Pastor Hamid Shabanov was arrested after police claimed to find an illegal weapon while searching his home in Aliabad on June 20, according to a June 21 report from Forum 18. Pastor Shabanov's family and congregation insist that police planted the gun they claimed to discover. Shabanov's brother sees the arrest as a direct attack on the pastor's Baptist church and an attempt to halt Christian activity in the area. Shabanov's home was among those searched when another local pastor arrested on fabricated charges, Pastor Zaur Balaev, was detained in May 2007.
Pray that the truth of this situation will be made known and that Pastor Shabanov will be released. Pray that Christians in Azerbaijan will be emboldened to follow in their Saviour's footsteps (1 Corinthians 4:9-14, 16).
For more details on persecution in Azerbaijan, click here.
Muslims Attack Christian Homes and Businesses in Egypt
A mob of local Muslims attacked shops and homes belonging to Coptic Christians in the village of Al Nazla, Fayoum province, on June 19. When a convert from Christianity to Islam left that day on a three-day trip to Cairo, local Muslims concluded that she had gone missing. Rumours circulated that she had been abducted by her Christian family members. A mob of Muslims then went on a rampage in the village, beating and injuring Christians and destroying property.
Ask God to strengthen those affected by the mob violence to remain steadfast as they suffer (Revelation 2:10). Pray that the perpetrators of this attack will come to repentance and salvation.
For more information on persecution in Egypt, click here.
Pastor Assaulted in Ampara, Sri Lanka
The pastor of a Methodist church was attacked by three members of the Department of Civil Defense in the village of Uhana in Ampara district at approximately 4:40 p.m. on June 23, according to a June 24 report from the National Christian Evangelical Alliance of Sri Lanka. The men accosted him while he was walking home from a church meeting and asked him to accompany them to a house to speak with people who were interested in Christianity. Sensing it was a trap, the pastor requested that these individuals come to his church and talk with him there. The men then beat him and threatened him against returning to the village. The pastor was hospitalized with serious injuries to his head and nose.
Pray for healing for the injured pastor. Pray that he and other Christians in Ampara will remain faithful to the task that God has given them at all cost (I Peter 5:1-4).
For more information on persecution facing Christians in Sri Lanka, click here.
Government Authorities Demolish Church in Kano State, Nigeria
State Environmental Protection Agency (KASEPA) employees along with police officers demolished a Catholic church in Naibawa, Kano state on the morning of June 19, according to a June 20 report from Christian Solidarity Worldwide. According to local sources, Christ the King Church had received an official letter in early June ordering them to vacate their property. Church officials had subsequently written a letter of appeal to local authorities and were awaiting a response when KAPESA workers and police officers turned up unexpectedly. Musical instruments and other objects were stolen, the building was bulldozed and the remaining property was set on fire.
Pray for the continued ministry of church fellowships in Kano, despite the opposition they face. Pray that, in the face of their property loss, they will know that they have "better and lasting possessions" (Hebrews 10:36, 37).
For more information on persecution in Nigeria, click here.
Pastor Facing Imprisonment on False Charges in Turkey
Pastor Orhan Picaklar is facing imprisonment on three false charges in Samsun, Turkey, according to a June 18 report from International Christian Concern. On June 15, Pastor Picaklar found a notice from the public prosecutor at his church informing him that he was a suspect in a court case and requiring him to come immediately to give testimony. He arrived at the prosecutor's office to find a handwritten document, which included a false identity number, accusing him of insulting the prophet Mohammed, insulting the police and performing a marriage ceremony in the church. He denies all three charges. Pastor Picaklar was previously targeted for his faith in January 2008, when he received telephone death threats from a local youth.
Pray that the charges against Pastor Pickalar will be dropped and that he will be released. Ask God to thwart the attempts of those who seek to intimidate Christians in Turkey through violence, threats and false accusations.
For more information on the persecution of Christians in Turkey, click here.
Pastor Zhang Mingxuan, the president of Chinese House Church Alliance, and his interpreter, Ms. Ou Yang, were released due to international pressure on June 19 after being detained for 31 hours (click here for more details), according to a June 19 report from China Aid Association. Praise the Lord for their release.
Canadian Marriage Commissioner Appealing Human Rights Ruling
On June 18, Orville Nichols (71), a marriage commissioner found guilty under the Saskatchewan Human Rights Code of discriminating against a gay couple whom he refused to marry three years ago (click here for more details) announced his plan to appeal the May 23 ruling. He needs to raise a minimum of $5000 for this legal battle. If you are interested in supporting him as he stands up for his faith in this way, visit orvillesk.googlepages.com.
Stay Informed with VOMC's Daily News Links RSS Feed
Every day VOMC receives new reports of Christians suffering for their faith around the world. This makes it difficult each week to decide which stories to include in The Persecution and Prayer Alert and which to leave out due to space or priority considerations. However, as part of our mission to provide the most thorough and up-to-date coverage possible, we also offer a RSS feed service linking to the day's top stories concerning Christian persecution. You can find the icon for the Daily News Links on our home page.
Adele Konyndyk reflects on the conflicting views of religious freedom in Algeria in "New Facts, Hard Truths."
In “Should VOM Canada Support Persecuted Canadians?" Glenn Penner invites you to join in an important discussion about VOMC's ministry in Canada. To take part in this active discussion and make comments on other VOMC weblogs, go to persecutedchurch.blogspot.com.
A mob of local Muslims attacked shops and homes belonging to Coptic Christians in the village of Al Nazla, Fayoum province, on June 19. When a convert from Christianity to Islam left that day on a three-day trip to Cairo, local Muslims concluded that she had gone missing. Rumours circulated that she had been abducted by her Christian family members. A mob of Muslims then went on a rampage in the village, beating and injuring Christians and destroying property.
The pastor of a Methodist church was attacked by three members of the Department of Civil Defense in the village of Uhana in Ampara district at approximately 4:40 p.m. on June 23, according to a June 24 report from the National Christian Evangelical Alliance of Sri Lanka. The men accosted him while he was walking home from a church meeting and asked him to accompany them to a house to speak with people who were interested in Christianity. Sensing it was a trap, the pastor requested that these individuals come to his church and talk with him there. The men then beat him and threatened him against returning to the village. The pastor was hospitalized with serious injuries to his head and nose.
State Environmental Protection Agency (KASEPA) employees along with police officers demolished a Catholic church in Naibawa, Kano state on the morning of June 19, according to a June 20 report from Christian Solidarity Worldwide. According to local sources, Christ the King Church had received an official letter in early June ordering them to vacate their property. Church officials had subsequently written a letter of appeal to local authorities and were awaiting a response when KAPESA workers and police officers turned up unexpectedly. Musical instruments and other objects were stolen, the building was bulldozed and the remaining property was set on fire. 
On June 18, Orville Nichols (71), a marriage commissioner found guilty under the Saskatchewan Human Rights Code of discriminating against a gay couple whom he refused to marry three years ago (
Every day VOMC receives new reports of Christians suffering for their faith around the world. This makes it difficult each week to decide which stories to include in The Persecution and Prayer Alert and which to leave out due to space or priority considerations. However, as part of our mission to provide the most thorough and up-to-date coverage possible, we also offer a RSS feed service linking to the day's top stories concerning Christian persecution. You can find the icon for the Daily News Links on our 