Accusations could carry serious consequences for believers

In Sudan, an Islamic leader is telling
the government to take action against
 Christians who share the Good News. (Image courtesy Open Doors)

Sudan (MNN) ― An Islamic leader is telling Sudan's government to take action against Christians.

Ammar Saleh, the chairman of the Islamic Centre for Preaching and Comparative Studies, slammed his government last week for not taking decisive action against Christian missionaries, who he claims were operating "boldly" in Sudan.

According to independent media agency The Sudan Tribune, Saleh appealed to local authorities and the community to take a stand against "Christianisation" and find a long-term solution to what he views as a massive problem.

He says his government's efforts in this regard are timid compared to missionaries' efforts and claims 109 people have converted from Islam to Christianity in Khartoum. Saleh says these figures are growing in a "continuous" and "scary" fashion.

Dykstra says there are two sides to this coin.

"The bad news is that he wants to put more pressure on the government and the army to crack down on the Christians there," he explains. "But the good news is that many there are coming to Christ."

Despite persecution, Open Doors is seeing the Body of Christ in Sudan grow.

"It's been difficult for them obviously, but they are growing in numbers," states Dykstra.

In addition, a member of Sudan's ruling National Congress Party (NCP), Adam Mudawi, claims the NCP has information indicating that the Orthodox Church in Ombadda is hiding a large cache of weapons.

Mudawi also accuses the church of exploiting poor people by giving them financial support and assistance if they convert to Christianity.

According to Open Doors, Sudanese Christians have seen a dramatic increase in pressure over the past few months. Churches are being forced to close, and foreign workers are being kicked out of the country.

Given this tense atmosphere, Mudawi's accusations may have serious consequences for Christians in Sudan.

"We need to pray for Christians, especially those that are being marginalized around Khartoum," says Dykstra. "We also need to pray that there will be peace."

To help Sudanese Christians cope with growing persecution, Open Doors recently held two Standing Strong Through the Storm seminars. These seminars teach Christians how to relate to persecution and how to pray for one another.

A total of 13 different denominations were represented at the two seminars.

"The focus was to advance church unity, and many of the people who attended really appreciated the seminars," Dykstra says.

"It was a blessing that nobody was targeted or they weren't broken up."

Persecution in Sudan has moved the country from #16 on the Open Doors 2012 World Watch List to #12 in 2013.

Keep praying for Christ-followers in Sudan. Pray that their faith will remain strong. Praythat  the Gospel goes forth no matter what.

Killing of Islamic cleric leads to violence

(Image courtesy of Open Doors USA)

Kenya (MNN) ― Muslim rioters took to the streets of Mombasa, Kenya following the death of Sheikh Aboud Rogo. Unknown gunmen sprayed Rogo's van with bullets, immediately killing the controversial Islamic cleric. Jerry Dykstra with Open Doors USA said rioters focused their rage on two targets.

"Muslims in Mombasa put some of the blame on the government," Dykstra explains, "but also they attacked Christian churches and organizations."

Five Mombasa churches were attacked and severely damaged by rioters; a few worshippers were injured in the process. The National Council of Churches in Kenya (NCCK) offices were damaged as well.

"We have completely failed to understand the logic that made…demonstrators associate the heinous murder of Aboud Rogo with the churches," said Rev. Canon Peter Karanja, NCCK's General Secretary.

Dykstra said it's not unusual to see believers becoming the scapegoat.

"Christians are blamed for a lot of things," he stated.

Most attacks against Christians have been linked to al-Shabaab, the Somalia-based terrorist cell of al-Qaeda. Al-Shabaab has been growing at a steady rate along the border of Somalia and Kenya. Dykstra expressed concern about al-Shabaab's expansion.

"They've been increasing in power and influence on that border area."

As al-Shabaab's presence increases, it could become even harder for believers to share the Gospel in Kenya.

Al-Shabaab has expanded its hunt for Christians from Somalia to neighboring Kenya, and Rogo was an alleged al-Shabaab fundraiser and recruiter. Remember the July 1 attacks against believers in Garissa? Dykstra said Rogo supported them because he didn't want Muslims and Christians working together.

"He called that a really good happening, a good thing," noted Dykstra.

Within the last year, Christian aid workers have been killed and kidnapped. Two believers died at a Kenyan revival meeting whenterrorists threw a grenade toward the podium. In July, gunmen attacked a Garissa church with grenades and then shot believers as they tried to escape. More than 60 were injured in this attack, and 18 believers died.

"The border area between Kenya and Somalia has become a dangerous place for the followers of Christ, as well as aid workers trying to help those caught in the chaos and poverty," said Carl Moeller, President/CEO of Open Doors. "As we have seen in the past, innocent believers are often targets of the extremists' rage.

"Please pray that the Christians there will stay strong in the faith and that rioting will come to an end."