Minorities, particularly Christians, are 'deliberately sidelined in Pakistan

Emerging political leader become the most visible guest in the town during the advent celebrations

By Dan Wooding
Founder of ASSIST Ministries

Mr. Albert David speaking
 at a local church

 PAKISTAN (ANS) -- A Pakistani journalist and human rights activist, Shamim Masih, has told the ASSIST News Service that with the advent of December, Christians all over the world kicked off their preparations to celebrate Christmas, the most important festival of the year across the world, including Pakistan.

"With every passing day till the eve of Christmas, Pakistani Christians prepare to celebrate the festivity with zeal and enthusiasm, feeling the echo of church bells for the mid night services on Christmas eve that announce the birth of Jesus," he said.

"While preparing for Christmas, Christians living in Pakistan renewed their spirit of celebrating Christmas which continues throughout the month. The programs leading up to Christmas have included Christmas dinners, carol singing and other get together that have an element of sharing the joys of Christmas with the less fortunate."

Albert David distributed gifts
 among best performers in the
 annual program. Here is Elisha
 Shamim receiving a special gift

Mr. Masih then spoke about Albert David, Chairman of the Pakistan United Christian Movement (PUCM) who launched his new political party in October of this year and he said, "has created awareness in the town during the Christmas celebrations in the twin city."

He went on to say, "His presence added a bloom to the events this year in the maximum annual Christmas programs in the town. Talking to the Christians he raised awareness among the Pakistani Christians to demand election not selection everywhere in the country.

"Mr. David was invited to 25 programs organized by different churches, social organizations and community groups and the PUCM chairman availed himself during this wonderful time to, not only to share the message of Christmas, but also talk about the importance of the Pakistan Christian community to being vibrant and visible in the National political scene.

A group photo at one of the Christmas
 events with Shamim Masih far right

"During his speeches, he focused on the true message and spirit of Christmas, which he said included unconditional love, peace, hope and, most importantly, the sharing of joys with the less fortunate.

"He also stressed that Christians should actively participate in national politics 'to ensure their increased visibility and importance.' He consistently emphasized on the need of unity under a political platform as that 'would become the rationale for other majority parties to acknowledge the importance of non-Muslim Pakistanis.'

"Talking about recent constitutional amendments, Mr. Albert David said that during the past 65 years of the National assembly, the 207 seats for parliamentarians were increased to 335, while the women's seats were raised from 15 to 60."

Mr. David then said, "However, the 10 seats reserved for minorities the seats approved 30 years back, was increased to 14, which is not proportional to its population increased. Even these seats were filled by selection, rather election."

The politician said that his party wants to make people aware that not only Pakistan's government, but also to the entire world that "Pakistani Christians are being deprived of the deserving rights, even though in the foundation of the Pakistan."

He added, "The time has come that all Pakistani Christians have to stand for their rights and we will not compromise on selection of the candidates liking of the majority parties. PUCM firmly believe that being Pakistanis we are equal citizen and will have equal rights."

Human Rights Group Urges Burma's Government to Immediately Stop Military Offensive against Kachin People

By Dan Wooding
Founder of ASSIST Ministries

NORTHERN BURMA (ANS) -- Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) today (Friday, December 28, 2012), urged Burma's military to end its offensive against the majority Christian Kachin people in northern Burma immediately, and called on the international community to put pressure on the government of Burma to engage in a meaningful political dialogue with the Kachin and other ethnic nationalities.

Kachin people flee violence in their villages

According to news reports, four jet fighters and two helicopter gunships were used this morning to attack Kachin Independence Army (KIA) troops close to their headquarters at Laiza, on the China-Burma border. 

The aerial attack follows several days of shelling and a significant increase in troop movement and fighting.

CSW says that the Burma Army has been conducting a military offensive against the Kachin since June 2011, breaking a ceasefire that had lasted for 17 years. Over 100,000 civilians have been internally displaced since the war began, and the Burma Army has been accused of grave human rights violations, including rape, torture, destruction of villages, looting and desecration of churches, and killing civilians. The offensive has intensified severely in recent days.

Andrew Johnston, CSW's Advocacy Director, said: "The dramatic escalation in the Burma Army's assault on the Kachin is deeply disturbing. To launch aerial attacks and deploy fighter jets and helicopter gunships marks the most serious intensification in this conflict since the war began.

Ethnic Kachin people wave their hands at a ceremony to mark the International Day of Peace in Rangoon on September 21, 2012. (Reuters)

"The government of Burma must be urged to stop this offensive immediately, and engage in a genuine peace process. The KIA, and its political arm, the Kachin Independence Organisation (KIO), are seeking autonomy and equal rights in a federal, democratic Burma, not secession, and have made clear their desire to talk. But they are demanding a genuine peace process, involving a political dialogue, to find a lasting solution to decades of war, not simply a ceasefire.

"President Thein Sein and his government present an image of reform to the world, but how can reform be serious if it is accompani ed by fighter jets and helicopter gunships? Unless reform is accompanied by a genuine peace process, it will not lead to the lasting change Burma's people desire and deserve.

The international community must take this latest escalation very seriously, and must make it clear to Thein Sein that unless the Burma Army's offensive stops and a peace process begins, international pressure will be applied."

Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) is a Christian organisation working for religious freedom through advocacy and human rights, in the pursuit of justice.

Plight of Syrian Christians Intensifies

Vietnamese Christians fear increased harassment following new restrictions 

By Jeremy Reynalds
Senior Correspondent for ASSIST News Service

MCLEAN, VA. (ANS) -- The condition of the Church in Syria is becoming more and more desperate. Christians, their property and their churches continue to be the targets of violent attack.

According to a prayer bulletin from Barnabas Aid, a group which provides assistance to the persecuted church, a senior church leader reported some disturbing facts.

Christians in Syria also face "inflation, poverty, growing of sectarian enmity, shortages of supplies of food and fuel, cold weather, revenge, kidnaping for big amount of ransom, risks of traveling, frequent Internet cut off and (more)."

Barnabas Aid reported that while the Christian population of Homs was once 50,000-60,000, just 80 Christians remain in a Christian neighborhood of the old city in Dec. 2012. They are being held hostage by rebels and prevented from leaving. They're dying one by one as a result of serious hardships and lack of medication.

A Barnabas partner said they are being kept there as "human shields" by Salafist rebel groups to deter government forces from attacking the Christian area, which is now occupied by rebels.

Despite the dangers they face, and the fact that many Syrian Christians have fled their homeland, church leaders in Syria have refused to leave their people.

Barnabas Aid reported one senior Christian leader said, "We have to say we want to stay here. It is our vocation to give our testimony. We had a lot of persecution in the past and we have to find a way to continue."

As observers predict the collapse of the Assad regime, under which Christians in Syria had been well treated, the future for Christians looks bleak.

Barnabas Aid had a request. "Give thanks to the Lord that He is a faithful God who does not desert His people in need. Ask that He will be a stronghold and a refuge for the 80 Christians left in Homs, and that they will be allowed to leave in safety."

Barnabas Aid added, "Pray that all Christians in Syria will know the Lord's peace in these desperate times, and that He will make a way for them to live in safety in their own country."

Vietnam

Barnabas Aid said the situation also appears to be worsening for Christians in Vietnam, who while already enduring severe restrictions on their activities, are now facing the prospect of even tighter control.

Churches are already required to register with the government, and those who do not register, or are refused registration, are subject to severe harassment. New restrictions, which come into force on Jan. 1 2013, will make it even harder for churches to register.

Barnabas Aid said religious groups will now have to prove that they have operated for 20 years without violating any law, including "infringing national security."

However, because this charge is often leveled at groups that the government wants to suppress, it is feared the new conditions will allow the government to refuse registration to more churches.

Barnabas Aid said the decree also requires that religious leaders obtain permission from authorities before they can travel abroad for conferences.

Disturbingly, Barnabas Aid commented, a senior member of the Vietnamese Parliament said recently that "Vietnam will increasingly model itself on China in matters of religious policies."

Christians in China who are members of unregistered house churches often suffer intense harassment, including the possibility of jail terms.

Barnabas Aid asked that readers pray for Vietnamese Christians. "Lift up to the Lord our Christian brothers and sisters in Vietnam, and ask that they will be protected from harassment resulting from these tightened restrictions. Pray that the Lord who gives strength to His people and blesses them with peace (Psalm 29:11) will be with the congregations of churches that are unable to register. "

The group added, "Pray also that the government will not continue to make its policies on religious freedom more repressive."

The mission of Barnabas Aid is to support Christians where they are in a minority and suffer discrimination, oppression and persecution as a result of their faith.

For more information about Barnabas Fund go to http://barnabasfund.org/US/About-us/Who-we-are/

Open Doors Founder Brother Andrew to Speak at Church Event

DC Area Program Will Highlight Information About Persecuted Christians around the World

 Brother Andrew of Open Doors 

SANTA ANA, Calif., Dec. 27, 2012 /Christian Newswire/ -- In Algeria, a pastor was threatened by four men and was told they would burn down his church. Another continent away in India, a pastor and two other Christians were attacked and kidnapped by Hindu extremists. They were later set free. In Nigeria, more than 800 people -- mostly Christians -- have been killed by the Islamic terrorist group Boko Haram this year, including 12 on Christmas eve.

There have been numerous incidents of Christians facing persecution around the world this year. Many Christians in the West who are not persecuted wonder how these believers maintain their faith under such circumstances.

Open Doors USA, International Mission Board (IMB) and B&H Publishing Group will host a special one-night event featuring a rare United States appearance by Brother Andrew, founder of Open Doors and one of the heroes of the faith. He and others will talk about what Christianity is like in restricted countries such as Somalia, North Korea and Iran. Open Doors is an international Christian ministry which has been supporting and strengthening persecuted Christians for almost 58 years.

The program will be held Tuesday, Jan. 8, at 7 p.m. at Riverdale Baptist Church, 1177 Largo Rd., Upper Marlboro, MD 20774. For more information call 301-249-7001.

"Millions who claim to follow Christ live under daily persecution throughout the world," says Open Doors USA Interim CEO/President Steve Ridgway. "These precious ones are our family and we as Christians are not complete or whole or healthy without knowing them and without knowing their stories. On January 8 we will have an opportunity to take a step toward being whole by hearing their stories."

Brother Andrew is the author of the worldwide best-selling autobiography God's Smuggler. He has been traveling on behalf of suffering Christians since 1955. He has visited an estimated 128 nations.

Other guest speakers are Nik Ripken, author of the soon-to-be released (Jan. 1, 2013) book The Insanity of God (B&H 2013) and Ron Boyd-MacMillan, chief strategy officer for Open Doors. They will celebrate the faith of persecuted Christians from around the world through sharing their stories and prayers in hopes of encouraging listeners to join the celebration and support their brothers and sisters living under persecution.

The event will highlight the Open Doors 2013 World Watch List, which highlights the top 50 countries where Christians face the worst persecution. For more information on The Insanity of God, go to www.nikripken.com.

An estimated 100 million Christians worldwide suffer interrogation, arrest and even death for their faith in Christ, with millions more facing discrimination and alienation. Open Doors supports and strengthens believers in the world's most difficult areas through Bible and Christian literature distribution, leadership training and assistance, Christian community development, prayer and presence ministry and advocacy on behalf of suffering believers. To partner with Open Doors USA, call toll free at 888-5-BIBLE-5 (888-524-2535) or go to www.OpenDoorsUSA.org. 

The Palestinians’ Christmas Lies | Stand for Israel

Bethlehem Church of the Nativity
 (Photo: bibleplaces.com)

The Palestinians’ Christmas Lies | Stand for Israel: "If you’re one of millions who saw video from Bethlehem this Christmas and thought how nice it was to see Christians flourishing in the city where Jesus was born, Commentary’s Jonathan Tobin has some bad news for you.

Modern day Christians face harassment and exclusion throughout a region where the Arab Spring has brought Islamists to power, and nowhere is that more true than in the West Bank and Gaza. Moreover, the assertion that Jesus was a Palestinian, first aired by Arafat and often repeated by his successor Mahmoud Abbas as well as moderate Salam Fayyad, is nothing less than an attempt to delegitimize the Jewish people and to steal its history."

Full story...

12 Christians Killed in Christmas Bloodshed in Nigeria

Gunmen attack two churches in Borno, Yobe states on Christmas Eve

By Dan Wooding, who was born in Nigeria
Founder of ASSIST Ministries

JOS, NIGERIA (ANS) -- Christmas Eve attacks by suspected Islamic extremists in northern Nigeria's Borno state - already reeling from the slaughter of at least 10 Christians earlier this month - took the lives of six people at a Baptist church, as gunmen killed six others in Yobe state the same night.

One of the vehicles used by the bombers in the attack that hit a church inside a military barracks of the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, in Jaji, Kaduna state

According to Morning Star News (http://morningstarnews.org) in Borno state, where Islamic extremist group Boko Haram is based, six Christians were slain at First Baptist Church in Maiduguri on Christmas Eve.

About 160 kilometers (100 miles) away in Kupwal village in Chibok Local Government Area, suspected jihadists shouting "Allahu Akbar [God is greater]" on Dec. 1 slit the throats of at least 10 people in carefully selected Christian homes, according to reports from survivors.

The story went on to say that in Yobe state on Christmas Eve, gunmen believed to be members of Boko Haram reportedly entered the Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) in Peri, near Potiskum, and killed six Christians including a pastor before setting the church building ablaze. Several others were reported seriously wounded.

"No group has claimed responsibility for the Christmas Eve attacks, but Boko Haram mounted Christmas assaults on Christians last year and in 2010," said the Morning Star News Nigeria correspondent. "Boko Haram, which reportedly has ties to Al Qaeda, has vowed to eradicate Christianity from Nigeria and seeks to impose a strict version of sharia (Islamic law) on the entire country. Boko Haram has targeted churches, state offices, law enforcement sites and some moderate mosques in its effort to destabilize the government.

"Before the attack in Peri, Boko Haram had reportedly battled Nigerian security forces in Potiskum, bombing a local police station and attacking a bank. Potiskum has reportedly become a hotbed for Islamic militants of Boko Haram. Attacks on Christians in Yobe state have forced thousands of Christians to flee to others parts of Nigeria, while others have become refugees in Cameroon.

"Attacks on churches in northern Nigeria have intensified since a 2011 Christmas Day attack at the town of Madallah near Abuja, Nigeria's capital."

Morning Star News added that in Jaji, in northern Nigeria's Kaduna state, 11 Christians were killed in a suicide attack on a church on Nov. 25. The Rev. Titus Sambo and Israel Olaleye, students at Baptist Theological Seminary in Kaduna, died in the dual bomb blasts at the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, a military barracks church serving military personnel, their families and civilians in Jaji, about 25 miles from Kaduna City. At least 30 people were reported injured.

The bombers were suspected members of Boko Haram group, also suspected of bombing a Kaduna church on Oct. 28, killing seven Christians.

"Jaji is located midway between Kaduna and Zaria, two cities that have witnessed suicide bombings in recent months," said Morning Star News. "Besides the Oct. 28 bombing of St. Rita's Catholic Church in the Malali area of Kaduna City, in Zaria suicide bombers on June 17 carried out attacks on an ECWA congregation in the Wusasa area of the city, killing at least 24, and the Catholic Christ the King Cathedral in the Sabon Gari area, killing at least 16. In Kaduna, the group bombed a Pentecostal church, Shalom Church, where at least 10 died. Boko Haram took responsibility for the June attacks."

Christians make up 51.3 percent of Nigeria's population of 158.2 million and live mainly in the south, while Muslims account for 45 percent and live mainly in the north. But those practicing indigenous religions may be as high as 10 percent of the total population, according to Operation World, so the percentages of Christians and Muslims may be less.

Note: Morning Star News is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation whose mission is to inform those in the free world and in countries violating religious freedom about Christians worldwide who are persecuted for their faith. For free subscription or to make tax-deductible donations, contact editor@morningstarnews.org,  or send check to Morning Star News, 24310 Moulton Parkway, Suite O # 157, Laguna Hills, CA 92637, USA.