India
Christians in the state of Orissa, and many others, experienced serious anti-Christian violence in 2008. Hindu extremists reacted fiercely to the murder of one of their leaders on 23 August, leaving 110 Christians dead, at least 170 churches and 4,500 homes destroyed, and over 54,000 people displaced. The number of arrests, physical beatings and church attacks was high across India, and Christians were reported killed in six other states.
Examples of Persecution:
- In 2010, police arrested a pastor after Muslim radicals barged into a prayer meeting, accused him of forceful conversion, tore Bibles and damaged household items
- In October 2010, two Hindu nationalists were arrested for beating four pastros and striking the wife of one of them in the stomach, killing her unborn child. The attack took place at a Christian gathering in Karnataka state
Open Doors is: offering Biblical training, providing urgent relief, advocacy and prayer, involved in community development, literacy and income generating projects, and helping to unite the Church across denominational lines through networking and conflict resolution.
Please Pray:
- For the relief and rehabilitation efforts in Orissa. Ask the Lord to rebuild the shattered lives of His people
- For endurance and courage for the church in India. Pray that it would maintain a positive witness to the Gospel of peace
- That the general election due this year will bring a new government ready to protect the rights of religious minorities.