Pastor Paul Ciniraj Mohammed, a Christian convert from Islam and head of Salem Voice Ministries, is recovering from what is believed to be an attempt on his life, according to an April 7 report from Compass Direct. On March 16, Ciniraj was riding his motorcycle in Kottayam, Kerala State when a motorized rickshaw rammed into him, fracturing his knee. Police told him they suspected that it was an attempt to murder him. At last report, however, police have not followed up on the case and there have been no arrests. Three days later, two armed men attempted to break into his home while he was still in the hospital. His wife, Mercy, awoke to find the men at the front door. When she tried to phone the police, she found the telephone lines were cut. In fear, she started shouting the name of Jesus. Neighbours heard her shouts and switched their lights on, scaring away the intruders.
Ciniraj has faced threats and several attacks over the past two years because of his evangelistic work. His organization, Salem Voice Ministries, runs orphanages, schools and adult literacy centers in Kerala state.
Pray that Pastor Paul will fully recover from the injuries so he can return to the work of the gospel. Pray that the Lord will provide peace to his wife and family as well. Pray that the leadership of Salem Voice Ministries will eagerly follow through with the tasks God has given them (I Peter 5:1-4).
For more information on the persecution of Christians in India , click here.
VOMC assists persecuted Christians with legal support and rehabilitation assistance, and cares for children of martyrs by providing them with a safe place to be nurtured physical and spiritually. VOMC also partners to equip Christians in India with Biblical training and works to strengthen and support marginalized and persecuted Christian women. Additionally, VOMC helps to provide medical assistance to believers who have faced injuries after being attacked.”
Ethnicity (%) Indo-Aryan (72), Dravidian (25), other (3)
Religion (%) Hinduism (79.8), Muslim (14.2), Christianity (2.3), Sikh (1.7), other (2)
Leader President Droupadi Murmu (2022)
Government type Federal parliamentary republic
Legal system Based on English common law; separate personal law codes apply to Christians, Hindus and Muslims.
Source: CIA World Factbook
Pray for India
Despite the intimidation and violence that have taken place in many of India's states, may Christians wisely yet unashamedly preach the Gospel. Pray that indigenous Christians and foreign missionaries will minister in ways that do not hint at fraudulent conversions, unmasking the intentions behind the anti-conversion legislation. Intercede for India's leaders, that they may reign with justice and righteousness.
A church in India. Photo: Flickr / Nevil Zaver (cc)
In a Persecution & Prayer Alert report published earlier this month, it was revealed that a pastor and his wife in India had been convicted of allegedly attempting to convert Dalit villagers within their community. Pastor Jose Pappachan and his wife Sheeja were both fined and sentenced to five years in prison (see our previous report).
A church in India. Photo: Flickr / Nevil Zaver (cc)
On July 30th, 2024, an amendment to Uttar Pradesh's anti-conversion legislation was passed in an effort to strengthen the state's existing laws. In particular, major changes were made to the severity of punishments imposed on convicted individuals. Since the amended law was brought into effect, a pastor and his wife were found guilty on January 22nd and sentenced to five years' imprisonment. They were also fined 25,000 rupees (about $420 CAD) each.
Kunika Kashyap was more than six months pregnant when she went to visit another Christian in her village who had been ill. While Kunika was sitting at the ailing believer's bedside, a relative of hers named Ganga Ram Kashyap began recording the pregnant Christian woman on his mobile phone, hoping to obtain video evidence of her praying.
A church in India during the Christmas season. Photo: Wikimedia / Sandipanraha (cc)
A wave of violent incidents marred Christmas celebrations across India, even as Prime Minister Modi extolled the virtues of "love" and "harmony" in his Christmas speech and social media posts. The recently occurring acts of violence against followers of Jesus, which took place in at least ten states across India, were particularly instigated by Hindu nationalist groups in their determination to rid the nation of Christian influence.
Population
