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Ethiopia

• Agents Hunt Christians After Preacher's Visit

  

  When a peace agreement was reached between Eritrea and Ethiopia, hopes were high that the new-found peace could also lead to a relaxation of human rights violations and religious oppression in Eritrea. On July 18th, the first flight from Ethiopia to Asmara in more than 20 years arrived with Pentecostal evangelist Surafiel Demssie as one of the passengers.

  Upon arriving in the capital city, Pastor Surafiel held an informal evangelistic street meeting. He left shortly after and that was when police moved in. At last report, five people were arrested and others have gone into hiding. One of them, believed to be the host of the meeting, was arrested at the airport.

• Ethiopian Attacked for Evangelizing

  

  On July 16th, while alone in his home, an Ethiopian Christian was attacked by a group of local Muslim militants with machetes. As a result, the 27-year-old man suffered deep wounds to the back of his head and required life-saving surgery.

• Proposed Law Restricts Christian Activities

  According to reports, Ethiopia's northern Tigray State is currently exploring the possibilities of adopting a new law that would limit Christian activities to within official church compounds. It is believed that non-orthodox Christians would be the most greatly affected as the new law would make it compulsory for churches seeking its own property to have a minimum of 6,000 members.

  Ironically, this number happens to be greater than the total population of non-Orthodox Christians in Tigray State. Furthermore, it is reported that the new law would curb any evangelizing from taking place outside church compounds. Recently, a similar law was implemented in the neighbouring Amhara State to the detriment of its Christian community.

  Pray that God will divinely intercept the progress of the proposed new law so that it will not be implemented in the Tigray State. In fact, throughout the deliberation process, may there be a tremendous awareness of God's presence -- impressing upon the state's lawmakers and others of political influence that any new legislation contrary to the spirit of religious freedom should not be passed. We also pray for the believers of Amhara State that they would be spiritually strengthened and emboldened to serve as powerful witnesses in their communities.

• Teens Released ''In Good Health''

  
  An Ethiopian woman with her Bible.
  Photo: World Watch Monitor

  Subsequent to their initial court hearing last September, four Ethiopian teenagers are reported to be in good health following their release from prison on December 22nd. Despite the fact that three of the girls were minors, all four were pronounced guilty in November of "inciting religious violence" for merely distributing Christian literature.

  Gifti, (14), Mihiret (14), Eden (15) and Deborah (18) served their one-month sentence at a large prison in Gelemiso alongside criminals. The Christian girls were distributing books in the eastern Ethiopian town of Babile, not far from Harar -- a city recognized by the community as the fourth holy city of Islam -- when they were arrested.

  Local militant Muslims considered the book the girls were distributing an insult to Islam. Angered over their distribution efforts, the militants led an attack upon the Protestant Meserete Kristos Church in Babile on September 19th, and instigated the arrest and conviction of the four teens. A previous report on the girls' arrest may be reviewed here.

• Teens Detained for Distributing Christian Literature

  Three young teenage Christian girls have been arrested following the distribution of a Christian book in the town of Babile. The three girls -- Eden, 15, Gifti, 14, and Mihiret, 14 -- first appeared in court on September 28th with an 18-year-old woman known to her friends as Deborah. Police and governing officials have continually asked for extensions in the case.

  This case involves the distribution of a Christian book written in Ethiopia's main language: Let's Speak the Truth in Love: Answers to Questions by Ahmed Deedat. The book, which was written by a local author, answers questions posed by the late South African Islamic scholar (and former head of the Islamic Propagation Centre International) about the Christian faith. Local Christians decided to distribute it following their cross-cultural evangelism training.

  Threats against the girls' church leaders have since arisen. On September 21st, a group of about 20 militant Muslim youths reportedly visited the home of one of the leaders, warning him to leave the area or risk losing his life and property.

  There is also concern over the well-being of the girls. Eden suffered a beating on her first night of imprisonment. But according to a source who was able to visit the girls in prison, their faith is unshaken. "This (suffering) is an honour for us," Eden says. "We should expect persecution. We are not afraid. We are singing and praying here in prison."

  Ethiopia's constitution guarantees freedom of religion, and in most cities people of different faiths co-exist peacefully. However, evangelical Christians (including those who formerly adhered to Islam or to Ethiopia's Orthodox church) are subject to discrimination, threats and sometimes attacks. To review previous reports on persecution in Ethiopia, visit this page.

  Please pray that Eden, Gifti, Mihiret, and their friend Deborah, will receive justice, mercy and protection from potential harm. Thanking God for their steadfastness in the face of persecution, let us pray that they will continue to speak His Word with great boldness and conviction (Acts 4:29). May their witness inspire others to grow in the Christian faith and to live more courageously -- despite whatever obstacles or opposition they encounter. Ultimately, may God's message of salvation and peace prevail throughout Ethiopia.

• Christians Charged After Baptismal Service

  Flickr / Rod Waddington

  Seven Christians were recently charged with holding "illegal meetings in secret locations" -- a charge they deny with the explanation that they have fulfilled the legal requirements. The men were released on bail after a court hearing on May 11th. Local church leaders worked together to pay the necessary bail charge of 5,000 Birr (approximately $300 CAD) each, after police were granted another week to conclude investigations.

  The believers were first arrested on April 25th following a service in which 40 new Christians were baptized. They insist the church had all the necessary approvals for the gathering. During the raid, an estimated 15 police officers surrounded the church's meeting place, arrested the three church leaders, and chased after four of the newly baptized Christians who had fled out of fear. The four attempting to avoid further persecution are from Muslim backgrounds and had faced pressure from their families to return to Islam. They were later arrested at a local bus station. Police also confiscated documents providing details on church membership. Church leaders say they are concerned the incident may lead to even greater pressure on the already vulnerable community of new Christians.

  Please bring these fellow believers to our Lord in prayer, asking that their faith be strengthened in spite of the hardships they are presently facing. Request that the charges brought against those who were arrested be dropped. Especially intercede on behalf of the converts who are also facing familial pressure because of their love for Jesus. May each of their unsaved family members personally experience a life-transforming encounter with the Risen Saviour who longs to reveal His tremendous love for them, as well as His wonderful plan of salvation. Finally, pray that God will greatly bless and encourage His growing church in Ethiopia, mightily using it to reach many others with the Gospel message.

• Authorities Demolish Church Building

  The destroyed church in Harar. Photo: International Christian Concern

  Local authorities in the Muslim-majority city of Harar destroyed a church building on November 28th. Heaven's Light Church, which served approximately 100 congregants, had ministered in the area for five years. At last report, these Christians are now meeting in the homes of individual believers.

  In the days preceding the destruction, officials forcibly removed the church's exterior sign and warned believers not to worship there, citing complaints by a local Muslim. Authorities also told church members who had previously congregated at the church "not to gather under what remains of the church building." Furthermore, Christian leaders who protested the mistreatment were illegally detained, released only after community members called for their immediate release.

  According to religious freedom advocates, there are numerous ongoing battles over land rights occurring between churches and local governments across the country. Efforts by the Muslim-majority populations to "eliminate the public presence" of churches has resulted in the forceful closure, destruction and demolition of several church buildings in recent years.

  In the aftermath of the destruction of their church building, may these Ethiopian brothers and sisters in Christ be strengthened and encouraged through the abiding presence of the Holy Spirit. Intercede for these dear believers, requesting that another suitable building will soon be found. Until that time, pray that each one of them would be able to continue meeting together for worship without any further opposition. Also remember the authorities and local Muslims involved in this case, asking God to use the witness of His children in Harar to draw many to our Saviour and Lord Jesus.

• Update: Christian man released from prison, loses family

  Tamirat was falsely accused of desecrating the Qur’an in 2010

  After being wrongfully imprisoned in southern Ethiopia for two years, Tamirat Woldegorgis returned home to find his two children, ages six and 15, missing.

  Tamirat was falsely accused of desecrating the Qur'an in 2010 and spent two years confined to a small cell with 50 other inmates. The harsh conditions left the Christian widower with one leg paralyzed. Tamirat was arrested after a Muslim co-worker accused him of writing "Jesus is Lord" in a copy of the Qur'an and on some cloth, although no evidence was ever found (for more on this story, click here).

  "I have been trying to locate my children, but all in vain," said Tamirat. "My life is ruined --
  I have lost my house, my children, my health. I am now homeless, and I am limping."

  Tamirat believes that local Muslims in his village may have taken his children to limit his influence in the area. He is now staying with a friend in an undisclosed town.

  Please pray that Tamirat's children will be located and reunited with their father. Please pray that the Lord will use these troubling circumstances to be a testament to the power of faith in Him, and that this witness will lead others in the community to Christ. Pray that Tamirat will trust that the Lord has plans for him and his family -- plans to give them hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11).

  For more information on the challenges facing Christians in Ethiopia, visit the Ethiopia Country Report.

• Radical Muslims seek to turn Ethiopia into an Islamist state

  In a recent press conference, the Ethiopian government expressed its concern over the growing violence against moderate Muslims and Christians by radical Wahhabi Muslims. The government also announced discovering plans of the Wahhabi Muslims to turn Ethiopia into an Islamic country governed by Shariah law.

  "We have found evidences and pamphlets [which] were publicly distributed during the month of Ramadan calling on the Muslim community to stand up against all non-Wahhabi Muslims and followers of other religions," said Mersessa Reda, the Director General at the Ministry of Federal Affairs of Ethiopia.

  Pray for protection and courage for Christians living in Muslim-dominated areas of Ethiopia. Pray that the Father would frustrate every plan of the Wahhabi Muslims to turn Ethiopia into an Islamist state, which would lead to increased persecution of Christians. Pray for the leaders of Ethiopia.

  For more information on Ethiopia's suffering believers, go to the Ethiopia Country Report.

• Muslims beat evangelist to death, assault pregnant wife

  On April 21, four Muslims beat an evangelist to death and assaulted his pregnant wife in Worabe, Ethiopia. Evangelist Abraham Abera died on the spot, but his wife, who sustained a severe head injury and was left unconscious on the street, was found and taken to a hospital in Butajira, where she regained consciousness April 22. Birtukan's unborn baby fortunately survived the attack. Birtukan said she knew two of the attackers. She said as the Muslims were beating her and her husband, they said, "You [Christians] are growing in number in our area. You are spreading your message [the gospel]. We will destroy you." The attackers remain at large. A Christian leader in the area said the men may not be arrested because the local officials are also Muslims. The area is 97 percent Muslim.

  Pray Birtukan will be healed and fully restored to good health. Pray the Lord ministers to her in her grief. Pray her child will grow to understand and love the faith of his/her parents. Pray for the safety of Christians in Muslim-majority regions of Ethiopia, that the Lord would strengthen them to lovingly and boldly proclaim the gospel (Ephesians 6:18-20).

  Find out more about the persecuted Church in Ethiopia by visiting theEthiopia Country Report.