The service also had staffing sending you, to make sure that none of your shortages because of Covid. kind donations have gone missing in the New Title Lifting up the Downcast by Patrick Sookhdeo “Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God” (Psalm 42:11). Life can bring us many challenges, uncertainties and sorrows. Sometimes, like the psalmist, we are downcast and disturbed, dejected and in turmoil, anxious and fearful, overwhelmed, even despairing. Perhaps God seems far away and we feel bereft and alone. Many believers through the centuries have felt like this at times. And they have left us a rich treasury of writings, which can help us in our own struggles. The author’s prayer is that this book will bring its readers peace, comfort and strength through the Word of God and the words of His faithful people. Then, like the psalmist, we can once more put our hope in God and praise Him. $5.00 ISBN: 978-1-952450-06-8 Cover: Paperback (plus S&H $2.99)

Surviving the Forgotten Armenian Genocide A Moving Personal Story by Smpat Chorbadjian, edited by Patrick Sookhdeo A gripping eyewitness account of the genocide perpetrated by the Ottoman Turkish government against its Armenian subjects during World War I, Smpat Chorbadjian tells his story of the appalling hardships he suffered. It shows his courage, endurance and the will to survive, and records his healing and restoration after $10.00 years of extreme misery. (plus S&H $2.99) ISBN: 9780991614578 Number of Pages: 136 Cover: Paperback

To order your books, please contact the Barnabas Aid office at 703-288-1681 or [email protected]. barnabasaid.org