Saudi Arabia: House Church Christians jailed
Two Indian Christians, members of a thriving Pentecostal house church, in Saudi Arabia, have been moved from pre-trial detention to a prison in the Saudi capital Ryadh where they are ‘forbidden to pray or read the Bible’ and ‘suffer of a lack of food and medical attention,’ an elder of the church has told Worthy News and its news partner BosNewsLife. Vasantha Sekhar Vara, 28, and Nese Yohan, 31, who are members of the ‘Rejoice in the Church of the Lord’ congregation, were initially detained in January and received 45-days of ‘pre-trial detention’ on charges of ‘proselytizing’, said the church elder speaking from Riyadh in a telephone interview. ‘They were later moved from the police station to a notorious central jail in Ryadh without a trial,' he added. He said it was not known when and if the trial will start. Pray: for Yohan and Vara that God would strengthen them in their ordeal and pray for an early release. (2Ch.19:9a) More: http://www.worthynews.com/10176-saudi-arabia-jails-house-church-christians-exclusive
Saudi Arabia: Filipinos charged with proselytising
Authorities in Saudi Arabia have charged twelve expatriates from the Philippines and one from France with proselytising, according to an official at the Philippine Embassy in Riyadh. Although twelve of the expatriates were temporarily released through petitions filed by their employers and the thirteenth was released on bail, the release does not mean their case has been settled. If they are proven guilty as charged they would go back to jail. Proselytising in Saudi Arabia is punishable by death. According to reports, the thirteen were arrested during a raid of a public mass that was attended last Friday by around 150 expatriates. Public practice of non-Muslim religions is strictly prohibited and Christians are only allowed to gather in homes for private religious services. Saudi’s Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice conduct raids on private non-Muslim religious gatherings. Pray: for God to use the Philippine Embassy and the international outcry to bring protection of religious freedom for non residents in Saudi Arabia. (La.3:24-25)
Saudi Arabia: Ethiopian Christians to be deported
Approximately 35 Christians in Saudi Arabia face deportation on the charge of ‘illicit mingling’ according to a report by the global rights body Human Rights Watch (HRW). Police arrested the group of 29 women and 6 men after raiding a prayer meeting in the city of Jeddah. The group was arrested in a private home where they had gathered to pray during the run-up to Christmas, which is celebrated by Ethiopian Orthodox Christians on January 7. The men were beaten and called ‘unbelievers’ and the women were strip-searched, apparently on the spot. HRW spoke to a man and two women by telephone from the prisons where they are being held. They say they have been charged with mixing with unmarried persons of the opposite sex – even though HRW says Saudi Arabia has no law defining ‘illicit mingling.’
Pray: for these believers in Saudi Arabia as they meet together that the authorities would be held back and recognise the rights of believers to gather in worship. (Ps.11:7)
More: http://www.worthynews.com/11229-ethiopian-christians-to-be-deported-from-saudi-arabia
Saudi Arabia: Declares destruction of all churches in region
Earlier this month news reports surfaced out of Saudi Arabia that raised the red flag for Christians. Todd Nettleton, a spokesman for the Voice of the Martyrs USA, says, ‘The Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia has declared that it is ‘necessary to destroy all the churches of the region.’ Saudi Arabia is ranked second on the Open Doors World Watch List of 50 countries where persecution of Christians is the most severe. There is no provision for religious freedom in the constitution of this Islamic kingdom. The Grand Mufti said this in a meeting with Kuwaiti officials wanting to confirm Sharia’s position on churches and he said, ‘If you have churches in Kuwait they should be destroyed.’ The interesting thing about this is that there are no churches in Saudi Arabia. There are no church buildings that are allowed to exist there. So he was trying to export this ideology to the surrounding countries.
Pray: for God’s protection to be over churches in Kuwait, Oman, Yemen, Bahrain, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates. May the UN Human Rights Council take a stand for freedom of religion in the area. (Ps.3:7-8)
More: http://www.mnnonline.org/article/18380
Saudi Arabia: Christian persecution
Saudi Arabia, a strict Islamic nation, has a long history of cracking down on Christians. On March 22nd two Indian Christian men working in Saudi Arabia were sentenced to 45 days imprisonment for allegedly trying to convert Muslims to Christianity. Vasantha Sekhar and Nese Yohan were detained ten days earlier in Riyadh on charges of proselytizing. Advocacy group International Christian Concern (ICC) said the workers were arrested to keep them from practicing Christianity privately in their home. ‘These two Christians have faced false charges and with false evidence, the Saudi government continues to engage in an array of severe violations of human rights as part of its repression of freedom of religion.’ ICC director told BosNewsLife in a statement. While in prison awaiting trial, their apartment was ransacked by Saudi security forces, and the men face uncertainty regarding their future. Pray: that in spite of discrimination the truth of the Gospel will spread and be understood; and Saudi negative references to Christians will end. (Is.56:7,8) More: http://www.bosnewslife.com/16173-saudi-arabia-detains-indian-christians-for-proselytizing
Saudi Arabia: Calling Christians to pray during Hajj
Next week millions of Muslims from all over the world will be on pilgrimage to Mecca performing a sacred act called the Hajj. For many the Hajj is the pinnacle event of their lives because they are commanded to make a Hajj at least once if they are able. This year Hajj starts Oct. 24th, lasting 3-4 days. See the Hajj 2012 prayer video on the link below. The Hajj is a demonstration of the solidarity of the Muslim people, and their submission to God. On the second day of Hajj pilgrims pray a prayer at noon called Muna - Arabic meaning ‘to wish or aspire’ - as they seek a closer relationship with God. We can pray that they discover and receive the free gift of communion through the Holy Spirit. On day three pilgrims stand on the ‘mountain of mercy’ and cry from noon to sunset, ’Allah I am here.’ Many then spend the night in prayer. Please pray for those seeking God to be found by the One who paid the price for the remission of sins.
Pray: for seekers to know God’s grace, and for Jesus to reveal himself through dreams and visions. (Eph.2:8,9)