Saudi Arabia: Crackdown in Saudi Arabia, Indonesia: A Family is Reunited in Indonesia, Page 3

September 2001

Articles in this issue:  Saudi Arabia, Page 1 | Saudi Arabia, Page 2 | Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, Page 3 | Indonesia, Page 4

“Therefore, do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, or of me, His prisoner; but join with me in suffering for the gospel according to the power of God.” 2 Timothy 1:8

Saudi Arabia: Crackdown (continued)

Afobunor Okey Buliaman (Benjamin) and his family.

In addition to the recent arrests in Jeddah another Christian, Ernesto Miranda, continues to be held in the Malaz prison in Riyadh. Miranda was arrested on December 8, 2000 along with two other Christians who were eventually released and deported. While in prison, he was forced to convert to Islam under solitary confinement and beatings. Many Christian prisoners are told if they do not convert to Islam, they will receive beatings and torture, and/or they are told they will be treated better and released if they convert. However, if they attempt to return to their Christian faith after being released, they are accused of apostasy, a crime punishable by death.

Ironically, Saudi Arabia is a member of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights. Officials in the Kingdom have stated that Muslims and non-Muslims enjoy the same basic freedom of religion. And yet today, dozens of Christians have been arrested, interrogated and deported to their home countries. The muttawa are tasked with the enforcement of this Islamic community - and the threat of other influences simply must be crushed.

Although Saudi Arabia claims to serve the worldwide cause of human rights, they clearly do not even have a grasp of the concept. The iron hand of Islam grips Christians by the throat while Saudi money propagates Islam worldwide, including in the US. In Saudi Arabia, Christians are not allowed to worship in public and even private worship is carried out at a great risk. Bibles are torn from hands and thrown into paper shredders. Crosses are ripped from necks. For Chrisitans living in Saudi Arabia, both foreign workers and citizens, the risk is great and the price is high to serve Christ.

You can be part of the solution!

Hold these Christians up in prayer daily. Take action on their behalf by contacting your representative and senator. Write letters. Swamp the phone lines at the Saudi Embassy. Ask that they would do something for the release of these 14 Christians. Tell your friends and ask them to follow your example. Do not allow this savage treatment to continue.

(Click here for more information on Saudi Arabia.)

A Family is Reunited in Indonesia 

ICC’s Operation Rescue Maluku Continues

Adel, Methu, Tien, and Anto were once a happy family of four. Then one day in 1999 their village was attacked by Muslims bent on jihad (holy war). As the jihad warriors advanced, all of the villagers fled. In the mass confusion, Methu, the father of the family, was separated from the others. Miraculously he and some other villagers were able to escape. However, the rest of the family was not so fortunate. Adel and her two children, along with both her mother and Methu’s mother, were soon surrounded by militant Muslims.

(Click here for more information on Indonesia.)

Continued on Page 4... 

POSTED:  August 26, 2001

September 2001

Articles in this issue:  Saudi Arabia, Page 1 | Saudi Arabia, Page 2 | Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, Page 3 | Indonesia, Page 4