January 2023 Persecution Magazine

WWW.PERSECUTION.ORG
JANUARY 2023
PERSECU ION
PERSECU ION
TORTURED BY TERRORISTS
A Daring Escape from
Jungle Captivity
PERSECU ION
PERSECU ION.ORG
INTERNATIONAL CHRISTIAN CONCERN
PERSECU ION.ORG
INTERNATIONAL CHRISTIAN CONCERN
PERSECU ION.ORG
INTERNATIONAL CHRISTIAN CONCERN

Contents
JANUARY 2023
FEATURES
HOTSPOTS ON
THE HORIZON
Emboldened to Terrorize
RECURRING
04
06
08
26
YOUR HANDS AND FEET
ICC NEWSROOM
MURDER IN
THE CONGO
From Tragedy to
Thanksgiving
FRONT LINES OF MINISTRY
HOPE FOR THE PRESENT
ICC Projects Made Possible by Supporters
Your Source for Persecution News
THE GREAT
ESCAPE
A Family Leaves
Everything Behind to
Freely Follow Christ
ON THE COVER
Kahindo’s life was
completely torn apart
when ADF terrorists
killed almost her entire
family. She recounts her
story in her own words
on page 16.
12 16 20 24
OUR MISSION: Since 1996, ICC has served the global
persecuted church through a three-pronged approach of
advocacy, awareness, and assistance. ICC exists to bandage
the wounds of persecuted Christians and to build the church
in the toughest parts of the world.
THE SAHEL
A Hotbed of Terrorism
A Deep Dive Into the Lives of Church Planters and Pastors
Find Hope and Victory in the Messages of the Persecuted
@persecuted @persecutionnews @internationalchristianconcern International Christian Concern
DONATIONS: International Christian Concern (ICC) is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) (all
donations tax-deductible). ICC makes every effort to honor donor wishes in regards to
their gifts. Occasionally, a situation will arise where a project is no longer viable. ICC
will redirect those donated funds to one of our other funds that is most similar to the
donor’s original wishes.
Jeff King, President
International Christian Concern
Author: The Last Words of the Martyrs and
Islam Uncensored
A Year Like No Other
2022 was a challenging year. Just a glance at the
spread on page 10 can remind you of some of
the low points.
Our persecuted brothers and sisters face hardships
we can’t even fathom in the West. Yet, I marvel at
their tremendous strength, their faith, and even the
optimism I see in them. They remind us that despite
what the world sends our way, we can rise above
through the power of the Holy Spirit.
On page 16, you’ll meet a beautiful soul, Kahindo
(featured on this cover). The Allied Democratic Forces
(ADF) attacked her village in the Congo, killing
her parents, husband, two children, and two brothers.
Kahindo and her remaining daughter were kidnapped
and taken to the forest where the mother
was abused for days. Immeasurable suffering and a
river of tears followed.
Because of your help, we were able to give Kahindo
a safe place and a fresh start with a small business.
Thanks to your investment, she’s waking up out of
a long nightmare, beyond touched that some Christians
around the world were willing to rescue her.
But this is the Lord’s work we do together. We bring
the touch of God’s healing and restoration to those
Satan sought to destroy.
I am incredibly grateful to do this work in partnership
with you and always remember, your gifts will
be used ethically, effectively, and efficiently!
I promise.
- JEFF
© Copyright 2023 ICC, Washington, D.C., USA. All rights reserved.
STAFF
Publisher Jeff King
Permission to reproduce all or part of this publication is granted
MEMBER
Editor Mike Anderson
provided attribution is given to ICC as the source.
Designer Hannah Campbell
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Your Hands and Feet
ICC PROJECTS MADE POSSIBLE BY SUPPORTERS LIKE YOU
Making a
difference,
one project
at a time.
MIDDLE EAST
From Betrayal to Redemption
RESTORE: LIVES & COMMUNITIES
Mona struggles to provide for her six daughters as her handicap
makes it difficult to find work. She successfully found a job at a
public school where she befriended a kind teacher, Mr. M. They
would talk about her family and her Christian faith and he even
offered to help her pay her debts on multiple occasions, but she
refused.
When her job shifted and she began working the copier machine,
she asked administration if she could bring the copier home to
better support her daughters. Suddenly, Mr. M showed his true,
extremist colors and accused her of using the machine to print
money to pay her debts.
The school opened an investigation, but because Christians are
not often believed, she was suspended for a year. During that
year, she attempted to take her own life because of the mounting
pressure of her debts.
Recently, Mr. M offered to get Mona’s job back in return for letting
him marry one of her daughters. Mona swiftly rejected his offer.
ICC got in contact with Mona and helped her relocate and start
her own clothing business. Now, she is able to work from home
and generate an income to support her family and pay back her
debts.
AFRICA
Free to Love Everyone
RESCUE: WIVES & KIDS
Sofia has lived most of her life a Muslim—but it’s rarely been filled
with peace. She converted after she married her late husband, but
quickly began to disagree over how Muslims and Christians should
be treated. Sofia wanted to love everyone, but her husband thought
only Muslims deserved love.
When Sofia’s husband died last year, she was free to convert back
to Christianity. His family took away everything he left her because
they disproved of her renewed faith in Christ. They went so far as to
threaten to poison her.
ICC got in contact with Sofia while she was living in a local reverend’s
kitchen. ICC relocated her and helped her rent a house and bought
her new household items.
“I thank ICC so much for the support they have given me today...
May the Lord bless you for showing me Christ-like care when I was
suffering,” Sofia said.
SOUTHEAST ASIA
The Reality of Ministry Work
MESSENGERS: UNDERGROUND WORKERS
ICC works in volatile places throughout the world, and Indonesia
is no exception. While we can pray and prepare that projects
go as planned, there are things we cannot expect. We worked
with a farmer last year who planted chili peppers and ministered
to Muslim-background believers through his business. But
suddenly, the land was sold and the chili crops died, sidelining
the evangelist’s plans.
“Without my knowledge, the land was sold partially, so my chilis
just died. The soil on the remaining land was not as fertile, and in
the end those chili trees slowly dried up and died,” the evangelist
said.
The evangelist pivoted to cultivating catfish while continuing to
minister to those around him.
“ICC continues to help us as field workers who are at the forefront
of evangelism to help us develop a form of business that we can
use as a platform for our ministry,” he said.
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ICC Newsroom
HEAD TO OUR WEBSITE, PERSECUTION.ORG, FOR THE LATEST NEWS
YOUR SOURCE FOR PERSECUTION NEWS
Kachin Bible School Shelled by Burmese Army
The Burmese Army (the
Tatmadaw) attacked a
Baptist seminary in northern
Myanmar, injuring four men in the
dormitory. The Tatmadaw launched
a series of attacks on the Theological
Seminary when there was no active
fighting in the area at the time.
The victims were hit by shrapnel
and sustained non-life-threatening
injuries.
“The attack against this Kachin
Bible school was certainly not
an accident,” said Gina Goh, ICC
regional manager for Southeast
Asia. “The Tatmadaw deliberately
targeted a Christian facility knowing
how important faith is to Kachin
people.”
Christianity account for more than
90% of Ethnic Kachin in Myanmar.
Forty Children Abducted by Militants in Northern Nigeria
Unidentified militants have abducted 40 children in a farm attack
in Katsina state, in northern Nigeria. The Nigerian newspaper ‘The
Premium Times’ reported that the kidnappers had demanded the
payment of 30 million Naira (about $70k USD) as a ransom.
Laws in Algeria Restrict Mission Work
Officials in Algeria make it difficult for
missionaries to evangelize or challenge
the Islamic faith in any capacity. Any
attempt to convert followers of Islam is
met with the possibility of jail and hefty
fines.
Algeria’s population is about 99% Suni
Muslim. The country has blasphemy
laws, anti-proselytization laws, and laws
governing worship that make mission
work nearly impossible. Anything that
could be said or seen as going against
Islam is criminalized.
Algeria discourages the practice of faith
systems outside the Sunni Muslim sect.
As a result, mission work has become
dangerous.
One Hundred Killed in Somalia Terror Attack
Al-Shabaab, an al-Qaeda affiliated
terrorist group, launched a deadly attack
in Somalia’s capital city, Mogadishu, at
the end of October.
Two cars packed with explosives blew up
within minutes of each other near a busy
intersection. Following the explosion,
militants opened gunfire on passerbys.
“The ruthless terrorists killed mothers.
Some of them died with their children
trapped on their backs,” he said.
The attack took place at the same
intersection where a truck exploded in
2017, killing 512 and injuring 200 more.
The attack, attributed to al-Shabaab,
was the deadliest in Somalia’s history.
Archbishop Warns
About the Extinction of
Christians in Iraq
Iraqi Archbishop Bashar Warda of
Erbil warned hundreds of religious
leaders of the impending extinction
of Christians in Iraq. He spoke at
the G-20 Religion Forum in Bali,
Indonesia.
If the level of general violence and
persecution toward Christians and
other religious minorities continue,
there will be no religious diversity
left in Iraq.
Militant Islamic groups and non-
Christian government officials
perpetrate much violence and
oppression, leaving most Christians
to practice secretly.
Without a change in the overall
culture of Iraq, the number of
Christians within the country will
continue to dwindle.
The militants have contacted the parents of the children asking for
the money.
Attacks against Christian farming communities in northern Nigeria
have become a common occurrence. But they are becoming more
concentrated in regions previously not affected by this violence,
signaling a rising tide of terrorist activity across Nigeria.
At the time this article was written, the children are still held hostage.
For the latest updates, please visit our website, persecution.org. Please
pray that the abducted children will be returned to their families.
“So far the number of people who died
has reached 100 and 300 are wounded,
and the number for both continues
to increase,” said Somalia’s president
Hassan Sheikh Muhamud.
Police spokesperson Sadik Dudishe
released a statement following the
attack describing some of the victims
of the attack, which included women,
children, and the elderly.
“The ruthless
terrorists killed
mothers.”
- Police spokesperson Sadik Dudishe
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Front Lines of Ministry
A DEEP DIVE INTO THE LIVES OF CHURCH PLANTERS AND PASTORS
“ICC was a huge blessing
to our situation over here,
many times many people
say we will help and no one
helps...ICC was there with
us from the beginning of
this incident.”
- PASTOR RAJVEER
An Enduring Faith
The earth-toned walls echoed with the praises of believers
lifting their voices to the Lord. Pastor Rajveer led his
congregation in worship, when an eruption cut through
the house. The group of radicals that had been threatening the
congregation had finally followed through.
Led by none other than Pastor Rajveer’s brother, the group of
Hindu radicals began tearing down the roof, setting things on fire,
and physically beating members of the congregation. Then they
turned their wrath toward the pastor.
Two men grabbed Rajveer’s wife and held her back and another
group began kicking and punching Rajveer.
“Please, please, I beg you to stop this!” She pleaded. But the
radicals ignored her and continued. When it was all over, Pastor
Rajveer and his congregation were left with bruises and a broken
home, but not a broken spirit.
The days and weeks following the attack, the congregation
continued to face bullying and intimidation from the group of
radicals that had just attacked them and destroyed their place of
worship.
Stock image used to protect the true identity of Pastor Rajveer.
Through the difficulties, Pastor Rajveer continued
his ministry to his congregation and community. He
conducted a weekly prayer gathering in the church
with the sky peaking through the half-demolished
ceiling. Many nonbelievers saw his endurance and
heard the word of God through his preaching.
The church began fasting and they prayed for God to
provide them the means to rebuild their church. “We
prayed by faith that God will help in rebuilding the
house,” the pastor said.
ICC got in contact with Pastor Rajveer and his
congregation and helped rebuild the church, which
was also the pastor’s home. The attack could now be
put behind them.
“ICC stood with us when we were lonely and
discouraged, saying, ‘We are with you.’ Your support
was a huge blessing to us and helped to rebuild the
damaged house...In tough times, ICC’s support was so
amazing, and we are very touched by their love and
support.”
Once construction finished, the church had a
thanksgiving meeting to give praise and thanks to the
almighty God who had answered their prayers.
“We as a family are so thankful to God for ICC’s
assistance in rebuilding the house that was completely
in bad shape,” Pastor Rajveer said. “Now that the
house was rebuilt, we as a congregation are meeting
for worship in the house again.”
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2022 Snapshots
A LOOK BACK AT ICC’S MINISTRY FROM THIS PAST YEAR
The Stories Their Scars Tell
ICC staffers checked in on young survivors of two earlier
horrific bombings in Indonesia.
The first attack occurred in November 2016 and injured
toddlers Alvaro (4), Anita (2), Intan (2), and Trinity (3). Intan
died from her injuries, and the others endured suffering and
surgeries.
ICC, along with other organizations, helped the families of
Alvaro, Anita, and Trinity and have chronicled their recoveries.
Breaking News on the Ground
Gunmen burst into a Catholic church in Nigeria on a Sunday
morning in June, opened fire on congregants, and set off
explosives, reportedly killing dozens of worshipers as they
celebrated Mass on Pentecost Sunday.
The attack surprisingly occurred in the southwestern state
of Ondo, which rarely sees this kind of violence.
ICC obtained footage after the attack of bodies lying
between pews as worshipers wailed in mourning.
ICC works with our international staff in every region to
report news straight from the source. With this specific
attack, ICC was the first major western outlet to break the
news.
Screenshot of ICC footage taken after the attack.
“What I see through these young victims is resilience,” said
Gina Goh, ICC’s regional manager for Southeast Asia who
visited the young survivors and stayed in touch with their
families over the years. “They are doing well and recovering.”
The second suicide bombing occurred at the Sacred Heart
Cathedral in March 2021.
The blast injured friends Edeline, Karina, and Valeri.
ICC came alongside the survivors from the get-go, supporting
their basic needs and covering travel costs for family
members to and from treatments.
“We walked with them through this process from the attack
until today; we reached out to them at the beginning,” said
Goh. “Edeline said it meant so much when we visited them
at the hospital and offered to pray for her, knowing she was
being cared for by someone she didn’t know.”
ICC staffers visited Valeri and Karina (Edeline already returned
to her hometown) this past year. Valeri started an internship
as a hospital nurse. Karina is a nursing student and Edeline
works for a government outsourcing firm.
Left Alone in the World
More than 200 little ones packed a children’s refugee
shelter in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The
orphans’ parents were killed by terrorists of the Allied
Democratic Forces. An ICC staffer visited the shelter and
orphanage and bought mattresses and food for the kids. ICC
will also install a fishpond to supply long-term sustenance.
Valeri’s scared hands from the blast.
Two children play tag in the open space surrounding the
refugee camp an ICC staffer visited in 2022.
1.
INDIA
April 12, 2022 March 30, 2022 March 19, 2022 April 2, 2022
The Supreme Court of The displaced and traumatized
Christian comtian
pastor, was mur-
Yalam Sankar, a Chris-
India rejected a petition
for a nationwide law munity was attacked for dered when five masked
against religious conversions.
The court statitants.
They destroyed tor’s house, dragged
eight days by Fulani mil-
men broke into the pased
that people above their farm crop and attacked
the community. him to death. Local rad-
Mohamed,
him out, and stabbed
the age of 18 are free to
choose their religion of Local security forces ical Hindu nationalists
choice in a huge win for watched as militants threatened the pastor
international religious burned down Christian two days before they
freedom.
homes.
killed him.
The Islamic State ravaged
many Christian
historical sites during
its rampage in Iraq. Recently,
archaeologists
restoring a church discovered
about a dozen
ancient relics and
parchments connected
to several saints.
TOP-STORIES-FROM-PERSECUTION.ORG
2.
NIGERIA
Maria, a 20-year-old
Christian TikToker was
murdered by her family
after she posted a video
singing a worship song.
She converted to Christianity,
but her Muslim
family was unaccepting
of her conversion.
3. INDIA
4. INDONESIA
A Nigerian Christian
documented his kidnapping
on Twitter after
Fulani militants ambushed
his vehicle in
Jos, Nigeria. When his
attackers found out him
and his brother were
Christians, they kidnapped
them and killed
his brother.
An Indonesian Christian
YouTuber was sentenced
to 10 years in
prison for a viral Youtube
video allegedly
insulting the prophet
offending
Muslims across the
country.
5. IRAQ
6. IRAQ
7. NIGERIA
8. NIGERIA
June 23, 2022 March, 8, 2022 January 16, 2022 May 14, 2022
At least 896 civilians
have been killed in violent
attacks in Nigeria
during the first three
months of 2022. Open
Doors cited a report by
SBM Intelligence, a Nigerian-based
research
firm, for the reported
killings in the West African
country.
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HOTSPOTS
O n t h e h o r i z o n
EMBOLDENED TO TERRORIZE
We recently sat down with Darius*, who is involved
with ICC’s international relief efforts and projects
and asked him to assess trouble spots as we look
ahead to 2023. Where are Christians in peril? Where can
they find hope? And what is ICC doing to relieve the suffering
of those who put their faith in Jesus?
What were some of the overarching contributors to
global persecution in 2022?
In 2022, two significant events affected persecution: the
Ukraine War and the sour global economy. Radically empowered
dictators, regimes, and terrorist groups took advantage
of the situation. With the world’s attention distracted
by this new war and the financial crisis, villainous
leaders saw an opportunity to accelerate their actions
and pursue their agenda—to the detriment of Christians.
The U.S. government doesn’t have a lot of leverage right
now, displaying the limited impact a leading world power
can have. As a result, the regimes and the groups do
more of what they want to do without the world’s big
reaction to them.
These situations will worsen for Christians without a
doubt. To some, the U.S. influence has diminished,
though it continues to pursue diplomatic efforts, freeze
accounts, support embargoes, and more. North Korea is
a good example, emboldened to expand its nuclear program.
You can imagine what’s happening for Christians
and others living there.
The same thing applies to radical groups. So, you see terrorists
like Boko Haram, the Allied Democratic Forces, and
Fulani militants in Sub-Saharan Africa and the Democratic
Republic of Congo getting a free ride to spread terror.
Also, socioeconomic factors significantly contribute to
Christian persecution. With increased poverty, desperate
people take desperate measures. If the only way to get
food is to attack a Christian village and take what they
have, they just don’t care.
The way we struggle now—a deficiency of resources, currency,
and inflation—creates more desperation. Minority
groups and Christians in many areas are being taken advantage
of.
* Name changed for security reasons
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How is this playing out in some of the
trouble spots?
China CHINA
In China, we see more acceleration in
the crackdown on house churches and
religious leaders than ever before. Our
comprehensive reports on China show
this concerning rise. We have been
tracking persecution incidents for several
years and concluded that persecution
in China was worse in 2022 than in
any other year.
Myanmar MYANMAR
The political coup in Myanmar in 2021
led to a crackdown on all minorities, including
Christians. As a result, we see a
lot of attacks on churches and bombings
of churches. The internally displaced
often use churches as shelters.
Iran IRAN
Iran is another example of how a regime
took advantage of the world being
distracted by the war in Ukraine
and the poor global economy. The government
did the biggest crackdown on
churches, Christians, and Muslim-background
believers this year, with more
arrests and torture of Christians.
India INDIA
More states enforce anti-conversion
laws, which many Indian scholars agree
are unconstitutional. More states try
to stop any evangelism or outreach to
Hindu communities by adopting anti-conversion
laws.
ARTSAKH (NAGORNO-KARABAKH)
About 100,000 Christians remain stuck
in Nagorno-Karabakh (Armenian: Artsakh)
and don’t have access to the
world. The government took more
land and closed the only road that gave
Christians access to Armenia, essentially
putting them in a big, geographical
prison. The Russian peacekeepers are
not doing anything, which has made
this so much worse for Christians.
Afghanistan AFGHANISTAN
I think the desperate situation in Afghanistan
will remain, unfortunately.
They have an economic crisis, and
funds are not coming into the country.
This financial crisis will allow the government
to enforce more restrictions
on freedom, rights, and religion because
no other entities have a strong
hand to control the country. It’s already
as bad as it can get with a mob that
doesn’t know how to run the country.
No national income exists, and all the
country’s assets are frozen worldwide.
Afghanistan is not a country that has
natural resources or oil or anything. It
has created a desperate situation for all
Afghans. The case for many Christians
“As believers,
however, despite
what’s happening
in this world, we
have an eternal
hope in Jesus Christ..
Persecution will
never go away; it is a
Biblical promise.”
is primarily unknown because it’s illegal
to be a Christian, so all worship occurs
underground. We continue to work in
the country, support those who have
either chosen or been forced to stay,
and help others escape to safe havens.
It’s a big mess.
Turkey TURKEY
Turkey is taking advantage of the international
climate at all levels. Their persecution
is outward, not inward. They
spread persecution in Libya, Syria, Iraq,
and all neighboring countries. They
monopolize terrorist groups and harass
Christians in Iran. Turkey stays a big
player in this game—and its influence
goes beyond its border. Recep Tayyip
Erdoğan and his cronies are more emboldened
than ever to persecute Christians.
Where do you see hope?
I do not see immediate but more longterm
hope. There tends to be this global
malaise as people are discouraged.
As believers, however, despite what’s
happening in this world, we have an
eternal hope in Jesus Christ. It is hard
to see any light coming soon for persecuted
Christians. Persecution will never
go away; it is a Biblical promise.
The immediate relief that we do, where
we come in and help persecution survivors
after an attack, will always be our
core ministry work.
I see great hope in our long-term sustenance
initiatives. ICC implements
programs that empower Christians and
improve their socioeconomic status
through job training and entrepreneurship.
We help Christians stand up for
themselves and improve their situations.
For ICC, we see great promise and results
through programs such as Generation
Transformation, which helps
young adults and families rise above
the harassment as they gain new job
skills and start small businesses.
Investing in children (through ICC’s
Hope House in the Middle East) and
young adults (through ICC’s Generation
Transformation) gives me hope to educate
kids with the hope of becoming
a doctor or engineer. It’s an incredible
investment that will have a ripple effect
on families and the Christian community.
The ICC Communal Farms initiative in
Nigeria, where we launch sustainable
farms, offers immediate relief for Christian
communities. But we are looking
at what we can do to widen the community
rebuild and turn it into something
bigger—to invest in women and
kids, literacy programs, and look at the
situation from multiple angles where
we are investing in communities at all
levels.
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HOTSPOT: DR CONGO
IN THE
FROM TRAGEDY TO THANKSGIVING
On March 20, 2022, Kahindo, 25, and her two-yearold
daughter, Nuela, were captured from their village
by the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), an Islamic
extremist group operating in the Congo. Kahindo and
her family are all Christians, as were much of the people
from her village.
Following the ADF raid, during which her husband, two
children, two brothers, and both of her parents were brutally
murdered in front of her, Kahindo and her daughter
were imprisoned by the militants at their camp in a nearby
forest for more than three weeks.
This is a recounting of her story.
Scan this QR code with your
mobile device to have Kahindo’s
story read aloud.
“They killed over 30 people in our small village in Luna.
They said that they wanted to kill all unbelievers because
they have defiled the call of Allah and the teaching of Mohamed.
My child and I are the only ones who survived. My two children
were shot dead while escaping and I could also see
their little bodies crumpled on the ground. I was lying next
to my husband’s dead body, pretending to be dead as well.
I lay there for about 30 minutes as the rebels went on to kill
my parents, brothers, and other villages.
I scooped the soil that was soaked in my husband’s blood,
hoping to keep it as a reminder of him if I survived. They
saw my body moving and they pulled me up from my husband’s
body. They shouted that they had found a wife for
their leader.
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So, they took me and my child away to the forest. They
abused me for days.
During the three weeks that they held us, we were not given
any food. Desperate, I took the dirt soaked in my husbands
blood and mixed it with wild green leaves. This is what my
child and I ate to survive. We had no water, but we could trap
some with our hands when it was raining.
There were many of us being held at the camp in the forest.
Those who did not cooperate were being shot dead or slaughtered.
They were speaking Arabic words as they slaughtered
them—one of them was taking a video. We were forced to
sleep on dead bodies.
When the army attacked the rebel camp, they were shooting
all over and two bullets barely missed me. They scratched
my right hand as I ran for my life and the life of my child. I
escaped from my captors and fled the battling forces.
I found more dead bodies along the way. They were people
who had been killed by the rebels.
I walked for five days until I reached Kasindi where I was registered
as a refugee. I was tired and had given up. I even contemplated
ending my life to be in heaven with my husband,
my children, and my family members.
It is not easy to lose all family members in one attack, and you
can only wish to die and escape from this ugly reality.”
The Healing Begins
In March 2022, ICC stepped in to rescue Kahindo and her
daughter Nuela. ICC set them up in a safe home and helped
her start a small grocery business at the local market.
“Thank you, I now have a shop of my own. Today we will be
sleeping in our own home, cook our own food, and sleep in
our own bed. By running a grocery stall in the market, I will
now be able to provide for myself and my child. Thank you,
ICC, for visiting me and organizing my resettlement and empowerment
in a very short time.
My child and I are now starting to see life from a different
perspective. We see the Lord as the Shepherd for all people
and gracious to the widows and the orphans. We are slowly
coming out of the bondage of emptiness after so much loss.
This has been made possibly by you together with other
Christians who have been praying for us after hearing our
story.”
We can never erase the evils of persecution, but we can act
as Simon and help them carry their crosses.
Kahindo’s shop has become very successful and she often
turns over all her inventory. She continues to heal from her
physical and emotional scars.
Kahindo remains hopeful as she builds a future for her and
her daughter.

HOTSPOT: TURKEY
The Great Escape
A FAMILY LEAVES EVERYTHING BEHIND TO
FREELY FOLLOW CHRIST
Leyla is a loving mother and wife in her forties,
married to her faithful husband, Murat. A
beautiful family who loves the Lord and lives
in scenic Turkey. One wouldn’t suspect that
Leyla grew up in a radical Islamic family. When Leyla
met Murat, he became a catalyst for her Christian
journey and led her to accept Christ and become a
believer. But because of her unaccepting family, she
needed to hide her faith.
When they found out, it marked the beginning of a
trying time.
“My family has a point of view that sees anyone who
doesn’t think like them as infidels. If it is learned by
our big family that we are Christians, they can easily
reach us...even if we change the city we live in. And
in such a case, our safety is in serious danger,” Leyla
said.
During a visit from out of town, Leyla’s Muslim father
confronted his daughter and discovered their
faith in Christ. Without giving Leyla a choice, took
her and her children hostage.
“You are never allowed to see Murat again,” he said.
“You must divorce him. Or else.”
While the couple was separated, they said it felt like
their souls were wounded living with the fear, pressure,
and uncertainty of the situation.
“I was so scared that I couldn’t say anything. I was
just praying to the Lord to help us overcome these
problems. I spent three weeks like a nightmare at
my father’s house,” Leyla recalled.
Murat made the decision to speak to his father-inlaw,
but this frightened Leyla because of the radical
Islamic beliefs that she knew could drive her father
to kill her husband. This is all because he chose to
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PERSECUTION.ORG 21

“If we had stayed with my
family...my children would
never see their father
again...This is unfortunately
a common occurrence in
our culture.”
- LEYLA
When a Muslim-background believer is discovered by their family, they often have to make life or death decisions.
leave their religion and become a Christian, which means
that he “lost” the right to be her husband and the father to
her children.
In the eyes of her family, he was contaminated.
Despite the risk, he went to the home where no one spoke
to him or ate at the same table with him, as it was haram according
to Islam. Murat wanted his wife and children home,
so he met with his father-in-law to tell him how he came to
know Christ and how his life was changed. He declared he
would not give up on Christ, but he would also not give up
on his family.
Leyla expresses what happened between her father and her
husband, “Thank God, the Lord heard my pleas. My father
agreed to this on one condition: my husband would never
take me and my children to church. My father said to my
husband, ‘If I hear such a thing, I will sacrifice you with one
bullet.’ Even that was a great miracle for us because I knew
my father very well. I knew I would never come home again.”
Murat accepted his father-in-law’s request, but he knew
they could no longer live in peace where they were living.
“If we had stayed with my family, we would never have been
able to get together. My children would never see their father
again, and they would brand my children as ‘children of
the infidel,’” said Leyla. “If I had stayed with my family, they
would have married me to someone else after I divorced
my husband. This is unfortunately a common occurrence
in our culture. This was going to be a very difficult
and heavy situation for me.”
Before they were released from Leyla’s father, he
warned his grandchildren, “If your father takes you
to the church among the infidels again, you will inform
me immediately. I’ll come and get you, and
you’ll never see your father again.”
Leyla’s father threatened to kill his son-in-law without
caring about his daughter’s future or feelings. He
believes he is justified simply because his faith allows
him to do so. And as long as Murat was breathing, he
would never be safe from his father-in-law’s threat.
One of their children, who is afraid of what her grandfather
said, cried and begged on the way home, saying,
“Please let’s not go to church, mom.”
Word spread throughout Leyla’s radical Islamic
family, and the pressure to stay in the Islamic faith
mounted. “My family is constantly video calling me
to check where I am. And when they don’t call, my
sister sends my nephews to our house,” Leyla said.
“Since we cannot go to church on Sunday, we wanted
to attend our meeting online, but we cannot do
that because my family is constantly following us.”
Leyla and Murat considered moving to another city
to be safe, but moving would not protect them from
danger. Wherever they go throughout Turkey, Leyla’s
family has the power to find them.
They made the decision, despite the danger, to move
out of the country. Leyla and Murat desire to raise
their children with the love of Christ. They plan to
move somewhere where the language and culture
are different. This move will be painful, and their
lives will never be the same again, but it’s worth it for
the chance to publicly practice their faith and attend
church without fear.
The Rise of Persecution
Incidents in Turkey
ICC heard about Leyla and her family’s story
after they had stepped into their new life.
But telling these stories is important because
Turkey adamantly denies that any such stories
exist within the country. By raising awareness
and telling compelling stories, we are helping
counteract the false narrative that all is well
for Christians in Turkey, keeping the pressure
on the country and its leadership to make
real changes.
Turkey is taking advantage of the
international climate at all levels. Their
persecution is outward, not inward. They
spread persecution in Libya, Syria, Iraq, and
all neighboring countries. They monopolize
terrorist groups and harass Christians in
Iran. Turkey stays a big player in this game—
and its influence goes beyond its border.
Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and his cronies are
more emboldened than ever to persecute
Christians.
22 Persecution | JANUARY 2023
PERSECUTION.ORG 23

HOTSPOT: THE SAHEL
THE SAHEL
a hotbed of terrorism
The Sahel region of Africa is a belt
of land immediately south of the
Sahara Desert that stretches east
to west across the African content.
The region has garnered global
attention due to the rise in extremism
over the past decade, in what is now
considered an epidemic of jihadism.
Mali is known to be the epicenter of the
Sahel’s insurgency ever since jihadists
hijacked a coup attempt in 2012 and
established a caliphate. Though French
military troops drove out the jihadists
just months later, the northern portion
of the country has remained a hotbed
of terrorism. Many extremist groups call
northern Mali their safe haven and continue
to train and recruit their militants
from there while conducting attacks
across borders into Niger and Burkina
Faso.
In 2021, Burkina Faso experienced a record
year of conflict and replaced Mali
as the epicenter of Sahel terrorism. On
June 4, 2021, the country underwent
the bloodiest attack in its six-year struggle
with jihadists. Al-Qaeda affiliates
killed more than 135 civilians over two
nights. Seven months and several attacks
later, soldiers staged a coup and
announced a military-run government.
In Niger, attacks doubled in 2021 compared
to 2020. In March 2021, insurgents
raided three villages in Niger’s
Tahoua region, bordering Mali, and massacred
137 civilians. Blamed on affiliates
of the Islamic State, the attack followed
a January attack that killed 100, as well
as an attack weeks earlier which left 58
civilians dead.
In addition to Niger, Boko Haram has
some presence in Chad and Cameroon.
Most of the Boko Haram activity,
however, remains in northern Nigeria
where they have maintained an insurgency
for 13 years. Now split into two
factions, Boko Haram seems to be making
a comeback after its territory was
significantly reduced in 2015, the year it
pledged allegiance to Islamic State and
created the Islamic State West African
Province (ISWAP). Boko Haram soldiers,
largely forced out of northern Nigeria,
entered the lake Chad Basin where
weak governance has enabled them to
regain strength.
As jihadists continue to gain momentum
throughout the Sahel, they will deepen
their influence across borders and claim
territory further into Western Africa. If
left without international intervention,
2022 is projected to be a year of expansionism
for radicals on a quest for global
Jihad.
24 Persecution | JANUARY 2023
PERSECUTION.ORG 25

Hope for the Present
FIND HOPE AND VICTORY IN THE MESSAGES OF THE PERSECUTED
Religion is not an Inheritance,
but a Personal Journey with God.
THE POWERFUL TESTIMONY OF A YOUNG WOMAN IN INDONESIA
My name is Ruth, and I am 26 years old. I was born into a
Muslim family, and we belonged to a tribal community
with the largest Muslim population in Indonesia.
In 2009, when I was only a young child, I dreamed of walking
up a hill. When I woke up, I felt tired. Night after night for
one week, I would dream of walking up the hill, and in the
morning, I would feel tired, like I had actually climbed a hill
the previous night. I vividly remember that dream.
Later, in junior high school, the dream came again, except
this time, I was not alone—I walked with a man. But when
I woke up, I did not feel tired. The dream lasted about two
weeks.
Around that time, I met a new friend at my school who was
a Christian. One day, I told her about my dream. She said,
“I think I know that man.” And she showed me a picture,
and I immediately recognized him. I said, “Yes! Who’s he?”
She told me that He is Jesus. I was surprised and filled with
curiosity. I went to a bookstore and bought a Bible. Though
I still considered myself a Muslim, I started reading the Bible
secretly.
At the time, I was still wearing a hijab at school because the
school required it. After graduating high school, I worked in
a beauty clinic in Jakarta. I took off my hijab because I felt
uncomfortable.
In October 2019, while I was scrolling on TikTok, I saw a
“You did not
choose me, but
I chose you.”
JOHN 15:16
quote from a church: “You did not choose me,
but I chose you (John 15:16).” Interested in
these words, I went to that church. I started
attending church without anyone knowing that
I was a Muslim.
I remembered that Christian friend and asked
her to guide me. She took me to her church
leaders, and they taught me about Jesus and
the Bible. In December 2019, I was baptized.
In September 2022, one morning, my mother
suddenly said to me, “I know you are a Christian
now; what do you want to do if you become a
Christian?” I realized that she had found out
because she found the Bible in my room. I told
her I would never pray again at home. She was
still furious and told me to leave Christianity or
leave the house.
Heartbroken, I left my home and started
living in my neighbor’s garage, which was far
from my house. My neighbor is actually my
family’s driver. I began to live in my family car
because my parents cannot drive, and the road
in front of my house was inaccessible by car.
Whenever my parents need to use the car to
go somewhere, they will call the driver to take
it to our house. I told the driver not to tell my
parents I lived there.
I do not regret my decision; I’ve found the
Truth.
I believe that religion is not an inheritance but
the spiritual journey that a person experiences
with her Creator. And I truly believe what the
Bible says, “Everyone who has left houses or
brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife
or children or fields for my sake will receive a
hundred times as much and will inherit eternal
life” (Matthew 19:29), and “Though my father
and mother forsake me, the Lord will receive
me” (Psalm 27:10).
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PERSECUTION.ORG 27

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