(Sources: CBN, Charisma News, The Australian)
Boko Haram, an Islamic militant group, invaded the off-campus hostel of Federal Polytechnic College on October 1 and murdered up to 30 students. The attack took place in the city of Mubi in remote Adamawa State, located in north-eastern Nigeria.
Gunmen reportedly rounded up the students and demanded to know their names. If they gave a Christian name, they were given a chance to deny their Christian faith and convert to Islam by reciting the shahada (Muslim prayer of faith). If they refused and stood firm in their Christian faith, they were either shot or stabbed to death on the spot. Survivors say some Muslims were also murdered, either mistakenly or intentionally. Those who gave Muslim names were required to say a Muslim prayer to prove their faith. If they could not recite the prayer, they were killed.
President Goodluck Jonathan has called the gruesome attack "sad and shocking" and has ordered an investigation. Some officials have suggested the massacre may have been linked to a recent student election. Police have reportedly arrested many suspects.
Please pray for those mourning the loss of family members or friends. Pray that, in the midst of their grief, they may be filled with the joy that comes from knowing that they will see their loved ones again at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Thessalonians 4:15-18). Pray the Christians in the community will not retaliate but will show Christ-like love and forgiveness.
For more on Nigeria's persecuted Church, go to the
Nigeria Country Report. To post a prayer of support for Christians in Nigeria, visit our
Persecuted Church Prayer Wall.
Muslim militants burn homes and livestock in Tanzania
Muslim militants in Tunduru District in south-western Tanzania burned the homes and livestock of several Christians on September 17. One home was burned to the ground, but bystanders managed to save five others from complete destruction by dousing them with water. The Muslim extremists also burned more than 60 pigs belonging to Christians.
In another recent incident in the region, the cars of a pastor and another believer were burned on the night of September 25. "It's unfortunate to say that even though all these incidents were duly reported to the nearby police stations, no one has been arrested so far," a VOM contact said. He explained that 80 per cent of the region is Muslim. "Please do pray with us against this demonic spirit of attacks on Christians and their properties!" he added.
Please pray for our brothers and sisters in Tanzania. Pray that they will keep their eyes on Jesus, persevere in their faith, and not grow weary or lose heart (Hebrews 10:32-39; 12:1-3). Pray that the perpetrators of these attacks will repent and come to know Jesus Christ.
(Source: VOM-USA)
Christians arrested for defiling Qur'an, blasphemy in Egypt
(Sources: International Christian Concern, BBC, Fox News, Reuters)
Mina Nady Farag and Nabil Nagy Rizk, ages nine and 10, were detained on September 30 when Ibrahim Mohamed Ali, a local imam from their home village of Ezbet Marco in the Beni Suef province of Egypt, accused the children of tearing pages of a Qur'an. The children denied the incident and said they found the pages on a street. The charges were dropped and the boys released on October 10 after a deal was reached between the Christians, Muslims and security officials.
On September 13, Alber Saber, an Egyptian Christian blogger, was arrested after being accused by neighbours of posting the anti-Islam film, "Innocence of Muslims," on his Facebook page. Saber has been imprisoned for more than three weeks on charges of disdaining religion and ridiculing religious beliefs and rituals.
In another case, Nevine al-Sayed, a Christian school teacher in the Upper Egypt town of Assiut, was accused by one of her students of insulting the Muslim prophet Muhammad in class. Al-Sayed allegedly used the word "unfortunate," which is very close to the word "poor" in Arabic, when describing Mohammad's upbringing, according to an interrogation report. She has since been released.
Please pray that the Lord will intervene in these cases and bring about just and favourable outcomes. Pray that the Lord will protect his people from further accusations. Pray that He will give all believers in Egypt the strength to remain faithful and the grace to act as witnesses for the gospel. Pray that many more in Egypt will come to faith in Jesus.
Go to the
Egypt Country Report to learn more about the struggles Christians face in Egypt.
