In you Lord, I have taken refuge, let me never be put to shamedeliver me in your righteousness. Turn your ear to me, come quickly to my rescue; be my rock of refuge, a strong fortress to save me. Psalm 31:1-2
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Dear Friends in Christ, The World Evangelical Alliance is a global ministry working with local churches around the world to join in common concern to live and proclaim the Good News of Jesus in their communities. God is glorified and the nations of the earth are forever transformed. The purpose of the WEA Religious Liberty Prayer Release is to keep you informed and mobilized in prayer and intercession for the needs of justice and religious liberty in the Church around the globe, so that we can stand together for the work of the Kingdom and the healing of the Nations. The Prayer Release is comprised on the basis of different credible Christian based resources. |
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21 Evangelical Christians arrested on Good Friday in ERITREA
April 20, It is reported that Eritrean military officials arrested 21 Evangelical Christians who gathered to worship on Good Friday. The group consisted of 11 women who were teachers stationed at Sawa military training centre in Western Eritrea. Reports states that those arrested are detained in metal shipping containers and are undergoing military punishment. 12 May 2012 marks 10 years since the government of Eritrea ordered that religious groups outside of the Orthodox, Catholic, Methodist and Islamic traditions be registered. However, those who applied for registration have yet to receive recognition from the government. Christians in Eritrea have faced various kinds of restrictions, ranging from interference into church administration, to arrest and torture. The church in Eritrea estimates that there are currently as many as 1,000 Christians imprisoned for their religious beliefs.
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2 Christians imprisoned in EGYPT
April 20, An Egyptian court has upheld a 6 year jail sentence handed to a Christian, Makrem Diab for allegedly insulting the prophet Muhammad. The case which began on 29 February 2012 was initiated by a teacher who was a colleague of Makrem. On 16 March, a large mob prevented Makrem’s lawyers from entering the court for an appeal hearing. However the appeal was rescheduled for 5 April where the sentence was upheld. It is reported that the lawyers of Makrem Diab are preparing an appeal to a higher court.
Furthermore on 4 April, 17 year old Gamal Abdou Massoud was sentenced by a court to 3 years imprisonment for inciting strife and insulting the prophet Muhammad. He was sentenced for posting cartoons on Facebook which were deemed offensive to Muslims and also for distributing the cartoons to friends at school. The allegations which surfaced in December 2011 led to violent protests in neighbouring villages leaving several Christians injured and also Christians’ homes being torched. It is reported that an appeal has been submitted and a hearing is scheduled for 7 May 2012.
In both cases, the laws they were convicted under have been on the statute book for many years but were rarely applied during the Mubarak era. The stricter application of these laws in recent months reflects a hardening attitude towards the freedom of expression in some parts of Egypt.
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Churches attacked in SOUTH SUDAN
The priest of the church, Father John Taw stated that "They burned the bible and looted possessions and money,” adding that the attackers included women and children.
The priest further stated that, the imam of the mosque next door, who is known for his extremism, had incited people to destroy the church, claiming that the Church property belonged to Muslims.
It is also reported that 2 independent churches in the district were attacked by an extremist group. James Par Tap, the head of the Sudan Presbyterian Evangelical Church, said in a statement that the group had burnt, destroyed and looted everything in the churches and the Bible School.
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