In This Issue: News from Iran, Madagascar, and More
- IRAN: Maryam and Marzieh Acquitted
- MADAGASCAR: Christian Radio Journalists Detained
- INDIA: Religious Cleansing Planned
- SOMALIA: Militants Kill Another Christian
- PAKISTAN: Christians and Muslims Protest Facebook Contest
- YEMEN: Children of Kidnapped Parents Freed
Missions Catalyst is a free, weekly electronic digest of mission news and resources designed to inspire and equip Christians worldwide for global ministry. Use it to fuel your prayers, find tips and opportunities, and stay in touch with how God is building his kingdom all over the world. Please forward it freely!
World News Briefs, edited by Pat Noble, are published twice a month.
IRAN: Maryam and Marzieh Acquitted
Source: Open Doors, May 24, 2010
Acquitted and free. That’s the report from Elam Ministries regarding Iranian Christians Maryam Rostampour, 28, and Marzieh Amirizadeh, 31. Fourteen months after they were arrested for their Christian faith and activities, they have been acquitted of all charges by Iranian judicial authorities. But they were warned that any future Christian activity in Iran will be seriously dealt with, according to Elam.
On Saturday [May 22] they left Iran and arrived safely in another country, reported Elam. “Praise the Lord for the great news of their acquittal and freedom in another country,” said Open Doors USA President/CEO Dr. Carl Moeller. “Literally millions of Christians around the world have been praying for them.”
After their conditional release from prison in November 2009, they had a trying six months waiting for their case to be heard in an Islamic court, where they could have been sentenced to prison again.
>> See also Iranians Turning to Christ, Not Nukes (Mission Network News).
MADAGASCAR: Christian Radio Journalists Detained
Source: The Christian Post, May 31, 2010
According to reports, three journalists at Radio Fahazavana were arrested on the night of May 20 by Madagascar’s Highest Transitional Authority (HAT). Their five colleagues were detained shortly thereafter by the Central Service for Criminal Affairs unit.
Together, the eight were accused of endangering the internal security of the state and playing a part in that night’s failed mutiny in Madagascar’s capital through their alleged incitement of the public.
Furthermore, Communications Minister Augustin Andriamananoro said the detained individuals failed to conform to journalism professional standards and had broadcast false information.
Supporters, however, say the station was just reporting the facts and that the journalists were well versed in media ethics.
>> Full story.
INDIA: Religious Cleansing Planned
Source: Compass Direct, May 20, 2010
Hindu nationalist organizations in Madhya Pradesh state have declared their intentions to rid Mandla district of all Christian influence by starting preparations for a large “reconversion” event next year.
A similar event in Dangs district, Gujarat state in 2006 was filled with Christian hate speech. As a result of anti-Christian sentiment stirred at the April 22 ground-breaking ceremony for the Madhya Pradesh “reconversion” rally to be held next February, Hindu nationalists attacked a house church in the district’s Bamhni Banjar village on May 2, Christian leaders said.
More than 100 Hindu devotees from Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra attended the ground-breaking ceremony in Mandla, reported Patrika newspaper. A source present disclosed that leaders announced a list of objectives to be achieved before the festival, with one prominent agenda item being to drive away Christian pastors, evangelists and foreign aid workers from the district.
SOMALIA: Militants Kill Another Christian
Source: Missions Network News, May 12, 2010
The Islamic extremist group Al-Shabaab has murdered yet another Somali Christian, Compass Direct News reports. On May 4, militants gunned down a 57-year-old primary school teacher and father of three, Yusuf Ali Nur. Al-Shabaab had placed Nur on a list of people suspected of being Christians. After a two-hour battle with rival rebel group, the Ahlu Sunna Waljamer, Al-Shabaab took control of Xarardheere, the town where Nur had lived with his family since July of 2009.
The militants searched from house to house. When they came to Nur’s house, one of them said, “Oh! This is Yusuf, whom we have been looking for,” and they killed him with a shower of bullets. Nur is survived by his wife and three children, ages 7, 9, and 11. He was the head teacher and taught English at Ganane Primary School, a private school owned by wealthy Somali proprietors.
Al-Shabaab objects to Somali use of the English language. It has also banned radios from playing music and schools from ringing bells, simply because school bells sound like church bells.
>> Full story.
PAKISTAN: Christians and Muslims Protest Facebook Contest
Source: ASSIST News Service, May 25, 2010
Hundreds of Christians and Muslims in Pakistan late last week carried out a joint protest rally against the so-called “caricature contest” on the Internet social network Facebook. The Pakistan Muslim League (N) Minorities wing organized the protest rally and invited Christians and Muslims of various walks of life to join the movement against the contest, according to ANS Correspondent Ashfaq Fateh in Toba Tek Singh.
Fateh said protesters carried banners and placards condemning the contest and shouted slogans against Facebook and the contest organizers. The rally went through main roads of the city and reached Jhang-Toba Road. The protesters blocked the road for two hours and leaders spoke on the occasion.
Addressing the rally, Rasheed Jalal, President of the PML (N), said: “The caricatures contest is a conspiracy against the Christian/Muslim unity in the world. … Pakistani Christians respect the Holy Prophet, and will oppose anybody who will try to make any caricatures against the Holy Prophet.”
>> Full story.
YEMEN: Children of Kidnapped Parents Freed
Source: Ecumenical News International, May 18, 2010
Two children belonging to a German Christian family, who had been kidnapped in north Yemen by Shiite rebels 11 months ago, have been freed.
Family members told the German evangelical news agency, Idea, on May 18 that the two daughters, Lydia, 6, and Anna, 4, are free.
The fate of the parents, Johannes and Sabine Hentschel, both 38, is uncertain. Their youngest son Simon, 2, is believed to be dead, Idea reported.
Media reports stated that the two daughters had been freed by Saudi Arabian special military forces in the border region with Yemen.
The family and a British engineer were kidnapped during an outing near Saada in north Yemen. They were with two German Bible school students and a South Korean teacher, who were found slain on June 12, 2009. The nine Christians had been working at the Al Jumhuri hospital in Saada.
>> Full story.
New on the Events Calendar
Your FOCUS on the World (Elgin, IL, USA). June 7 to 8. Training for local church leaders provided by Catalyst Services.
Your FOCUS on the World (Littleton, CO, USA). June 14 to 15. Training for local church leaders provided by Catalyst Services.
Biennial of the Americas (Denver, CO, USA). July 1 to 31. International event that celebrates the culture, ideas and people of the Western Hemisphere, hosted by the City of Denver.
Consultation of Missions and Creation Care Leaders (Manhattan, KS, USA). July 12 to 15. How can we integrate evangelism, discipleship, and church planting into creation care projects? Sponsored by Eden Vigil and Care of Creation. Note: the two agencies are hoping to offer a Summer Institute of Environmental Missions in 2011.
North America Central Asia Forum (Bothell, WA, USA). July 23 to 24. Hosted by the Turkmen Network Gathering.
Africa Tentmakers International Conference (Douala, Cameroon). August 12 to 15. Learn from the experiences of other tentmakers; expecting participants from 40 African countries.
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