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 field that was looted in Michwar village. Photo: Christian Solidarity Worldwide
On November 17th, the leaders of eight villages in Sukma, a district in the Indian state of Chhattisgarh, passed a joint resolution that prohibits Christians from staying in their communities. As a result of the decision, all Christian residents have been required to renounce their faith or leave. The order impacts around 100 believers, whose fields, properties and belongings were threatened with confiscation if they did not comply. One local chief who supported the decree claimed that the village council supersedes the Indian Constitution, thus negating any arguments about the believers' right to freedom of belief.
The entrance to a Hindu complex. Photo: Wikipedia / Ms. Sarah Welch
As police officers stood by and watched, hundreds of people attacked 14 Christians in Chhattisgarh's Dantewada district on October 30th. The violent incident occurred after the victimized followers of Jesus refused to abandon their Christian faith, despite orders from tribal leaders to do so.
Recently, 11 female evangelists from the southern states of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh travelled from Hyderabad (the capital of Telangana state) to Bhagwanpur (a town located within the northeastern state of Bihar) in order to spread the "Good News" of the Gospel in villages surrounding the area.
A pastor in India sharing God's Word. Photo: VOM International
A church leader in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh has been convicted on false charges of forcing Hindus to convert to Christianity. On September 25th, a court in Jhabua sentenced Pastor Vikas Nimach to five years in prison and ordered him to pay a fine of over $1,600 CAD. His legal team intends to appeal the recent verdict, claiming that the trial lawyer mishandled the proceedings.
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