New Church Attacks Threatened
17 September 2002 Islamic militants in Pakistan are threatening further attacks against Christian targets. Meanwhile, detained extremists reveal they had targeted a series of churches. Abdullah Mazhar of the Islamic militant group Jaish-i-Muhammad has warned that his Islamic warriors will join in further attacks against Christian and Western targets in Pakistan if the government prevents them from entering Kashmir to fight in a jihad (holy war) against Indian soldiers. The Pakistani government has backed a number of Islamic militant groups fighting for independence for Indian-controlled Muslim-majority Kashmir since 1990. However, since the tragic events of 11 September President Musharraf’s government has come under increasing pressure to sever its links with Islamic militant groups and crack down on extremists. At least sixteen Islamic militants linked to the extremist group Lashkar-e-Jhangvi have been arrested by police since the brutal attacks on Muree Christian School and Taxila Christian Hospital on 5 and 9 August in which 10 people were killed and dozens injured. The detained extremists have revealed that the recent attacks were only the first in a series of assaults on Christians and Western targets across the country planned by Islamic hit squads. Two churches and a Christian women’s hospital in Multan in particular are known to have been reconnoitred by extremists planning further bloody raids. PRAY Pray for Christians in Pakistan who are extremely fearful at this time. The government has undertaken to protect them and is providing police guards at some churches and other Christian sites, but Pakistani Christians are not convinced the police will be able to save them from determined militants. Pray for their protection. Pray comfort and support for those who lost loved ones in the recent attacks. Pray for wisdom, courage and protection for the government and security services in Pakistan, that they might continue to protect Christians and other minorities in the face of Islamic extremist aggression. Pray for Islamic militants targeting Christian sites. Ask that the Lord will touch their hearts, reveal to them the suffering they have caused, and lead them to repentance and faith in Him. BARNABAS FUND E-MAIL NEWS SERVICE The Barnabas Fund’s e-mail news service provides our supporters with short urgent news briefs and prayer requests for suffering Christians around the world. Please do share these news items with your Christian friends and churches. All news items are available on our website in a more colourful user-friendly presentation format which you can access, print and pass on. If you are not already receiving these news briefs directly from the Barnabas Fund and would like to, please contact us with your name, postal and e-mail addresses, and details of the church you attend. The Barnabas Fund, The Old Rectory, River Street, PEWSEY, Wiltshire, SN9 5DB, UK, Tel 01672 564938, Fax 01672 565030, E-mail info@barnabasfund.org Web www.barnabasfund.org ----------------------------------------------------------- To be unsubscribed from the BFS Overseas mailing list simply click on the link below.