Note: The following text is an exact quote:
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http://www.assistnews.net/Stories/s05100110.htm
ASSIST News Service (ANS) - PO Box 2126, Garden Grove, CA 92842-2126 USA
Visit our web site at: www.assistnews.net -- E-mail: danjuma1@aol.com
Thursday, October 20, 2005
BIBLE SCHOOL FORCED TO MOVE, RECEIVES NEW THREATS IN BANGLADESH
Christian Freedom International Urges Action
By Dan Wooding
Founder of ASSIST Ministries
DHAKA, BANGLADESH (ANS) -- An American Christian human rights group has revealed that this past July, Grace Presbyterian Bible College was forced by Islamic terrorists to move out of Khulna, Bangladesh. The small school of 33 students is currently headquartered in South Sayabithi, about 15 miles north of Dhaka.
Peter Kaleque, the school’s principal told Christian Freedom International (CFI), “We had to move our Bible school out of Khulna because it was so dangerous. The fanatics beat our Bible school students they tried to kill them. There are so many fanatics in Khulna now.”
“The fanatic groups attacked our school three times, two times this year, one time last year,” said Kaleque. “We have 33 students at the Bible school. They tried to kidnap the girls and kill the men.”
But in their new location outside Dhaka, the nation’s capital, the school has received new threats.
“Here outside South Sayabithi we are now facing problems,” Kaleque told CFI. “We have to be quiet. The Muslim society in the area says if we sing too loudly they will cut off our hand. If we pray too loud they will cut off our hand. Neighboring Muslims from the local Mosque made this threat.”
However, in spite of the persecution, the school is moving ahead. “We are afraid, but we work for the Lord, even if we are scared, said Kaleque. “We have our classes even though they threaten us.”
“Christian Freedom International urges Bangladesh to protect the rights of religious minorities in Bangladesh,” said a spokesperson for CFI which is based in Front Royal, Virginia.
According to Christian Freedom International president Jim Jacobson, “The persecution of Christians, especially those who convert to Christianity in Bangladesh, is getting worse. The growing persecution of Christians in Bangladesh is alarming and should be a matter of major concern for every freedom loving person.”
Christian Freedom International also urges the U.S. government and the U.N. to use their incredible influence on Bangladesh to stop the growing persecution of religious minorities, especially Christians.
Note: Christian Freedom International (CFI) is an interdenominational human rights organization for religious liberty. Mr. Jacobson is a former White House policy analyst. For more information or interviews, contact Christian Freedom International at 540-636-8907 or visit online at www.christianfreedom.org.
Dan Wooding is an award winning British journalist now living in Southern California with his wife Norma. He is the founder and international director of ASSIST (Aid to Special Saints in Strategic Times) and the ASSIST News Service (ANS). Wooding is the co-host of the weekly radio show, "Window on the World" and was, for ten years a commentator, on the UPI Radio Network in Washington, DC. He also co-hosts three days a week a live phone-in show called "Pastor's Perspective" with Brian Brodersen which is carried on KWVE, Santa Ana, California, and other radio stations across the USA. Wooding is the author of some 42 books, the latest of which is his autobiography, "From Tabloid to Truth", which is published by Theatron Books. To order a copy, go to www.fromtabloidtotruth.com. danjuma1@aol.com
** You may republish this story with proper attribution.
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http://www.assistnews.net/Stories/s05100109.htm
ASSIST News Service (ANS) - PO Box 2126, Garden Grove, CA 92842-2126 USA
Visit our web site at: www.assistnews.net -- E-mail: danjuma1@aol.com
Thursday, October 20, 2005
INDONESIAN CHRISTIANS ATTACKED AS THEY WORSHIP IN THE STREET
By Michael Ireland
Chief Correspondent, ASSIST News Service
INDONESIA (ANS) -- A group of Christians worshipping on the street was attacked on Sunday, October 16 as they met in Jatimulya, East Bekasi, West Java.
Barnabas Fund reports that outdoor worship was the only option for these Christians as their church building had been recently forced to close, part of an ongoing pattern of forcible church closures in West Java.
An e-mail report from the organization says: "The Christians came from three churches who had been ordered by the Mayor of Jatimulya to close their church buildings five weeks ago, the closures then enforced by a radical Muslim group called the Alliance Against Apostasy. The constitution of Indonesia guarantees freedom of religion, but with their buildings closed and forbidden to meet for worship in private homes, the Christians have had to gather in the streets each Sunday, in order to worship together."
Barnabas Fund says: "When they met for their service on Sunday, October 9 they were warned to stop but when some 50 lawyers arrived from Jakarta the service proceeded, although it was shorter than normal. Then on Sunday, October 16 the Christians found that in the street where they had been worshipping for the past weeks some 300 radical Muslims had laid out their prayer mats and were conducting their own Islamic worship service. Undeterred the Christians moved to another street and began their service there."
The determination of the Christians to continue to worship apparently angered the Islamic radicals, Barnabas Fund says.
"They approached the gathered Christians and began to mock them and insult them, calling on them to disband their meeting. A female church leader was pushed and shoved until she fell into a drain. The police who were on duty stood by and watched the mob, while a few even joined in the attack."
While no one was seriously hurt, and the Christians remain committed to meeting together, there is fear that there will be more violence and greater danger as they do so, Barnabas Fund says.
Incidents of forced church closures in West Java are increasing. According to some reports there may be as many as 30 a month.
In the Indonesian capital Jakarta 18 churches have had police collecting data on their services, and are now expecting to be closed in the near future. The mayor of Sukabumi has called for all churches without permits in his town to be closed. The pattern of church closures appears to be moving into East Java, where 24 churches in the city of Malang are under threat of closure. The Indonesian Government has made public statements that they do not agree with church closures, yet government officials continue to issue decrees to close them.
Worse news comes from Poso, Sulawesi, where the number of suspected Islamic radicals has increased and there have been three assassinations in the past two weeks. On the weekend of October 15-16 churches in Poso and Palu were placed under police guard.
ITEMS FOR PRAYER
* Pray for the Christians in Jatimulya. Thank God for their faith to continue meeting together; ask Him for protection over them wherever they meet, and that He will bless these faithful brothers and sisters with a peace that surpasses human comprehension.
* Pray for all Christians in Indonesia who are fearful under the current circumstances. Pray that despite the efforts of officials and Muslim radicals the Church in Indonesia will not be overcome by the persecution they suffer.
* Pray for international pressure on the Indonesian Government to uphold its statements about church closures. Pray that they will reverse the trend, and begin protecting the rights of Christian citizens of Indonesia.
Barnabas Fund works to support Christian communities mainly, but not
exclusively, in the Islamic world where they are facing poverty and
persecution.
Further details, quotes and photos on this and other stories may be available
for news editors on request.
Barnabas Fund, The Old Rectory, River Street, PEWSEY, Wiltshire, SN9 5DB, UK.
Tel: +44(0)1672 564938, Fax: +44(0)1672 565030, E-mail: info@barnabasfund.org
Web: www.barnabasfund.org
** Michael Ireland is an international British freelance journalist. A former reporter with a London newspaper, Michael is the Chief Correspondent for ASSIST News Service of Garden Grove, California. Michael immigrated to the United States in 1982 and became a US citizen in September, 1995. He is married with two children. Michael has also been a frequent contributor to UCB Europe, a British Christian radio station.
** You may republish this story with proper attribution.