Eight policemen arrested a house church leader, Mohsen Namvar (44), in his home in Tehran on May 31, according to a June 9 report from Compass Direct. The officers confiscated a number of Namvar's personal belongings including his computer, printer, CDs, books and money. He was given no official explanation for the arrest, and his current location is unknown.

According to an Iranian pastor residing outside the country, Namvar had anticipated that police would come for him since hearing that he had been implicated during police interrogations of Christians in the city of Amol in April. He had been warned by a friend that authorities were keeping him under close watch. Namvar was previously held and tortured for baptizing Muslim converts to Christianity in the spring of 2007.

Pray for Namvar's release. Pray that he will act as a faithful witness for Christ during his detention (Matthew 5:14-16). Pray that his wife and children will rely on the Lord for comfort and strength.

For more information on the persecution facing Christians in Iran, click here.

Joseph Francis Photo from CLAAS

Pray for the safety of Francis and the other CLAAS staff members as they serve Christ. Pray for Francis' health as he suffers from diabetes and high blood pressure. Pray that persecutors in Pakistan will come to repentance and salvation, just as Paul did.

For more information on the persecution facing Christians in Pakistan, click here.

Armed attackers broke into El-Manara Christian School in Gaza City at approximately 2:00 a.m. on May 31, according to a June 4 report from Compass Direct. The assailants tied down two school guards and beat them before stealing a bus belonging to the Palestinian Bible Society. A Palestinian Christian leader who requested anonymity for security reasons said that police had reportedly arrested one of the assailants but claimed it was too early to confirm who was behind the attack. This was the second attack in the area in a series of weeks as a bomb was detonated outside of the Zahwa Rosary School on May 16.

Pray that Christians in Gaza will exhibit the love, grace and forgiveness of Christ. Ask God to give them wisdom and grace as they follow Christ through adversity (James 1:5).

For more information on the persecution facing Christians in Gaza, click here.

On May 23, a Saskatchewan human rights tribunal ruled that 71-year-old marriage commissioner Orville Nichols was guilty under the Saskatchewan Human Rights Code of discriminating against a gay couple whom he refused to marry three years ago. The tribunal ruling stated that Nichols had contravened a section of the Saskatchewan Human Rights Code and that his refusal based on religious belief conflicted with his duties as a public officer. Nichols has expressed his disappointment in the decision, which he sees as a denial of his religious rights. He is considering an appeal depending on the level of financial and moral support he receives from the public.

Pray for Nichols to have the peace and grace of Christ in the midst of opposition for his Christian beliefs (John 14:27).

Shankaral Saket and his wife were severely beaten by Hindu militants in Rewa district, Madhya Pradesh on May 27. Both believers were seriously injured and Saket required 20 stitches on his head. The attackers were angered by Saket's conversion to Christianity four years ago.

Pray for healing for Saket and his wife. Ask God to strengthen Christians in India to continue to share their faith in Christ despite attacks from militants who oppose the Gospel (Matthew 28:18-20).

For more information on the persecution facing Christians in India, click here.

Last month, Elina Das, the 13-year-old daughter of Pastor Motil Das was gang-raped by Muslims in the village of Laksmipur, Mymensingh district (click here for more details). According to a June 4 report from Compass Direct, a forensic report on Elina's case allegedly proved that her claims of sexual assault were false. However, relatives of the accused rapists reportedly gave 80,000 taka ($1,190 CAD) to the medical college to alter the report in their favour. Pastor Das' Muslim neighbours have expressed their shock over the falsified report which they had hoped would help to bring the rapists to justice.

Ever wondered why many churches (perhaps your own) rarely, if ever, talk about the persecution of Christians. Perhaps it is because no one, like you, has ever told them!! Step up and raise a voice for the persecuted as an office volunteer, a church representative, or by raising awareness of the worldwide persecution of Christians in your local area. You will be fully supported with prayer, advice, resources, and training. If you don't speak up for the persecuted, who will? For more information visit our Volunteer Ministries page or contact Malcolm, our Volunteer Ministries Coordinator at 1.888.298.6423 or use our online contact form.

Have you checked out the most recent VOMC weblog commentaries?

• In "Restrictions on the Ahmadiyah in Indonesia a Warning for Other Religious Minorities," VOMC CEO Glenn Penner explains why a recent Indonesian government ruling regarding Islamic religious activities is cause for concern.
• In "An Insult to Freedom of Speech," Glenn comments on a Muslim man's human rights case against Maclean's magazine.
• In "Saskatchewan Marriage Commissioner Ruled Guilty of Discrimination," Glenn addresses the case of Orville Nichols.
• In "New Leadership for the Persecution and Prayer Alert," Glenn announces the end of his active involvement in The Persecution and Prayer Alert (P&P).
• In "Thank You so Much Glenn!" Bernie Daniel responds to Glenn's decision regarding the new leadership of the P&P.

To make comments on these and previous VOMC weblogs, go to persecutedchurch.blogspot.com.