Three dead, 280 Christians held hostage in Rableh, Syria

By Michael Ireland
Special Correspondent, ASSIST News Service

HOMS, SYRIA (ANS) -- In addition to the 150 civilians who were detained earlier, another 130 Christians have been kidnapped in the village of Rableh, in western Syria on the border with Lebanon, by armed gangs in the area, creating a group of 280 hostages.

Local sources of Agenzia Fides, the information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies, report the hostages were crammed into a school in the village of Gousseh, while the kidnappers released the women that had been stopped previously. The armed kidnappers announced that they intend to wait for their head and then discuss any possible ransom.

The news agency reports: "In the Christian community of Rableh there is a lot of fear as yesterday three Christians, who had been kidnapped in the village of Said Naya a few days ago, were found murdered on the side of a road."

The agency says that according to a local priest, who asked to remain anonymous, "This is not a persecution, but a maneuver to spread suspicion and mistrust and incite sectarian war."

Agenzia Fides says the local committee of the Mussalaha is looking for dialogue and a peaceful solution.

"The point is that we are talking about 'unidentified armed gangs and out of control, they act independently and are not connected to the Free Syrian Army.' This makes any negotiations much more difficult," observed the news agency's source in the area.

According to Fides sources, in Syria there are currently about 2,000 armed groups not related to the Free Syrian Army, with their own agenda, that try to pollute the ongoing conflict between rebels and loyalists.

Jordan may be next for Muslim Brotherhood

Tom Doyle with e3 Partners says Jordan could
 be next on the Muslim Brotherhood hit list.

Jordan (MNN) ― The Muslim Brotherhood has seen incredible growth over the last two years as they've had a hand in government overthrows in Egypt, Syria and Libya. The extremist organization is involved in other nations, as well. Now, Jordan is being threatened.

According to reports, Jordan's Muslim Brotherhood is threatening Jordan's King Abdullah. Reports suggest the king has until October to agree to their demand of transforming that nation into a constitutional monarchy, or face an Arab Spring street pressure.

Middle East expert with e3 Partners Tom Doyle says this is troubling. He says Israel could be surrounded: "Lebanon, which Hezbollah has now. Syria, which is in a civil war, but always ready to go to war against Israel. Then there's Egypt to the south. And, even in southern Israel, Hamas is controlling Gaza. The only missing piece of the puzzle has been Jordan."

Doyle says this is a country at risk, and hard-line Islam is already thriving in Jordan. "One of the tell-tell signs in the Middle East as to how fundamental a Muslim country is: the number of honor killings. Per capita, Jordan is way up on the chart--the leader in that. So that just tells us there are numerous groups taking the Quran literally."

Does Doyle think the possible changes will affect e3's work? "If Jordan goes very fundamental Islamic, it will accelerate the work of the church because more people are going to hate the changes that come to Jordan which has been a relatively free country."

The changes in the Middle East are sobering, especially Iran's saber rattling. Doyle says, "We haven't had  leaders since Adolph Hitler that boasted about wiping out the Jews like [Iran's President Mahmoud] Ahmadinejad and the ayatollah are now. So these have extreme prophetic ramifications."

Doyle says as Christians hear the news, we need to make sure we're sharing Christ with Muslims, wherever we are. "Jesus never called us to be Christians: He called us to be disciples --over 250 times. That's what we're looking for."

Doyle continues, "In the midst of this, in the midst of all the bad news you're going to see on CNN and Fox, it is the greatest harvest time for Muslims in 14 centuries." Many of them are coming to Christ through dreams and visions.

Egyptian Christians call for prayer, fasting

Egypt (ODM/MNN) ―Suspected Islamic militants are chasing Coptic Christian families from their homes in parts of Egypt's Sinai Peninsula.

Death threats and harassing attacks have been on the rise, especially in the days since President Mohamed Morsi of the once-banned Muslim Brotherhood took office. 

The post-uprising Egypt for Coptic Christians has not been a kind one. Jerry Dykstra, a spokesman with Open Doors USA, says Morsi was addressing the United Nations General Assembly this week. A charismatic speaker, he has gained a lot of favorable publicity, according to the news reports.

This has caused some worry for Christians, says Dykstra. "Morsi is taking center stage, saying, ‘We have tremendous religious equality in Egypt.' At the same time, he's saying, ‘There are limits on freedom of expression.' So what is the truth?" 

There have been increasing reports from watchdog groups indicating that Christians are being increasingly marginalized in Egypt. Ordinarily, it would be someone like the Coptic Church Pope who would speak up on their behalf. "They look up to their Pope as a spiritual leader but also as one who has a voice for the voiceless."

However, Pope Shenouda III died in March and hasn't yet been replaced. Dykstra explains, "The process is in place, and according to what I read, it's December 2 that the new Pope will be chosen." That's a long time to go without an advocate at a time when things are starting to heat up in Egypt. 

Dykstra notes that the feeling of vulnerability has only been increasing. "Only six months ago, Morsi said that the Christian Coptic population should convert, pay tribute, or leave the country." Yet a mass exodus isn't practical. Coptic Christians make up roughly 10% of the population. 

Conservative Islamic parties took a lion's share of votes in the parliamentary elections late last year, so they are tasked with writing a new constitution for the country's long-term future...which means the oppression isn't likely to let up any time soon. 

Dykstra says, "It was tough, and they expect to see more persecution. And, unfortunately, that has taken place. They're uncertain about the future; they're uncertain about whether Sharia law may be imposed." 

The uncertainty has left Christians asking themselves, "Where is Egypt going?" Pressed between the proverbial "rock and a hard place," Christian leaders have issued a call for urgent, united prayer for Egypt, starting today. "They're praying for an orderly selection for the right person for the new Orthodox Church Pope, and that this new Pope will have a vision for the millions of Coptic Christians there." 

Just like they did prior to elections, there's a nationwide call for the Egyptian church to unite, says Dykstra. "This is why they called for a time of prayer and fasting. They've asked us in the West to pray for them also from October 1-3."

"The significance of the call to prayer comes from the desperate urgency we Egyptian Christians feel as we see the developments that are taking place in our country and the many concerns we have about the future," says a Christian leader who has been blogging from Egypt.

Egypt is ranked No. 15 on the Open Doors 2012 World Watch List of the worst persecutors of Christians.

Open Doors comes alongside believers through Bible and Christian literature distribution, leadership training and assistance, Christian community development, prayer and presence ministry, and advocacy on behalf of suffering believers.

On Wednesday, Christians are urged to gather in churches across the country to ask God to save and protect Egypt from every evil and cause all falseness to be unveiled, and to pray that God would select and anoint the next Orthodox Church Pope who will be chosen soon to lead the Coptic Church in unity and with a clear vision.

Pastor Behnam Irani Health Update -- Continued Medical Problems

By Michael Ireland
Special Correspondent, ASSIST News Service

IRAN (ANS) -- Imprisoned Iranian Pastor Behnam Irani continues to experience various medical problems and remains in need of our prayers for his health conditions.

Pastor Benham Irani and his family.  (Courtesy PTM)

According to Jason DeMars of Present Truth Ministries (www.presenttruthmn.com ) "First, his eyesight is dimming and he has not been given access to a doctor to get prescription lenses. Second, he has a bleeding ulcer in his intestines. This has caused him to have bloody stool, vomiting blood, resulting in unconsciousness at one point. Third, from an accident several years ago, he had metal placed in his knee, and according to a family member it needs to be replaced every so often.

"Now it is past time for the replacement and he is limping badly. According to our sources his health is up and down. Sometimes he is feeling okay and other times he is feeling very sick, and he is still quite pale whether he's feeling good or not."

DeMars told ANS: "Yet in the midst of this, Brother Behnam's faith remains strong. He continues to be positive in his confession and to stand firm no matter what his circumstances. We want to believe together with Behnam and his family that he will be healed and walk out of that prison soon."

Please continue in prayer for Brother Behnam Irani and his family.

You can see a video of his arrest, pictures, and view the written verdict from his trial in February 2008 on the Present Truth Ministries website.

DeMars added: "Please share this page with your friends and family. I also request that you write a letter to him at Voice of the Martyrs Prisoner Alert page. Please send a petition requesting that he receive medical attention and be released from prison at their website as well."

Muslims Order Christians Out of Their Village in Egypt

By Jeremy Reynalds
Senior Correspondent for ASSIST News Service

EGYPT (ANS) -- Copts in the North Sinai border town of Rafah have started leaving their homes after receiving an ultimatum from Islamists to leave "within 48 hours" or be killed.

According to a story by Mary Abdelmassih for the Assyrian International News Agency (AINA), confirmed reports say nine Coptic families have left the town. The remaining 23 Coptic families are still there, waiting to leave.

AINA reported that one Copt who is still with his family in Rafah said, "It is difficult for us to leave as most of us are shop owners and have property, so it is not easy just to leave everything and go."

The Copts are all confined to their homes, afraid to venture out.

AINA said however, two days ago masked men on motorcycles sprayed Coptic stores with bullets, but no one was hurt.

AINA reported that the nine Coptic families who left Rafah were government employees and the Governor of North Sinai offered to transfer them to neighboring Sinai Province capital, Al-Arish, to take posts there instead.

About three weeks ago a Coptic shop owner received a hand-written threat that "all Christians should leave Rafah within 48 hours, otherwise they will be killed."

AINA said Copts reported these threats to security but were told not to take the threats "earnestly," because threats were during the time of the YouTube video clip mocking Mohammad.

"We thought the writers of these threats were just being vindictive against the Copts since it was claimed that a US Copt is responsible for it (the film)," said a Copts resident of Rafah.

AINA said Coptic families went with church representatives and met with the Governor of North Sinai asking for protection. He promised none, but just transferred nine government employees to work in Al-Arish.

AINA said the Coptic Church issued a statement, after a meeting of the Holy Synod, signed by acting Patriarch Anba Pachomios. It condemned the forced displacement of the Copts from Rafah, demanding that the "responsible state agencies address those that are trying to undermine the state authority and show it unable to protect its citizens."

According to AINA the statement further said, "Nearly one month ago the media had published the violations against the Copts but the Egyptian authorities have not taken the necessary measures to protect the Egyptian families, who have the right to live safely in their homes."

It went on say that the series of Coptic displacement started with El-Ameriya, then Dahshour, and has now reached Rafah.

AINA said political parties and human rights organizations were angered by the forced displacement of the Rafah Copts. Many believe that this is the "method Islamists are using to change Egypt demographically. Since they want an Islamic state in Sinai, all Copts have to go out," said Coptic activist Mark Ebeid.

Dr. A. Shokr, vice-president of the National Council for Human Rights, said that they will support the displaced families as well as send a fact-finding mission next week to Rafah.

AINA said the Muslim Brotherhood Party "Freedom and Justice" published an article saying that following an interview with H.G. Cosman, Bishop of North Sinai, no Copts were displaced.

However, AINA said, Bishop Cosman denied giving an interview to a Muslim paper and confirmed that some Coptic families have left Rafah and live in Al-Arish. He added that some, fearing for their lives, are transferring their furniture and belongings from Rafah to Al-Arish because of the deteriorating security conditions.

AINA said that novelist and Sinai activist Mosad Abu Fagr commented to ElYom7 daily that what is happening in Sinai now indicates that President Morsi was defeated in his war in Sinai. In addition, his adversaries already control the area, and because Christians are the weakest link in Rafah, it started with them.

He added that the rest will be displaced and the Islamists will take control of the areas of Rafah, Sheikh Zuwaid, Arish and Bir al-Abed. All of Sinai will be lost and become under the control of the Islamists.

Egyptian Coptic Christians abandon their Sinai homes after threats, attack

By Michael Ireland
Special Correspondent, ASSIST News Service

SINAI, EGYPT (ANS) -- Most Christians living near Egypt's border with Israel are fleeing their homes after Islamist militants made death threats and gunmen attacked a Coptic-owned shop, a priest said on Friday, according tohttp://en.aswatmasriya.com with reporting by Yousri Mohamed and writing by Tamim Elyan.

Aswat Masriya is a website that deals with the Egyptian scene, including its political, social, cultural and economic aspects.

The website, quoting content from Reuters, says the departure of nine families that made up the small Christian community in the border area of Egypt's Sinai Peninsula will fuel worries about religious tolerance and the rise of militancy after the overthrow of President Hosni Mubarak last year.

“Coptic Christian families decided to leave ... out of fear for their lives after the threats and the armed attack,” said Mikhail Antwan, priest at the Coptic Margirgis church in the North Sinai town of al-Arish.

Death threats had been printed on flyers circulating in the desert area, Antwan added, according to the website.

Two armed men riding a motorcycle opened fire on a Coptic-owned shop in Rafah on Wednesday but no one was injured, the website says.

The site goes on to say that Antwan added two families from the small community had already left while the rest were still packing up their possessions in Rafah and Shaikh Zuwaid after living 20 years in the area.

All were planning to move to al-Arish, the administrative center of North Sinai, where security was better, the priest said.

Islamists with possible links to al Qaeda have gained a foothold in the area, analysts say, according to the website.

The site says Israel has voiced concern about security in Sinai, where at least four cross-border attacks have taken place since Mubarak was toppled in February 2011.

It adds that Egypt's new president, Mohammed Morsi, has vowed to restore order. But efforts to impose central authority are complicated by the indigenous Bedouin population's ingrained hostility to the government in Cairo.

The site also stated that local official, who asked not to be named, confirmed the departures and said the families planned to return when security improved. It was the second wave of Christian departures - another seven families left soon after Mubarak’s fall.