Indian police charged ten men on January 29 for the rape of a Catholic nun that occurred during anti-Christian violence that erupted in Orissa in August (read the story). On August 25, a mob of Hindu militants attacked the prayer hall in the village of K. Nuagaon, Kandhamal district where Sister Meena (29) worked. She was grabbed by several men who tore off her clothes and held her down while one man raped her. Sister Meena was then paraded naked through the streets along with a priest. Although police were present, they did nothing to stop the assault. The ten have been charged with gang rape since assisting rape carries the same charge as actually committing the crime according to Indian law. At last report, the rapist had not yet been found.
Pray that authorities will bring to justice all who were involved in the attack. Pray that Sister Meena will look to God for strength as she recovers. Pray for a lasting peace in Orissa state.
Find out more about how Indian Christians suffer for Jesus' sake.
Five Pakistani Christians who were falsely accused of blasphemy in April 2007 (
A Christian woman who was arrested along with her family at the Cairo International Airport in December was granted bail on January 24, according to a January 27 report from Compass Direct. When Zainab Said Abel-Aziz (24) -- who goes by the Christian name of Martha Samuel Makkar -- converted to Christianity from Islam in 2003, she and her husband endured serious threats and harassment from both Egyptian police and family members. Longing to flee these assaults, Martha obtained a passport issued in her Christian name and made plans to escape the country along with her family. However, authorities apprehended them as they were preparing to board a flight to Russia on December 13. Martha was charged with possessing forged documents and was taken to the El-Nozha police station along with her two children, ages two and four. Her husband, Fadl Thabet (32), was taken to the National Security Office in Alexandria, Somoha District for questioning and was later released on January 19. Officials handed the children over to the care of family friends before moving Martha to Al-Qanata prison where she was reportedly sexually assaulted by officials and mistreated by other inmates. After being granted bail, she was allowed to return home to her husband and children pending trial.