PASTOR BEATEN IN TAMIL NADU
Chennai: On May 14, 2009 ten Hindu militants accosted Pastor George Philip (58) while he was walking in the village of Kottavillai.When the pastor tried to walk away from the militants, he was pelted with stones and beaten. He was later hospitalized for his injuries.

CHRISTIAN KIDNAPPED BY MUSLIMS IN EGYPT
Cairo: 21 year old Mina Basily was abducted from his home in Alexandria by four Muslim men on May 6, 2009 according to Middle East Christian Association.

Muslims armed with swords, sticks and knives broke into the Basily family's home, assaulted Mina and forced him into a car parked outside. Neighbours who witnessed the kidnapping were too fearful to intervene.

The police initially refused to file an official report of kidnapping, even though officers questioned witnesses and visited the Basily's home, which was still spattered with blood from the attack. The report was only issued after the family appealed to the Chief Prosecutor of the Montaza district.

Local Muslims told police that Mina was involved in a relationship with a Muslim girl but such claims remain unsubstantiated, as the girl's family is hiding her from officials. At last report, Mina had been handed over to the police and was being pressured to convert to Islam.

OFFICIALS DENY PENSION TO IRANIAN CHRISTIAN
Teheran: A retired Christian school teacher from the Iranian province of West Azerbaijan, Fatemeh Pauki (58), is being denied her pension by the district court of Ouroumieh, according to reports.

On March 2, 2009 Pauki received a letter from the Ministry of Education stating that her pension income would not be paid to her as of April 5.

In recent years, officials of the Ministry of Information have threatened and detained Pauki. She has been forced to promise that she will not have contact with Christians or attend any Christian meetings and that she will cooperate with the security officials in spying for them.

Pauki's late husband, Majid Mahmoodi Tabrizi, a convert to Christianity from Islam, was repeatedly threatened by officials in an attempt to intimidate him into renouncing his faith. He was brutally murdered by unknown assailants in July 2005. His family has since received threatening letters warning them against inquiring further into his death.

MESSIANIC JEWS ATTACKED IN ISRAEL
Jerusalem: A group of Messianic Jews handing out evangelistic pamphlets in the city of Rehovot were attacked on May 13, 2009 by ultra Orthodox Jews, according to reports. Some onlookers also joined in the violence and screamed and cursed at the believers. The pamphlets were torn into pieces and thrown into the garbage.

Many who attack Messianic evangelists falsely claim that missionary activity is illegal in Israel. In reality, there is no law in the country against sharing one's faith with consenting adults. It is only illegal to offer monetary compensation for accepting a new faith or to proselytize to minors.

PASTOR SEVERELY BEATEN IN MADHYA PRADESH
Bhopal: On the afternoon of May 24, 2009 Pastor Ramesh Mandevey (31) was brutally attacked by 10 Hindu militants after visiting with a believer near the town of Dewas.

A companion who was travelling with Pastor Mandevey was able to escape the assailants and later returned to bring the badly beaten pastor to the police station.

At last report, Pastor Mandevey was in hospital with serious internal injuries.

CHRISTIANS CHASED AWAY FROM HOUSE CHURCH IN TANZANIA
Zanzibar: Members of the Zanzibar Pentecostal Church, a house church in the town of Unguja Ukuu near Zanzibar City were expelled from their rented premises on May 9, 2009 by militant Muslims, according to a reports.

Approximately 20 believers fled for their lives when Muslim militants gathered outside the building and shouted, "We do not want the church to be in our locality." The Muslims were reportedly angered by the believers' evangelistic activities and had issued threats against church members.

At last report, the Christians were still unable to use the rented premises for worship and were raising money to buy their own property.

AUTHORITIES INTERROGATE FATHER OF CHRISTIAN CONVERT
Teheran (Iran): In an attempt to silence an Iranian Christian human rights activist living in England, Iranian authorities detained his Muslim father.

In February, 2009 Iranian authorities phoned Abdul Zahra Vashahi (62) and warned him that he would be arrested unless his son stopped his human rights activities. On May 14, 2009 Abdul was arrested in the city of Bandar Mahshahr.

Authorities interrogated him about his son, John Vashahi (30), a convert from Islam to Christianity who founded the Iranian Minorities Human Rights Organization. Abdul was released after six days.

When John was asked whether he believes it was his faith or his work that led to his father's arrest, he said, "I think it's both, because part of my human rights activity is in regard to Christians in Iran, and we've been in touch with Christians and persecuted churches."

SCOTTISH BIBLE SOCIETY SUPPORTS SUFFERING CHRISTIANS IN INDIA
The Scottish Bible Society is responding to appeals received by its sister organisation in India from Christians that have recently experienced persecution, especially in the state of Orissa.

The Scottish Bible Society's new campaign for India aims to raise money in Scotland to help victims of anti Christian violence as well as those seeking purpose in life.

Despite the fact that India's constitution offers freedom of worship, Christians continue to be pressurised in a number of states. Methods range from legal disadvantages and intimidation at elections to outright murder.

Gospel for Asia (GFA) missionary Ojas Ganj can only see out of one eye today. On February 19, four antiChristian extremists beat him severely, inflicting multiple wounds including an eye injury. This was the second time fanatics attacked him this year, both times at his village in Orissa.

Rajma Naik, 45, fled to a camp after a mob chased her out of her home in Gonjugra village, also in Orissa. She said: "We've been told that if we don't become Hindus, we will be killed. But I will never become a Hindu, even if I have to die.”

Since August last year, scores of people have died while thousands of homes and dozens of churches have been burned down with the loss of furniture, belongings and, for many Christians, their most valued possession: the Bible.

There are 30 million Christians in India around 2.5 per cent of the population. Many of them cannot afford to purchase a Bible or a New Testament for themselves, particularly those whose copies have been damaged or destroyed in the attacks.

The Scottish Bible Society wants to help its local counterpart to provide 10,000 Bibles, 10,000 New Testaments, 30,000 Bible portions and one million Scripture leaflets in 13 different languages.

The Bible Society in India has also asked for assistance with three smaller projects, with widows and women, children, and non readers.

Widows and women from low castes such as the Dalits (untouchables) endure appalling abuse and discrimination. A special project has been set up to help them engage with stories of courageous women in the Bible and receive comfort, courage and hope.

More than 40 per cent of India's population are under the age of 15 years. With the government making education compulsory, millions of children are now able to read and understand the printed word.

Thousands of Scriptures are needed for the 3-15 age group, from the Toddler's Bible to a popular Children's Bible designed locally. The Bibles will be produced in 16 different languages.

TWO DEAD, 14 INJURED IN NEPAL CHURCH BLAST: POLICE
KATHMANDU (AFP) Two people were killed, including a teenage girl, and 15 wounded including 4 Indianswhen a bomb exploded Saturday in a Roman Catholic church packed with worshippers on the outskirts of the Nepalese capital, police said.

The injured Indians were identified as Sweety Singh, Binayak Kunwar, Buddhalaxmi Joseph and Father Rakesh all from Patna. They have been admitted to the nearby Patan Hospital and Alka Hospital.

The building was jammed with around 500 people when the homemade device packed with nails went off at the start of morning Mass, creating panic as people rushed for the exits, police said.

The attack on Kathmandu's only Roman Catholic place of worship marked the "saddest day" in the history of the religion in the impoverished mountain nation, one prominent church leader said.

A pamphlet of an obscure Hindu extremist group called the National Defence Army was found at the blast site in Lalitpur, a district adjoining Kathmandu, police said.

But they said it was too soon to assign blame for the attack on the Church of Assumption, which came hours before lawmakers were due to vote in a new premier after weeks of political instability in the world's newest republic.

The explosion occurred on Saturday when a Mongolian faced girl carrying a bag came and left it on the floor pretending to go to the toilet, according to the church officials. "The explosives were installed inside a pressure cooker. We've recovered metal splinters and nails from the blast site. We're investigating the attack but no arrests have been made," police officer Bharat Gharti Chettri said.

"There was a black plastic bag on one of the seats. It blew up when one of the church attendants tried to remove it," he said. "Suddenly there was a loud noise and flames inside the hall," added Limbu, his face and shirt splattered with blood.

"The windows of the church were shattered and there was a panic. All the people began to run outside," he said. "I ran for cover too and I can't hear with my right ear now."

The National Defence Army, which says it is fighting to restore the nation's Hindu monarchy, abolished in 2008, had claimed responsibility previously for killing a missionary in eastern Nepal last July. The outfit also said it bombed a mosque in the east of the country last year, killing two people.

Hindu and Muslim religious leaders and human rights activists converged on the area where the church is located to show solidarity with the local Christian community, police said.

"This is the saddest day in the history of Nepali Christians.

Never before has there been such an attack on the Church in Nepal," said Tirtha Thapa, a Christian leader and founder director of Nepal's Human Development and Community Services. "We deeply grieve with the families of the dead," he said.

Nepalese churches hold their services on Saturday because Sunday is a normal working day in the impoverished country.

The bombing came as lawmakers were due to choose a new premier three weeks after Maoist prime minister Prachanda quit, plunging the nation into a crisis triggered by a stand off between his exrebels and the army.

CHURCH TORCHED IN WARANGAL

Hyderabad: Hindutva activists have allegedly set fire to a church in Warangal of Andhra Pradesh. The activists attacked Holy Sprit Church of God Ministry at Siddhapuram village, Hasanpatri mandal in Warangal district on 5 May 2009. According to Pastor Clinton, the attackers first destroyed the door of the church as it was kept locked. Then they set fire to all the furniture inside, including the pulpit and some wooden bars supporting the slab sheets.

The attack happened around 2 am. Noticing the fire, the believers immediately gathered around to save the church. But by that time all the furniture in the church was gutted. The Pastor along with the believers went to the nearby police station to file an FIR.

Pastor Clinton said the activists of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) had similarly destroyed another church in the same area. “We do not create any problems in the area. Then why do they keep attacking us?” Pastor Clinton wondered. He said in the past they had some problems with the owners of the land surrounding the church as they built apartments all around. “We do not know if they have any hand in the attack,” the Pastor added.

TWO CHRISTIANS KILLED IN NEPAL CHURCH ATTACK
Katmandu: Two people were killed, including a teenage girl, and 14 wounded when a bomb exploded on May 24, 2009 in a Roman Catholic church packed with worshippers on the outskirts of the Nepalese capital, police said.

A Christian leader said the attack, the first on a Christian church, marked the "saddest day'' in the history of the religion in the impoverished mountain nation.

The church Kathmandu's only Roman Catholic place of worship was jammed with 500 people when the device went off at the start of morning Mass, creating panic as people rushed for the exits, police said.

A pamphlet of an obscure Hindu extremist group called the National Defence Army was found at the blast site in Lalitpur, a district adjoining Kathmandu, police said. But police said it was too soon to assign blame for the attack on the Church of Assumption which came hours before lawmakers were due to vote in a new premier after weeks of political instability in the world's newest republic.

"A 15 year old student, Celestina Joseph, and 30 year old Pabitra Paitri died in the bomb blast. Five of the injured are in serious condition,'' police officer Ram Brish Chaudhary said.

It was the first attack on a Christian church in the Hindu dominated Nepal.

The bombing came as lawmakers were due to choose a new premier, three weeks after Maoist prime minister Prachanda quit, plunging the nation into a crisis triggered by a stand off between his exrebels and the army.

NEPAL TO PROBE INTO CHURCH ATTACK
Kathmandu May 24, 2009: Nepal's premierelect Madhav Kumar Nepal on Sunday promised a probe into the blast in a church here which killed two Indians, a teenage girl and a women, in a first such incident targeting a Christian shrine.

A day after he was elected Nepal's prime minister, Nepal visited the Catholic Assumption Church located at Dhovighat, the biggest Christian shrine of Nepal established in 1995, where a powerful blast took place on Saturday.

He also visited hospitals where the injured are undergoing treatment. Nepal also condemned the attack at the religious place and expressed sadness over the human casualties. He also expressed best wishers for the early recovery of those injured in the blast. Church security has been tightened.

Nepal was declared a secular state two and a half years ago after the success of the popular uprising that restored democratic rights ending absolute monarchy and converted the Hindu kingdom into a federal republic.

Satutday's attack was the first such strike targeting a church in Nepal.

CHRISTIANS ATTACKED IN KARNATAKA
Bangalore: On the afternoon of May 12, 2009 Hindu militants barged into a school in Chennarayapatna, Hassan district, Karnataka state where pastors and other Christians were meeting for prayer.

The militants accused the believers of forcible conversion and beat several of them, including Pastor K.K. Ramesh. They also verbally harassed the women present and burned Bibles and other religious literature.

The militants eventually made their way to Pastor Ramesh's home and destroyed valuable items. When police arrived approximately an hour later, they took several believers to the police station and detained them.

Those injured were denied medical treatment. All were released at approximately 10:30 p.m. without charge.