Page 5 - Voice of the Persecuted Christians - Oct-Dec 2022 - 120

Nigeria’s Christians continue to suffer
Islamic terrorists in southern Nigeria were reported to have kidnapped four nuns in August, three days after suspected Fulani herdsmen shot dead a Christian lawyer in the country’s northwest, sources said.
Benedict Azza, director of the legal department of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Zamfara state, was killed when gunmen raided his home in Gussau, the state capital, residents said.
A text message received by Morning Star News asserted that the gunmen were militant Fulani herdsmen and that Benedict’s body had been abandoned by the roadside.
Islamist terrorists in northern Nigeria were also suspected of killing an 86-year- old Christian, Daniel Yatai, in his home in Kaduna state earlier in the month
as well as kidnapping two others who were later released, most likely after ransom payments were made.
• A Christian woman who was cleaning her church building was shot dead by suspected Fulani militants in Plateau state in August, sources said.
Lyop Dalyop was sweeping and cleaning the Church of Christ in Nations building in Bangai village, Riyom County, when she was attacked by ‘armed men suspected to be Fulani militias’, said an attorney who serves as the director of Emancipation Centre for Crisis Victims in Nigeria.
Listen to our latest podcasts
LIVING AMID HOSTILITY FOR JESUS Imtiaz Ashraf, who has visited Christians imprisoned for their faith in Pakistan, talks about some of the difficulties believers face, especially the pain of being behind bars separated from loved ones. He also shares some of the encouragements that he has seen in and through the lives of those suffering for Christ.
WALKING WITH THE PERSECUTED We are privileged to work with extremely dedicated and courageous partners across the world. So it is a special privilege for us when they are able to visit the UK. Hear Release International’s James Fraser
talk about the forthcoming UK speaker tour by international partner Bob Fu of ChinaAid. Listen in as we hear Bob’s story of faith and imprisonment in China and what we can look forward to hearing during his visit in October this year. Plus Bob recounts the opposition and threats he and his family faced in Texas in 2020.
I FOCUS MY EYES ON JESUS Over the past year Artless Theatre Company has been touring its production of If Prison Walls Could Speak. This is a powerful play that presents the true
story of Release International’s associate ministry worker Petr Jasek who was arrested and imprisoned for his faith in Sudan. Petr talks about how it felt to see his story re-enacted and shares some of his experiences meeting persecuted Christians in Africa.
Iranian couple
Remember Gao,
detained
urges partner
Iranian Christians request prayer for Homayoun Zhaveh and his wife Sara Ahmadi (pictured) who have been detained in Evin Prison in Tehran.
Our partner ChinaAid has appealed for prayer for Christian lawyer Gao Zhisheng (pictured) who remains
in secret detention in China. Twice nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize for his human rights work, he has been repeatedly held in detention and tortured.
Initially arrested in June 2019, Homayoun was released after a month, but Sara spent 67 days in detention
– half in solitary confinement where she endured extreme psychological pressure.
Gao, who began his practice in 1996, was first arrested after defending marginalised groups such as Christians.
In November 2020 Sara was sentenced to 11 years in prison for her alleged role in leading a house church (later reduced to eight years) and Homayoun to two years for house church membership.
He was released from prison in 2014, but authorities continued to monitor him and deny him medical treatment. In August 2017 he escaped house arrest and headed to Shanxi with the help of two friends; however, he was arrested after 23 days in hiding and remains in secret detention. There has been no information on his current condition.
The couple expected to start their sentences in June 2021 but when they presented themselves at Evin they were told they could return home for the time being.
‘We must not forget prisoners such
as Gao,’ said Paul Robinson, Release International CEO. ‘They might not be in the news but they are being treated appallingly; they are still suffering and they still need our prayers!’
On August 13, this year, they were detained after answering a summons to the prison.
Friends are concerned about their well- being, especially as Homayoun suffers from advanced Parkinson’s disease.
Looking the tiger in the eye, page 6
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