THE MAGAZINE OF BARNABAS FUND HOPE AND AID FOR THE PERSECUTED CHURCH barnabasaid • India: how Christians JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2008 fi t into her rich diversity • Islam and love: sorting fact from fi ction • Iraqi Christian refugees: building for the future From the director Barnabas, Joseph Project news These are the pages where we keep you informed about how your gifts are and Agabus helping Christians under pressure because of their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. In 1989 I was asked by the World Evangelical Fellowship and the Lausanne Several reports in this issue are concerned with training of various kinds - for barnabasaid Movement to convene a conference in Cyprus about Christians in Muslim JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2008 pastors, Christian teachers, and Christian writers. In places where the Christian countries. Leaders came from across the Muslim world. The stories they brought community is generally poor and does not have many resources, short training were heart-rending as they spoke of the diffi culties they faced and which Christians had faced in history, even torture and death. The reality of persecution courses add to the skills and knowledge of committed and hard-working Contents Christians serving the Lord’s people in various ways. The courses usually cost To guard the safety of Christians in hostile environments in the Muslim world was little known at that time, for most Christians’ attention names have often been changed or omitted. Thank you was on the plight of Christians in the communist world. The conference delegates very little but the results can be dramatic. What the church leaders in Ethiopia for your understanding. agreed to create two organisations: (1) an institute for research and information to and Sierra Leone have learnt will make them far more effective in strengthening A workshop for Pakistani Christian writers make known the situation of persecuted Christians in the Muslim world (2) a relief the faith of ordinary Christians so that they can withstand the pressures and 3 Project News agency to be called the Barnabas Fund. URDU CHRISTIAN Training a few brings blessing challenges which may face them from other faiths. The Christian teachers in to many The name Barnabas was chosen The Bible tells us also of another famine, Sudan will be more effective in educating the children in their schools, and this LITERATURE AND because the Apostle Barnabas came from many centuries later, when God prepared in WRITERS’ WORKSHOP 6 Country Profi le: Cyprus. He was a good man full of the advance for help to come to His people. will result in a new generation better able to support themselves and develop Holy Spirit and faith (Acts 11:24). It happened while Barnabas and Saul their community as a whole. The Christian writers in Pakistan will be able to A long established Christian Christians in India His gentleness, compassion, courage, (Paul) were spending a year at Antioch publishing house produces Urdu- faith, integrity and generosity are clear teaching the Christians there. Agabus produce materials with greater impact, to encourage and edify more of their language materials used by many Information – a wonderful model to follow. His name came from Jerusalem to the church in fellow-believers. Please pray that the Holy Spirit will remind all who have taken Christian groups in Pakistan. One pull-out means “son of encouragement” and what Antioch and prophesied a famine. of their current projects is to publish Christians in the Muslim world at the time The Christians in Antioch immediately these courses and workshops of what they have learned and help them to put it 1,000 copies of a Bible Concordance Islam, love and a response to the most needed was to be encouraged, to be organised an offering to help the Christians into practice. Pray also for the other projects described here. Thank you for your and 2,000 copies of a Bible Dictionary, Muslim open letter remembered, to be helped. in Judea where the famine would both in Urdu. Barnabas Fund sent Very soon the institute was set up. apparently strike fi rst. The offering was prayers and for your gifts which make these projects possible. a grant of £10,313 (US$21,657; 11 Testimony Meanwhile I contacted various mission sent through Barnabas and Saul who NZ$27,845; A$22,687; €14,438) to and aid agencies requesting that perhaps carried it to Jerusalem. help subsidise the production costs. Peace, joy and persecution in Jordan 1% of their budget be given to assist (Acts 11: 25-30) A further grant of £956 (US$2,000; Christians in the Muslim world, but sadly It is striking that the Antioch Christians NZ$2,580; A$2,103; €1,338) paid for 12 The Other Nine this was not possible. With the appeal took up the offering before the famine a writers’ workshop for 15 Pakistani coming from Christian leaders in the started. Through the faith and generosity Where are they? Can you tell them? Christian writers held over 4 days Muslim world, we found it necessary in of this fl edgling church, aid was sent to the in early October. The aim of the 1993 to bring into being the Barnabas elders of the church in Jerusalem before 14 Newsroom workshop was to encourage the Fund, to be a channel of help and hope. the need had even arisen. production of original and authentic A martyr in Gaza Little did we realise at the time what a Forwarding gifts for Christians affected popular name “Barnabas” was for many by famine is something which the Apostle Pakistani Christian literature, rather 15 In Touch Christian ministries. Nor did we dream Barnabas did in the fi rst century and which than relying on translation of foreign When God matches people to projects how the Lord was going to bless the work it is our privilege at Barnabas Fund to Morning devotions started each works. Here are some comments day of a training course for from the participants: of “Barnabas Fund” and make it grow. continue doing in the twenty-fi rst century. pastors in Sierra Leone 17 Focus Barnabas’ original name was Joseph (See page 5 for one example.) We also • “Being together with other like- (Acts 4:36), a name which recalls the support long-term feeding programmes minded people gives more inspiration, Think big and think long-term: Joseph we read about in Genesis, the in countries such as Iraq, Pakistan and EQUIPPING FOR CHURCH MINISTRY IN ETHIOPIA motivation and incentive to write.” a new project to help Iraqi Christians eleventh son of Jacob. Joseph was the elsewhere, to help Christians who are on • “In the workshop I received a man whom God sent ahead of his father the brink of malnutrition and hunger. AND SIERRA LEONE great pile of blessings.” 18 New Book and brothers (Psalm 105:17), allowing him But feeding is just one of many ways we A grant of £3,575 (US$7,507; overview, as well as studying in detail • “I learnt that we need to write “Faith and Power” by to be sold into slavery in Egypt. By the help needy Christians. NZ$9,653; A$7,865; €5,005) covered key theological concepts such as by faith and that in writing we face a time famine affl icted the land, Joseph had As we enter a new year, it must be with some of the costs of two training grace, justifi cation, regeneration and spiritual battle.” Patrick Sookhdeo Please pray that those who risen to be in charge of the whole country, hope and confi dence, remembering that the courses, each 5 days long, which sanctifi cation. under Pharaoh, and had organised the God who knew the famines would come is attended the workshop – all of them were held in different locations in Another grant of £7,475 storage of surplus grain to tide Egypt over in control, and has prepared help for His mature Christians – will use what Ethiopia in October. Altogether (US$15,698; NZ$20,183; A$16,445; the famine years and indeed to help those people. But we must also recognise that €10,465) covered similar training for they have learnt to produce powerful 150 church ministers were trained, starving in neighbouring countries. we live in times of increasing instability, pastors in Sierra Leone earlier in the new material in Urdu for theological and each was given eight books to Thus he was able to help his brothers especially for Christians, as we see the year. Both Sierra Leone and Ethiopia training, Bible study, Sunday schools, take home afterwards. The courses Cover: An Indian Bible School when the famine struck Canaan. God had rise of Islamic fundamentalism and anti- face a strong challenge from the women’s groups, children etc. student praying. (Photo: Gary prepared, years ahead of time, a means Christian violence. focused particularly on preaching growing presence of Islam. Reference 41-596 S. Chapman) to help Jacob and his sons when the hard Dr Patrick Sookhdeo skills and also looked at the Bible in Reference 46-679 times came. International Director JAN / FEB 2007 BARNABAS AID 3 Project news Project news

and church growth during the each hive, 200kg of sugar and some other terrible war years was enormous. In BEE-KEEPING TO equipment needed. Samir plans that, FEEDBACK ON FAMINE RELIEF both the South and the North it is SUPPORT CHRISTIANS if all goes well, he will repay the sum to important that church-run schools his church leaders after one year, so they are established to give Christian IN CENTRAL ASIA will be able to use it to help others in his youngsters an education in a Christian church, most of whom are converts from environment; otherwise they would AND IRAQ Islam. probably have to study in government Reference 00-356 schools with a strongly Islamic (small business start-up fund) environment (if available) or have no education at all. But there are many In the Kurdish regions of northern Iraq Primary school teachers discussing teaching methods teachers who have never had any the security situation is better than in the training for the job they are doing. rest of the country, and many Christians SUDAN: TRAINING Barnabas Fund has been assisting from Baghdad and Basra have fl ed to the a large church-run programme of north. CHRISTIAN TEACHERS teacher training, by means of courses Here is part of a letter from a committee run during the school holidays. A representing 41 Christian families: FOR CHRISTIAN recent grant of £11,787 (US$24,752; Following the fall of the criminal regime of Saddam, the instability, terror, Distributing food to families aff ected by last year’s famine in Burundi. “My family danced and rejoiced SCHOOLS NZ$31,825; A$25,931; €16,500) because we had food,” said one of the recipients completed a set of four grants over fear, horrors, blind killing and kidnapping According to the United Nations, two years used to fund various kinds started in these cities [i.e. Mosul and Regular readers of Barnabas Aid will • “Our families owe their lives only 2% of Southern Sudanese have of teacher training. The programme Baghdad, where the families had settled remember a report last year on aid to the relief. We really thank you completed primary schooling. This included training for pre-school after their village in Kurdistan was for famine victims in the tiny central very much. We are amazed that African nation of Burundi. Although refl ects the colossal disruption of teachers, primary teachers, and head destroyed in 1961 by the Iraqi army]. you found our village out of all the normal life which occurred during the Terror gangs with religious and sectarian this famine received virtually no teachers, as well as training in how to villages in the whole world to help civil war of 1983-2005. make educational resources. One of names appeared and started to kill people attention in the media, for its victims us in our time of hunger.” As life in the South begins the parts of the programme assisted indiscriminately, especially in the last it was all too real. Severe fl oods in the slowly to return to normal, and the by Barnabas Fund’s grants was period as the churches were bombed and north-west of the country destroyed – A village elder infrastructure is rebuilt, education is training 13 teachers to be trainers of Christian families were threatened and the crops, and to make matters • “I was almost dying. I had seen as the priority. The population our children kidnapped. This forced us worse there had been drought in other teachers. nothing to eat or plant but God of the South is mainly Christian, Reference 48-494 to leave our houses and furniture and all the preceding months. People were that we had behind us and seek refuge in beginning to die of hunger. Every loved me so much and He gave me the north as there is security and stability. day they would come to the church something to eat and plant. I have The time is changed and Kurdistan region leaders asking for food, but as one not enough words to thank you.” SUDANESE REFUGEES – FOOD AND SCHOOLING Barnabas Fund has enabled 20 bee-keeping projects to be established in northern Iraq, which will provide has become secure, so we returned to our senior leader wrote to Barnabas Fund, – A mother an income for 60 Christian families villages in the last two months. Other “we have nothing to offer them apart The school began the current • “I brought the food home and my families, who get the chance, are returning from prayers. I have urged members academic year with 468 students. Two recent grants to countries in as well. of the church to collect food for family danced and rejoiced because Of these, 111 are at the secondary very different parts of the world have We appeal to you to offer any sort of those in need but they themselves we had food.” school, and the rest attend the gone to fund bee-keeping projects to support as all the families are residing are hungry.” Another church leader primary school in two shifts each day. help persecuted Christians support – A village elder now in the village’s school building, which wrote to us that many Christians were Not only the students, but also themselves. • “We want to say thank you to many of the teachers are refugees, is the only building left in the village and is tempted to convert to Islam in order In a certain country of Central Barnabas Fund… the relief helped so there is a high turnover of both as half destroyed. We lack blankets, kerosene to get aid from Muslim charities. Asia “Samir”, a convert from Islam A grant of £4,000 (US$8,400; people leave for Western countries and food. In this situation, Barnabas Fund give seeds for new crops. Six to Christianity, has six children to NZ$10,800; A$8,800; €5,600) or return to South Sudan. Despite Barnabas Fund is helping to provide was thankful to be able to send hundred and forty-two families in support. As a convert, he fi nds it is Barnabas Fund’s most recent the inevitable disruption, the school the basic needs of Christians like this, grants totalling £31,955 (US$63,910; the village received seed and maize virtually impossible to get work, € contribution to the running costs has achieved good academic results. but the long-term solution is to enable NZ$86,279; A$76,692; 47,933) which because those who have left Islam are for food. Please pray for peace of a Christian school for African Seven students graduated from Grade them to support themselves. A grant were used by church leaders to buy so despised in this society. He thought for Burundi because this is the refugee children (mainly Sudanese) in 12 in June 2007, and one pupil has of £9,500 (US$19,950; NZ$25,650; beans, maize and salt to help 4,868 of going to Russia to look for a job, but foundation of development. Please Egypt. The school provides a feeding transferred to the top international A$20,900; €13,300) is being used to set families. The grants were also used his pastor counselled him to fi nd a way programme, giving each student and school locally. The staff have also up 20 “bee farms” each employing three to provide seed to enable a new crop also pray that we can come out to start his own small business so that teacher a hot meal each school day. been delighted to hear from students people, thus providing support for 60 to be sown. We are reporting this of our hunger. After the drought he would not have to leave his family. Many of the children are underweight, who have moved with their families families. This sum covers the hives, again in order to share with Barnabas there was a fl ood, and we want to Samir has experience in keeping bees and this school lunch is probably the to the US and Australia that they have other equipment and some training. Fund supporters the encouragement and already has some equipment. come out of dependency and we only nutritious meal they have in the been able to keep up well in their new The cost per bee farm is £475 (US$997; of comments recently received from Therefore a grant from Barnabas Fund don’t want to keep asking for help.” day. A school doctor visits twice a schools there. NZ$1,282; A$1,045; €665) and the cost some of those who were helped. It is week to care for the many medical of £322 (US$650; NZ$870; A$708; per family is £158 (US$330; NZ$427; due to your generosity that we were – A village chief Reference 11-439 € needs of the children. 450) was all that he needed to repair A$348; €220). able to assist. Reference 67-681 his 25 bee hives and to buy a swarm for Reference 20-689 4 BARNABAS AID JAN / FEB 2008 MARCHJAN / APRIL / FEB 2007 2007 BARNABAS BARNABAS AIDAID 55 Country Profi le India Country Profi le

elements clash. In such an uncertain Religions of India (approximate percentages) climate, India’s Christian minority The Hindu Caste System is being placed under increasing Every Hindu is born into a “caste” pressure. Hindu 73% or level in society. There are 3,000 Christianity in India Muslim 13% castes and 25,000 subcastes, each Christian 6% of which is related to a specifi c Christianity has a long and rich occupation. There are four main history in India. According to Ethno/tribal categories, called varnas, into tradition it was the Apostle Thomas religions 4% which all the castes are grouped: who fi rst brought the Gospel to India Sikh 4% Brahmins, who are priests as early as 52 AD. He is said to have Kshatryas, who are warriors established seven congregations, Non-religious 1% Vaishyas, who are traders and before dying in Madras. While the Other (Buddhist, craftsmen visit of Thomas to India is a matter Jain, Bahai, Parsee, of debate, there is some evidence Zoroastrian, Chinese Shudras, who are labourers universist) 1% for its plausibility; he is celebrated It is not possible to change your in the poems and oral traditions caste. Your caste will dictate not of Christians in South India, and only your occupation, but also in 1293 Marco Polo described his In the Middle Ages Assyrian At fi rst mission usually focussed other areas of life such as what tomb as a place for pilgrimage. The Christians were active in spreading on the elites in Indian society, but to eat and how to interact with modern Mar Thoma (Saint Thomas) Christianity to India, and an Assyrian this began to change as Protestant other caste members. Higher Some of the needy Indian Christian children caste members enjoy greater who get an education in a Christian Christians in Kerala state in the south community emerged there. From the missionaries realised that there was environment, with help from Barnabas Fund believe themselves to be descendants sixteenth century onwards the fi rst a great willingness to hear the Gospel wealth with their status and more opportunities. Discrimination of the original Christian community Roman Catholic missionaries arrived amongst rural people and members on the basis of caste is prohibited established by the Apostle Thomas. in India, and enclaves of Catholics of the lowest castes (see box for more by the constitution, but the caste In the second and third centuries were established on the coasts, on the caste system). Various “mass system is strongly embedded itself on the world stage, economically, there are reports of Assyrian or particularly in Goa. conversion movements” occurred in Indian society and social militarily and politically. It is the Persian missionaries arriving in The fi rst Protestant missionary to amongst them. These movements structures. largest functioning democracy in India and also from other parts of arrive in India is thought to have been often began through local initiative, the world. However, it is riven by the Middle East. By 200 AD the the Dane, Bartholomaeus Ziegenbalg, with low caste people themselves Dalits internal divisions and sometimes Syriac Chronicle of Edessa described who began to evangelise in 1706. He seeking out the missionaries. An Occupying one of the lowest levels seems almost bewilderingly diverse. the existence of a “church of the worked among the Tamils in Southern illustration of this is the way many in Indian society are the Dalits India The population comprises hundreds Christians” in India. So, far from India. By 1733 the fi rst Tamil pastor of the Chuhras came to Christ. (also called “scheduled castes” ndia is a vast country which of ethnic groups, over 1500 languages being recently introduced under was working in the area. By the end They were one of the lowest castes and formerly “untouchables” or “outcastes”). Their status is home to more than a billion are spoken, and there are numerous colonialism, Christianity is an of eighteenth century missionary work in the Punjab area in North India is so low that they are outside Ipeople: one in every six people religious affi liations. India frequently authentic part of Indian culture with a began to expand, through such fi gures (half of which is now Pakistan). the caste system. Dalits, who in the world is Indian. Modern witnesses inter-ethnic, inter-religious long history, and no less “Indian” than as the “father of modern missions”, They followed a kind of “islamised India is heir to a rich and eclectic comprise about 16-20% of the total and political confl ict as these diverse any other religion practised there. William Carey, who translated Hinduism” which included belief population, have the worst jobs, civilisation which spans thousands the Bible into Indian languages in a mediator and the offering of such as toilet cleaning or refuse of years and the infl uence of Indian such as Sanskrit and Bengali, and sacrifi ces. In 1873 an illiterate elderly collection. The literacy rate among culture permeates beyond the Indian several other dialects. Throughout Chuhra called Ditt was converted Dalits is 37%, which compares subcontinent into Asia. Within India’s the nineteenth century Protestant to Christianity by a young Hindu borders three of the world’s major with 57% for non-Dalits. A large missionaries of all denominations convert. Ditt sought out Presbyterian proportion of Indian Christians are religions were birthed – Hinduism, missionaries who baptised him. He preached and founded churches Dalits. When becoming Christians, Buddhism and Jainism. Indian returned to his village where he throughout the subcontinent. Dalits have often been able to history has witnessed the rise and faced ostracism and rejection, but fall of many dynasties and rulers Left and below: Indian Christians worshipping improve their social position, he stayed there and before long who have sought to dominate it; for but even within the Church there his family became Christians. Ditt more than 400 years it was under the are unfortunately often still the preached the Christian message as he foreign rule of the Muslim Mughals remnants of caste prejudices and travelled from village to village selling and the British Raj. While foreign loyalties. hides, and a Christian presence grew rulers have been infl uential, Indian in the area. Missionaries became In the modern era Christianity in civilisation has always retained its more active amongst the Chuhras India has shown continuing growth. own distinct identity. It gained its and thousands of them embraced Christian mission continues to make independence from British rule Christianity. a huge impact amongst the Dalits in 1947. (see box on caste) and also has been Modern India is a country growing very successful amongst tribes who in confi dence and seeking to assert Continued overleaf

6 BARNABAS AID JAN / FEB 2008 JAN / FEB 2007 BARNABAS AID 7 Country Profi le Country Profi le

correlating rise in anti-Christian What is Hindutva? Which states have the Which states have the violence in the state. Almost all the most Christians? most persecution? “Hindutva” (literally meaning states with anti-conversion laws “Hinduness”) was a term coined are governed by the BJP. However by Hindu nationalist Vinayak Himachal Pradesh state, which Damodar Savarkar in the 1920s. It introduced its anti-conversion law is a philosophy which strives for in 2007, is controlled by the Indian India to be a single, united nation. National Congress, which is the ruling It has been criticised for its overt party of the federal government and communalism, traditionalism is usually more inclined towards and its negative attitude towards secularism. This is a particularly religions which did not evolve in worrying development as it shows India, and which are therefore seen acceptance of anti-conversion laws as being “not compatible with the by those who are not strident Hindu Indian social ethos”. It has been New accommodation for Christian children orphaned in the nationalists. 2004 tsunami. Barnabas Fund is covering the costs particularly infl uential in Indian politics since the 1980s. Legal discrimination radical Hindu groups. Very often they are trying to force converts from Anti-conversion laws against minorities Hinduism to return to their old faith. Offi cial measures and restrictions Many incidents are attacks on church The constitution provides for freedom against Christians are sometimes services or other Christian meetings of worship and freedom of witness have been excluded by the Indian Christianity has contributed amongst the Hindu majority. Hindu more subtle. An example of this is that and events. Typically the building and for all faiths. But India has a federal India practises a policy of affi rmative mainstream. For many years most signifi cantly to modern Indian society. nationalism has been resurgent in furniture will be damaged and the political system, so individual Indian action where places are reserved Christians beaten up, with a special evangelism has been spearheaded Christian missionaries established India since the 1920s and from this states are allowed to establish their in educational establishments for focus on the church minister. Many by Indian Christians themselves hospitals, schools and colleges all have grown many organisations own laws on some issues. Since Dalits, but currently Christian and attacks occur in rural areas. spreading the Gospel. The growth over India. In addition the teachings including the Bharatiya Janata Party the 1960s there have been attempts Muslim Dalits are denied access to The president of the Global of the Church in recent years has of faith, peace and goodwill have (BJP) which has been a force in to introduce laws which restrict these places. It is hoped that a review Council of Indian Christians has said, been rapid, but there is no precise infl uenced many intellectuals and Indian politics since its formation conversion from one faith to another. currently being conducted by the “Christians tend to be soft targets, record of how many Christians philosophers, fi nding their way in 1980. The BJP, and other Hindu These are rather absurdly called Indian Supreme Court will lead to this because they do not fi ght back. Hindu there are in India. The 2001 census into the Indian consciousness, nationalist groups, strongly tie Indian “Freedom of Religion Acts” and being changed. radicals use them for target practice put the number at 25 million, but including Mahatma Gandhi. The nationality to the Hindu religion. popularly known as “anti-conversion before they go after the Muslims.” most Christians feel this is a serious compassionate and serving side of Thus, the implication is that to be laws”. Currently there are seven Reconversion campaigns Dr John Dayal, General Secretary underestimate. the Christian faith is refl ected in that Indian is to be Hindu. The BJP and states with anti-conversion laws in Hindu nationalists have organised of the All India Christian Council, Just as India is a country of huge a disproportionately high number of place (Rajasthan, Gujarat, Arunchal Hindu nationalists have also sought large scale “reconversion campaigns” has also commented on the violence variety, so the Christians in India are doctors and nurses are Christians. In Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Madhya to undermine secularism in India and which aim to convert Christian by Hindu militants. “The pattern of diverse. The most important divide fact it is estimated that as many as Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Orissa) but have stirred up antipathy towards Dalits and tribal people to Hinduism. violence indicates a design. The anti- between them is between those in the 30% of nurses are Christians. It is the laws are only actually enforced North and those in the South. The Ironically these campaigns Christian violence is not the sort of also generally accepted that Christian religious minorities. While the Indian in the last four listed. An eighth majority of Indian Christians – 70% sometimes feature intimidation and communal violence recorded between institutions will tend to give a higher people as a whole display a tolerant state, Uttarakhand, is considering - live in the South. Christianity in the inducements, which are methods that other communities. A tiny minority quality of medical care and education attitude towards religious minorities, introducing such laws. South is very much integrated into Hindu nationalists often falsely accuse is the target and it never retaliates.” than can be found in government-run pressure from Hindu nationalists is The stated aim of these laws is Indian culture and society. In many Christian evangelists of using. He also noted the police’s frequent hospitals and schools. making life much more diffi cult for to prevent forced conversions using areas in the South, such as amongst unwillingness to take action against Christians. fraudulent methods or inducements. Militant Hindu groups some of the Tamils, Christianity has the perpetrators, even when the In practice the laws are mostly used strong roots. Figures such as the Religious liberty Amongst Hindu nationalists there evidence against them was plentiful. This Christian centre will provide accommodation to prevent the legitimate evangelistic renowned Tamil poet, Vedanayakam for destitute Christians, both elderly and orphans. are many who are prepared to resort Barnabas Fund is contributing to the building costs activity of Christians. Often the laws Sastri, showed that Christianity and in modern India to violence, particularly groups Islamic pressure are seen as giving a green light to Indian culture could complement such as Vishwa Hindu Parishad and India is home to the second largest India’s fi rst prime minister after Hindu radicals to attack evangelists each other. There is also a signifi cant Bajrang Dal. A rapid increase in the Muslim population in the world, independence, Jawaharlal Nehru, and other Christian workers. When number of Christians living in the number of incidents of violence or numbering around 130 million and was a champion of secularism and the victims of these attacks report the north-east part of India bordering persecution made against Christians growing. This is a legacy of the envisaged India as being a country incidents to the police, they often fi nd Nepal, Bangladesh and Burma, with has been evident since the mid-1990s. conquest of much of India by Muslim where religions were equal and where themselves under arrest, rather than 25% of India’s Christians living there. Between 1964 and 1996 there were rulers. There has been a spate of religious liberty was protected. India’s their attackers. However, the situation for only 36 recorded incidents but now attacks on converts from Islam to constitution has consistently provided Each time a new anti-conversion Christians in the north-west is quite there are an average of four incidents Christianity in Muslim-majority safeguards for religious freedoms law is put in place, there is a different. In these highly populated every week, most of which involve Kashmir, including at least one since it was drafted following India’s Hindi-speaking areas, there is a very beheading. It is thought that some independence. However, secularism small number of Christians – only A minister in Goa was beaten up on 10 June 2007. A local Hindu became unhappy that of these attacks were linked to the has never been universally accepted 650,000 amongst a population of 350 in India, particularly by some his wife had begun attending the church, and he approached the Bajrang Dal for help. Continued overleaf million. The Hindu husband and 25 Hindu extremists attacked the minister at the church. 8 BARNABAS AID JAN / FEB 2008 JAN / FEB 2007 BARNABAS AID 9 This series of pull-out supplements is intended to provide background information for Christians seeking to understand the nature of Islam and its contemporary expression. One aspect of this relates to understanding the reason for the Country Profi le oppression and persecution of Christians in various Islamic parts of the world, and another to the growing challenge which Islam poses to Western society, culture and Church. group Lashkar-e-Toiba, a terrorist A house church sometimes met in organisation fi ghting for Kashmir to his home. be part of Pakistan. 20 February 2007, ANDHRA PRADESH state Six martyrs in one year A 29-year-old church minister, Goda Barnabas Fund is aware of at least Israel, was found stabbed to death. six Christians active in evangelism A news report quoted a comment who were martyred in a 12-month Islam and Love that he had no personal enemies, but period recently. The deaths occurred he had previously been threatened This baptism is on the Andaman Islands, a territory This pull-out supplement looks at the place of love in the Islamic faith. It is an issue which has become very relevant in the in fi ve different states, three of them by Hindu extremists due to his owned by India. The islands were badly aff ected by the 2004 tsunami and Barnabas Fund has helped West because Muslims are beginning to say to Westerners that love is as central in Islam as it is in Christianity. This claim in a Hindu context, two in a Muslim involvement in preaching the Gospel with many projects to rebuild Christian homes PULL-OUT SUPPLEMENT and churches and to create income-generation context and one possibly linked to in the area opportunities for Christians who lost their livelihoods is far from true, as the main article in this supplement will show. After the main article, a case study analyses a recent and Burma. 21 November 2006, JAMMU & very prominent example of Muslims claiming that love is central to their faith. 16 September 2007, KASHMIR state • Barnabas Fund is currently JHARKHAND state Ahmed Tantray, a 50-year-old contributing towards the construction The word most often used in the Qur’an for love is hubb Ajay Topno was shot dead, apparently Christian convert from Islam, was of a Christian home for the destitute Introduction: the contrast with and its derivatives (mahabba, yuhibbu, etc.). This is linked by Hindu extremists. It is believed shot dead. Tantray had been a elderly and orphans. Christianity to the Hebrew Old Testament word ahabah (root ahb) the background to his murder Christian for about ten years and was Project reference 21-688 which is the one mostly used to denote love, both God’s was a dispute involving Rashtriya active in ministry as well as being an • Since the tsunami on December God’s love is the central theme of the New Testament love to man and man’s love to God. For example: Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and and therefore of the Christian faith. Love is God’s main engineer. It is not known whether 26th 2004, Barnabas Fund has been “I have loved you,” says the Lord. (Malachi 1:2) Hindu Jagran Manch who had he was killed by Islamic militants or supporting 25 Christian children attribute and very essence. The main message of the New “reconverted” a Christian family in whether a member of his family was who were tragically orphaned in the Testament is that God is love in His very being, and that Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all the area. This had caused anatgonism responsible. disaster. As the children are getting this love was revealed in Jesus Christ and His supreme act your soul and with all your strength. (Deuteronomy 6:5) between Christians and Hindus and older, many now reaching their of love, His self-giving in his sacrifi cial death on the cross. Mahabba, the most common Islamic Arabic term for love, had also been reported in the local Barnabas Fund at work teens, we are currently funding the (John 3:16; 1 John 4:7-12) denotes an affection inspired in humans by gratitude media. construction of a new accommodation In Islam, however, the focus is on submission, so for God’s blessings. On God’s side mahabba is usually 4 July 2007, MANIPUR state in India block which will have purpose-built love is never more than one of many secondary themes. bestowed as a reward for a good believer who follows A Burmese Lutheran pastor, Barnabas Fund has been supporting separate dorms for the boys and girls. Modern Muslim apologists in the West sometimes assert Muhammad and submits to God. Pastor Pau Za Khen (aged 62), was projects to help Indian Christians for Project reference 00-540 that God is a God of love. This is not a concept which Say: If ye do love God, follow me: God will love you and kidnapped and later found beheaded. many years. These have included traditional orthodox Islam would accept, but appears to forgive you your sins: For God is Oft-Forgiving, Most He had previously worked as a pastor helping converts from Islam and be a modern stance of adaptation to the environment they Merciful. (Q 3:31) supporting Indian evangelists. After fi nd themselves in. in a church in Chin state, Burma. Who is responsible for Love in the Qur’an mainly means “liking” or “preference”. the 2004 tsunami we assisted with 28 June –1 July 2007, incidents of persecution It derives from God’s will, rather than from His very ASSAM state a variety of needs e.g. rebuilding nature. God loves the righteous. Christian homes and churches, and of Christians in India Hemanta Das (aged 29) was beaten so Love in the Qur’an and hadith … verily Allah loves those who act aright. (Q 3:76) severely on 28 June that he died of his creating income-generation projects Love is mentioned in the Qur’an over 50 times, mainly 2005 – 2007? For Allah loves those who do good; (Q 3:134) injuries three days later. The attack for those whose livelihoods were in the sense of love between persons and love of material is thought to have been the work of destroyed by the terrible wave. things. There are several verses that speak of humans’ love And Allah loves those who are fi rm and steadfast. Hindu extremists. Before becoming a Some of our current projects include: towards God, for example: (Q 3:146) Christian, Hemanta Das had himself • Many Christian families are Yet there are men who take (for worship) others besides For Allah loves those who turn to Him constantly and He been a member of a Hindu extremist simply too poor to afford school Allah as equal (with Allah); they love them as they should loves those who keep themselves pure and clean. group, and he had received several fees. Barnabas is enabling nearly love Allah. But those of faith are overfl owing in their love (Q 2:222) threats because of his Christian 500 Christian children in India to for Allah. If only the unrighteous could see behold they For Allah loves those who are fair (and just). (Q 49:9) outreach work. have an education in a Christian would see the penalty that to Allah belongs all power and Truly Allah loves those who fi ght in His Cause in battle 14 April 2007, JAMMU & environment by helping to cover their Allah will strongly enforce the penalty. (Q 2:165) 1 array as if they were a solid cemented structure. (Q 61:4) school fees. Assistance is also given KASHMIR state A few verses speak of God’s love towards specifi c categories However, God does not love sinful people and he rejects his with school uniforms and books. In Manzoor Ahmad Chat, a convert from of humans (good Muslims). One of the Beautiful Names of enemies. Islam, was abducted and beheaded. some instances accommodation for God is Al-Wadud (The One who Loves, The Most Loving, Hindu Militant Groups 55% … He loves not those who reject Faith (Q 30:45) His head was left in a plastic bag the pupils is also provided in hostels. The Most Affectionate, The Beloved). This is based on Q outside a mosque. It is thought that Project reference 21-510 Community 18% 85:14 “And He is the Oft-Forgiving, full of loving-kindness Verily He loveth not the arrogant. (Q 16:23) Love appears also in the hadith collections, which record Islamic extremists are responsible. Government - Local/Regional 8% [al-wadud]”. Wadud, from the root wdd, is somewhat akin to the Old Testament Hebrew word dod or dodim (plural) traditions about what Muhammad and his companions Islamists 4% said and did. In the hadith, love appears in a variety of On 8 June 2007 Laxmi Narayana, a church-planter in Karnataka state, was set upon by a used extensively in the Song of Songs for the pure love between man and woman. From it we get the name David contexts: love for things, for martyrdom, for God, and mob of 250 people, who beat him and tried to set him on fi re by pouring kerosene on him Police 10% (the beloved). God’s love for Muhammad and for deserving Muslims. and throwing a burning Bible at him. Then they stripped him naked, tied a board on his Unknown 7% chest reading “I am one who converts people” and paraded him through the town for more than an hour. Family 1% 1 Quotations in this article are taken from The Holy Qur’an: Text Translation and Commentary by A. Yusuf Ali (Leicester: The Islamic Foundation, 1975 and many other editions) unless otherwise stated. Please note that different translations of the Qur’an have slightly different verse numbers. So in another translation, it may be necessary to look at the verses just before or just after the text references given here in order to fi nd the same text. 10 BARNABAS AID JAN / FEB 2008 i ii PULL-OUT SUPPLEMENT himself, notfor hopeofanyrewardinparadise noroutof Divine LoveintoSufi control, meditationandtrance. disciplines ofasceticism,repetition ofGod’s names,breath the Qur’anaimedatfi experience couldbehadbya spiritual interpretationof personal experienceofGod.Sufi It focusedinsteadonthehumanyearningforanauthentic legalism oftheorthodoxIslamicteachersandscholars. Sufi the balanceandintroducethemeofloveintoIslam. It wasleftforIslamicmysticism(Sufi Love inSufism very core. weak andcontemptiblebecauseithaslovemercyatits at theheartofIslam.TheinferenceisthatChristianity Qur’anic verse preferred thedetachmentandseverityofIslam,citing of Christians,leadstocorruptionandimmorality. He Islam. Shinqitistatedthatapersonalisedfaith,like Western Christianconceptswhichwereincompatiblewith shari‘a in Lubbock,Texas, claimedthatharshnesswaspartof al-Shinqiti, directoroftheIslamicCenterSouthPlains scholars opposedthesuggestion.SheikhMuhammad states (amputation,stoning,fl hudud scholar, Tariq Ramadan,foramoratoriumonthebrutal following thecallinMarch2005byawell-knownIslamist is tosubmit,fearandobeyGodhislaw. Forexample, ( unknowable, farbeyondwhatcanbeknownorimagined applications, thanwithGod’s love.Godisabsolutelyother, greatness andtranscendence,with entirely capriciousmanner. to doanything,butactsashewills,sometimesinan even iftheydeservehislove.UltimatelyGodisnotobliged people ofwhomheapproves,isnot relationships. InIslam,althoughGodlovescertainMuslim is seenastotallyself-containedandbeyondpersonal relationships oflovewithhumans,inclassicalIslamGod in ChristianityGodispersonalandestablishes ( his sovereigntyandinscrutablewill. omnipotence andomniscience,hismercycompassion, but onlyone.ThenamesemphasisemuchmoreGod’s names”. Loveisoneofthese99,aswehaveseenabove, and thesearedescribedintheformof“99beautiful theologically wronginclassicalIslam. love” (whichappearsintheBible,1John4:8,16)wouldbe cannot beknown.Thereforeastatementlike“Godis According toIslamicteaching,God’s essenceandnature Love inIslamictheology wara’l wara shari‘a Rabi‘a al-Adawiyya(died801) introducedthethemeof In thisview, harshnessratherthanloveandmercyare (Q 24:2,translationnotspecifi And letapartyofbelieverswitnesstheirpunishment.” obedience toAllah,ifyebelieveinAllahandtheLastDay. Andletnotpityforthetwainwithholdyoufrom Orthodox classicalIslamismoreconcernedwithGod’s In IslamGodrevealshimselfmainlythroughhislaw Islam doesteachthatGod’s attributescanbeknown, sm offered anescapefromthedryandintellectual punishmentsstillimplementedinsomeMuslim andanyattemptatsofteningitwasgivinginto ) whichcallsforsubmissionandobedience.While i.e.beyondthebeyond).Theroleofhumans sm. ShelongedtoloveGodonlyfor nding itssecretmeaning,andbythe ogging etc.),severalIslamic ed) sm taughtthatthis shari‘a sm) totryredress bound lawandits tolovethem true Islam. pagan, ChristianorWestern notion incompatiblewith downplayed bysuchmovementsandcondemnedasa should bepurgedfromIslam.Theconceptofloveis of Sufi which havedevelopedinrecenttimesrejectedmuch traditional Islam,thestrictIslamistreformmovements irresistible desireforunionwiththeBeloved(God). the term‘ a verydifferent messageforMuslims. on lovetoGodandneighbour. But,asweshallseethereis Christianity arebasicallyidentical religions,bothfocussing audience andforthegeneralpublic isthatIslamand dissimulation ( and ispermittedaccordingtotheIslamicdoctrineof practice whichisfrequentlyfoundinIslamicdiscourse, messages aredeliveredtothedifferent audiences,a also intendedfortheglobalMuslimaudience.Different of Qur’anicquotationscited,indicatethattheletteris certain terminologyintheletter, aswellthechoice opinion isanotherintendedaudience.Furthermore, disseminated bytheworldmediameansthatpublic leaders, thefactthatitisanopenletterwidely While addressedtoaspecifi Intended audience known fortheirIslamistextremistinclinations. moderation andpeacefulintentions,whileothersare Muslims. Someofthesignatoriesareknownfortheir signatories aretraditionalists,Islamistsandseveralliberal Shi‘a, Zaydi,IbadiandSufi leadership from43nationsandSunni,Twelver 12g-Eng-9-10-07.pdf) www.acommonword.com/lib/downloads/CW-Total-Final-v- neighbour. (Thetextoftheopenletterisavailableathttp:// of IslamicteachingonloveforGodandone’s Churches, everywhere….”.Itisostensiblyapresentation denominations aswellto“LeadersofChristian Pope BenedictXVIand26othernamedheadsofChristian dated 13thOctober2007.Theletterwasaddressedto and CallfromMuslimReligiousLeaders”waspublished, To marktheendofRamadanlastyear“AnOpenLetter about love, An openletter fromMuslimleaders Case study: to theQur‘anicterms and thehumanpersonsearchingforhislove.Inaddition symbolically therelationsbetweenGodDivineLover Song ofSongsandsomepsalms.Sufi Sufi yearning foraloverelationshipwithGodwasexpressedby endless searchforunitywiththedivineBeloved.The became adominantfeatureofSufi fear ofjudgementandhell.Afterherdeaththelovetheme While Sufi The 138signatoriesrepresentawidespreadofMuslim s inthelanguageofhumanlove,similartoBible’s sm aspaganadditionsandinnovationswhich ishq sm usedtobefoundineverybranchof forlove.‘ taqiyya 13thOctober2007 mahabba ). ThemessagefortheChristian Ishq backgrounds.Amongstthe c group ofnamedChristian denotesanunquenchableand and sm, expressingtheSufi wudud poetrydescribed

, Sufi s coined ’s ’s English Language Khan, consequences. Itmaybethat a similarframeofmindlies and threateningthatotherwise therewouldbesevere calling uponhimandhispeople toembraceIslam Muhammad senttotheByzantine EmperorHeraclius, actually containsasubtextofwarningandthreat. alienation betweenMuslimsandChristians. that Muslimactionscouldhaveplayedanypartinthe Nigeria, IndonesiaandPakistan).Thereisnoadmission and drivingthemfromtheirhomes(e.ginIraq,Sudan, be theopposite,withMuslimsoppressingChristians There isnorecognitionthatinmanyplacesthingsmay historically, orindeedcurrentlyinmanyMuslimlands. for thewrongsinfl the radicalIslamistview).Thereisnosenseofsorrow Christianity istheaggressoragainstIslam(which is aglobalwarofChristianityagainstIslam,andthat actions ofChristians. wars inwhichMuslimsandChristiansareinvolvedonthe two largestreligiousblocsintheworld. Christians, soastoavertanapocalypticwarbetweenthe plea forbetterunderstandingbetweenMuslimsand 2 equally beviewedasaclassicalexampleofIslamic Although presentedasinterfaithdialogue,thelettercan Expression ofIslamicmission( Veiled threat beside him. to ascribepartnersGodandnottakeotherLords People oftheScripture(JewsandChristians)toagreenot Q 3:64,quotednumeroustimesintheletter, callsthe doctrines oftheTrinity andChrist’s deity. Forinstance, interpreted asadirectattackonthebasicChristian and nopartners–verseswhicharealwaystraditionally express theMuslimconceptofaGodwithnoassociates the MuslimleadersquoteversesfromQur’anwhich Christ. incompatible ChristianviewsoftheTrinity andthedeityof the unityofGod( (mission). ItisacalltoaccepttheMuslimconceptof Theopenletterdid not specifywhichEnglishtranslationof the Qur’anwasusedforquotations. In theSaudi-sponsoredEnglish Qur’anofHilaliand So anapparentlymoderateappealforreconciliation This impliesthatthewaragainstIslamistterrorism their homes of theirreligion,oppressthemanddriveout they donotwagewaragainstMuslimsonaccount them andthatIslamisnotagainst– As Muslims,wesaytoChristiansthatarenotagainst However, thelettergoesontolayblameforall strife betweenus. is atstake.Soletourdifferences notcausehatredand cannot beatpeace.theverysurvivalofworlditself If MuslimsandChristiansarenotatpeace,theworld On thesurfaceletterlookslikeawellintentioned ‘Imran 3:64) none ofusshalltakeothersforlordsbesideGod.(Aal and thatweshallascribenopartneruntoHim, between usandyou:thatweshallworshipnonebutGod, Say: OPeopleoftheScripture!Cometoacommonword In theirstressonmonotheismandtheunityofGod, byDr. MuhammadTaqi-ud-Din Al-Hilali andDr. MuhammadMuhsin Khan,15thedn. (Riyadh: DarussalamPublishers andDistributors, 3 thisversehasafootnotewhich quotestheletter 2

. [emphasisadded] icted by MuslimsonChristians tawhid ) andthereforetorejectthe da‘wa so longas ) da‘wa describes “amodeofloveGod, anddevotiontoHim”. and Hisisthepraise”. “He Alone,Hehathnoassociate, Hisisthesovereignty describing Godwithastringof Qur’anicphrases: loving God.Forexample,itquotes a The lettersuggeststhatIslam hasmuchtosayabout Loving God letter ofappeasementbutacalltosubmitIslam. this wayconveysamessagetoMuslimsthatisnot taken intheletter. SelectivelyquotingfromtheQur’anin Christians, Jewsandothernon-Muslimsthanthestance comments andinterpretationsaremoreaggressiveto well knowntomostMuslimreaders.Incasesthese and otherrecognisedinterpretationswhichwouldbe are severalmoreinthefootnotes). quotations fromthe interpretation. Yet theopenlettercitesonlythree the alone. Usuallythescholarsalsomakegooduseof presentation ofIslamicdoctrinesmainlyontheQur’an It isunusualtoseeIslamicscholarsbasingtheir A hiddenmessageforMuslims and judgementbyacceptingIslam. clear: acalltoChristiansandJewsavoidGod’s anger this, butforMuslimsreadingtheletter, themeaningis Most Western readersoftheopenletterwillnotrealise are theJews,whilethosewhoastrayChristians. verses, itisexplainedthatthosewhodeserveGod’s anger mercy andgoodness.Includedareverses67: humans oftheirdutypraiseandgratitudetoGodforhis presented asthegreatestchapterinQur’an,reminding quotation intheletterareonesthathave

For instance,the Signifi In Musliminterpretationsandcommentariesonthese those whoareastray. whom isThyGrace, Guide usuponthestraightpath.Thepathofthoseon hadith message abouttheunityofGod:[emphasisadded] behind theletterinwhichthisverseissooftenquoted. Hadith cantly, alltheQur’anicverseschosenfor Yet therearemen Other Qur’anicquotationsintheletterhaveasimilar partner my dyingareforGod,LordoftheWorlds. / Say: Lo!myworshipandsacrifi them astheyshouldloveGod.(Q2:165). Bab SifatIbliswaJunudihi;Hadithno.3329. times inaday... SahihAl-Bukhari,KitabBad’al-Khalq, praise andHehathpoweroverallthings’onehundred hath noassociate He whosays:‘ThereisnogodbutGod,Alone, Da’awat, Babal-Du’afi He hathnoassociate came beforeme—is:‘thereisnogodbutGod,HeAlone, The bestthatIhavesaid—myself,andtheprophets andanumberofrecognisedmethods 3

Interpretation oftheMeanings oftheNobleQur’anin quotessupportthesametheme: ... (Q6:162-164) fatiha hadith The letterassertsthateachphrase not thosewhodeserveangernor [emphasisadded] (Q 1)isquotedintheletterand who takerivalsuntoGod initsmaintext(althoughthere , Hisisthesovereigntyand ... (SunanAl-Tirmidhi, KitabAl- Yawm ‘Arafah,Hadithno.3934). hadith hadith ce andmyliving ofMuhammad 1996) comments He hathno : theylove

He PULL-OUT SUPPLEMENT iii A similar assertion occurs at the end of the section apostates are to be killed if they do not return to Islam; about loving God. Again the statement that God has Islamic sects considered heretical are to be fought and no “associate” appears, carrying the implication that annihilated. Thus “neighbour” is a very limited concept Testimony Chrisianity strayed from this by making Jesus an associate in Islam. of God. Furthermore, the word used for “neighbour” in the we can now perhaps understand the words ‘The best Arabic version of the letter is jar, a term which carries only that I have said—myself, and the prophets that came a geographical meaning. It is not equivalent to the Biblical before me’ as equating the blessed formula ‘there is no Hebrew word for neighbour, which is re‘a (denoting The price for seeking peace and joy god but God, He Alone, He hath no associate, His is the kinship, even as close as a brother or sister). Yet there is sovereignty and His is the praise and He hath power another word for “neighbour” in Arabic which is closer I was born in Amman, the capital of the mosque again and refused to talk threatened to reject me if I converted over all things’ precisely with the ‘First and Greatest to the meaning of the Hebrew re‘a and which could have Jordan, one of fi ve children in a well about religious things. to Christianity and to tell the whole Commandment’ to love God, with all one’s heart and been used. This is the word qarib, which is used in Arabic known and affl uent Muslim family. Because of my experiences in the family about me. Even though my soul, as found in various places in the Bible. That is to Bibles and which more closely translates the Biblical In the quiet neighbourhood where we mosque, I grew up denying God. father was very occupied with his PULL-OUT SUPPLEMENT say, in other words, that the Prophet Muhammad PBUH original. This choice of differently nuanced vocabulary for lived there was a church, very near to Yet for many years I continued to work, he noticed that something was was perhaps, through inspiration, restating and alluding different audiences appears to be another example our house. As a child I found myself search for Him, thinking, reading happening to me. One day he found to the Bible’s First Commandment. God knows best, of taqiyya. attracted to the church, wanting to books etc. One day I watched the fi lm me reading the Bible. He took it from but certainly we have seen their effective similarity in know what was inside the building, “The Passion of the Christ” which me and threw it away, and he pulled meaning. and whenever I went there I felt a made me cry a lot. I wished that I from my neck a cross which I used to In this part of the letter it is argued that Muhammad’s Search for common ground peace and joy such as I never felt in could have been on the cross instead wear. He said he would not hesitate emphasis on the unity of God who has “no associate” is a In seeking common ground, the open letter suggests that my own home. I found something in of that decent man. I went straight to do anything to stop me converting, re-statement of the Bible’s command about loving God with the central Muslim concept of unitarian monotheism the church which I felt I needed, and from seeing the fi lm to the church, to and he cut me to prove his threat was all your heart, soul and mind. The letter states that these and the central Christian concepts of love to God and I loved the image of the cross, though talk to Christ, and He explained many genuine. two concepts are similar in meaning, although this is hard love to neighbour are beliefs held in common by both I did not understand why. So I went things to me. I felt very peaceful that I went again to the church near to derive from a straightforward reading of the two texts. religions. It stresses that the two commandments to love to my mother, who was very religious, night, after I had spoken to Him. our house to talk to the minister. He Perhaps the authors of the letter hoped that by simply are the basis of what is common to both religions. But and began to ask her about God. At that time there were many welcomed me, but when I told him I telling Christians that two different statements were really presenting love to God and neighbour as central to Islam is Of course, she told me her beliefs and problems in my family. My parents wanted to become a Christian his face the same they would be believed in the same way that a misrepresentation of the truth. urged me to go to the mosque and got divorced and so did my sister. changed and he asked me to leave. history has shown people can be convinced of nonsensical The message is that if Christians will accept Islam’s read the Qur’an. She was very pleased My youngest brother and I were living I tried several other churches and was assertions if they are presented forcefully enough. concept of the unity of God (thus denying the basic to see me so thirsty for God, especially with my father and I had a job with rebuffed by them all. No one would Alternatively they could have had in mind the Muslim doctrines of the Trinity and deity of Christ), Muslims will because my father was greatly a big translation company. I started baptise me. This made me think that belief that Christian and Jewish Scriptures have been accept the Christian values of love for God and neighbour occupied with his business, with to read the Bible and found myself even God didn’t want me. distorted, so that Muhammad’s statement is correcting the as central to Islam. Thus a radical revolutionary change travelling and other worldly things. praying , calling my Lord by a new Then through the internet I found falsifi ed Biblical teaching to what it was originally meant to in Christianity is demanded in exchange for a superfi cial When I went to pray in the name, “Jesus” and also “our Father”. people I could ask about Jesus, people have been. change of emphasis in Islamic perceptions. mosque, many questions would come I felt very sorry for my mother who did not know my family. One of into my mind. Why is this because of the divorce, and also them devoted much time to helping mosque different from the because she was wasting so much me study the Bible and teaching me • For a full version of Barnabas Fund’s response to Loving your neighbour church? Why can’t I fi nd time and money organising meetings about Jesus and the church. I began to the open letter and call from Muslim religious leaders joy here? Why do I feel to study Islam and going several have peace again, and during that time The letter suggests that loving your neighbour is a concept to Christian leaders, 13 October 2007, go to barriers between me and times on pilgrimage to Mecca. I I had many visions. In one of them I common to both Islam and Christianity. But it ignores the www.barnabasfund.org/responsemuslimletter fact the Muslim concept of love for your neighbour can God when I am here? I did thought to myself that we are in a free saw Jesus Himself baptising me. After only operate within the limited scope of shari‘a. Therefore • For further reading on the concept of love in Islam, not like the talk about country and that Jordan is known as a a few months, the minister I knew in Islam there can be no absolute love for all humans, as see J. Windrow Sweetman, Islam and Christian jihad and fi ghting peaceful oasis in the Middle East, and through the internet put me in touch in Christianity. Islam treats specifi c groups of people in Theology: A Study of the Interpretation of Theological others, because I had I saw Christians and Muslims living with a church in another Arab country specifi c ways: Christians and Jews are to be humiliated and Ideas in the Two Religions, Part 1, Vol. 2, London and many Christian friends peacefully together. who were willing to baptise me. So brought under Islamic dominion as second rate subjects; Redhill: Lutterworth Press, 1947 especially sections B and I loved them. I So I began to talk to my mother about I travelled there and was baptised on infi dels (polytheists, pagans) must accept Islam or be killed; “The grace of God” and B(IV) “The love of God”. kept asking, is it fair for Islam and Christianity and tried to 27th May 2005. them to go to hell when get her to face many things Two months earlier my father had © Barnabas Fund, 2008 they are very good and about her religion. But her died, and my mother had returned to honest people? One day expression changed live in the family home and started one of the teachers in the and she bringing women to the house to BARNABAS FUND HOPE AND AID FOR THE PERSECUTED CHURCH mosque tried to rape me, Continued overleaf but I somehow managed to Australia escape and went back UK New Zealand home crying. I did not 9-10 Priory Row, Coventry CV1 5EX Postal Suite 107 14A View Road, Mt Eden, Auckland 1024 A mosque in Amman, 236 Hyperdome Telephone 09 630 6267 tell anyone what had Jordan, with a church Telephone 024 7623 1923 in the background, Fax 024 7683 4718 Loganholme QLD 4129 Fax 09 630 6267 happened, but I just topped by a cross. From outside the UK Telephone (07) 3806 1076 or 1300 365799 E-mail offi [email protected] avoided going to The symbol of the Fax: (07) 3806 4076 cross played a part Telephone +44 24 7623 1923 in Moses’ coming Fax +44 24 7683 4718 Email [email protected] USA to Christ and in 6731 Curran St the persecution he E-mail [email protected] Jersey suff ered afterwards Registered Charity number 1092935 McLean, VA 22101 Le Jardin, La Rue A Don, Grouville, Telephone (703) 288-1681 Company registered in England number Jersey, Channel Islands or toll-free 1-866-936-2525 4029536 JE3 9GB Fax (703) 288-1682 Telephone 700600 Email [email protected] Fax 700601 E mail [email protected] www.barnabasfund.org iv Source: Barnabas Aid Jan / Feb 2008 JAN / FEB 2007 BARNABAS AID 11 The Other Nine The Other Nine

in general despises Christians. School children in Saudi Arabia are Where are the other nine? In Saudi taught from a young age not to trust Christians or to be friends with them. When Jesus healed ten men with leprosy, one of them came back to Jesus, praising According to the Annual Report God in a loud voice, and threw himself at Jesus’ feet to thank him. Jesus asked, 2007 of the United States Commission “Where are the other nine?” (Luke 17:11-17) Arabia being If one in ten Christians in the world today lives with discrimination and on International Religious Freedom, “The government of Saudi Arabia persecution, that means the other nine are blessed with religious liberty. engages in systematic, ongoing, and These other nine can use their freedom to help the one who is persecuted. a Christian egregious violations of the right to But where are they? freedom of religion or belief.” If you are reading this magazine, you are probably already aware that The Report chronicles numerous your freedom to practise your faith without discrimination, harassment or means ... infringements of religious liberty of persecution is a blessing which many Christians in other contexts do not Christians, including: have. But do all your Christian friends realise this as well? Does everyone • March 2005 – An Indian in your congregation know it? Can you help to get the rest of “the other ...you could be arrested Christian was arrested and his nine” involved? Their prayers, their time and their gifts can all be used by religious materials confi scated. the Lord to help the one in ten who are suffering. in your own home, and He was released after four months. Please help us to get all the other nine involved. What does “being a probably be deported but if you are • April 2005 – A Filipino Christian Ask your national Barnabas Fund offi ce or the UK offi ce for our free your Bible and Christian from a non-Western country you service was raided and Bibles were The Other Nine resource pack. (Addresses on the back cover.) Christian” mean to you? could be held in detention for months, confi scated. The resource pack contains a guide with ideas about how to make books confi scated, for others in your church aware of the For Christians in Saudi Arabia it and probably be tortured. • April 2005 – Forty Pakistani means you are at the mercy of the In Saudi Arabia any form of Christians and fi ve African plight of the persecuted Church plus no reason except that dreaded religious police, the mutawaa, non-Muslim religious practice is Christians holding a private service resources to help you do it, such as a also known as the Commission to forbidden. The state rigidly enforces were arrested and held in detention poster, DVD, prayer cards, leafl ets, and you were meeting Promote Virtue and Prevent Vice. the strict and puritanical form of for up to a month. response cards. The guide also contains They could raid your worship service Islam called Wahhabism. information about the kind of pressures • May 2005 – Eight Indian with others to pray as and arrest you just for gathering with Even if you are not harassed by and persecution faced by the one in Christian leaders were arrested; other Christians to pray. If you are the mutawaa, daily life is diffi cult for ten Christians living out their faith in six were deported and the from a Western country, you would you as a Christian because society Christians. whereabouts of the other two are diffi cult contexts, and gives ideas of how we, the other nine, can respond still unknown. in terms of prayer, action and giving. The pack also contains a booklet entitled A Christian Response to Islam. • April 2006 – An Indian church Urge your friends to subscribe to Barnabas Aid with its daily prayer minister was deported for diary to help them pray for the one in ten (visit www.barnabasfund.org or Testimony (cont. from p11) conducting a religious service. contact their nearest Barnabas Fund offi ce). Can you add another nine to • June 2006 – Four East African our mailing list? study Islam. So I had to move out from Islam was applicable, which things. One night he attacked my car Christians were arrested and deported after a month for leading and live by myself, in order to have would have meant a death sentence and wrote on the windows “maseehi Although most Christians in Saudi publicly known, Saudi law would a private worship ceremony. some freedom with my Lord. for me. I started going to church baleed” meaning “Christian fool”. Arabia are foreigners, there are also have them executed as apostates from Some Christians at my workplace secretly, but one day I was arrested I told the minister of the church • October 2006 – A Filipino some Saudi nationals who have Islam. saw me going to church and asked at the door of the church when I and he advised me to leave Sudan Christian leader was detained and converted from Islam to follow Christ. Please pray for Christians in Saudi my boss if I was a Christian. My boss had to show my ID which had my immediately. I went to the country Bibles confi scated. They must be secret believers, because Arabia. It is diffi cult to get news out was furious and asked me why I was Muslim name on it. I was taken where I was baptised. Here I go to if their conversion were to become from Saudi Arabia and it is diffi cult going to church. He insulted me and away and beaten with cables for a church but I am careful not to mingle to get help in. But nothing can the cross and Jesus Himself, fi red whole night. In the morning, they with many people so that nobody prevent us praying for our brothers me from my job, refusing to give me agreed to accept everything I owned knows me. I pray, thanking God fi rst and sisters, and we are praying my salary or a reference. He tried in exchange for letting me go free. I for salvation. I believe that God will to a God who has incomparably to spread rumours about me, which still went to church every Friday for not allow us to experience something great power, the power which made it hard for me to fi nd any other Holy Communion, but was even more beyond what we can bear. raised Christ from the dead job in Jordan. careful than before. God bless you. (Ephesians 1:19-20). After my baptism I returned to One day my boss noticed that I “Moses” Jordan but things got worse and was wearing a cross. He searched all my whole family was against me. I my things and found my Bible. Then Since writing this testimony, Moses got an offer of a job in Sudan, so I he started watching me. I used to has been able to move to a safe Western seized the opportunity to go there as come back home in the evening and country, with help from Barnabas Fund quickly as I could. But I found things fi nd that someone had messed up my who paid his airfare. He is active in Christian ministry and also writes were much worse than in Jordan. In place. Several times someone broke many Christian songs and hymns. Sudan the Islamic law on conversion in at night and attacked me or stole 1 in 10 Christians lives with discrimination and persecution www.theothernine.org

12 BARNABAS AID JAN / FEB 2008 JAN / FEB 2007 BARNABAS AID 13 Newsroom Newsroom

in a charge of insulting Islam and has never been a Muslim. The basis Violence in Egyptian the prison sentence, which is far South Sudan pulls of the accusation against her lies in village because of longer than the sentences normally out of National Unity the couple’s marriage seven years imposed on Chinese Christians. It ago. Although both were Christians, rumoured church is signifi cant that the police offi cer, Government they could not fi nd a church willing to Rami Ayyad, murdered in Gaza, prosecutor and judge in the case were apparently targeted because of THE GOVERNMENT OF SOUTH marry them because of their different his prominent role at a Christian extension all Muslims. Liu is appealing on the SUDAN has withdrawn from the backgrounds, so they married bookshop. (Photo: Compass) basis that all of the court offi cers were MUSLIMS FROM ALABED VILLAGE, National Unity Government which under Islamic law. According to the in the province of Minya, upper Egypt, Muslim. Islam is growing fast in Justice Court of Revolution, when western China where he lives. was formed in September 2005, nine Palestinian Territories: were angered by rumours that a church non-Muslims marry under Islamic The concept of Christians being months after the long-running civil in the neighbouring village of Gabal Husband and wife show the injuries from their whipping law they are considered to have considered guilty of insulting or war had come to an end. South (Photos: www.fcnn.tv) Gaza Bible Society Alteer was going to build an extension. converted to Islam. So both were vilifying Islam when they share their Sudan is predominantly Christian, After midday prayers on Friday 26th and the civil war began in 1983 when legally considered Muslims, although bookshop manager killed October 2007, some young Muslim Christian beliefs has been raised in the South protested against attempts Iranian Christian couple they were in reality convinced and men started fi res on a piece of land recent years in very different contexts THE SMALL CHRISTIAN MINORITY by the Islamic government of North practising Christians. in Gaza (approximately 3,000 people) owned by a Christian where quantities from China, for example, Australia whipped for attending Sudan to impose Islamic law on Some fi ve years later the couple has been shocked by the kidnapping of reeds were stored. Soon Muslims and Pakistan. the South. worship meeting were among a group of Christians and murder of Rami Ayyad (aged 30). and Christians from the villages were The Southern Government’s who were arrested on 21st September Rami, who ran the Bible Society’s throwing stones at each other. Twelve AN IRANIAN CHRISTIAN COUPLE move is a protest against what it 2005 while meeting for worship bookshop in Gaza, was kidnapped people were injured and 37 were have been punished by whipping for sees as the failure of the National in a home in a town north-west after leaving the shop on the arrested. apostasy from Islam. Six offi cials Unity Government to implement the afternoon of Saturday 6th October. The rumour about the church visited their home in September to of Teheran. In July 2007 the Comprehensive Peace Agreement. The next morning his body was extension appears to have developed carry out the punishment, which was couple’s case came to court. They The Agreement is supposed to give the discovered, showing knife wounds because Christians were purchasing handed down to them for apostasy declared before the judge that they South a measure of autonomy, a fair and bullet wounds. It was the fi rst a plot of land adjacent to the church. from Islam. were Christians. Because the law share of oil revenues, and allow them known Christian martyrdom in Gaza Any kind of church building work, The husband is indeed a former considered them Muslim, this led to in recent times. or even the repair and renovation of Fire damage at the church (Photo: Compass) to vote in due course about whether Muslim, who became a Christian the court’s ruling that they were both A colleague at the Bible Society churches, is very sensitive in Egypt. they want complete independence. many years ago, but the wife was born apostates from Islam, and hence the said, “Rami was the most gentle Until recently the President himself Israel: Church arsoned into an Assyrian Christian family and brutal punishment. member of the team, the ever-smiling was required to give permission for any one. He was the face of our Bible such work, which meant applications in Jerusalem shop, always receiving visitors and for permits took years to be processed A BAPTIST CHURCH in Narkiss serving them as Jesus would.” and sometimes would be refused at Street, Jerusalem was set on fi re on Rami’s death received much the end of the long process. Even 23rd October. Although the police In Touch coverage in the local media, and the now he must give permission for new have not yet made any arrests, Chrisitan community received many churches, while local governors handle the Israeli press are unanimous Matching projects the Indonesian army is wreaking on messages of condolence, prayer and requests for repairs and renovation. in attributing the crime to Jewish Christian villages in their province. support. He leaves a wife, Pauline, To build or repair mosques does not extremists. A church building on the to people The amount needed for the project who is pregnant, and their two small require this special permission. same plot of land was destroyed by was about £59,000. Taking this as a children. As a result there are not nearly ultra-right wing Jewish arsonists On page 2, our International sign from the Lord, we were able to enough church buildings in Egypt in 1982. Director, Dr Patrick Sookhdeo, for the Christian community, which writes about the Old Testament gratefully accept the most generous may number as many as ten million. story of Joseph sent ahead to Egypt donation, which covered almost the Grenade in Sudanese Incidents of anti-Christian violence Kyrgyzstan changes and the New Testament story of whole cost of the clinic project. in Egypt have often been triggered by Agabus and the Jerusalem famine. The clinic in Papua New Guinea church service kills Both are examples of how the Lord Another good “match” rumours that Christians are developing constitution was medical work. As it happened, made preparations ahead of time to occurred when a small British six children their church buildings without the A REFERENDUM held in Kyrgyzstan our committee was at the time trust contacted us to say that they requisite permission. help His people later when famine A MAN IN MILITARY ATTIRE walked on 21st October produced a came. Here at Barnabas Fund we considering whether we could support had received an offer of a donation into a church meeting in Khorfulus large majority in favour of a new are thrilled to see how God still a request from Papua New Guinea, of around £1,000 for needs in the in South Sudan on the evening of constitution. The new constitution guides His people to meet specifi c where a run-down Christian clinic Holy Land. Did Barnabas Fund have Thursday 27th September 2007 and Chinese Christian strengthens the secular basis of the needs of their brothers and sisters. was in desperate need of complete anything that fi tted the bill? The detonated a grenade. Five children country and has various clauses renovation, plus the building of answer was yes. The Christian school imprisoned for giving Last year a Barnabas Fund were killed instantly and another banning religious groups from homes for the clinic staff. The clinic at Bethlehem which Barnabas Fund becoming involved in politics. This is supporter contacted the UK offi ce died two days later. Another child, is situated near the border with supports needed a projector and two out tracts clearly aimed at preventing Islamists to say that she was thinking of a woman and the minister who was speakers, total cost £922. giving a gift of around £50,000. She Indonesia and some of its patients leading the service were all taken to LIU HUIWEN WAS SENTENCED to from gaining political power and enquired if there were any projects are Indonesian Christians who have hospital in a critical condition. 18 months in prison at a court hearing moving the country towards a more An elderly gentleman setting on 23rd October. He had written Islamic stance. needing that particular sum and told fl ed to Papua New Guinea to escape his affairs in order found that he had us that one of her special interests the violence and destruction which and distributed a Christian tract to A ban on religious discrimination, Continued overleaf people in his local community, some already in place in the previous of whom were Muslims. This resulted constitution, remains in the new one. 14 BARNABAS AID JAN / FEB 2008 JAN / FEB 2007 BARNABAS AID 15 In Touch Focus

Cycling for Cana Regular readers of Barnabas Aid Iraqi Christians face genocide may remember some of the previous exploits of Canon John Bowers of West Kirby, Wirral, Cheshire in the – but you can help save them UK who has raised large sums for Barnabas Fund by his sponsored cycle Christians in Iraq are facing extermination at the hands of Islamic extremists New church building in Sri Lanka, built to replace churches rides. This year he chose to cycle in destroyed in the tsunami of December 2004. A Barnabas Fund the footsteps of the Pilgrim Fathers who want to cleanse their country of any trace of Christianity. These extremists supporter has given £8,500 to build and equip a similar church in New England and raised £16,248 threaten Christians that they must convert to Islam, leave or be killed. an investment about to mature which (at the time of writing) for the Cana Iraqi Christians will not abandon their faith, and many of them have already Girls Rescue Home in Kenya (project Some of the Burundian ministers with their bicycles, This piece of land in a Christian area of a Syrian city is to be he wanted to “re-invest” in the Lord’s donated by Barnabas Fund been killed. Some have fl ed to the relatively safe Kurdish areas of Iraq and reference 25-663). transformed into a thriving community for 350 Iraqi Christian work. The sum was £8,500. He told huge numbers are fl eeing to neighbouring Syria. Those who have escaped the refugee families. Please pray that the Lord will guide every us he would like it to be spent on This centre provides a refuge Thank you for genocide need help to survive in their new locations. aspect of the project constructing a church, preferably for Christian girls and women in Barnabas Fund has been helping to provide food and basic needs for Iraqi built of local materials with local a context of traditional African encouraging us Christian refugees in Syria since just after the invasion of March 2003. But labour. His gift will be sent to Sri religions, where they are in danger of Barnabas Fund is helping to now it has become clear that the refugees will not be able to return to their Lanka where Christians are still forced marriages to much older men, support ten church leaders in homeland in the foreseeable future. A longer term solution is needed. Background rebuilding churches destroyed by female genital mutilation (“female Burundi at the rate of £60 per the 2004 tsunami. The costs of such circumcision”) and polygamy. There month each. We have also given Building new communities 350 apartments together with Syria has at least 1.5 million refugees a church are approximately £2,750 are now over 20 girls living at the them each a bicycle costing £80. for refugees to settle facilities such as a clinic, school and from Iraq. According to the United to buy the land and approximately centre and dormitory is bulging at the (Project reference 67-675) Some of community hall. At a later stage small Nations, Christians were 5% of the Barnabas Fund is therefore working £4,850 to build. This means there will seams. Many other girls are waiting the pastors came to thank a visitor businesses will be started to provide with senior leadership of all the main population before the 2003 invasion, but be around £900 left over from this gift to obtain a place, and a number from Barnabas Fund and made employment opportunities. Christian denominations in Iraq and make up 35-40% of the refugees. (This to help with furniture and equipment are being looked after by the local these comments. Syria to build a new community and disproportionately high fi gure refl ects for the new church. minister and his wife in their home. Will you help to make this • As you know, God’s work is not easy infrastructure where Iraqi Christian the specifi cally anti-Christian nature of and the places we go are very far… a reality? A very generous offer came Cooking is done outside and the girls refugees can settle and re-start We heard that you were the ones who much of the violence in Iraq.) from a supporter who wanted to give eat under a tree. Barnabas Fund has their lives. The whole project will cost an helped us to get the bicycles and have The recent infl ux of Iraqi refugees £39,000 to help Christian children and been helping with running costs and Thanks to the generosity of the city estimated total of £2,850,000 (US$5.7 travelled to show our appreciation. (adding to 3.5 million Palestinian orphans in situations of great need. also furniture and fi ttings. authorities, a plot of million; NZ$7.7 million; A$6.3 We wanted to thank you… they reduce We contacted the school for African The leaders of the project land for the building million; €4 million). So the cost to refugees already in Syria) has sent prices our journey from a whole day to just refugees in Cairo (see page 4) which desperately want to build an project has been provide one family’s needs - home and spiralling upwards. Many basic foods a few hours. They help Christians Barnabas Fund has been helping additional block to provide extra purchased at amenities - is approximately £8,100 have tripled in cost, and rents have gone because if they need us we can be to support for a number of years. accommodation for a further 48 girls a fraction of (US$16,300; NZ$22,000; A$18,000: up fi ve-fold or more. Only 30% of the Many of the children attending this plus a matron’s room, a proper dining there in just some hours. €11,400). With many churches and its real value. refugee children can go to school. school have lost their parents in the room and kitchen/store facilities. This • I was always late because the individuals around the world all On this will be Muslim agencies are building 150,000 Sudanese civil war. We asked if they will cost £12,570 so what John has journey was far. But since I have the built around playing their part, the whole sum can had any current needs not covered raised more than covers the costs of bike I have not been late once. As for be raised. units of housing for Muslim refugees. by donations. Yes, they replied, they the new block, with some left over the salary support, I have used some Your gift WILL make a difference. But many Christians are staying in had a shortfall of around £50,000 on towards other needs at the centre. of the money for a new iron roof. Please send your gift to church buildings, old people’s homes their running costs for the current Many thanks to John and all his There was then great joy in our house your nearest Barnabas and other kinds of lodging which are academic year. We were delighted to sponsors. because we had no more leaks. I have Fund offi ce or visit www. be able to forward the gift of £39,000 also bought some glasses for my eyes not appropriate for long-term family barnabasfund.org to make accommodation. to cover a large proportion of the and now I can see. a donation. need. Christian refugees fi ll the churches • I used the money you gave me for Please quote project Praise God with us for the school fees. I was ashamed. reference 20/49-710 when in Syria each Sunday. There are large encouragement of these “matches” I had failed as a man because I could you send your gift. numbers of women and children amongst not afford to send my children to and for the privilege of Barnabas May we also ask them. Recent arrivals are poorer than school. But now thanks to you I Fund being involved as the channel for your prayers those who fl ed a year or two ago, and and link. It is wonderful to see have respect again. I also used some that the Lord have little realistic prospect of moving how He prompts believers by giving money to treat my eldest son’s eye will protect and them a desire to help their brothers problem. He had had this problem on to settle in any other country. They guide in every and sisters with a certain kind of for many years but I could not afford must wait in Syria until peace is restored aspect of this need at just the right time. We are Cana Girls Rescue Home helps Christian girls in danger in to treat him. Please tell the people in project. in Iraq. very grateful, too, for the generosity a context of traditional African religions in Kenya. John Barnabas Fund that we are praying Bowers raised enough from his sponsored cycle trip in New for them. [This pastor cycled a round of the donors. England to cover the cost of an additional block with sleeping trip of 50 miles (80km) just to say Iraqi Christian refugees in Syria. Families like this now realise that they will not be able to return All these examples happened in accommodation, kitchen, dining room, store and matron’s room. home to Iraq in the foreseeable future, and that only a few will be able to move on to another 2007. What will He do in 2008? This picture shows work starting on the new building thank you.] country. Most must settle down in Syria and re-start their lives. But the fi rst problem is to fi nd affordable accommodation. Barnabas Fund is launching a project to build 350 apartments for refugees like this

16 BARNABAS AID JAN / FEB 2008 JAN / FEB 2007 BARNABAS AID 17 Please send me ____ copies of the 8-minute DVD “Save Iraqi Christians” Please send me information about being a Barnabas Fund church Books representative or area representative. Please add me to your email news service. My e-mail address is ______Yes, I would like to help the persecuted Church FAITH AND POWER: A HANDBOOK OF Gift Aid Declaration I authorise Barnabas Fund, The Old Rectory, River Street, Pewsey, Wiltshire NEW BRITISH ISLAM By Patrick Sookhdeo Here is my gift of ______SN9 5DB UK , registered charity no. 1092935, to treat all donations I have made since 6 April 2002 and all subsequent donations as Gift Aid donations until I notify TITLE Normal price £12.99 Special introductory price £7.99 Please use my gift for you otherwise. Wherever the need is greatest (General Fund) Signature ______Date ______(+ £2.50 postage and packing within the UK) Other ______* (Applicable to UK tax payers only) Islam believes itself to be a faith and also recognises that it is a political and If you have previously signed a Gift Aid Declaration for Barnabas Fund, you do not territorial power. How is this going to be expressed in the UK? Will there be I enclose a cheque/voucher payable to “Barnabas Fund”. need to sign again. To qualify for Gift Aid, what you pay in income tax or capital assimilation or separation? This book has been written to provide an easy-to-use gains tax must at least equal the amount of tax reclaimed on donations to registered charities in the tax year. Please inform us if you change your name or address or stop resource to help non-Muslims understand Islam in Britain today and the way in Please debit my Visa Mastercard American Express which it is seeking to transform the country. Introductory chapters look at what paying tax. Maestro CAF card /other charity card Muslims in the UK believe and do, what they have in common as well as the wide Name range of variation and differences amongst them. There is an emphasis on tracing (Mr,Mrs,Miss,Ms,Rev,Dr) Number current movements and trends, in particular the more radical movements which Address are those likely to have the greatest impact on non-Muslim Britons. Later chapters Maestro issue number or issue date / review infl uential Muslim fi gures who have shaped or are shaping Islam in the Postcode Telephone UK, and give concise information on a wide range of Muslim organisations active in the UK, showing the inter-linkages Email Expiry date / Signature ______between them. A fi nal chapter looks at a range of very specifi c issues and challenges relating to the subject of Islam Please return this form to Barnabas Fund at your national offi ce or to the UK in Britain. Dr Sookhdeo asks penetrating questions about the way in which the Muslim communities in the UK may I do not require an acknowledgement of this gift. offi ce. Addresses are on the back cover. Barnabas Fund will not give your address develop in the future and how British authorities and institutions appear to be yielding to the process of Islamisation. or email to anyone else. Hardback, approx. 330 pages Isaac Publishing I would like to give regularly through my bank. Please send me Phone 0800 587 4006 or visit our website at www.barnabasfund.org to make a the appropriate form. (UK supporters may use the Standing Order credit card donation. From outside UK phone +44 1672 565031. Publication date, January 2008 Pre-order your copy now. ISBN 0-9787141-3-X 978-0-9787141-3-0 form below.) Registered Charity number 1092935 Company registered in England number 4029536 *We reserve the right to use designated gifts for another project if the one identifi ed is Alternative Gift Card To make an alternative gift for a loved one, please suffi ciently funded. contact your national offi ce. Supporters in Germany: please turn to back cover for how to send gifts to STEPPING INTO THE SHADOWS By Rosemary Sookhdeo Barnabas Fund. Mag 01/08

Normal price £6.99 Special price £5 (+ 80p postage and packing within the UK) This book explores the reasons why so many women are converting to Islam and answers STANDING ORDER For UK supporters who would like to give regularly many questions you may have about the issue of its attraction to women. The author Please use these gifts by Standing Order for unpacks and analyses the problems faced in circumstances such as conversion by conviction or by marriage and addresses the long-term implications of such decisions. Essential Wherever the need is greatest (General Fund) Other ______* reading for every parent, church leader or pastor to enable them to understand and to To: (name and address of your bank) educate to prevent such situations in the future. ______Paperback, 121 pages Isaac Publishing, 2005 ISBN 9-0-9547835-7-0 ______Post code: ______

Sort Code ____/____/____ Account Number ______Account name ______GLOBAL JIHAD By Patrick Sookhdeo New DVD Please pay Barclays Bank, Canary Wharf Branch, Canary Wharf, 2 Churchill Place, London, E14 5RB, Price £15.99 (free postage and packing within the UK) on Iraq for the credit of Barnabas Fund account no. 904 669 72 sort code 20-26-46 In Global Jihad, Dr Patrick Sookhdeo takes an in-depth look at Islamic teaching on violence £ ______(amount in words) ______and war, past and present, as he analyses the rise of Islamic terrorism in the modern world. “God at work in Iraq” is an 8-minute ______“Patrick Sookhdeo has written another book of great scholarship and clarity, which examines presentation focussing on the place of Starting on (date) ______and then every month/quarter/year (delete as applicable) until further notice. the roots and nature of Islamic jihad and the long war that lies ahead. Patrick Sookhdeo is From (Name) ______a man uniquely qualifi ed to explain to the reader what lies behind the resurgence of militant Iraq in the Bible and on the Christian (Address) ______Islamic fundamentalism and how the West should respond. This important book is most presence in Iraq for two millennia. The ______Post code ______strongly commended to everyone who wants to understand the nature of the Islamic threat DVD complements Barnabas Fund’s DVD we face.” Ivar Hellberg OBE, Cranfi eld University, UK Signature ______Date ____/_____/____ “Hope and Fear in Iraq” which deals with Hardback, 669 pages Isaac Publishing, 2007 ISBN 09787141-2-1 978-0-9787141-2-3 This Standing Order is a new one / in addition to / replaces an earlier Standing Order in favour of the current persecution of Christians and the Barnabas Fund (delete as applicable) To order these books and other similar titles, visit www.barnabasbooks.org what Barnabas Fund is doing to bring Please quote reference (to be completed by Barnabas Fund) ______them aid and hope. So the two DVDs can Please send this form to Barnabas Fund and not to your bank If you are a UK tax-payer please complete the Gift Aid Box above to enable us to reclaim the tax on Alternatively phone 024 7623 1923 (from outside the UK +44 24 7623 1923) be shown either separately or together. or contact your national Barnabas Fund offi ce (addresses on back cover). your standing order payments. Order your free copy using the Barnabas Fund is a registered charity no. 1092935, and a company registered in England number 4029536 form above. * We reserve the right to use designated gifts for another project if the one identifi ed is suffi ciently funded. 18 BARNABAS AID JAN / FEB 2008 • We are equal partners with the persecuted Church, The ‘Barnabas Fund Distinctive’ whose leaders often help shape our overall direction. Barnabas Fund was established in 1993 with the aim of providing • We seek to tackle persecution at its root by making known the aspects of the Islamic faith which result in practical help to Christians in Muslim environments. Since injustice and oppression of non-Muslims. that time our ministry has grown and we now bring hope and aid • We believe we are called to address the Islamic faith to the persecuted Church in over 50 countries. – an ideology which denies full religious liberty to Christian minorities – while continuing to show God’s So, what helps make Barnabas Fund distinctive from other love to Muslim people. Christian organisations which deal with persecution? • We seek to inform and enable Christians in the West • We support only Christians (“Therefore, as we have to respond to the growing challenge of Islam to the opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those Church, society and mission in our own countries. who belong to the family of believers.” Galatians 6:10) • We believe in the clear Biblical teaching that all • The majority of our aid goes to Christians living in Christians should treat all people of all faiths with love Muslim-majority environments. and compassion, even those who seek to persecute • We help by channelling money from Christians through them. Christians to Christians: • We believe in the power of prayer to change people’s • The money is used to fund projects which have been lives and situations, either through grace to endure or developed by local Christians in their own communities, through deliverance from the suffering. We therefore countries or regions. seek to facilitate global intercession for the persecuted • The money is channelled to existing structures in Church by providing comprehensive prayer materials. the countries where funds are sent (e.g. churches and • We act as champions for the persecuted Church, Christian organisations). to be their voice – making their needs known to • We do not set up our own structures or send people Christians and the injustices of their persecution (i.e. Western missionaries). Instead we seek to encourage, known to governments and international bodies. strengthen and enable the existing local Church and Christian communities – so they can maintain their presence and witness. “Whatever you did for one of the least of • No request is too small to be considered. these brothers of mine, you did for me.” • We aim to meet both practical and spiritual needs. (Matthew 25:40)

Barnabas Aid The magazine of Barnabas Fund Published by Barnabas Fund The Old Rectory, River Street, Pewsey, Wiltshire SN9 5DB, UK Telephone 01672 564938 Fax 01672 565030 From outside UK: Telephone +44 1672 564938 Fax +44 1672 565030 Email [email protected] How to Find Us You may contact Barnabas Fund at the following addresses: Australia Postal Suite 107, 236 Hyperdome, Loganholme QLD 4129 UK Telephone (07) 3806 1076 or 1300 365 799 Fax (07) 3806 4076 9-10 Priory Row, Coventry CV1 5EX Email [email protected] Telephone 024 7623 1923 Fax 024 7683 4718 USA From outside the UK 6731 Curran St, McLean, VA 22101 Telephone +44 24 7623 1923 Fax +44 24 7683 4718 Telephone (703) 288-1681 or toll-free 1-866-936-2525 E-mail [email protected] Fax (703) 288-1682 Registered charity number 1092935 Email [email protected] Company registered in England number 4029536 Germany Chairman of the Board of Trustees: Mr Mike Penny German supporters may send gifts for Barnabas Fund via Hilfe für For a list of all trustees, please contact Barnabas Fund UK at the Coventry Brüder who will provide you with a tax-deductible receipt. address above. Please mention that the donation is for “SPC 20 Barnabas Fund”. If you would like your donation to go to a specifi c project of Barnabas Jersey Fund, please inform the Barnabas Fund offi ce in Pewsey, UK. Le Jardin, La Rue A Don, Grouville, Jersey, Channel Islands JE3 9GB Account holder: Hilfe für Brüder e.V. Account number: 415 600 Telephone 700600 Fax 700601 Email [email protected] Bank: Evang. Kreditgenossenschaft Stuttgart Bankcode (BLZ): New Zealand 600 606 06 14A View Road, Mt Eden, Auckland 1024 Telephone 09 630 6267 Fax 09 630 6267 E-mail offi [email protected] www.barnabasfund.org To donate by credit card, please visit the website or phone 0800 587 4006 (from outside the UK phone +44 1672 565031).

© Barnabas Fund 2008 For permission to reproduce articles from this magazine, please contact the Pewsey UK offi ce address above.