Super User
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipisicing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur
A 15-year-old girl has been sentenced to eight months of house arrest and 100 lashes in the Maldives. Many in the international community are concerned about the use of Sharia law to inflict such punishment, in this case against a minor. While the girl is Muslim, there could also be troubling implications for anyone who secretly converts to Christianity, an act that is forbidden in the Maldives. Hilary Whiteman of CNN reports that the girl confessed during a court hearing to charges of fornication, having engaged in consensual premarital sex. She is also the alleged victim of sexual abuse by her stepfather, an allegation legally unrelated to her case. She has been given the choice of receiving the lashings now or it can be postponed until she turns 18. CNN was told that though the government considered the teenager to be a victim who should not be flogged, it was unable to intervene in the judicial process.
Pray: for the girl and for a more reasonable justice system, pray also for protection for the handful of believers in the Maldives living in fear of the government, their families and communities. (Ps.25:12)
More: http://www.opendoorsusa.org/pray/prayer-updates/2013/03-March/Maldives-Teen-Faces-100-Lashes
After Saudi Arabia, the Maldives is the only nation that claims a 100-percent Muslim population. The Indian Ocean archipelago has more than 70,000 expatriate workers representing several non-Islamic religions, including Christianity, but those who intermingle must exercise caution. ‘If you engage any Maldivian in a discussion on Christianity and the person reports it to authorities you can be in trouble.’ said a source who requested anonymity. ‘A Maldivian youth studying in Sri Lanka became a Christian recently but when his parents came to know about it they took him away. We have not heard from him since then.’ According to President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom no religion other than Islam should be allowed in the Maldives. Public practise of the Christian religion is prohibited. In 1998 all known Christian foreigners who were suspected of missionary work were expelled and some indigenous Christians were arrested. Christian missionaries are not allowed. The collective identity of the people of the Maldives is Islam. Pray: for Christians to be wise and more intentional in sharing God's love with their Muslim neighbours and fellow workers. (Jas.2:24)
Maldives is no 6. on Open Doors World Watch List of countries that persecute Christians, and the top item on the Maldives list of border control’s prohibited items is ‘religious materials offensive to Islam’. Every citizen has to be Muslim and the government views itself as the protector and defender of Islam. Churches are forbidden, evangelism is banned and believers hide their faith from their families. Last October a foreign Christian teacher was deported after police found a Bible in his house. Yet there are underground pastors in this beautiful holiday destination. They have incredible drive, stamina, and they can survive and grow in any environment, bringing life wherever they go. Please pray for the few indigenous Christians to have courage amidst the secrecy. Many young people seek education outside the islands. Pray that they would have the opportunity to hear the gospel. Maldivian society contends with huge social problems of drug and alcohol abuse, marriage breakdown and child abuse. Pray that people will discover God’s forgiveness.
Pray: for God to protect, encourage and anoint the underground pastors to bring about change in the islands. (Is.2:1-3)
More: http://www.worldwatchlist.us/world-watch-list-countries/maldives/
Police in the Maldives deported Shijo Kokkattu, an Indian teacher, for having a Bible in his house – confirming fears that repressive religious laws are being enforced in the island nation. He was detained for a fortnight, charged with preaching Christianity, then sent home after a police raid on his house. There had been hopes that religious restrictions introduced under the former dictator would not be enforced under President Mohamed Nasheed who is considered to be a progressive Muslim. But new regulations were published in the Government's gazette last month signalling a renewed commitment to enforce legal bans on the 'propagation, display and expression' of any religion other than Islam. Violation of the Act is punishable by imprisonment of up to five years, banishment or house arrest. Foreigners found to be proselytising are to be deported.
Pray: that the Maldivian authorities will yield to calls by World Evangelical Alliance, Compass Direct and others for greater religious freedom. (Ps.74:18-19)
Reports of Brother Simon’s conversion are little more than hearsay yet recent news from Open Doors co-workers is disturbing - Simon has disappeared. Like many students from the Maldives Simon travelled to Sri Lanka to study. Simon had not lived in a country where religions other than Islam were practiced. Under the strict rule of Islamic Sharia law the Maldives’ Government demands all the nation’s citizens to be Muslims. Conversion is illegal. Churches and Bibles are banned. While studying in Sri Lanka Simon heard the Good News of the Gospel, was converted and began to follow Jesus. When Simon’s family back in the Maldives learned of his newfound faith in Christ they took him away and he has not been heard of since. Simon’s disappearance is not uncommon in the Maldives where indigenous Christians have to live in isolation as secret believers. Pray: that Simon and the handful of Maldivian believers in Christ would stay faithful to the Lord in the face of such oppression and threat. (Gen.28:15)
A two-hour journey from the capital city of Kuala Lumpur revealed an isolated encampment where some Christian converts say they've been taken to be forced back to Islam. The Malaysian government calls the facilities ‘retreat centres’ where Muslims willingly go to strengthen their faith. However one Christian, who wishes to remain anonymous, said, ‘They force Christians to recite Islamic prayers and the Koran, to do all the things you're suppose to do as a Muslim. They're trying to force us to believe what we can't believe. These re-education centres come from the power of darkness.’ Another former Muslim said he lost his property, job, and family after officials learned he'd become a Christian. He's hiding from the government. Traditionally, Malays are Muslim. Five years ago, there were less than 200 Malay Christians in the country. Today, there are an estimated 1,000 or more. Christian Growth is being targeted. Pray: for the power of Christian evangelism to grow and be protected in Malaysia. (SS.4:16)
A threat this week to burn Bibles in the Malay language is the latest in a series of attacks on the Christian faith in Malaysia. A note sent to a Christian priest in Butterworth on Tuesday, 22nd January 2013 said a Bible-burning pesta or festival would take place in the town’s public park on Sunday 27th January. Butterworth is sited on the mainland across from the tourist island resort of Penang. The note, written in Malay, ends with a sinister warning in English: ‘Let’s teach ‘em a lesson.’ The Police have been informed of the threat. Whether the threat materialised is uncertain but it has had the desired effect of adding to the despair of Malaysian Christians. A fortnight ago defying practice and convention in the country the Sultan of the State of Selangor forbade Christians to use the word ‘Allah’ which has been used in Bibles in the Malay language and Christian litany for more than 400 years.
Pray: that the threat against the Word of God will be halted. (Neh.4:9)
More: http://www.worldwatchmonitor.org/english/country/malaysia/2026538
More than 2,000 cases of arson, fighting and other election-related crimes have been recorded by police since Malaysia’s parliament was dissolved for polls. The violence is much more than previous elections. The increased tension is being driven by the fear of racial riots and broader implementation of Islamic law. Numerology, superstition and astrology permeate Southeast Asian politics. May 5 is designated as a ‘war day,’ based on a geomancy astronomical calculation known as ‘shi.’ The Christian Federation of Malaysia request our prayers for:- the powers of darkness to be bound and have no freedom to advance the cause of evil, injustice and extremisms of various forms during the election. Pray that Malaysia will be a nation that follows God and is a blessing to the nations of the earth. Ask God to overrule and stop any attempt at stirring up violence and rioting before, during and after the elections, and that peace and harmony will prevail for the well-being of all communities and for the nation.
Pray: for God's plans and purposes for Malaysia to be established during this election season. (Ps.94:17-19)
The following is taken from a report giving two examples of the challenges faced in Malawi. ‘I have been staggered at the increase in prices of items in shops. Basics of sugar, bread and salt are very expensive for most and out of reach for many to buy. Meat is inaccessible for most in the villages. Maize (the staple food) has doubled in price and most of those we visited have had no harvest. (I heard on the radio that ‘there is 800,000 tonnes of maize in the silos from previous years') This is appalling. The folks in the villages and mountain areas are the forgotten people. Also, ‘A young man came, whose father had died. He had a growth on his neck and some bush doctor cut it and it spread. The young man is now responsible for his mother and siblings; plus his own wife and one small child. He just sunk into a chair; he was so weak from walking, gaunt from hunger, with nowhere else to go. Could I help him with little money to buy some corn husks? He brought a lump to my throat. I knew his father well’
Pray: that the hungry would have access to food banks, and may God strengthen those working amongst the disadvantaged and disabled. (Mt.25:34-36)
More: http://www.torchtrust.org/smartweb/international/malawi
‘Malawi is sliding into dictatorship where it is a crime to hold dissenting views to government policy.’ warned leaders of the Church of Central Africa. The charges came after the arrest and subsequent release of the synod's general secretary the Rev. Levi Nyondo. ‘We are shocked and surprised that government could stoop so low to arrest a general secretary of a reputable church,’ synod moderator the Rev. Mezuwa Banda said. Nyondo was arrested after speaking at the funeral of former Cabinet minister Moses Chirambo who died just days after being dismissed from the government. Nyondo was charged with sedition for uttering words that could incite public anger and has since been granted bail by the Mzuzu Magistrate Court. Synod moderator Joyce Banda said the arrest of Nyondo would not intimidate the church into submission, but rather invigorate it to preach the truth. Joyce Banda is sitting vice president and may run for the presidency in 2014 elections. Pray: for the church to deliver God's prophetic message and continue to stand against wrongdoing. (Ps.18:33-34)