Christian teenager abducted in Egypt

Amira Gamal Saber, a 16-year-old Egyptian Christian, was abducted in early December 2011 from Saft-el-Khamar village, Minya Province, reports the Australian Evangelical Alliance Religious Liberty Commission.

The head of security in Minya confirmed her kidnapping but failed to act. A few weeks later, a man phoned Amira's family demanding a ransom. The family travelled to Giza with the ransom money, but once they arrived they were directed to the police station and informed that government prosecutors were handling the case.

In court, a prosecutor backed by 12 lawyers told Amira's parents that their daughter wanted to convert to Islam. He ruled therefore, that Amira be sent to a state-run care facility in Giza until she turns 18 and may legally profess Islam for herself. Her father is appealing to the Attorney General.

Please pray!

• Please pray the Lord will intervene in Amira's situation. 
• Ask Him to give her and her family the strength to endure this current hardship. 
• Pray for all believers in Egypt; may they keep their eyes on Jesus, persevere in their faith, and not grow weary or lose heart (Hebrews 10:32-39; 12:1-3).

To learn more about the suffering of believers in Egypt, go to the Egypt Country Report.

Brutalized teenage believer in Sudan prays for forgiveness for her tormentors

Please keep Hiba in your prayers.
(Photo: Compass Direct News)

A young Sudanese Christian teenager who was kidnapped, sexually assaulted and physically attacked over the course of one year is praying that her former captors, a gang of Muslims who tried to force her to convert to Islam, find mercy.

After escaping last July, she says she is praying that Jesus reveals himself to her assailants, and "forgives them for what they did to me," reports International Christian Concern.

Hiba Abdelfadil Anglo says she escaped from them with the help of God who did not want her to suffer any more (for more information on her kidnapping, click here). "I want to thank God who saved me from the hands of the abductors," said Hiba just two months after she escaped. "I also thank God for all believers all over the world for their prayers for me and my family. It was because of your prayers that my situation changed."

Hiba, who missed one year of school due to the abduction, is in school again, but her widowed mother lost her job after taking time to search for her daughter, so the financial burdens are a strain.

Please pray.

• Please pray that Hiba's physical and emotional wounds will be healed and that she will succeed in her studies and grow in her faith. 
• Please pray that her captors' knees will bend before Jesus, and that they will turn to the one true God in repentance. 
• Pray that God will strengthen and embolden the Church in Sudan.

To post a prayer of solidarity with Hiba, please visit our Persecuted Church Prayer Wall. To learn more about how Sudanese believers suffer for Christ's sake, visit the Sudan Country Report.

Update on kidnapped Christians in Yemen

The Hentschel family

December 12 marked two-and-a-half years since the kidnapping of nine foreigners in Saada, north-west Yemen, three of whom were murdered shortly afterwards, reports Middle East Concern.

There continues to be no news of Johannes and Sabine (a German couple), Simon (their son, age 3) or of Tony (a British man). Lydia and Anna (7 and 5, daughters of Johannes and Sabine) who were freed in May 2010 are with relatives in Germany and are reported to be in good health (for more on their release, click here). It is a challenge for these relatives to function as Lydia and Anna's parents in light of their unique needs and in the context of the other children in their home.

Christians close to the situation are hopeful that the recent agreement to transfer power from President Saleh to the Vice President and the formation of a unity government may lead to the release of information about the four missing foreigners. These political changes have not yet led to much positive change in the country as a whole, and protests and violent clashes continue in many parts.

Christians in Yemen and others close to this situation thank us for our prayers and request our continued intercession. They ask us to pray that:

• The missing four (assuming they are alive) will know the peace, presence and daily provision of Jesus and will be released unharmed shortly.
• Information about their whereabouts will be forthcoming.
• The country will be governed in a Godly manner, respecting all ethnic, tribal and religious groups.
• The families and colleagues of those missing and murdered will know the peace of Jesus amidst continuing uncertainty.
• All expatriate Christians working in Yemen will know the Lord's guiding and protecting.
• The perpetrators will be convicted by the Spirit and drawn to the forgiveness, love and true life offered by Jesus.

To post a prayer for these believers, visit our Persecuted Church Prayer Wall. For more information on persecution in Yemen, go to our Yemen Country Report.

Kidnapped men released; two others killed in Iraq

We recently requested prayer for three Assyrian Christians, together with a Turkman Muslim, who were kidnapped near Kirkuk on September 21. Middle East Concern reports that they were released on September 30. Praise God! Reportedly a ransom was paid to secure their release.

However, the Christian community continues to suffer, as two Christian men were shot dead in Kirkuk in recent days. Hanna Polos Emmanuel's body was found on the city's outskirts on October 1. He was 60 years old. Bassam Isho was killed in the Muthana district on October 2. He was 30 years old.

Iraqi Christians fear that these incidents are targeted attacks to destabilize Christian communities in Iraq.

For the full report, click here.

Iraqi Christians rejoice in the release of the kidnapped men and thank us for our prayers. They request our continued intercession that:

• Those kidnapped, together with their families, will find emotional healing after facing this trauma.
• The families of those killed will know the peace, presence and comfort of Jesus.
• The perpetrators of violence against Christians will know the Spirit's conviction, the Son's offer of forgiveness and the Father's welcome to relationship with God.
• The authorities will act decisively to improve security for all people, including Christians and other religious minorities, in Kirkuk and throughout Iraq.

Muslims kidnap Christian girl to “purify” her

A 14-year-old Christian girl in Pakistan has been abducted by Muslims, reports Pakistan Christian Post. Five Muslim men allegedly kidnapped her in Gujranwala City of Punjab Province to “purify” her by making her a Muslim and the mistress of one of the men.

Eye-witnesses say the Muslims, armed with deadly weapons, forced their way into the home of Rashid Masih in broad daylight and abducted his daughter, Mehek. They held a gun to Mehek’s head and forced her to climb into a car.

The same witnesses chased the men, but were threatened to stop under pain of death. Workers from the All Pakistan Minorities Alliance heard about the case and reported it to the police. ASSIST News reports that police reluctantly registered the case but have not taken any substantial investigative action.

The Pakistan Christian Post’s article can be found here. ASSIST News’ article can be found here.

Pray for Mehek!

• Pray God will protect Mehek’s physical and emotional well-being.
• Pray that her kidnappers will release her unharmed and come to a knowledge of Christ.
• Pray for a strengthening of faith for Mehek and her family.

To learn more about persecution in Pakistan, please visit our Pakistan Country Report.

Three Christians kidnapped in Iraq

Please pray for three kidnapped Christians in Iraq.

Three Christians were kidnapped near Kirkuk on September 21, reports Middle East Concern.

The believers were returning from a hunting trip when their vehicle was stopped by a group of armed men. A fourth person, of Turkoman ethnicity, travelling with them was also kidnapped. The group's burnt-out vehicle was found shortly afterwards, and the remains of their hunting dogs were found inside.

Iraqi Christians fear that this is incident is yet another attack aimed at the Christian presence in Iraq.

Iraqi Christians request our prayers that:

• The kidnapped men will be released unharmed.
• They and their families will know the peace and presence of Jesus.
• The kidnappers will know the Spirit's conviction, the Son's offer of forgiveness and the Father's welcome to relationship with God.

Convert to Christianity beheaded in Somalia

A kidnapped Christian convert from Islam was found decapitated on September 2 on the outskirts of Hudur City in Bakool region, in south-western Somalia, reports Compass Direct News.

Juma Nuradin Kamil, who embraced Christianity about three years ago, was kidnapped on August 21 by three suspected Islamic extremists from the al Shabaab terrorist group. Muslim extremists from al Shabaab, a militant group with ties to al Qaeda, have vowed to rid Somalia of Christianity.

Sources believe the kidnapping and subsequent manner of murder suggest that al Shabaab militants had been monitoring him. “It is usual for the al Shabaab to decapitate those they suspect to have embraced the Christian faith, or sympathisers of western ideals,” a Christian leader said. “Our brother ... was determined in his faith in God. We greatly miss him.”

The community did not initially bury Juma’s body out of fear that al Shabaab extremists would associate them with the newly discovered convert. “The community feared burying him, and his body lay in the open for two days before unknown people buried him secretly,” a Christian shared.

Please pray!

• Pray for Juma’s family and the grieving Christian community. May they rest in the knowledge that the Good Shepherd walks with them through this difficult time.
• Ask the Lord to protect believers in Somalia and deliver them from harm.
• Pray that the perpetrators will repent and turn to Jesus Christ.

Please visit our Somalia Country Report for more information on our suffering brothers and sisters in Somalia.

Christian woman escapes kidnapper in Pakistan

In 2009, Arifa Alfred was kidnapped in Quetta, Pakistan after drinking tea that had been drugged, reports the Pakistan Christian Post.

When she awoke, she found herself in the home of Mohammad Amjad, a Muslim man who told her that she was now his wife and that she had converted to Islam. Arifa's parents reported her kidnapping to the police, but the police did nothing to help.

During her captivity, Arifa was drugged and physically and mentally tortured. She attempted to flee the house many times, but without success until August 1, when she found the house unlocked for the first time in two years. Despite her many internal injuries due to the torture she had endured, Arifa escaped and fled to the hospital. She then found her brother Adnan, who reported the situation to police.

At last report, the police had done nothing to bring justice; one police inspector even stated he was happy that she had converted to Islam. However, Arifa has shared, "I am a Christian and have stood always steadfast in my Christian faith." Arifa and her family have since gone into hiding due to threats on their lives.

For the full report, click here.

You can help by praying!

• Pray that God will bring about justice for Arifa (Psalm 140). 
• Pray the Lord will protect Arifa, her family and the Christian community. 
• Pray He will minister to her and heal her completely. 
• Pray that her kidnapper will repent and come to know the Lord. 
• Pray for other Christian women in Pakistan who are facing similar struggles.

Investigation requested for missing human rights lawyer in China

Gao last seen with his family in January 2009.
(Photo: ChinaAid) 

VOM partner ChinaAid formally requested a special UN investigation into the torture of missing Christian lawyer Gao Zhisheng on August 15, the five-year anniversary of his first kidnapping by police. The request was submitted by ChinaAid's legal counsel and was filed with the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Torture.

Human rights lawyer Gao was taken by police on August 15, 2006, from his sister's home and held incommunicado until the Chinese government announced on September 21 that he was being charged with inciting subversion (for more information, click here).

In March 2010, a group of human rights specialists filed a petition before the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, which resulted in the discovery of serious wrongdoing by the Chinese government. However, Chinese authorities failed to even reply to the UN enquiry. Those involved were told that Gao's case is a matter of China's internal affairs, adding that the country is under rule of law.

ChinaAid founder and president, Bob Fu, and the organization's legal counsel, David E. Taylor, expect that China is likely to respond similarly to this request for a special UN investigation. "Nonetheless, we believe it is important for the international community to see again how the Chinese Communist Party responds with arrogance and recalcitrance to the UN, and to show the world, especially Gao's family and the Chinese government, that Gao has not been forgotten for even one second and never will be," Taylor said.

Please pray for Gao and his family!

• Pray that Gao and his family members remain steadfast in the faith (1 Peter 5:8-10). 
• Ask the Lord to use this current investigation request for His glory and for the benefit of Gao and other Chinese believers who are currently in prison for their faith in Christ.
• Pray that many more in China will come to know Christ as their Lord and Saviour. 

Christian girls kidnapped in Egypt

Nancy and Christine
were recently kidnapped by Muslims.
(Photo: FrontPage Magazine)

Two Coptic Christian girls were on their way to church in Minya, Egypt on Sunday, June 12, when they were abducted by Muslim kidnappers, reports FrontPage Magazine. The cousins, Christine Azat, 16, and Nancy Magdi, 14, were held for a ransom of 200,000 Egyptian pounds (approximately $33,015 CAD).

Christine’s father immediately went to the police when he discovered the abduction and has continued to seek their help to no avail.

The people of Christine and Nancy’s region began gathering as much money as they could. They came up with the ransom money, but when they tried to make the exchange with the kidnappers, they were told the girls had already been sold to another group that was asking for 12 million pounds in payment (approximately $2 million CAD).

Nancy’s father laments the kidnapping of his daughter, saying she’s still only a child.

“She is only 14 years old, the youngest in the family, our baby… .Since her disappearance my household has been living in continuous depression, misery, and weeping,” he said.

It is not probable that the 12 million pound ransom will be raised. Christine and Nancy will likely face rape and enslavement if they are not killed.

The usual rumour that the girls willingly left their families and converted to Islam is being circulated. However, even Al Azhar, the institution that formally recognizes conversions to Islam, has not acknowledged the conversion of the girls.

The kidnappings add to an already long list of attacks on Christians in Minya. In April, we reported violence against Coptic Christians by a gang of thugs. The assaults began in January when two Coptic women were raped while a 30-year-old man and a 12-year-old boy were held for ransom.

Please pray for Christians in Egypt:

• Pray that Christine and Nancy’s families will continue to trust in God as they seek wisdom in the next steps they should take.
• Pray the police will recognize the kidnappings and take action.
• Pray that those who kidnap Christians will see the love of Christ displayed in the lives of their victims.

Continued prayer requested for Christians abducted in Yemen

The Hentschels

June 12 marked the second anniversary of the kidnapping of nine foreigners in Saada, northwest Yemen, three of whom were murdered and two of whom were freed last May, reports Middle East Concern.

There continues to be no news of Johannes and Sabine Hentschel, a German couple, and their young son, Simon, or of Tony, a British man. Johannes and Sabine’s daughters, Lydia, 6, and Anna, 5, are currently living with relatives in Germany and reportedly in good health.

It is understood that both German and British investigators have stopped the active search for the missing believers. Those close to this situation remain hopeful that those still missing are alive and ask for continued prayerful intercession on their behalf.

You can help by praying!

• Pray the status of the missing Christians will be made known.
• Pray that, if they are alive, they will rest in the Lord’s care and soon be released unharmed.
• Pray the families and loved ones of those missing and murdered will know the peace of Jesus amidst continuing speculation and uncertainty.
• Ask God to encourage and guide Yemen’s Christian minority, most of whom are foreigners working in the country who are often isolated from one another in their walk of faith.

Pray for kidnapped hostages in Yemen

It can become far too easy, as time goes on, to forget the names and faces of our persecuted brothers and sisters we have prayed for in the past. This week, an update from Middle East Concern thankfully returned my attention to the kidnapped foreigners in Yemen who remain missing.

In your prayers today and in the coming weeks, please do pray for the hostages who remain missing and for those who have been returned to their families.

In recent months we have requested prayer following the kidnapping on Friday 12^th June 2009 of nine foreigners in Saada, north-west Yemen, three of whom were murdered shortly afterwards. Recall that two were freed unharmed on 17^th May.

There continues to be no news of Johannes and Sabine (a German couple), Simon (their son, aged 2) or of Tony (a British man). Lydia and Anna (5 and 4, daughters of Johannes and Sabine) who were freed in May are with relatives in Germany.

The Muslim fasting month of Ramadan started on Wednesday. Therefore, Johannes, Sabine and Tony (assuming they are alive) will probably be forced to fast during daylight hours, which are approximately 4:15 am to 6:30 pm in northern Yemen.

Christians in Yemen thank us for our prayers and request our continued intercession. Please pray that:

1. The missing four (assuming they are alive) will know the peace, presence and daily provision of Jesus and will be released unharmed shortly

2. They will lack nothing during Ramadan

3. Efforts by those seeking to secure their release will be successful

4. Lydia, Anna and their relatives will know the presence and peace of Jesus

5. The families and colleagues of those missing and murdered will know the peace of Jesus amidst continuing speculation and uncertainty

6. All expatriate Christians in Yemen will know the Lord’s guiding and protecting at this time

7. The perpetrators will be convicted by the Spirit and drawn to the forgiveness, love and true life offered by Jesus.

Christian hostages released in Yemen

For nearly a year, VOM has been following the story of six Christian hostages -- a family of five from Germany and a British engineer -- who were kidnapped along with three other women in June 2009 (click here for more information).

It is the kind of story that caused a lot of fervent prayer and concern right from the beginning. With little to no updates on the situation of these believers as months went on, it was often difficult to know how to continue to most effectively pray for them. And yet, many believers around the world persisted in prayerfully beseeching the Lord on behalf of Johannes and Sabine, their children Lydia (6), Anna (4), Simon (2), and their friend Tony.

Today, it was reported that Lydia and Anna have been released!

Needless to say, this news is a cause of rejoicing for many. It is remarkable to read that both of these young Christians are in “good health” and that there are plans to fly them home tomorrow. Praise God!

The need for prayer remains abundant, however, as young Simon is believed to have died. The status of Johannes and Sabine remains uncertain. And so we encourage you to continue to commit the situation into the hands of the Lord. Pray for guidance and comfort for Lydia and Anna. Pray that as they heal from the terrible ordeal they have endured, they will know the Lord's love in their lives. Pray for protection and health for their parents and for Tony. Pray for strength for the loved ones of these believers in these uncertain times—particularly amid the recent news regarding Simon.