Urgent update: 5 Christians in Ethiopia and Sudan Still Need Your Help

Photo:Christian Solidarity Worldwide

OUR BROTHERS IN ETHIOPIA AND SUDAN NEED YOUR HELP NOW MORE THAN EVER! The plight of the three Christians in Ethiopia and two pastors in Sudan continues. They need your help. Today, 8 July, is the scheduled final appeal for our three brothers, Tibebu Mekuria, Dawit Jemberu and Belete Tilahun in Ethiopia. Please hold them in your prayers as they appear before the court for the final time, seeking to overturn their unjust prison sentences. On 3 July, a Sudanese Judge upheld the false charges against Pastors Michael Yat and Peter Yen, and their case has been sent to trial. Their trial is due to begin on 14 July. Thank you to the hundreds of people who told us that they’d written to the Sudanese and Ethiopian embassies in protest. Indeed, the emails completely filled up the Sudanese Embassy’s inbox in one afternoon! If you’ve yet to do so, there is still time to write on behalf of Pastors Michael and Peter in Sudan. Simply copy and paste the below text into a new email, compose a subject line, fill in your name and country at the end of the letter, and email it to the new address provided. We respectfully ask that you remain polite throughout, do not write anything disrespectful about other religions, and please do not mention Open Doors.  A NOTE ON SECURITY As a trusted partner in our advocacy work we wanted to let you know that, due to significant security concerns, we will not be publicising this action on our website. We ask that you also do not publicise this action in connection with Open Doors. Thank you for your understanding and discretion. Instead, we would appreciate it if you could notify us by email if you do write to the Sudanese authorities, as we would love to encourage our contacts with news of the support that you have given to our brothers. Please send your emails to: advocacy@opendoorsuk.org

SUDAN LETTER Email address: info@sudan-embassy.co.uk His Excellency Mr Mohammed Abdalla Ali Eltom Ambassador of the Republic of Sudan Embassy of the Republic of the Sudan 3 Cleveland Row St James’s London SW1A 1DD Your Excellency, The Republic of Sudan is a country with a long and rich history and culture. I appreciate the fact that Sudan is a signatory to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and that the 2005 Interim National Constitution of Sudan provides for freedom of religion or belief throughout the entire country. In this context, I am writing to you to request a fair trial and justice for Reverend Michael Yat and Reverend Peter Yen Reith of the Sudan Presbyterian Evangelical Church, both South Sudanese citizens arrested in Khartoum. Rev Michael Yat was taken into custody on 21 December 2014, after preaching at the Sudan Presbyterian Evangelical Church Khartoum Bahri congregation. Rev Peter Yen Reith (also known as David Yein Reith) was arrested on 11 January 2015, reportedly after he inquired about the whereabouts of Rev Michael. It was only on 4 May, more than four months after their arrests, that the pastors were charged with eight offences including disclosure and receipt of official information or documents, arousing feelings of discontent among regular forces, breach of public peace, and offences related to insulting religious beliefs. They will also face charges of undermining the constitutional system, and waging war against the state, which carry the possibility of the death penalty or life imprisonment. It is my understanding that there is no evidence against the two pastors for any of the charges. Well-informed sources have it that the case against both men is motivated by the religious convctions of the accused. Your Excellency, I am asking you to do everything in your power to ensure that Reverend Michael Yat and Reverend Peter Yen Reith are given a fair trial. I appeal to your government to treat these two Christian workers with the justice and mercy that is in keeping with the values of the Sudanese people. Thank you for your attention to this urgent matter. Yours sincerely, Your first name, last name Your country

PLEASE PRAY: For the Lord’s presence to be strongly felt by Tibebu, Dawit and Belete in court today as they make their appeal That Pastors Michael and Peter will have justice soon and that God will continue to sustain them  That the families of these five brothers will know the Lord’s strength and protection at this time.

Every blessing, Zoe & Anastasia Advocacy Team

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France Magazine Attack: They Finally Got Charlie

Was ANYONE surprised that this was the work of Muslims???? Terrorists want to silence people and take away their freedom of speech, thought, and expression. This is horribly sad but I would encourage the magazine to KEEP PUBLISHING THEIR CARTOONS.

Magazine Attacked in Paris Has History of Bold Satire

By Matthew Campbell and Marie Mawad  Jan 7, 2015 7:42 AM PT

Charlie Hebdo, the satirical magazine where shootings today killed at least 12 people, has a long history of pushing the limits of expression -- and sometimes good taste.

In 2011 it published a special edition called “Charia Hebdo” featuring Muhammad as a “guest editor.” The cover depicted the prophet threatening readers with “100 lashes if you don’t die of laughter.” Shortly thereafter, Charlie Hebdo’s Paris offices were firebombed in an overnight attack that caused no injuries.

Just before today’s attack, the magazine’s official Twitter and Facebook accounts published a cartoon of Islamic State leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi offering wishes of good health for the New Year. And the current cover is on “Submission,” a book released today about a future in which an Islamic France is led by a Muslim president who bans women from the workplace.

In recent weeks, the magazine has had two police officers stationed outside its doors because of terrorist threats, Rocco Contento of the SGP police union told BFM Television.

Founded in its current incarnation in 1992, Charlie Hebdo has skewered politicians, pop stars, and religious fundamentalists of all stripes in its weekly installments of caricatures, interviews, and opinionated essays. Its cartoon covers have included former International Monetary Fund chief Dominique Strauss-Kahn dancing in a red tutu and the late singer Michael Jacksonshown as a skeleton shortly after his death from a drug overdose.

Photographer: Bertrand Guay/AFP via Getty Images

The latest issue of the French satirical newspaper "Charlie Hebdo" in Paris on Jan. 7,... Read More

Before Christmas last year, the cover depicted Charlie’s take on a traditional nativity scene -- a spread-eagled Mary giving birth to the baby Jesus. That image currently decorates the magazine’s Twitter profile.

Communion Condom

Though little-known outside France, Charlie Hebdo -- the name means simply Charlie Weekly -- is one of the country’s better-selling political magazines, with an average circulation of about 100,000.

In 2006, it reprinted cartoons of Muhammad originally published by a Danish newspaper, which had prompted sometimes-violent protests because Muslim tradition deems depictions of the prophet to be blasphemous. Islamic organizations sued the magazine for the drawings, a case dismissed by a French court in 2008, according to the Charlie Hebdo website.

Politicians in France, which has Europe’s largest Muslim population, have long understood that the magazine might inflame cultural tensions. During the 2006 controversy, then-presidentJacques Chirac asked media organizations to avoid “provocation” of Muslims. And in 2012 former prime minister Jean-Marc Ayrault called for restraint when Charlie Hebdo published more cartoons representing Muhammad.

The same year, Agence France-Presse reported that police had interrogated a man who called for the beheading of Charlie Hebdo cartoonist Stephane Charbonnier, known as Charb. He was killed in today’s assault, the Paris prosecutor’s office said, along with three other well-known cartoonists: Cabu, or Jean Cabut; Tignous, or Bernard Verlhac; and Georges Wolinski.

“We are crushed,” said Jean-Pierre Schamber, 77, a regular reader who has lived for 25 years in the Paris neighborhood where the magazine has its offices. “Even if I haven’t always agreed with Charlie, this is very deep.”

The magazine’s writers and owners have long defended their content as free speech and argued that they satirize all major religions. In 2010, a cover showed Pope Benedict XVI giving holy communion with a condom. A 2012 story on gay marriage depicted a ménage-a-trois featuring the Holy Spirit, Jesus and God.

Charlie Hebdo is owned by a holding company, Les Editions Rotatives, controlled by senior staffers. They helped re-found the magazine 11 years after a previous version, which ran from 1969 to 1981, ran out of money and shut down.

(A previous version of this story was corrected to remove reference to the magazine’s editor.)

To contact the reporters on this story: Matthew Campbell in London atmcampbell39@bloomberg.net; Marie Mawad in Paris at mmawad1@bloomberg.net

To contact the editors responsible for this story: Kenneth Wong atkwong11@bloomberg.net David Rocks

News and Prayer for the Persecuted Church

Government Continues Mental Torture of Pastor as Court Frees and Immediately Re-Arrests Him  10/9/2013 Kazakhstan (International Christian Concern) Pastor Kashkumbayev, 67, was released to house arrest after having been imprisoned since May for his Christian activities, only to be immediately re-arrested for religious extremism.  He is not receiving adequate medical care while imprisoned. It is believed the government is making an example of him for being a Christian.     Full story Pray for Pastor Kashkumbayev's safety and protection while being detained Pray that God would bring comfort to Pastor Kashkumbayev's family during this difficult time Pray for international awareness for Pastor Kashkumbayev's quick and full release Muslims and Christians in Pakistan Protect Churches with Human Chain 10/8/2013 Pakistan (Opposing Views) In protest to the September 22 bombing of All Saints Church in Peshawar, Pakistan Christians and Muslims joined together this past Sunday to form a human chain protecting a church.  Recent incidences of persecution in Pakistan include terrorist bombings of churches in response to US drone strikes.   Full story Pray the protests will be a catalyst for greater unity between Christians and Muslims in Pakistan  Pray for the healing of victims from the September 22 All Saints Church bombing Pray that the government will provide protection for Christians and religious minorities in Pakistan More Than 60 Church Leaders Remain Locked Up in Communist Vietnam 10/8/2013 Vietnam (International Christian Concern) International Christian Concern has received a tragically long list of the names of 63 Christian pastors and church leaders who remain locked up in deplorable conditions in four prison camps around the country.  There is hope that these Christians will soon be freed- the American government is working on passing a bill that will deny Vietnam certain aid until the human rights situation improves.    Full story Pray for the health and safety of the imprisoned pastors and church leaders Pray for hope in the midst of suffering for the families of the imprisoned leaders Pray that Vietnam would stop its persecution of Christians and religious minorities China Relentless in Persecution of House Churches 10/4/2013 China (International Christian Concern) There have been many recent incidences of beatings, detainment, vandalism, and general persecution of Christians in China. China claims to support religious freedom, but the only protestant church they officially recognize is the Three-Self Patriotic Movement, and it seems to be more an instrument of suppression than a true church.     Full story Pray that China's intolerance for religious minorities will garner the international concern it warrants  Pray the house churches will be legally recognized by the government and they will stop being targets for raids   Pray the local authorities will be stopped from persecuting Christians by higher authorities  Two Indonesian Christians Sentenced to Three Years Behind Bars for Evangelism 10/3/2013 Indonesia (International Christian Concern) It has been confirmed that two Indonesian Christians were sentenced to three years in prison on August 2 for conducting evangelistic activities among Muslims. The Christians, known as Kashfi Rosyid and Jalaudin, are brothers and were arrested by police on March 20 in Sukabumi, West Java,after an angry mob of approximately 200 Muslims attacked their home.  Full Story  Pray for courage and strength for the two brothers while they are detained Pray the Indonesian government will realize their policies that encourage religious tolerance are being violated  Pray this incident will not incite a rise of Christian persecution in Indonesia Out of the Darkness: Isolated Christians in Laos Consistently    Refuse    to    Give up on Christ 10/3/2013 Laos (International Christian Concern)     Christians in Laos are facing persecution for refusing to worship false gods. Though they are constitutionally given religious freedom, Christianity is not always recognized as a religion and foreign missionaries are not allowed to enter. Most occurrences of persecution are reported from small villages. The Christians being persecuted are showing strong resistance.    Full Story  Pray for strength and resolve for Christians who are facing persecution in Laos Pray the situation in Laos will gain more recognition which will lead to greater freedom for Christians

"Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of the destitute." - Proverbs 31:8

Pakistan Blocks 'Obscene' Texts Including "Jesus Christ"

BBC The Pakistan Telecommunications Authority (PTA) has told mobile phone companies to begin blocking text messages containing "obscene" words.

Mobile phone companies Telenor Pakistan and Ufone confirmed to the BBC that the PTA has sent them a "dictionary" of banned words and expressions.

The PTA has reportedly ordered operators to begin screening text messages by 21 November.

Ufone say they are now working on how to block the offending words.

A letter dated 14 November, apparently written by Muhammad Talib Doger, an official at the PTA, has been leaked to Pakistani media.

It states that mobile phone operators should begin screening the words, provided on a list attached to the letter, within seven days.

"We have received both the dictionary and the memo and we're discussing a way forward," said Anjum Nida Rahman, corporate communications director for Telenor Pakistan.

The ban is a reaction to consumers' complaints of receiving offensive text messages, Mohammad Younis, a spokesman for the PTA, told The Guardian newspaper.

"Nobody would like this happening to their young boy or girl," he said. He added that the list was not finished and that the authority would continue to add to it.

'What am I missing?'

An unconfirmed version of the PTA's list is being circulated online, containing hundreds of words and expressions in both English and Urdu.

According to this version, the entries range from those too obscene to repeat to the bizarre.

Some of the choices on the list have baffled Pakistani mobile phone users, many of whom have taken to Twitter to ridicule the move.

Syed Adnan Yousuf, tweeting as @AdnanWhy, asked: "Why is 'head lights' banned? What am I missing here?"

Some people have suggested bypassing the ban by replacing words with their number on the PTA's list.

Pakistan has seen a big increase in mobile phone use in recent years - 100m Pakistanis are now estimated to be mobile phone users.

ISLAMABAD (AP) — Texters in Pakistan better start watching their language.

Pakistan’s telecommunications authority sent a letter ordering cell phone companies to block text messages containing what it perceives to be obscenities, Anjum Nida Rahman, a spokeswoman for Telenor Pakistan, said Friday.

It also sent a list of more than 1,500 English and Urdu words that were to be blocked.

The order was part of the regulator’s attempt to block spam messages, said Rahman. The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority refused to comment on the initiative.

Many of the words to be blocked were sexually explicit terms or swear words, according to a copy of the list obtained by The Associated Press.

It also included relatively mild terms like fart and idiot.

The reasons for blocking some words, including Jesus Christ, headlights and tampon, were less clear, raising questions about religious freedom and practicality. Any word could conceivably be part of a spam message.

The letter, which was also obtained by the AP, was dated Nov. 14 and gave cell phone companies seven days to implement the order.

Rahman, the Telenor spokeswoman, said her company first received the letter Thursday and was discussing how to proceed.

“It’s a big issue, so it is being examined carefully from all points of view,” said Rahman.

The letter said the order was legal under a 1996 law preventing people from sending information through the telecommunications system that is “false, fabricated, indecent or obscene.”

It also stated that free speech can be restricted “in the interest of the glory of Islam.”

Under pressure from Islamists, Pakistan has blocked pornographic websites and ones deemed anti-Islamic. Last year, it temporarily banned Facebook because of material on the site deemed offensive to Islam.

There is a 1996 Pakistani Law where it states that free speech can be restricted "in the interest of the glory of Islam." 

Some of the allegedly banned words

• Athlete's foot
• Flatulence
• Jesus Christ
• Monkey crotch
• Back door
• Bewaquf (foolish)
• Bakwaas (nonsense)
• Wuutang (a presumed reference to American rap group the Wu-Tang Clan)
• Fart
• Idiot
• Tampons
• Headlights