IRAN: Mostafa Bordbar released from prison and Pastor Saeed Abedini was moved to the notorious Rajal Shahr Prison in Karaj.

Iranian Christian Mostafa Bordbar was released from prison on 3 November, following a successful appeal against the 10 year prison sentence he received on 31 July 2013. His release comes almost three months after he was imprisoned in Evin Prison on charges of being a member of an “anti-security organisation” and “gathering with intent to commit crimes against Iranian national security.” An appeal court cleared him of all of charges on 30 October. Mr Bordbar was arrested on 27 December 2012, along with 50 other Christian converts who had gathered to celebrate Christmas in a house in northern Tehran. They were detained, interrogated for several hours and were forced to hand over personal details, including Facebook and e-mail addresses and passwords. Most of the group was released; however, Mr Bordbar and Vruir Avanessian, an Armenian-Christian Pastor, were arrested. Pastor Avanessian was “temporarily” released on 10 January after posting bail of $60,000.  In other news, on 3 November, Pastor Saeed Abedini, the dual American/Iranian citizen and Christian convert imprisoned for eight years on political charges in January 2013, was moved to the notorious Rajal Shahr Prison in Karaj. The American Centre for Law and Justice (ACLJ) reports that Mr Abedini has been placed in Ward 3 of the prison, which is known to house some of the most violent prisoners in the country.  Mr Abedini’s transfer comes after he was placed in solitary confinement in May for taking part in a peaceful protest with other prisoners against the mistreatment of inmates at Evin Prison. Mr Abedini has suffered health challenges following regular beatings whilst in prison, but has been denied adequate medical care.  Finally, an Iranian opposition website has reported that Abdolfattah Soltani, the prominent Iranian human rights lawyer who started a hunger strike on 2 November, has been moved from Evin Prison, although the details of his whereabouts are unclear. Mr Soltani began the hunger strike on his 60th birthday to protest the lack of medical care given to fellow prisoners, despite suffering from serious digestive and stomach complications himself.  Mr Soltani was arrested in September 2011 on charges of “being awarded the [2009] Nuremberg International Human Rights Award,” “interviewing with media about his clients’ cases,” and “co-founding the Defenders of Human Rights Center.” In January 2012, he was sentenced to 18 years in prison, exile and a 20-year ban on his legal practice. The sentence was later reduced to 13 years by an appeals court. CSW’s Chief Executive Mervyn Thomas said, “CSW commends the Iranian judiciary for clearing Mr Bordbar of charges that essentially amounted to a restriction of his right to adopt a faith of his choosing, as guaranteed by the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), to which Iran is party. However, the constant mistreatment of Saeed Abedini is entirely unacceptable, amounting to cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment under article 7 of the ICCPR.  As with many other Christians, Pastor Abedini was jailed on the basis of illegitimate political charges.  He should not be detained alongside violent prisoners and the Iranian regime will be held accountable for any deterioration in his physical well-being. Moreover, the habitual withholding of adequate medical attention from prisoners is in violation of article 10 of the ICCPR.  CSW urges Iran to review the sentences of all who have faced unjust political charges and to treat every prisoner with humanity and with respect for their inherent dignity, in accordance with its international obligations.”

NIGERIA: US DESIGNATES BOKO HARAM AS TERRORIST ORGANISATION

Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) welcomes the decision by the US State Department to formally designate Nigerian Islamist group Boko Haram, and its off-shoot organisation Ansaru, as a “foreign terrorist organisation” (FTO).

The designation directs US law enforcement and regulatory agencies to block business and financial transactions with Boko Haram, and to investigate and prosecute suspects associated with the organisations.
 

A State Department statement said, “These designations are an important and appropriate step, but only one tool in what must be a comprehensive approach by the Nigerian government to counter these groups through a combination of law enforcement, political, and development efforts, as well as military engagement, to help root out violent extremism while also addressing the legitimate concerns of the people of northern Nigeria.”

Previously, the US government had designated three leaders of Boko Haram as terrorists, but had stopped short of designating the group as a terrorist organisation. Boko Haram is responsible for the deaths of thousands of Nigerians and has attacked military, federal, UN, Christian and Muslim targets as part of its armed insurgency to establish an Islamic state in the north of the country. During 2012, Boko Haram victims included the citizens of 15 nations. Earlier in 2013, Ansaru kidnapped and murdered seven international construction workers. CSW has campaigned for FTO designation as an important step towards disrupting the financial and strategic capabilities of the group, which has claimed links to al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) and to the Somali terrorist group al Shabaab.

Reverend Yunusa Nmadu, CEO of CSW Nigeria, said, “We welcome the long awaited designation of Boko Haram and its splinter group Ansaru as FTOs. We hope that this singular action will help to expose the individual and corporate sponsors of these terrorist groups, and assist in bringing about peace and safeguarding lives and properties.”

CSW’s Chief Executive Mervyn Thomas said, “We too welcome the decision to designate Boko Haram and Ansaru as terrorist organisations, for which we have long campaigned. Boko Haram and Ansaru not only represent a threat to Nigeria's national security and unity, but also through their links with AQIM and al Shabaab they have long constituted a threat to both regional and international peace and security. We are hoping that the designations will provide an important impetus to international support for the Nigerian government in its efforts to bring an end to this deadly insurgency."

 

COUNTRY OF THE WEEK.

Pakistan ( Capital :  Islamabad)

Population : 180 million people

Official Languages : Urdu Language, English Language

Location  : South Asia, It borders the Arabian Sea, India, Afghanistan, Iran and China.

Religion  : The state religion in Pakistan is Islam, which is practiced by about 95-98% of the people of the nation. The remaining 2-5% practice Christianity,Hinduism  and other religions.

PRAYER REQUEST

1.     The homeless Christians in Pakistan especially Joseph Colony (internally displaced persons) as Pakistani Refugees are being denied refugee status when they cross Pakistani’s borders.

2.     Divine protection over all the churches, pastors and the community

3.     Pray for journalist in Pakistan since they stand a chance of spreading the happenings in Pakistan, they are being targeted for interfering with campaign to intimidate and persecuted Christians and if caught they receive a death threat.

4.     Pray for Christians in poverty as they suffer lack of status and right  and cant get a job and make money to support their families and regularly suffering from the injustice that comes packaged with the abuse of Pakistani’s blasphemy law and for God’s intervention to issues relating to it’s natural consequences.

5.     Pray for Christians who are forced to convert from Christianity to Islam or face death so that the Lord will strengthen them against all odds.

And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it - 1 Corinthians 12:26

Seminar on Human Right and freedom of Religious Belief in Northern Nigeria

The Christian solidarity Worldwide Nigeria/ UK, Stefanus Alliance International Norway and Heaven's family in a 2days seminar on Human Right and freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) for Christian Religious stakeholders in Northern Nigeria.

Ed Brown overseeing a group work during the seminar.

A cross section of the participants .

                                                   

Ed Brown in action delivering a lecture.

David Warnock from Heaven's family, USA during the seminar.

 

Christian Association of Nigeria National Youth president and other participants.

 Mr. Shinga(CSW Cordinator Bauchi), Dr. Mutazu (CSW Cordinator Katsina), past. Yola,Rev Isaac Ambi and CAN women wing secretary Kaduna, Mrs. Magaji during a groupwork.

 Engr. SLS Salifu the fifth recipient of the stefanus alliance prize for religious freedom November 2012 and his wife during a group work.

 Barr. Mrs. Tuwan Cecilia of ASPIR ,Rev. Josiah Likita

The CEO CSW-Nigeria , Rev.Yunusa Sabo Nmadu.

The CEO CSW-Nigeria , Rev.Yunusa Sabo Nmadu.

The CEO CSW-Nigeria , Rev.Yunusa Sabo Nmadu and David Warnock of the Heaven's family during the seminar.

A little work and and a little play.

Rev. Sule Mashan and Rev Danjuma Bom (BOT Member)

Nigeria: At Least 160 Dead In Terrorist Related Violence Last Week

 

 

At least 160 people have died in terrorist related violence Last week in Nigeria’s Yobe and Borno States. 
 On the evening of 18 September, Boko Haram members armed with Kalashnikovs, rocket launchers and homemade bombs are reported to have stormed Yadi Buni Town in Yobe State, setting fire to a makeshift police station, telecommunications masts, parts of the local government headquarters and the home of the divisional police head, whose wife was burnt to death inside the building. The son of the Yobe Peoples Democratic Party's (PDP) youth leader is also said to have been killed, while one soldier and nine sect members died in an ensuing shoot-out.
 

On 17 September, 143 commuters were killed and several abducted when well-armed Boko Haram gunmen in military fatigues and bullet-proof vests ambushed vehicles along the busy Maiduguri to Damaturu Express Way in the early evening. Travellers were reportedly asked to produce their ID cards, then were lined up and shot.  According to one survivor, people from the Borno State capital, Maiduguri, were singled out for execution. 

The gunmen went on to overrun Benisheik Town, 75km west of Maiduguri, killing around 14 people and torching over 100 homes, businesses and vehicles.  According to one report, most of the dead were members or otherwise associated with the Civilian Joint Task Force (JTF) and were beheaded. Three policemen and two soldiers were also reported to have died in the violence. This was the second assault on Benisheik in ten days; five sect members and 13 civilian vigilantes lost their lives in earlier violence. 

Reprisal attacks by Boko Haram on vigilantes, their families and communities are becoming more regular, and are increasingly taking the form of collective punishments. At least 50 of over 160 people murdered by the sect in August were vigilantes. 

Also on 17 September, army authorities disclosed that 15 soldiers and a lieutenant had been killed by Boko Haram along the Baga-Maiduguri Road in Borno State, although this figure has been disputed by anonymous local defence sources who claim at least 40 soldiers were killed and 65 others are missing following an ambush. The army also stated that 150 sect members were killed by troops over the previous weekend in a battle in Kafiya Forest in Borno that claimed the life of key Boko Haram commander Abba Goroma.  

Mervyn Thomas, Chief Executive of Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW), said, “We send our heartfelt condolences to those who lost loved ones in the previous week’s violence. The rise in reprisal attacks on entire communities is deeply worrying, and is clearly designed to terrify people into ending all cooperation with the security forces.  Having incorporated the Civilian JTF into their system, the security services also have an obligation to ensure the protection of its members. Ultimately, vigilante groups cannot match a well-armed, well resourced insurgency. It is therefore vital that the Federal Government allocates sufficient troops to these states to address this issue. The government must also disrput Boko Haram’s sources of funding as a matter of urgency, and will need the assistance of neighbouring states and the rest of the international community in order to do so effectively.”

For further information or to arrange interviews please contact Kiri Kankhwende, Press Officer at Christian Solidarity Worldwide on +44 (0)20 8329 0045 / +44 (0) 78 2332 9663, email kiri@csw.org.uk or visit www.csw.org.uk.

COUNTRY OF THE WEEK

ALGERIA ( Capital : Algiers )

Location - North Africa on the Mediterranean coast

Population - 37,900,000

Languages- Arabic and  Berber

Religion -  Sunni Islam 99% (state religion), Christians and Jews 1%

PRAYER REQUEST

1. Pray for persecuted Christians as they are denied the right to exercise religious freedom so Most Christians meet in homes, to protect themselves. So the Christian population/ Missionary groups can only conduct humanitarian activities without government interference as long as they are discreet and do not proselytize openly. Since 2006 missionary outreach among Muslims can be punished with up to five years in prison. Pray that Algerian believers will respond to pressure with faith and perseverance and continue to grow, pray for teachers, Bible and Commentaries to become available to every believer.

2.       When questioned about Muslims becoming Christians in 2001 the Algerian Minister of Religion affirmed that apostates from Islam should be killed, according to Islamic Shari'a law. Police publicly body-search and interrogate even lady converts for practicing Christianity, they are fined a huge sum of money and asked to renounce their faith or face the law. Pray God will use the current restrictions to draw many more Algerians into a relationship with Christ. Pray for conversions to Jesus Christ  among powerful Government/Islamic leaders in Algeria.

3. Pray for the nation’s young people, who make up 65 to 70 percent of the population (and a large majority of Christians). Pray they will not be frustrated or disillusioned, but rather strengthened and encouraged in Christ Jesus.
4. The media attention will have a positive impact on the church, drawing more people to respond to the love and truth of Jesus Christ. The search and hunger by many for a God of love to increase and blossom in finding Jesus Christ as the answer
5. The Berber people could make up as much as 40 percent of the population, but the Arab majority have tried to impose their culture on them and stopped them from using their own language. Thousands in the Kabyle region have become Christians and meet openly in their villages. Pray for these churches that they would be protected and grow in their faith in God.

IRAN: “FIRST RELIGIOUSLY MOTIVATED MURDER OF AN IRANIAN BAHA'I IN 15 YEARS”

Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) is concerned to learn of the murder on 24 August of Ataollah Rezvani, a prominent member of Iran's Baha’i community, in what the Baha’i Community of the United Kingdom (UK) is stating may be the first religiously motivated murder of an Iranian Baha'i in 15 years.

 

Mr Rezvani’s body was found in his car in his hometown, the southern city of Bandar Abbas.  Reports indicate he was shot in the back of the head after being forced to drive to a remote area by his assailants.According to the Baha’i Community of the UK, the murder was preceded by a campaign of intimidation and harassment by Iranian authorities against Mr Rezvani and his family designed to force them to leave the city. Prior to his murder, Mr Rezvani had come under pressure from the Ministry of Intelligence, which later colluded in his dismissal from his job in water purification. Mr Rezvani had also received several threatening telephone calls from unknown persons.

Mr Rezvani’s murder also comes at a time of increased pressure on Iran's religious minorities and a surge in anti-Baha’i rhetoric by various clerics. On 31 July 2013, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khameni issued a fatwa (religious edict) against the community in which he called on Iranians to avoid Baha’is and labelled them a ‘deviant and misleading sect’.Despite the Baha’i Community being the largest religious minority group in Iran, it is not officially recognised and is refused legal status.  Since 1979, over 200 of its leaders have been killed or executed, and thousands more imprisoned. Baha’is are barred from accessing further education and employment in the public sector, with over 10,000 having been dismissed from university and government jobs.  In 2008, seven Baha’i leaders were arrested and were each sentenced to 20 years imprisonment in 2010 for ‘forming an illegal cult’.  According to the US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCRIF), as of February 2013, at least 110 Bahia’s are being held in prison solely on account of their religious belief, twice the number held in early 2011.

Mervyn Thomas, Chief Executive of Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW), said: “We are shocked to hear of the murder of Mr Rezvani and are deeply concerned at assertions that it may have been religiously-motivated.  His murder followed a campaign of official harassment and occurred against the backdrop of increasing anti-Baha’i rhetoric, not least the recent fatwa against the community issued by the Supreme Leader. History shows that such rhetoric and hate speech increases the vulnerability of targeted communities and can be a precursor of violence because it appears to grant official sanction for it. CSW urges the Iranian authorities to end the use of inflammatory rhetoric against minority religious communities that merely seek to practice their faith peaceably and pose no threat to the state. CSW also urges Iran to ensure the killers of Mr Rezvani are swiftly brought to justice, to return full citizenship rights to the Baha’i Community and to guarantee freedom of religion and belief for all religious communities, in accordance with the nation's obligations as a signatory to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR).”