OD brokers ministry to rape victims in CAR

In the picture, the women huddle together closely to fit into the frame, their dusty village in the background slightly obscured. It caused quite a discussion. We wondered how we could show our supporters that they were real, but at the same time protect their privacy. In the end we decide against publishing their picture. The risks outweighed the benefits.

The women range in age from their early twenties to their late forties. Apart from being Christians, they all have one thing in common. In the lawlessness that has become Central African Republic (CAR), they have all been raped. Three of them have been tested positive to HIV. Two have contracted Syphilis. One is pregnant.

The trauma they have had to live through is unimaginable. But apart from having to come to terms with the effects of this trauma, they also have to deal with merciless ostracism. These women have been rejected by their families, ignored by their congregations and marginalised by their society. Compliments of marauding Seleka members, these women now live together in a suburb of the capital, Bangui. It is here, by Divine appointment, that an Open Doors worker stumbled upon them.

“No one cares for these women. But our God who sees in secret, has brought it all to light for them and for me. In my research to determine the most urgent needs for OD to address, I came across one of the raped women. When she heard that we would help her get medical treatment, she burst into tears, and then told me about the other women she was living with… That which is impossible with man is possible with God. He has been working a great miracle for me to come into contact with these women.”

The worker brought the women to a doctor for treatment. “I now pray that God sends us a faithful Christian woman to whom we can entrust this work of spiritual and emotional care,” he wrote.

Not long after that, God answered our prayer by providing such a woman in Komoyo Lina[1] who has since started counselling as many victims as possible in the lingering insecurity.

To Komoyo, it seems there is not a single woman in CAR who has not been affected by trauma. “Those who have not been raped have witnessed how their daughters have been raped in front of their families or how their husbands have been murdered or how their property has been destroyed.”

Komoyo struggles to find words to explain the brutality that women, even pregnant women, have faced. She tells us details we find too gruesome and upsetting to mention here.

Equally upsetting is the community’s response. Komoyo explains that countless rape victims face the same fate the women we met in Bangui do. She explains that it is uncommon for a husband of a raped woman to continue living with her. This shameful reality does not only have emotional impact, but also grave economic effects.

“It’s a disaster. Women are raped and then rejected by their husbands, their parents and their culture. They are stigmatized and targeted everywhere. Sometimes they run away to an area where no one knows them. But there they often have no roof over their heads, no food, no clothes. It’s a tragedy.”

Komoyo is trying her utmost to help these women work through their trauma, but it is not easy. “When we see these women, we often don’t have words. I don’t know what to tell them. I told the Lord I cannot cry anymore. It is really difficult…We continue to pray that He brings peace to these women, that He comforts them.” 

She concludes, “Prayer, faith, trust and hope in God keeps me going. God has never forsaken His children. That knowledge keeps me going. “

OD is in the process of expanding the counselling effort in CAR. However, for the work to progress, much more security is needed. OD, in partnership with the local Church, continues to call on the UN Security Council to approve the deployment of a Peacekeeping Operation so that peace can be restored and the many needy people can be helped in various ways, including relief aid and trauma counselling.

Prayer

1. Please pray for the Lord to be at work in the lives of women in CAR. Pray that many would receive His comfort and that He would draw them very close to Himself.
2. Please pray for God’s strength for Komoyo. Pray that as she ministers and comforts, she will experience God’s comfort.
3. Thank the Lord for bringing us in contact with the victims. Please pray for God’s blessing upon our ministry to them. Pray also that there will be stability soon so that we are able to reach more women.

 

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[1] A pseudonym was used to protect the identity of this believer

OD statement on the true nature of the conflict in CAR

What is the nature of the conflict in Central African Republic (CAR)? Is it a disturbing inter-religious conflict in which Christians and Muslims are fighting one another with unspeakable cruelty, or is it a purely military-political crisis? Have Christians in CAR really been facing persecution, and should OD even be involved?

Although international media has been calling the crisis in CAR “inter-religious”, i.e. Muslim-Christian, conflict, the crisis cannot be reduced to that term since it is not simply “Christians” and Muslims fighting one another. But at the same time, the crisis cannot and should not be reduced to a solely military-political crisis, because there are definite religious aspects to it. Moreover, there is very clear proof that Christians in CAR have been facing harsh persecution in this conflict.

Seleka had a religious agenda

The conflict in CAR did not start in March 2013 when Seleka rebels captured the capital, ousted former president Bozizé and installed their own government. It started in December 2012 when five predominantly Muslim rebel groups from the Northeast formed the Seleka alliance and started capturing major towns in the Eastern and Central regions. They had a definite religious agenda which was to conquer Bangui, set up an Islamic regime and apply Sharia. This was stated in letters the leader of the rebellion, Michel Djotodia wrote to Islamic entities – one to the OIC and the other to the Islamic Committee. Although Mr. Djotodia never confirmed that he was the author of the letters, a panel of local Christian experts in CAR believes they are authentic. Most of the deliberations in the letters have come true.

Christians have faced persecution

Christians became victims of this religious agenda and were specifically targeted in the ensuing violence. From December 2012 to September 2013 Seleka unleashed horrific violence against the local predominantly Christian population. In the absence of the Central African state, international media and international and UN aid agencies, Seleka’s cruelties went largely unseen and were committed with impunity.

Seleka terrorized the population, dominated them by fear and impoverished them in order to force them into Islam through subjugation and/or dependency. Muslims considered the areas conquered the possession of Islam. This is the ‘traditional jihadist’ perspective that were similarly employed in the North-South Sudan conflict, the Darfur conflict and the Chadian civil war where Islamization of non-Muslims became an underlying by-product of the war (See “’Traditional Jihadist’ perspective”)

Religion was also used as a means to political ends

The conflict has brought about a military-political crisis that finds its roots in the failings of former president Francois Bozizé. Although he was the leader of a religious group Christians considered a sect, he was a Christian in the eyes of Muslims. But he was corrupt, incompetent and irresponsible.

These weaknesses provoked discontent among marginalized Muslim rebel groups in the Northeast and fuelled ambitions to conquer parts, if not all, of the mineral rich country. If Islam conquered CAR, Muslims would benefit politically, economically and socially. Muslims in neighboring countries like Chad and Sudan have shared these ambitions for a long time now. Islam’s success in CAR would open up large parts of the continent to the South for their religion and give access to its natural resources.

Since Seleka knew the movement was too small to reach their objectives by themselves, Djotodia also asked in his letters to the Islamic entities for financial, people and material support from the surrounding Muslim countries. Motivated by the above ambitions many locals from the northeastern tribes (e.g. Rungha and Gula) and migrants and mercenaries from Chad and Sudan joined the ranks. Consequently, the rebellion in the early stages grew from an initial 5,000 rebels to 25,000 mostly foreign mercenaries and unemployed youths.

This is not at its core, a Muslim-Christian violence

Because of the overwhelming number of Muslims in the Seleka ranks, a large section of the non-Muslim population has come to believe that all Muslims are Seleka. But many, like the Muslims from Bangui, the southwest and southeast, have by and large never supported Seleka.

After eight months of Seleka terror, self-defense groups emerged from the non-Muslim population known as anti-Balaka. Full of hatred and revenge, they are randomly targeting Muslims with reprisals. Seleka see anti-Balaka as Christians but in truth they are Animists who, for instance, use sorcery, believing their fetishes  would make them “invincible”.

Unfortunately, Seleka’s tagging of these groups as Christians was adopted by media, aid organizations and UN organizations. In this way, the whole conflict has become increasingly labelled as inter-religious, i.e. Muslim-Christian violence, which it clearly is not. Since Djotodia’s resignation on January 10, anti-Balaka and Seleka militia have continued fighting each other for supremacy across the country. Militia from both sides continue to commit atrocities.

Because the 4,500 international forces are too few to contain the violence, chaos and anarchy continue.

Christian leaders are of the opinion that this labelling of the conflict as inter-religious i.e. Muslim-Christian violence has fuelled the flame in their country and are thus doing their utmost to move away from this labelling. Christian and Muslim leaders from CAR continue to strongly condemn all violence. There are also many examples of Muslim and Christian communities and individuals advocating for peace, justice and reconciliation.

Conclusion

It is incorrect to label the violence as inter-religious. The crisis is military-political with the religious motive to Islamize CAR. It has been accompanied by the persecution of Christians. And with the decreasing influence of Seleka militias, the local non-Muslim population has been fighting back.

Although we expect cases of persecution to decrease in the future as stability hopefully returns, Open Doors will continue to seek out those that have been affected by proven persecution and will continue to find ways to strengthen the Church in CAR in the midst of her storm. We also remain committed to advocating, in partnership with the Church, for the launch of a full scale UN Peacekeeping Operation.

South Sudan conflict takes on ethnic slant, interrupts OD operations

Please continue to pray for South Sudan where fighting broke out in December between government soldiers and forces loyal to deposed vice president Riek Machar. Fierce battles rocked Bor last week as the government battled to take it back from the rebels. They allowed news reporters into the once lively town on Saturday that has been reduced to ashes.

Sadly, the violence has now taken on ethnic overtones and in the process, is opening old wounds for this young nation. The president is a Dinka and Riek Machar is a Nuer.

A distraught Open Doors (OD) staff member[1] explained that ethnic tension is very high at the moment. Although our ECC (previously known as ECTC) towards the south has not been affected by the violence per se, the ethnic turn of the war is disrupting operations.

In the first place, travelling is very dangerous. Airlifting students from their remote areas to the centre often means refuelling in now considered enemy areas. It is a risk most are unwilling to take. Road travel has also become very dangerous as both the army and the rebels operate roadblocks looking for enemies. Anyone who has the typical features (traditional facial markings) of the enemy tribe is in grave danger.

Secondly, students from all tribes study together at the ECC. Bringing together students from these different tribes right now could be considered a provocation. Therefore, teaching is on hold. Teaching at most of our regional centres has also been suspended until further notice.

The recent developments in South Sudan are causing much concern.

“People are scattered. They sleep in the cold, without food or water. This calamity was never anticipated. Nobody dreamed about it. But it is here now…”

Hundreds of thousands of Sudanese have sought refuge at UN compounds across Sudan. Our team had contact with a student who is at such a compound in Juba. “He told us the situation in the UN compound is not good, people are suffering from hunger and thirst. Many children have already died,” our staff member explained. The local team is particularly worried about rumours that there are many who are considering joining the fight out of fear for their lives.

“People are badly affected. I heard on UN radio yesterday evening about a young child who explained that she could not sit for her exams because of the war. She was supposed to study for an examination paper that has already been postponed once but was unable to do so because she had to forsake all her notebooks when they fled. The child recollected her parents crying all day over relatives that were killed and that made her very unhappy. Hearing her speak like that; without any hope for the future – broke my heart and left me sobbing.”

“Pray! Please pray for us for peace and only peace!”

The South Sudan Council of Churches in a statement early January, called the return to violence an abomination. They called for the cessation of all hostilities, the peaceful resolution of political differences, an end to the mobilization of supporters, justice to be done, relief to those affected and leaders of the conflicting parties to speak the language of peace.

The Council also asked the International Community to increase their efforts towards the speedy solution to the conflict and ecumenical partners to promote space for dialogue and reconciliation, to mobilize relief and to advocate with their respective governments for support of peace.

The Council said on their part they commit to continue praying for the country, and to back their prayers by rolling out a people-to-people peace process and mobilizing members to participate in ethnically mixed peace delegations to villages and communities. They also committed to fight against negative ethnicity, to participate in nation building and to join hands with ecumenical partners to contribute to good neighbourliness in a spirit of Pan-Africanism.

Prayer Points

• Please pray for God’s intervention in this desperate situation and for a quick end to the hostilities.
• Please pray for the protection of all OD staff and assets in the country.
• Pray for God’s children to play an active role in peace building in line with the statement by the Sudan Council of Churches.

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[1] Name withheld for security reasons

Blog has moved!

The Open Doors Singapore Blog has moved to http://odsyouth.squarespace.com under “OD News”! This blog will still be updated but its features like “Volunteer sign-ups” and all will be moved to the new site. Thank you for your kind understanding and we hope to walk alongside you in this journey of exploring the other parts of the Body of Christ – especially the hurting and persecuted ones and to help link you to them – So that you can be actively involved! 

Devastated Kenyan widow resolves to keep trusting God

Trusting God when her world has been shattered; trusting that there is a way, when there seems to be no way, Claris Mathole’s faith is an inspiration as the devastated widow from Mombasa, Kenya, comes to terms with the senseless murder of her husband Pastor Charles Mathole inside their Redeemed Gospel Church in Mtopanga.

“I asked God questions but get no answers…but I still trust Him. I have peace in my heart,” she says quietly.

Now facing life with a large church ministry alone without her beloved husband, Claris prays for the strength and courage to carry on. “My husband and I were close, so close that people immediately assumed I too had been killed…they expected that I would have been at the church with him. We hardly did anything separately,” she told Open Doors when we visited shortly after her loss.

Marrying young as unbelievers, Charles and Claris’ love for each other soon grew to include the Lord Jesus when first Charles and then Claris accepted Him as Saviour. They joined their church worship team where they served until Charles was asked to become Assistant Pastor and then in 2008 to become Pastor. He was given the responsibility of planting his own church, while Claris continued on as Worship and Intercessory Prayer Leader.

Violent opposition from hostile locals met them from the beginning. Church members were beaten, they were threatened and verbally abused; church equipment were repeatedly stolen or destroyed at night and stones thrown onto the church roof during worship. 

The family relocated in 2011 but similar opposition continued with formal accusations of ‘Disturbing the Peace’ put before local government and police officials. Thankfully Kenyan law supports their freedom of worship.

Despite the persecution, the congregation grew steadily to over two hundred members with many Sunday school children. That is until the night of Saturday October 19, 2013 when their faithful leader was shot in the head while reading his Bible in church.

Charles and Claris had returned home late that night from a crusade and having been too busy to spend time alone with the Lord, Charles decided to go to their church. Claris’ misgivings turned to alarm when she was awoken by a call from a church member asking whether the pastor was at home and then Charles’ failure to answer her repeated phone calls. Soon afterwards, another pastor, his wife and two church members arrived at her home and broke the news that her husband was bleeding heavily in the church…that in fact, sadly, he was dead.

“When we got to the church”, she recalls, wiping away tears, “I saw him seated, his Bible open in his lap and from a distance it looked like he had just bowed his head in prayer. It was only when I got close that I saw the shattered skull on the top side of his head.”

Claris could not come to the terms with the reality of her loss initially. “I was sure it was a very bad dream from which I would awake…”

Since the funeral however, her great shock and disbelief have given way to the sad and painful realisation of the enormous responsibility she now faces in shepherding a grieving congregation.

“How do I encourage them? Help me God”, she prays, “I cannot do this without You, Jesus…”

Claris is particularly grieved that despite their desire for children, she was unable to conceive and has been left alone with no kin to share her pain. She praises God however for the church family that has surrounded her with love, prayer and companionship. “We are still hurting and I still cry a lot, but I know that God is carrying and will continue to carry us. We will continue doing God’s work.”

In Mombasa’s current social and political climate, continuing God’s work however, is an increasingly difficult and dangerous undertaking. The tragic murder of Claris’ beloved husband came just days after Mombasa witnessed its worst rioting in years following the drive-by shooting of radical Imam Ibriham Rogo.  This came in the aftermath of the Westgate Mall attack in Nairobi where the terrorists forced many of their captors to recite the religious prayer or be deemed ‘Kafirs’ (unbelievers) and killed.

Kenyan police strongly suspect that al-Shabaab is responsible for the murder of Pastor Mathole and are continuing their investigation. Several Mombasa Pastors have been receiving threatening text messages and there are rumours that five specific churches have been targeted for destruction.

Claris Mathole may take consolation in the courage and fearlessness shown by her husband’s colleagues, but they cannot give back to her what has been so violently torn away. She is now struggling, depending upon the mercy and grace of our Lord and the faithful church family around the world to uphold and bless her in her trauma, grief and faithful commitment to her husband’s vision and God’s work in Mombasa.

We ask supporters around the world to send messages of encouragement to Claris. 

 

Prayer

1. Pray that God may provide Claris with the peace, emotional strength and guidance she needs to make decisions about the leadership of the church and to find closure over her husband’s death.
2. Pray that the attackers will be brought to justice.

 

Gruesome Killing at Sea Forces Sama secret believers to Leave Village

Sama secret believers in the once-peaceful village of Sangali fled for their lives after a gruesome attack on eight Sama fishermen off the coast of Zamboanga Sibugay last December. Local news say that police maritime patrol officers found the victims afloat on a small boat along the coast of Manicahan, some 79 km. away from Talusan, Olutanga, Zamboanga Sibugay, where they were last seen fishing on Dec. 26.

The victims were Sama fishermen from Sangali, Zamboanga City. Two teenage boys were the only survivors of the senseless killing. Police investigators said that it could be a case of retaliation for the recent deaths of members and leaders of an extortion gang at the hands of Sama fishermen.

The incident left many Sama secret believers in Sangali fearing for their lives. As many as 20 Sama secret-believing families expressed their intent to flee the community and migrate to another province.

Open Doors ministry conducts community-based SSTS training and literacy classes for Sama secret believers in Sangali. “This will decrease the number of believers,” said Joefi Abdu, a Sama lay leader who helps coordinate the training program.

Please pray for:

1. God’s peace and justice to comfort the bereaved families of the eight Sama fishermen who were killed. For the past two years now, the city is plagued with unsolved shooting incidents perpetrated against prominent and even ordinary citizens by unknown assailers. Oftentimes, the motives behind these killings are personal, business-related, or politics.
2. The Sama secret believers in Sangali to stand courageous despite the threat of piracy and for them to find alternative sources of income. Other residents report that the perpetrators of Dec. 26 murder will not stop killing Sama fishermen until they avenge the deaths of their fellow gang members and leader.
3. The Christian workers in Sangali, Zamboanga City, Southern Philippines to be a source of encouragement to the beleaguered secret believers in this time of fear and uncertainty. Pray for the facilitators of the community-based SSTS training and literacy classes to place their trust not in men, but in God “who judges in favour of the oppressed and gives food to the hungry” (Psalm 146:7).

OD joins Central African Republic refugees in worship amid continuing tension

Aid agencies estimate that at least 1 million people, about a fifth of the population, have been displaced by violence in Central African Republic (CAR). Open Doors (OD) visited two of the camps scattered around Bangui over the weekend.

“There are 57 refugee sites in the city of Bangui. At the airport, there are at least 100,000 people. I went there this morning to worship and pray with the Christians who gathered there after victimization by ex-Seleka forces,” wrote our co-worker, who remains unidentified for security reasons.

He reported that the atmosphere remains tense in the camps.

“The airport site inspires fear. Among the refugees there are members of Anti-Balaka groups and also Muslims who disguise themselves as people of peace and then throw grenades among Christians.”

No further details of the event are available at this time.

Apart from the tense atmosphere, our co-worker found the conditions the refugees are facing shocking. He witnessed the desperate circumstances aid agencies, including the UN humanitarian agency, have been reporting on.

The UN humanitarian agency on Jan 11 reported that there are growing food and clean water shortages with fear for tougher times ahead as many people have lost their livelihoods and don’t have seed for the next planting season.

“People live like real animals. There is no latrine. People are living in over-crowded conditions,” reported our co-worker.

Despite the obvious difficulties they are facing, the Christians gathered for worship.

“We had communion together,” wrote our clearly touched colleague.

After this service, he also visited the refugees at a second camp for worship service. It remains hard for him to be confronted with the immense need of those he meets.

“I have met many pastors who have been victimised who are in dire need of assistance. Our discreet assistance to others previously has made a big difference and I hope that we can make the same difference for these pastors I recently met.”

On Friday, January 10, interim president Michel Djotodia and Prime Minister Nicholas Tiangaye resigned after a two-day summit for regional leaders in Chad. Speaker of the provisions parliament, Alexandre-Ferdinand Nguendet, was appointed interim president until another. He issued stern warning to ex-Seleka fighters and to anti-Balaka saying “The chaos is over, the pillaging is over, the revenge attacks are over.”

Violence continued in Bangui over the weekend despite the presence of 1,600 French troops and 4,000 AU forces. By Monday it was reported that the atmosphere had calmed down some.

For the countless refugees across the country,  indications of the political will to make an end to the crisis are welcome. However, within the context of the failed state that resulted from the March 2013 coup, the new transitional leader to be appointed soon will need all the help he can get.

Open Doors, in partnership with the local Church, continues to call on the United Nations Security Council to approve the launch of a full scale peacekeeping operation in CAR.

Prayer points

1. Please pray for those facing very difficult circumstances in refugee camps. Pray that the Lord would be at work in people’s hearts in the midst of these circumstances. Pray that our brothers and sisters might through this crisis be drawn close to God and receive encouragement and strength.
2. Please pray for all those working to make a difference for the people of CAR. Please pray for God’s protection and sustenance.
3. Please pray for God’s grace to Mr Nguendet and his government who is faced with the daunting task of creating order from the chaos. We pray for huge international support and good governance on his part.

Let your children shine in Egypt, Lord!

Let Your children shine in Egypt, Lord!

Ten days ago, at 9.00 p.m. on  December 31^st, my wife, our two teenage children and I walked down a busy street in our over-populated neighborhood to where our middle-sized Evangelical church is located. Our children had put on their new clothes they recently bought for the occasion, as did obviously many other people we passed on our way.

The atmosphere was indeed festive as many clearly identified Christians made their own ways cheerfully to their churches. Girls looked  their very best  since most of them had visited their hair dressers earlier in the day, to get ready for the night’s special celebration of New Year’s Eve. Groups of young people exchanged laughs loudly as they hurried down the street passing us.  Everybody seemed happy and hopeful for a better year that was about to start shortly.

We made sure to arrive to church on time to find space to sit inside. Of all the church services of the year, this New Year’s Eve service is usually the year’s most attended service by Egypt’s large Christian community. Many churches  even connect every side hall available with a TV circuit to provide chairs for more people who can’t find space in the churches’ main sanctuaries. Other smaller churches with more limited resources just rent and put up a temporary tent and some chairs to absorb the large attendance that night.

Unusual security procedures had been taken by the police and army forces, to protect the churches and gatherings of Christians during and after the New Year’s Eve services. This was prompted after rumors had been spread around that radical extremists were planning to attack churches and Christians that night, in revenge for supporting the army leadership in the ousting of former president Morsi and his Muslim Brotherhood regime.  Uniformed and plainclothes police agents seemed very serious about their major task, as they moved with trained dogs to look for any unusual objects that could prove to be bombs implanted near this or that church.

Yet, the joy of the Lord and the cheerful atmosphere of the night did not  manage to completely eliminate my human weakness, and my inner hidden concerns as a father and a husband.  I wondered secretly in my heart: “Is it really safe to take my family to church tonight? What if a bomb goes off outside our church gates, or even in the middle of our sanctuary during the service? What if a crazy terrorist has sneaked into our church, or will open fire at us on our way home after the service? These concerns can’t be avoided, if you are still in flesh, you know! They are legitimate thoughts, aren’t they?

The theme of the New Year’s Eve service in our church that night was taken from the Bible passage found in Mathew 5:13-16,  written on two big banners hung high on the front wall on the right and left of the pulpit. This passage was announced to be the inspiring Scripture motto for our church for 2014: “You are the salt of the earth…You are the light of the world…Let your light shine!”

Half an hour before midnight, Pastor Gamil* gave his last sermon of the year. Though the theme of believers being salt and light in the world was obviously not new to me, nor to the congregation, yet the challenging spirit which we heard in his voice and felt strongly from his heart, was very touching and inspiring. Pastor Gamil explained how needed is our live testimony nowadays, more than ever, to reach out to our neighbors and colleagues from all backgrounds who are increasingly wondering, “Who is the real God?”  He also gave some simple applications on how everyone can actually live as salt and light in everyday life situations on an individual basis, and also as a whole church congregation.

Pastor Gamil then surprised all of us there in the packed church sanctuary, with an initiative he had taken a week before. He said: “Last week, I visited our local police station to request a special permission so we as church members may go out to the main road, set up a small stage and perform a Christmas service.

“We must sing out Christmas songs, including some Bible readings about the truth of the birth of Lord Jesus, to proclaim the truth of God’s love openly in our neighborhood,” he added. Taken by the unprecedented, brave initiative of Pastor Gamil, my heart rejoiced with the fact that finally my local church is going to creatively reach out to our troubled and problematic community with the love of God, and that we will openly reveal our identity as a church that cares for the lost.

I was then awakened from my deep thoughts by the pastor’s voice explaining a special symbolic activity that was to wrap up the special service, just a couple of minutes before we all prayed welcoming the New Year. Small candles were handed out to every man, woman, boy and girl. Shortly after the lights of the church had been entirely turned off, the elders passed by and lit the first candles in each row. Everyone then helped to light the candles of the persons sitting next to them. In a couple of minutes, the completely dark church was full of about 350 little candle lights.

We then all prayed for the Lord to shine His light on us, so we may reflect His light to the people around us. “Shine on me and my family, Jesus,” I prayed. It was a wonderful spirit of unity and love that gathered all of us together, seeking God’s face to lead us into the New Year, giving us the perseverance to live as faithful witnesses, even if we have to continue to suffer to keep our faith.

We all cried out in His mighty name that He may give us the strength to shine, to spread  the hope, love and forgiveness of the Lord Jesus Christ in these days when hatred has filled the hearts of many Egyptians and hope has faded away.

At 1.00 a.m., on January 1^st, 2014, my family and I went home overwhelmed with joy and peace that we had taken from the hands of the Lord. He is the faithful Father who has promised to never leave or forsake us. It is a joy and peace that only He can give, and no one can take it from us.

*Name changed to protect his identity.

Solidarity Group in Malaysia Protects Church from Protests

Bible Seizure in Malaysia Gave Rise to Inter-Faith Solidarity and Efforts to Reduce Tensions

“Though they plan against you and devised wicked schemes, they cannot succeed.”

-Psalm 21:11 (NIV)

January 9, 2014—Plans of the Klang Muslims Solidarity Secretariat to hold protests at the Our Lady of Lourdes [Catholic] Church in the town of Klang, Selangor State, West Malaysia on Sunday, Jan. 5 were called off. Instead, a group of mixed religions, including moderate Islam, gathered in front of the church building to show their support for Christians. “We are here to show solidarity with the congregation.  A lot of us here are Muslims and we believe Islam is a religion of peace,” said Marina Mahathir, daughter of former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, as reported by The Malaysian Insider.

The Aftermath of Bible Seizure

The rally, devised and announced by fundamental Muslims to protest against Christians’ insistence on using the Arabic word “Allah” for God, was prompted by the raid against the Bible Society of Malaysia (BSM) performed by the Selangor State Islamic Department (JAIS) on Jan. 2. After the warrantless break-in, over 330 Bibles in native languages were seized and two BSM officers were detained for two hours.

Following the protests announcement, Selangor Police chief “warned protestors not to proceed with their plan to rally to the church and has ensured safety for church goers on Sunday,” as posted by Free Malaysia Today. The act was applauded by the Christian Federation of Malaysia (CFM) who further demanded that the police and the relevant authorities do their sworn duty to protect and defend the rights of the Christian minority in Malaysia, which makes up 9.2% of the population and are largely based in Sabah and Sarawak, East Malaysia. If not for the seizure, the Bibles would have been shipped there.

In response to the raid, the minister for Islamic Affairs in Selangor’s state government summoned JAIS officers to explain their actions. The raid was deemed controversial; it was the first time that JAIS, whose jurisdiction is limited to Muslims, exercised powers over non-Muslims. The National Evangelical Christian Fellowship (NECF) of Malaysia quickly took precautionary actions by circulating an advisory to church leaders and elders, reminding them of their constitutional rights and that JAIS had no authority over Christians, as well as providing them with practical steps should protests or raid attempts occur.

Inter-Faith Solidarity

Joining the efforts of church councils and authorities to prevent further incidents are human rights activists and moderate Muslims. “We pray that more level-headed Muslims would rise from the background and have their voice heard,” shared one pastor to Open Doors a day after the incident. His prayer, echoing that of many other Christians, was answered.

A day following the raid, activist Azrul Mohd Khalib published an open letter to the Sultan of Selangor on the Malay Mail Online. In it, he condemned JAIS’ action and expressed great distress over the eroding religious freedom in Malaysia. “What’s worse is that there are those who are determined to put a wedge between Muslims and our Christian brothers and sisters,” he wrote. “More than ever before, we need the words of moderation and compassion to be backed up by action. It is a most desperate hour.”

Khalib, who helped coordinate the solidarity gathering at the Catholic Church in Klang, rallied supporters of mixed religious and ethnic backgrounds through a Facebook event page titled “In the Name of Allah.” Over 200 Malaysians signed up and one of them was Marina Mahatir.

On the day the protests were supposed to take place, the solidarity group arrived ahead of the protesters. According to the Malaysian Insider, the Sunday mass went on without interruption, attended by nearly 1,000 church-goers. On their way out, they were greeted by the solidarity group and were handed roses as a symbol of unity. The solidarity gathering was inspired by Muslims in Egypt who, during the toppling of the government, joined hands in protecting nearby churches.

Despite the heart-warming development, tensions may rise again so long as the root cause of the problem remains unaddressed. The heart of the issues lies in the Muslims’ objection over the use of “Allah” in Bibles and other printed materials, which has spurred heated debates and court battles between the Catholic Church and the government since 2008. The issue is hoped to be resolved through the mediation of the National Unity Council and a clear decision by the Federal Court.

Prayer Points:

1. Praise the Lord for His protection upon the Church in Malaysia. Continue to pray for safety for all believers in these uncertain times.
2. Pray for more support to be generated by strategic parties, e.g. impartial authorities, opinion and religious leaders, and human rights activists.
3. Pray that Christians, especially church leaders, would act with prudence and within full knowledge of their constitutional rights in the face of possible abuse of their religious rights.
4. Pray for wisdom and a sense of justice for the government and Federal Court in resolving the “Allah” controversy. May the decision not further curb the religious freedom of Christians in Malaysia.

Related Readings:

1. Islamic authorities’ raid on Malaysian Bible Society questioned by state government
2. Level 3 Prayer Alert – Churches in Malaysia Request your Prayers

Quotes of Hope from Iraq: Social media posts

Young IDP man: “That people have died because they rather die than deny their faith gives me hope: it shows me that Christianity is strong.”

Bishop Nicodemos of the Syrian Orthodox Church: “I have faith that one day all Christians that have fled will return to Iraq.”

IDP that has fled from place to place because of the violence:  “In all these years I have been moving around, I never felt like my life was difficult, because God was with me all the time. When I was in need, he provided for me in miraculous ways. Like the time that I had to give birth to one of my children and there were a lot of bombs outside. In the hospital, in the glimmer of the light I had to bring myself because there was no electricity, the doctor asked me: how is it humanly possible that you reached this hospital alive in your state of pregnancy? See: God is always there.”

Sister from Erbil: “Yes, being a Christian is difficult in this country. When I was a child I had to attend religious classes because they taught Arabic at the same time and if I would leave the class the teacher wouldn’t explain the Arabic to me. Still I have always felt strong and special as a Christian because I know I belong to God.”

Secret Believer: “The presence of Christ gives me hope. I feel his presence even in places where people aren’t good to me. Humans don’t give hope, only Christ does.”

Brother from Erbil: “As a human I have no hope left. But because of Christ, I have hope.”

Brother from Baghdad: “Even if there is a bomb attack today, tomorrow we will go back to work, because we are convinced that Jesus cares for us. He will restore his Kingdom one day, this is my hope.”

Kurdish background believer: “Living as a Christian in a non-believing world isn’t easy; I have to hide my Bible, but the contact with my fellow believers makes me strong.”

IDP who experienced violence from nearby:  “I can’t imagine living without my faith. Prayer helps me so much in this situation. I can overcome my problems when I pray, I feel Gods power in me when I ask God to help me.”

Fieldworker: “I have hope because I see God is working in the hearts of non-believers in Iraq. Even if all the Christians from traditional churches leave Iraq, Christianity will stay, because God is building a church under the Secret Believers.”

Priest of a small Christian village: “I have hope because God answered my prayers. I asked God to send me someone to help me to educate my congregation and he send you!”

Syrian Orthodox Clergyman: “Most of my family left the country, but I don’t feel alone, because I see the church as my family.”