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2017-01-05

• Attack on Cairo Church Kills Dozens

  
  Two of the 26 victims of the recent bombing.
  Photo: World Watch Monitor

  A bomb ripped through a section reserved for women at Cairo's main cathedral during the Sunday morning worship service on December 11th, 2016, killing at least 26 people and wounding more than 50. The blast, which occurred in a chapel adjacent to the main church building, marked the deadliest attack against Egypt's Christian minority in years.

  Egyptian security officials, quoted by state media, said that an explosive device containing about 26 pounds of TNT had been placed in the chapel. It went off during the service at around 10 a.m. Most of the dead and wounded were women and children, confirmed Sherief Wadee, an assistant minister for health, during a television interview. The country's president, Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, declared three days of mourning.

  There was no immediate claim of responsibility, although the attack bore the hallmark of Islamist militants who have previously targeted minority Christians over their perceived support for the president's government. (Since the compilation of this report, a suspect has been identified.) It was the second major attack in the Egyptian capital within three days, marking a jarring return to violence after months of relative calm. An Islamist militant group claimed responsibility for an explosion on December 9th at a security checkpost that killed six police officers. For previous reports on persecution in Egypt, note the "Persecution News" section at our Egypt Country Report.

  Ask God to minister to the many wounded and grieving victims of these recent attacks. May those who have lost loved ones find great comfort in the fact that Christ is victorious over death (1 Corinthians 15:50-58). Pray that the injured will be healed by His miraculous intervention, also working through the skills and experience of the medical professionals caring for them. Additionally, intercede for the authorities as they continue their investigations, in hopes that the perpetrators of these atrocious crimes against humanity will be brought to justice and repentance. In the interim, pray for the protection and continued ministry of the church in Egypt so that many more will turn to Jesus, acknowledging Him as their Saviour and Lord.

• Grandmother Murdered for ''Disturbing the Peace''

  
  Victim's son, Sukura, and his family.
  Photo: Open Doors via World Watch Monitor

  An Indian grandmother was viciously murdered, apparently because her Christian faith was "disturbing the peace" in her village. The incident took place in the central Indian state of Chhattisgarh, followed by other serious attacks on vulnerable Christians in the state during the past year, including the rape and murder of a 14-year-old girl.

  During the evening of October 16th, some villagers went to Samari's home asking for her son Sukura. When she told them he was out, they dragged her outside, pulled off all her clothes, and beat her to death. They then burnt her body a few hundred metres from her house.

  When Sukura returned home the next day, he couldn't find his mother. While searching near her house, he found bloodstains and a bag with the clothes she had worn the previous day. He asked the neighbours what had happened, but noticed they seemed to be hiding something. Eventually they told him the horrific news.

  Sukura immediately reported the incident to police. They arrested the village chief who confirmed the details of the murder. The chief was detained for two days while the police made further inquiries, which led to the arrests of four people from the village.

  Six months earlier, some of the villagers had complained about Sukura's family to local Naxalites -- militant communists operating in India who are known to have murdered many Christians in the past. The villagers told the Naxalites that Sukura's family was "disturbing the peace" of the village and must be killed. The Naxalites then abducted and detained Sukura and his family for three days, before letting them go.

  "The Naxalites told the villagers that we were innocent; that we were praying for the welfare of the community and not disturbing the peace," attests Sukura. Despite this, the villagers continued to threaten the family. To learn more about persecution in India, check this webpage.

  Pray that the Lord will walk closely with this family as they continue to come to terms with their terrible loss. May the members of their church and others of the community be of great support and encouragement to them. Also pray that this tragic death will not be in vain. May the testimony of Samari, her son Sukura, and their family, be used by the Holy Spirit to touch the hearts of many -- including the perpetrators -- leading them to eternal salvation through the provision of God's Son, Jesus, who willingly paid the price for their sins.

• ''Thousands Upon Thousands Coming to Christ!''

  

  Here is an encouraging message from our Arabic broadcasters in the Middle East....
  Despite the mass exodus of many Christians, the church is far from empty in Syria, Iraq, Jordan and other parts of the Middle East. God has been very faithful. There are strong Christian believers remaining, and tremendous growth is taking place in the lives of new believers who were Muslims. The presence of the church is vitally important. People are desperate and see very little hope, but the fact that there still is a church gives them encouragement and hope.

  Historically, Middle Eastern Christians have made significant contributions for the good of society, especially in Syria and Iraq, going all the way back to the first century. Their contributions include working in the areas of health, literacy and the translation of the Bible into Arabic. They were among the first to introduce charitable works and work with missionaries and NGO workers. They are often recognized as the most honest when it comes to business and trade. In the future, Christians will be vital to maintain diversity and ensure sustainable peace and lasting stability in the Middle East.

  We are in regular contact with our FM stations in Iraq and have talked with many people who have family in the Middle East. Some of our Middle Eastern broadcasters have shared testimonies with us (which they hear directly from listeners when visiting there). They are sharing exciting news of what God is doing in the Middle East. There are thousands upon thousands coming to Christ. May the Lord be praised and worshipped with great honour! He is worthy!