Tags

2016-09-15

  • Swift Response Saves Community from Bomb Attack


    The main gate to the Warsak Dam Christian Colony.
    Photo: World Watch Monitor

    Christians in northwest Pakistan narrowly escaped with their lives after security forces foiled a suicide bomb plot against them. Security guard Samuel Masih opened his community's main gate to four Taliban bombers -- and died in a hail of bullets. Two other guards were injured, as were two soldiers and a policeman.

    However, the swift response of Samuel's colleagues meant that a greater tragedy was averted. One of the suicide bombers was killed after igniting his bomb, but thankfully there were no other casualties as a result of the blast. Security officials intervened by killing the three other suicide bombers.

    The 30 Christian families residing within the gated community near Peshawar in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province were unharmed. The Pakistani Taliban reported that the bombers carried out this attack on Friday, September 2nd. The same extremist group involved in this attack claimed responsibility for the Easter Sunday suicide bomb attack that took place in Lahore on March 27th of this year -- resulting in more than 70 killed and numerous others injured. Information on the Lahore bombing incident can be reviewed here.

    Pray that God will comfort and provide for Samuel's widow, Razia, and their five children. Ask the Lord to heal Samuel's colleagues who were injured in this recent attack, offering praise that the lives of those residing within the gated community were spared. Also continue to uphold the families still experiencing the aftermath of the Easter Sunday attack in Lahore. May all our brothers and sisters throughout Pakistan receive the assurance that they are not forgotten by their global Christian family. May God strengthen their faith -- and our solidarity with them.
  • Court Reduces Length of Prison Term


    Slimane Bouhafs
    Photo: World Watch Monitor

    We have received some encouraging news regarding our Algerian brother, Slimane Bouhafs, whose case was featured in a previous Persecution & Prayer Alert report. Slimane's original five-year jail sentence was recently reduced to three years in a verdict announced on September 6th. However, as the appeal court has still upheld his conviction for "blasphemy," he would very much appreciate our continued prayers.

    Slimane was arrested after posting a Facebook comment about Jesus overcoming "the darkness of Islam." (More details on his case may be found here.) His legal team are now planning to appeal to the supreme court. Pray that Slimane and his family, as well as his church, will experience God's peace and compassion in new ways during the appeal process.