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Libya

• Imprisonment for Leaving Islam

  

  Over three months ago, at least ten Libyan Christians were arrested for converting from Islam to Christianity. Two other believers, one from Nigeria and one from Pakistan, have also been arrested because of their association with these Libyan converts. All twelve arrested believers are being held on charges of proselytism (considered "instigating division" by governing officials) which carry a maximum sentence of death.

• Christian Convert Sentenced to Death for Apostasy

  

  A Libyan appeals court has sentenced a young man to death for converting to Christianity, despite there being no official apostasy laws in the country. The name of the Christian convert, who came to faith in Jesus four years ago, has been withheld for his protection. Though the young believer has faced pressure to recant his belief in Jesus, he refuses to forsake his Christian faith.

• Threats in the Midst of Renewed Church Growth

  

  Once an active centre of Christianity during the days of the early church, Libya is now known as an epicentre of persecution that's so extreme, there are few believers today remaining in the country. According to some reports, however, the number of Christ-followers is again starting to grow, despite increasing opposition from governmental leaders and families. For more information, go to our country report.

• Warnings Against Christmas Celebrations

  

  A recent government campaign against the celebration of Christmas is yet another demonstration of anti-Christian activity orchestrated by the authorities in the North African nation of Libya. A movement to confiscate Christmas decorations from stores was lauded by governing officials on the national news agency. In one city, local police shut down all stores that were selling the seasonal decorations.

• Ethiopian Christians Tragically Murdered by Militants

  

  A group of Christian men, believed to be Ethiopian, were brutally killed recently by members of the Islamic State (ISIS) in Libya. The militant group published a video on April 19th that showed one group of men being beheaded on a beach and another group in a desert area being shot in the head. The video further featured a masked armed militant threatening Christians, demanding that they convert to Islam or pay a special tax.

• ''Their God is My God''

  
  Mathew (centre), touched by the immense
  faith of the Egyptian believers, acknowledged
  Christ just before his death.
  Photo: YouTube

  Following the brutal murder of a group of Coptic Christians by members of the Islamic State (ISIS) this past February, the names of the 21 martyred men were widely shared. Prior to the beheadings, the victims were kidnapped while residing in Sirte, Libya, where they were working in order to support their families.

  Initially, it was believed that all of the men who were slain for their faith were from small impoverished villages in Egypt. However, while the name and background of one of those killed was first unknown, Mathew Ayairga was soon identified by friends who recognized him in the video footage of the killings released by ISIS. According to "Ahram-Canadian News," Mathew, who had been missing since January of 2015, was from the country of Chad.

  The video showed each of the kidnapped men dressed in orange jumpsuits, kneeling on a beach, with their black-clothed attackers standing behind them. Each man was then systematically beheaded. The video clearly captured many of the men praying, "Lord Jesus Christ," in their final moments.

  According to reports, Mathew was not a Christian. However, just moments before his death, when the ISIS militants demanded he follow Islam, Mathew turned them down. After reportedly witnessing the "immense faith" of the Egyptian believers, he decided to become a follower of Christ himself. On camera, one of the terrorists asked Mathew, "Do you reject Christ?" He responded boldly: "Their God is my God." He then became one of the 21 men who laid down their lives for their faith in Christ. (Once again, more information on this attack is available in a previous prayer alert.)

  Let us thank God for the unshakable truth that He will make all things right in His perfect timing, despite the evil onslaughts of the enemy. We can also rejoice in the knowledge that all of these 21 martyred men are now present with our Lord Jesus Christ in heaven (2 Corinthians 5:8). Continue to pray for those who are grieving over this loss, as they understandably miss their dear loved ones. May God's compassionate and comforting presence be experienced in a special way by each one of them, and may His provision meet their every need.

  You can stay connected with our persecuted brothers and sisters through VOMC's monthly publication. Sign up to receive your free subscription by going to this page.

• Christian Refugees Thrown Overboard

  Migrants crossing from North Africa to Sicily Photo: Vito Manzari via Barnabas Fund

  Militant Muslims, who were among the migrants trying to flee from Libya to Italy in a boat, threw 12 of their fellow passengers overboard. Witnesses of the incident testified that the perpetrators had committed this crime because the victims were followers of Christ. Italian authorities have consequently arrested 15 people on suspicion of murder for those lost at sea.

  The original group of passengers, consisting of 105 people, left Libya on April 14th in a rubber boat. Sometime during the trip north across the Mediterranean Sea, the alleged assailants -- Muslims from the Ivory Coast, Mali and Senegal -- threw the believers overboard.

  According to tearful witnesses, a dispute broke out when a Nigerian Christian man prayed for salvation as the boat moved out to sea. "The Muslims...threw the Christians into the water," explained a believer who was aboard the vessel. "We tried to stop them, but there were more of them than us." Other passengers on the voyage told police that they themselves were spared "because they strongly opposed the drowning attempt and formed a human chain." The murdered Christians were from Nigeria and Ghana.

  Thousands of people each year make the dangerous sea journey from North Africa to Europe's Mediterranean coast, often aboard vessels that are poorly equipped for the trip. Many of them attempt the voyage to flee war and poverty in Africa and the Middle East.

  Please intercede on behalf of the many friends and family members who are now coping with the tragic loss of loved ones due to this incident, asking God to greatly comfort their grieving hearts and strengthen their faith. May the Italian authorities deal justly with the perpetrators, holding them accountable for committing this terrible crime. Pray, too, that the assailants, along with many others of North Africa who do not yet know our Risen Lord Jesus, will come to faith in Him.

• Abducted Egyptian Christians Beheaded by Militants

  Video screen shot of kidnapped Christians before their deaths. Photo: AINA

  The Christian community in Egypt is in mourning after 21 Egyptian Christians who had moved to Libya for employment were brutally murdered by members loyal to the Islamic State (ISIS) militant group. Those involved with ISIS posted a video on February 15th showing the savage decapitation of the victimized men. The video, titled "A message signed with blood to the nation of the cross," makes it clear that the men were targeted because of their faith. Additionally, a caption in the video describes the victims as "people of the cross, followers of the hostile Egyptian church."

  The believers had been kidnapped around the Libyan city of Sirte in separate incidents during the months of December and January. On January 12th, the Libyan branch of ISIS released a statement that they were holding the Egyptian men in captivity. (For more information about these abductions, you can read our previous prayer alert.)

  The murdered Christians came from villages in Egypt's central Samalut region in northern Minya. This region suffers from high poverty rates due to a lack of job opportunities, causing many inhabitants to move to other Arab countries in search of work. According to eyewitnesses, the friends and family members of the victims were visibly traumatized upon hearing the shocking news of their loved ones' deaths.

  Please join with us in upholding all those who are now mourning the loss of these dear Christian men, bringing our petitions to the throne of our merciful Abba Father. Pray that His peace will greatly comfort them during this difficult time of tragic loss and that His healing will be ministered to their wounded hearts. As they face each new day, may they turn to Jesus for courage, sensing His great compassion as church members come alongside to lovingly shoulder some of their overwhelming grief. Intercede on behalf of the governmental leaders involved, asking for wisdom and discernment in their attempts to end the terror of ISIS. Please also remember in prayer the many other impoverished Egyptian Christians working in Libya, asking the Lord to protect and sustain each one.

• Egyptian Christians Abducted by Militants

  Some of the kidnapped Christians. Photo: The International Jihad Network Libya via Morning Star News

  A Libyan militant group affiliated with ISIS abducted 13 Egyptian Christians on January 3rd -- the third such attack on Egyptian believers in the span of two weeks.

  In the early hours of the morning, gunmen from what they themselves refer to as the "Islamic State of Tripoli" raided a housing complex in the coastal city of Sirte and kidnapped the 13 believers, who were specifically selected because of their Christian faith. All of those abducted happen to be closely related family members who are originally from Minya, Upper Egypt. They had reportedly come to Libya to work in construction.

  One of the missing men's relatives shared of his grief: "The feeling of depression and worry and sadness is indescribable. But if it's God's will for them to be martyrs for the name of Christ like the apostles, (serving as) a witness to the kidnappers, we pray God will provide grace, peace and acceptance of His will."

  Previously, on December 30th, seven Christians were kidnapped as they attempted to drive back to Egypt on the road that passes through Sirte. Just days prior to this incident, on December 23rd, a Christian couple had been shot and killed at their home in the city; their teenage daughter was kidnapped and later tragically murdered.

  Libya has increasingly become lawless as rival militias vie for power. In particular, the city of Sirte is renowned as a stronghold for these Islamic militant groups.

  Let us lift up the country of Libya to our Father in prayer, asking that His Spirit touch the hearts of those perpetrating such atrocious acts of violence. As a result of the Holy Spirit's ministry, may the citizens of Libya -- specifically those in the city of Sirte -- turn to faith in Jesus Christ. Pray on behalf of the many believers who have been kidnapped in recent weeks and their concerned loved ones, that they may indeed be blessed with God's grace and peace...accepting His will in each of their situations. Also remember those who are mourning the loss of the brutally murdered Christians. In the midst of their grief, may they, too, receive the ministry of God's comforting presence and the strength He so lovingly promises.

  To learn more about Libya's persecuted church, please visit our website.

• Egyptian Christians Targeted in Execution-Style Murders

  A Benghazi beach Photo: Wikimedia Commons / Dennixo

  Seven Egyptian Christians were brutally murdered on February 24th on a beach near the Libyan city of Benghazi. The victims -- who ranged in age from 17 to 25, and worked in the area -- were apprehended by a group of armed men who searched their apartment building door-to-door for Christians. Although several other believers managed to escape the assailants, the seven young men were forced to the beach where they were shot in the head execution-style.