Deadly Attack on Christian Worshippers in Pakistan – Make Your Voice Heard Today

Warning: This alert contains images that may be disturbing to some readers.  Please ask any young children to leave the room before continuing.  We are not including these images to shock or offend, but simply to convey to you the reality of what is happening in Pakistan – the time has come to wake up to the truth! Dear Friends and Partners, This past Sunday morning (Pakistani time), Islamic extremists carried out a deadly attack on the All Saints church in Peshawar, Pakistan.  As approximately 500 worshippers were leaving the Sunday morning service, two suicide bombers detonated their explosive vests outside the church, leaving at least 85 people dead and over 100 more wounded.  The casualty numbers are likely to rise, as sources in the hospitals report that many of those wounded are in critical condition.

An extremist group connected to the Taliban, TTP Jandullah, has claimed responsibility for the attack.  In a public statement, a Jandullah spokesperson vowed that strikes would continue “whenever we find an opportunity against non-Muslims.”  

Pakistan’s Christian minority make up approximately 1.5% of the population in a predominantly Muslim nation.  As we have reported to you in past alerts and reports, Christians in Pakistan have been routinely targeted using oppressive blasphemy laws.  You will recall the story of Rimsha Masih, the young Christian girl arrested on blasphemy charges, who was only able to find safety by fleeing to Canada.  The Christian minority has also been subjected to repeated deadly attacks.  In 2009, dozens of houses and a church were set on fire by a Muslim mob in Gojra, leaving at least seven Christians dead.  In March of this year, a similar mob attacked a Christian neighbourhood in Lahore, destroying nearly 200 houses, approximately 20 businesses and 2 churches.

  The massacre in Peshawar is a clear and tragic sign that Christians in Pakistan are not free to worship in safety – and that the threat is only increasing.  It is vital that we call on our political leaders to hold the Pakistani government accountable for its failure to protect the Christian community.  We are grateful that both Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs John Baird, Canadian Ambassador for Religious Freedom Andrew Bennett, and U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry have issued strong statements condemning the attack in Peshawar.  However, it is imperative that our governments’ response not be restricted to isolated statements condemning individual attacks.  Public statements by our governments, while vital, are only the first step.  Statements of condemnation must be backed up by consistent and sustained pressure on the Pakistani government to take action against Islamic extremism through diplomatic efforts and through linking our trade and aid to progress on human rights.

We must not forget that our brothers and sisters in Pakistan are not blessed with the peace and security we enjoy. We cannot afford to stand by as Christians are massacred simply because of their faith and religious practices.  Pakistan’s Christians desperately need our support, so please take a few moments from your day to join us in seeking justice and peace for our brothers and sisters.  We must stand with our brothers and sisters and for their right to live and worship without fear of being killed for their faith.  Please make your voice heard on behalf of the Christians in Pakistan.

Please pray:

• for courage, faith, and strength for the Christians in Pakistan during this time of deep trial. Pray that they would be encouraged and strengthened to stay true to their faith, in order that they might be a shining beacon of truth and the love of Christ both in a country desperately looking for light and throughout the whole world;

• for peace and healing in the country of Pakistan. Pray that the violence would be stopped, and that Christians would be able to live and worship in peace and security without fear of attack;

• that those carrying out these attacks would come to realize the wrongfulness of their acts and that they would seek the love and forgiveness of God and in turn apply their energies toward spreading peace rather than violence;

• that the Lord will give Pakistan’s Christians the ability to forgive even when they are under constant attack.  Pray that the Christians would not seek vengeance or return evil for evil, but that they would be filled with God’s love and grace even towards those who seek to kill them;

• for the Pakistan people as a whole, that they would be united and find true peace and meaning in the Prince of Peace.

ACTION:

The Bible teaches that faith without action is dead, so please take action urgently and write (contact details are included below):

• to the Pakistani high commissioner or ambassador to your country demanding that the Pakistani government take immediate and meaningful action to ensure the security of Christian communities and to control the violent extremist groups responsible for these attacks;

• to your Foreign Minister or Secretary of State, thanking them for their statements on this attack and insisting that they continue, through consistent attention to these issues both on the diplomatic front and through trade and aid policy, to hold the Pakistani government accountable for the protection of its citizens from Islamic extremism;

• to your Prime Minister or President directly, urging them to intervene in this urgent matter and use the full influence of their office to secure an immediate end to these attacks and to obtain assurances that the Christians will be protected from further attacks. Please remember to send us a copy of your correspondence at:

info@onefreeworldinternational.org

Remember that the persecuted Christians are dying every day, but they are still smiling.  They are in a very deep dark night, but they have the candle of the Lord. The enemy can have a very strong weapon and a very strong army, but we have the Lord Almighty.

"They can kill the dreamer, but they cannot kill the dream" in the Lord’s name.

Be with God and may God be with you.

Rev. Majed El Shafie President and Founder One Free World International El Shafie Ministries

CONTACT:

In Canada: His Excellency Mian Gul Akbar Zeb High Commissioner of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan High Commission for Pakistan 10 Range Road Ottawa, Ontario K1N 8J3 Tel: (613) 238-7881; Fax: (613) 238-7296 Email: parepottawa@rogers.com

The Honourable John Baird Minister for Foreign Affairs Foreign Affairs Canada 125 Sussex Drive Ottawa, ON K1A 0G2 Tel.: (613) 996-0984; Fax: (613) 996-9880 Email: john.baird@parl.gc.ca

The Right Honourable Stephen Harper Prime Minister of Canada Office of the Prime Minister 80 Wellington St Ottawa, ON  K1A 0A2 Tel.: (613) 992-4211; Fax: (613) 941-6900 Email: pm@pm.gc.ca

In the United States: His Excellency Dr. Asad Majeed Khan Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan 3517 International Court NW Washington, DC 20008. Tel.: (202) 243-6500 Fax: (202) 686-1534 EMAIL: info@embassyofpakistanusa.org

Secretary John Kerry U.S. Department of State 2201 C Street NW Washington, DC 20520 Tel.: (202) 647-4000 (Main switchboard) Webform: http://contact-us.state.gov/cgi-bin/state.cfg/php/enduser/ask.php?p_sid=F5OZZa6i&p_lva=&p_sp=&p_li

President Barack Obama The White House 1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW Washington, DC  20500 Tel.: (202) 456-1414 (Main switchboard) Webform: http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact

In the United Kingdom: His Excellency Mr Wajid Shamsul Hasan High Commissioner for the Islamic Republic of Pakistan High Commission for Pakistan 34 – 36 Lowndes Square London SW1X 9JN Tel.: 020 7664 9204 (Main switchboard) Email: consularaffairs@mofa.gov.pk

The Right Honourable William Hague Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs Foreign & Commonwealth Office King Charles Street London SW1A 2AH Tel.: 020 7008 1500 (Main switchboard) Webform: http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/ministerial-feedback-form

The Right Honourable David Cameron Prime Minister of the United Kingdom The Prime Minister’s Office 10 Downing Street London SW1A 2AA Fax: 020 7925 0918 Email: https://email.number10.gov.uk/

The Beginning of a Genocide in Northern Nigeria? Urgent Action Needed to Stop the Massacre of Christians

Warning:

This alert contains extremely graphic images that may be disturbing to some readers.  Please ask any young children to leave the room before clicking "More".  We are not including these images to shock or offend, but simply to convey to you the reality of what is happening in Nigeria – the time has come to wake up to the truth!

 

Dear Friends and Partners,

You may recall our alert following the horrific Christmas Day 2011 church bombing by Islamic extremist group Boko Haram that claimed the lives of at least 45 Christians.  Sadly, far from serving as a wake-up call for both the international community and the Nigerian government, the Christmas Day attacks were merely a sombre preview of things to come.  The situation in Nigeria is increasingly urgent, and if immediate action is not taken to bring to an end the slaughter of Christians, we could be witnessing the beginning of a genocide in Northern Nigeria.  

This Sunday morning (Nigerian time), Islamic extremists carried out 3 coordinated attacks on churches in Kaduna region, leaving at least 44 dead andhundreds more wounded – although the numbers are likely to rise as the casualties are fully accounted for.  The first attack took place in the town of Zaria, when a suicide bomber drove through a barricade and detonated a massive explosion that killed 24 worshippers and wounded over 100 others.  Within a few minutes, a second bomb went off at a nearby church, killing another 10 and wounding approximately 50.  A third bomb was detonated in the city of Kaduna approximately 30 minutes later.

Even by the most conservative estimates, at least 200 Christians have been killed at the hands of Islamic extremists during the first 6 months of 2012, in addition to the thousands killed over the previous two years.  Although the Western media has used phrases such as “sectarian violence” and “religious conflict,” the past two years can only be described as a massacre of the Christian community.  Boko Haram and its followers have repeatedly and publicly stated their goal: to remove the Christian presence from Northern Nigeria either by killing Christians or driving them out of their homes through fear.  Such a plan amounts to nothing less than genocidal intent.

The growing danger faced by Christians in Northern Nigeria is further illustrated by the fact that Christian churches have been targeted on each of the two Sundays leading up to the latest attacks.  The June 3 attack in Bauchi left 21 Christians dead and at least 45 others injured, whereas the bombing in Jos the following Sunday killed 2 and injured more than 40 Christian worshippers – the third such attack in Jos in 2012.  Also on June 10, gunmen affiliated with Boko Haram killed at least two Christian worshippers during a church service in Borno state.

These attacks are merely the latest bloody chapter in a violent campaign aimed at Christians in Nigeria.  While we will not endeavour to bring you anexhaustive list of these horrific attacks, the following examples should serve as a wake-up call for all who care about human rights (Christian and non-Christian alike) to speak out and take action to bring to an end the violence in Nigeria.  On Easter Sunday (April 8), for instance, a suicide bomber attempting to attack a Christian church killed over 40 people and injured dozens more.  At least eleven more Christian worshippers were killed in two separate attacks on churches in Jos, on February 26 and March 11 respectively – and in both cases the bomber was diverted just prior to detonating the explosives, failing which the casualty figures would have been even higher.  Other bombings in Suleja on Sunday, February 19, and in Bauchi City on Sunday, January 22, left approximately 10 more Christians dead and many others injured.  In the week from January 3 to 9 alone, Boko Haram took credit for the killings of 44 Christians in 4 Nigerian states.

There are reports from some media outlets that a group of Christians engaged in retaliatory killings after the latest gruesome attacks.  At this time, we cannot confirm either the reports of the killings themselves or whether the attackers were, in fact, Christians.  If these reports are true, our hearts are grieved for this additional loss of life, and our prayers go out to the families of those who died.  One Free World International does not condone violence of any kind, and we urge the Christian community in Nigeria not to seek retribution by returning evil for evil.

However, even if these reports are true, the isolated actions of a few in no way diminish either the horror of the past attacks or, more importantly, the present and increasing danger facing Christians in Northern Nigeria. Additionally, such regrettable actions are a testament to the lack of protection provided by the central government, which causes some to believe (however wrongly) that their only option is to take matters into their own hands.

Indeed, despite the escalating campaign to eliminate Christianity from Northern Nigeria, the central government has failed to suppress Islamic extremism and groups such as Boko Haram, or to prevent repeated attacks on Christian communities.  While we acknowledge that some efforts at protection have been made, when it comes to preventing the massacre of human beings, ‘best efforts’ and ‘good intentions’ are simply not enough.  Moreover, our sources indicate that police and security forces were warned on a number of occasions that the attacks detailed above would take place, but did not intervene to protect the Christian churches.  By turning a blind eye to the attacks, the police and military have become complicit in these atrocities.

It is vital that we call on our political leaders to hold the Nigerian government accountable for its failure to protect the Christian community.  We are grateful that both Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs John Baird and U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton have issued statements following two of the attacks this year – on April 8 and May 1 respectively.  However, it is imperative that our governments’ response not be restricted to isolated statements condemning individual attacks.  Public statements by our governments, while vital, are only the first step and must be backed up by consistent and sustained pressure on the Nigerian government to take action against Islamic extremists through diplomatic efforts and through linking our trade and aid to progress on human rights.

We must not forget that our brothers and sisters in Nigeria are not blessed with the peace and security we enjoy. We cannot afford to stand by as Christians are massacred simply because of their faith and religious practices. OFWI has been working to provide medical and humanitarian aid to the wounded in these attacks through our contacts in the region. Nigerian Christians desperately need our support, so please take a few moments from your day to join us in seeking justice and peace for our brothers and sisters. Your prayers, letters, and financial support are vitally important to reach the victims of these attacks with your comfort and encouragement.  We must stand with our brothers and sisters and for their right to live and worship without fear of being killed for their faith.  Please make your voice heard on behalf of the Christians in Nigeria.

Please pray:

• for courage, faith, and strength for the Christians in Nigeria during this time of deep trial. Pray that they would be encouraged and strengthened to stay true to their faith, in order that they might be a shining beacon of truth and the love of Christ both in a country desperately looking for light and throughout the whole world;

• for peace and healing in the country of Nigeria. Pray that the violence would be stopped, and that Christians would be able to live and worship in peace and security without fear of attack;

• that those carrying out these attacks would come to realize the wrongfulness of their acts and that they would seek the love and forgiveness of God and in turn apply their energies toward spreading peace rather than violence;

• that the Lord will give the Nigerian Christians the ability to forgive even when they are under constant attack.  Pray that the Christians would not seek vengeance or return evil for evil, but that they would be filled with God’s love and grace even towards those who seek to kill them;

• for the Nigerian people as a whole, that they would be united and find true peace and meaning in the Prince of Peace.

ACTION:

The Bible teaches that faith without action is dead, so please take action urgently and write (contact details are included below):

• to the Nigerian high commissioner or ambassador to your country demanding that the Nigerian government take immediate and meaningful action to ensure the security of Christian communities and to control the violent extremist groups responsible for these attacks;

• to your Foreign Minister or Secretary of State, thanking them for their statements on the Nigerian attacks and insisting that they continue, through consistent attention to these issues both on the diplomatic front and through trade and aid policy, to hold the Nigerian government accountable for the protection of its citizens from Islamic extremism;

• to your Prime Minister or President directly, urging them to intervene in this urgent matter and use the full influence of their office to secure an immediate end to these massacres and to obtain assurances that the Christians will be protected from further attacks.

Please remember to send us a copy of your correspondence at:

info@onefreeworldinternational.org

Remember that the persecuted Christians are dying every day, but they are still smiling. They are in a very deep dark night, but they have the candle of the Lord. The enemy can have a very strong weapon and a very strong army, but we have the Lord Almighty.

"They can kill the dreamer, but they cannot kill the dream" in the Lord’s name.

Be with God and may God be with you.

Rev. Majed El Shafie President and Founder One Free World International El Shafie Ministries

CONTACT: In Canada: His Excellency Iyorwuese Hagher High Commissioner for the Federal Republic of Nigeria 295 Metcalfe Street Ottawa, ON K2P 1R9 Tel.: (613) 236-0521; Fax: (613) 236-0529 Email: chancery@nigeriahcottawa.com

The Honourable John Baird Minister for Foreign Affairs Foreign Affairs Canada 125 Sussex Drive Ottawa, ON K1A 0G2 Tel.: (613) 996-0984; Fax: (613) 996-9880 Email: john.baird@parl.gc.ca

The Right Honourable Stephen Harper Prime Minister of Canada Office of the Prime Minister 80 Wellington St Ottawa, ON  K1A 0A2 Tel.: (613) 992-4211; Fax: (613) 941-6900 Email: pm@pm.gc.ca

In the United States: His Excellency Adebowale Ibidapo Adefuye Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 3519 International Court, NW Washington, DC 20008 Tel: (202) 986-8400 ext. 1097 or 1098; Fax: (202) 362-6541 or (202) 775-1385 Email: hm@nigeriaembassyusa.org

Secretary Hillary Clinton U.S. Department of State 2201 C Street NW Washington, DC 20520 Tel.: (202) 647-4000 (Main switchboard) Webform: http://contact-us.state.gov/cgi-bin/state.cfg/php/enduser/ask.php?p_sid=F5OZZa6i&p_lva=&p_sp=&p_li

President Barack Obama The White House 1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW Washington, DC  20500 Tel.: (202) 456-1414 (Main switchboard) Webform: http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact

In the United Kingdom: His Excellency Dr. Dalhatu Sarki Tafida High Commissioner for the Federal Republic of Nigeria 9 Northumberland Ave London WC2N 5BX Tel.: (44) 207 8391244; Fax: (44) 207 83987463519 Email: hc@nigeriahc.org.uk

The Right Honourable William Hague Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs Foreign & Commonwealth Office King Charles Street London SW1A 2AH Tel.: 020 7008 1500 (Main switchboard) Webform: http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/ministerial-feedback-form

The Right Honourable David Cameron Prime Minister of the United Kingdom The Prime Minister’s Office 10 Downing Street London SW1A 2AA Fax: 020 7925 0918 Email: https://email.number10.gov.uk/

Nigerian Churches Attacked on Christmas Day and in the New Year

Dear Friends and Partners,

Once again, as we in the West wind down our celebrations of the birth of Christ and begin a new year, blessed to enjoy the warmth and joy of the season together with friends and family in peace and security, our brothers and sisters in Nigeria are under attack and need our support.

At least 26 Christians were killed in two attacks carried out by Islamic extremists on January 5 and 6. These attacks, targeting Christians attending church services and a town hall meeting, come on the heels of a series of bombings carried out by an Islamic extremist group called Boko Haram less than two weeks ago which claimed the lives of at least 40 Christians and left dozens more wounded on Christmas Day.

The first and most devastating bomb struck St. Theresa Catholic Church, some 40 km away from the capital city Abuja, just as hundreds of worshippers were leaving Christmas mass. Later in the morning, two bombs exploded at churches in the city of Jos, along with other bombings in the cities of Gadaka, Damaturu, and Kano targeting both churches and security infrastructure, while in the town of Mubi authorities were able to disarm bombs planted around three churches before they were detonated.

Sadly these massacres are only the latest bloody chapter in a violent campaign aimed at Christians in Nigeria since the Christmas attacks we mentioned to you one year ago. This country in northern Africa is deeply divided along religious lines with a largely Christian and animistic south and a predominantly Muslim north. Despite accounting for nearly half of the population, many Christians, particularly in the northern states where Islamic extremists seek to enforce strict shariah law, live in constant fear of attack.

Hundreds of Christians were killed and thousands more injured or displaced in 2011. The central government has failed to suppress Islamic extremism and groups such as Boko Haram, or to prevent repeated attacks on Christian communities, especially since the summer, despite a paramilitary crackdown in a number of states. In several attacks in Plateau state alone, for instance, at least 150 Christians were killed and hundreds more wounded. Perhaps the most horrific attack, however, took place in Yobe state on November 4, as more than 200 members of Boko Haram surrounded the state capital of Damaturu sealing off all exit roads, and proceeded to systematically murder over 150 people, approximately 130 of whom were specifically singled out and executed because they were Christians.

It is critical that we continue to make our voices heard and call on our political leaders to encourage the Nigerian government to protect Christians. Shortly after the Christmas day attacks, Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs John Baird stated that "Canada strongly denounces such cowardly acts without reservation," adding that Canada will "stand with the people and the government of Nigeria at this difficult time." The White House also condemned the "senseless violence and tragic loss of life," pledging to "assist [the Nigerian government] in bringing those responsible to justice." We welcome these swift responses by our leaders to the Christmas attacks as well as earlier statements about two of the more serious incidents that took place in 2011. However, it is imperative that our governments’ response not be restricted to isolated statements condemning those attacks that are severe enough to attract the attention of international media. Public statements by our governments, while vital, are only the first step and must be backed up by consistent pressure on the Nigerian government to take action against Islamic extremists through diplomatic efforts and through linking our trade and aid to progress on human rights.

As we close out this holiday season, we must not forget that our brothers and sisters in Nigeria are not blessed with the peace and security we enjoy. We cannot afford to stand by as Christians are massacred simply because of their faith and religious practices. OFWI has been working since Christmas Day to provide medical and humanitarian aid to the wounded through our contacts in the region. Nigerian Christians desperately need our support, so please take a few moments from your day to join us in seeking justice and peace for our brothers and sisters. Your prayers, letters, and financial support are vitally important to reach the victims of these attacks with your comfort and encouragement.

Please pray:

• for courage, faith, and strength for the Christians in Nigeria during this time of deep trial. Pray that they would be encouraged and strengthened to stay true to their faith, in order that they might be a shining beacon of truth and the love of Christ both in a country desperately looking for light and throughout the whole world;

• for peace and healing in the country of Nigeria. Pray that the violence would be stopped, and that Christians would be able to live and worship in peace and security without fear of attack;

• that those carrying out these attacks would come to realize the wrongfulness of their acts and that they would seek the love and forgiveness of God and in turn apply their energies toward spreading peace rather than violence;

• for the Nigerian people as a whole, that they would be united and find true peace and meaning in the Prince of Peace.

ACTION:

The Bible teaches that faith without action is dead, so please take action urgently and write (contact details are included below):

• to the Nigerian high commissioner or ambassador to your country demanding that the Nigerian government take immediate and meaningful action to ensure the security of Christian communities and to control the violent extremist groups responsible for these attacks;

• to your Foreign Minister or Secretary of State, thanking them for their statements on the Nigerian attacks and insisting that they continue, through consistent attention to these issues both on the diplomatic front and through trade and aid policy, to hold the Nigerian government accountable for the protection of its citizens from Islamic extremism.

Please remember to send us a copy of your correspondence at:

info@onefreeworldinternational.org

Remember that the persecuted Christians are dying every day, but they are still smiling. They are in a very deep dark night, but they have the candle of the Lord. The enemy can have a very strong weapon and a very strong army, but we have the Lord Almighty.

"They can kill the dreamer, but they cannot kill the dream" in the Lord’s name.

Be with God and may God be with you.

Rev. Majed El Shafie President and Founder One Free World International El Shafie Ministries

CONTACT: In Canada: His Excellency Iyorwuese Hagher High Commissioner for the Federal Republic of Nigeria 295 Metcalfe Street Ottawa, ON K2P 1R9 Tel.: (613) 236-0521; Fax: (613) 236-0529 Email: chancery@nigeriahcottawa.com

The Honourable John Baird Minister for Foreign Affairs Foreign Affairs Canada 125 Sussex Drive Ottawa, ON K1A 0G2 Tel.: (613) 996-0984; Fax: (613) 996-9880 Email: john.baird@parl.gc.ca

In the United States:

His Excellency Adebowale Ibidapo Adefuye Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 3519 International Court, NW Washington, DC 20008 Tel: (202) 986-8400 ext. 1097 or 1098; Fax: (202) 362-6541 or (202) 775-1385 Email: hm@nigeriaembassyusa.org

Secretary Hillary Clinton U.S. Department of State 2201 C Street NW Washington, DC 20520 Tel.: (202) 647-4000 (Main switchboard) Webform: http://contact-us.state.gov/cgi-bin/state.cfg/php/enduser/ask.php?p_sid=F5OZZa6i&p_lva=&p_sp=&p_li

In the United Kingdom:

His Excellency Dr. Dalhatu Sarki Tafida High Commissioner for the Federal Republic of Nigeria 9 Northumberland Ave London WC2N 5BX Tel.: (44) 207 8391244; Fax: (44) 207 83987463519 Email: hc@nigeriahc.org.uk

The Right Honourable William Hague Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs Foreign & Commonwealth Office King Charles Street London SW1A 2AH Tel.: 020 7008 1500 (Main switchboard) Webform: http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/ministerial-feedback-form

Update on Ami

Update on Ami

Dear Friends and Partners,

We would like to thank you for your tremendous response to our alert on behalf of Ami Ortiz, dated March 9, 2009. Rev. El Shafie traveled to Israel last month where he had meetings with several senior officials in the Israeli Foreign Ministry about Ami’s case and presented them with the petition you signed. He also met with Ami and his family, who are very grateful for your support, and arranged for them to participate in one of the meetings as well. The Israeli officials promised to pursue this matter and to put pressure on the Interior Ministry and police to resolve the case and we have been advised that a meeting took place between them and Interior officials after we left.

Ami, as you recall, is a Messianic Jewish teenager who was critically injured last year by a bomb disguised as a Purim gift. Ami has made a miraculous recovery, but he will continue to live with the scars and other physical and psychological effects of this horrific crime for the rest of his life. Yet even while most Israelis readily condemn the attack as a hate-crime, authorities have been slow to follow up on strong evidence pointing to the responsibility of radical ultra-Orthodox groups.

Israeli law guarantees freedom of religion and Israelis in general are content to treat their neighbours’ religious beliefs as a private matter. Nevertheless, Messianic Jews have expressed concern recently over increasing pressure and harassment from a small segment of radical, ultra-Orthodox Jews who see them as a threat and are responding with hatred born out of fear. Because we love Israel and the Jewish people, we must continue to speak the truth about this matter to those in positions of authority. If Israeli authorities turn a blind eye in Ami’s case, those responsible will feel they can continue to harass Messianic Jews freely and the impact will be felt by all Jews who do not choose to follow the doctrines of the radical ultra-Orthodox.

Rev. El Shafie will be returning to Israel in June to follow up on this case and keep pushing for a positive resolution. We will keep the petition online until next Purim or until appropriate action is taken by Israeli authorities before then to bring those responsible for the attack on Ami to justice so please continue to share it with your friends, churches, prayer and bible study groups, and synagogues.

Please continue to pray:

• that Ami would maintain his miraculous recovery, that he would be filled with love and forgiveness for those who have hurt him, and that what the enemy has meant for evil, God would turn around for good and use it to reveal His glory;

• that those responsible for this attack would recognize the evil of their actions and experience the love and forgiveness of God and His peace which passes understanding; and,

• that the Israeli government would move without further delay to bring those responsible to justice and ensure that the right of all Israeli Jews to believe and worship in accordance with their conscience is respected.

ACTION:

The Bible teaches that faith without action is dead, so if you haven’t already done so, please take action and write (contact details are included below):

• a note of encouragement to Ami, c/o One Free World International at info@onefreeworldinternational.org or by mail at 20 Bloor Street East, Box 75129, Toronto, ON, M4W 3T3;

• sign our petition online at http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/JusticeforAmi/ and make sure to forward the petition to your friends, churches, prayer-groups, synagogues, and co-workers so that we can get as many signatures as possible and show our support for Ami and the Messianic community in Israel; and,

• write to the Israeli ambassador to your country, assuring them of your love and support for Israel and urging the government to take appropriate and effective action in Ami’s case immediately.

Please remember to send us a copy of your correspondence at: info@onefreeworldinternational.org

Remember, that the persecuted Christians are dying every day, but they are still smiling.  They are in a very deep dark night, but they have the candle of the Lord. The enemy can have a very strong weapon and a very strong army, but we have the Lord Almighty.

"They can kill the dreamer, but they cannot kill the dream" in the Lord’s name.

Be with God and may God be with you.

One Free World International El Shafie Ministries

CONTACT:

In Canada:

Her Excellency Miriam Ziv

Embassy of Israel

50 O'Connor Street

Ottawa, ON   K1P 6L2

Tel: (613) 567-6450 ext. 232; Fax: (613) 567-9878

Email: info@ottawa.mfa.gov.il

In the United States:

His Excellency Sallai Meridor Embassy of Israel 3514 International Dr. N.W. Washington DC   20008 Tel.: (202) 364-5500 Email: info@washington.mfa.gov.il and dpaofficer@washington.mfa.gov.il

 

Justice for Ami

Justice for Ami

Dear Friends and Partners,

[Please note: this alert contains graphic images that may be disturbing to some readers.]

As you saw in our mission to Israel during the Hezbollah War in 2006, One Free World International stands firmly beside Israel, the only true democracy in the Middle East, and supports its right to exist and defend itself. We are also grateful to the Jewish people for the many contributions they have made to humanity in the sciences, the arts, religion, morality and ethics, and human rights. It is our support and love for Israel that requires us to bring our concerns on behalf of Messianic Jews in Israel to your attention.

You may have heard about Ami Ortiz, a Messianic Jewish teenager who was seriously injured by a bomb disguised as a Purim gift last year. Purim is on March 10th-11th this year, and we would like to let Ami know that we are thinking of him at this time and to send a message to the Israeli government that they must bring those responsible to justice without further delay.

Ami’s life has changed forever, but he has miraculously defied the odds and is doing very well. We met with him last fall and were inspired by his courage and spirit. The bomb had been filled with bolts, screws, safety pins, and other shrapnel and metal objects and was built for maximum carnage and doctors had given Ami’s parents little hope for his survival. Yet today Ami, who had dreamed of being a professional basketball player, is back in school and even playing basketball, albeit with great pain. He still faces a number of surgeries and must wear a pressure-suit 23 hours a day for two years to treat his many scars and the skin grafts on his 2nd and 3rd-degree burns.

The Ortizes moved from the United States to Israel over 20 years ago and all of their children, including Ami, have served or plan to serve in the Israeli Defence Forces. Ami was born in Israel and the only difference between him and his school-friends is that the Ortizes are Messianic Jews. They believe that Yeshua (Jesus) is the Messiah promised by God to the Jewish people and, through them, to the whole world.

Israeli law guarantees freedom of religion and Israelis in general are content to treat their neighbours’ religious beliefs as a private matter. However, Messianic Jews have expressed concern in recent years over growing opposition from ultra-Orthodox groups. A small segment of radical, ultra-conservative Jews see Messianic Jews, whose numbers in Israel are few but growing, as a threat and have responded with hatred born out of fear. There is strong evidence that the attack on Ami was planned and carried out by such radicals and Israeli officials have stated as much. Yet, despite broad media coverage, the government has done very little to bring those responsible to justice and to date no arrests have been made.

Most Israelis on the street readily condemn the attack against Ami as a hate-crime. If authorities turn a blind eye in Ami’s case, those responsible will feel they can continue to harass Messianic Jews freely and the impact will be felt by all Jews who do not choose to follow the doctrines of the radical ultra-Orthodox.

In the Jewish calendar Purim marks the joyous celebration of the triumph of the Jewish people, thanks to the courageous acts of Queen Esther, over the evil plot of Haman for their destruction. Like the Jews of that time, we must not allow hatred to prevail over life and freedom for Jews in Israel today.

If we love Israel and the Jewish people, we must speak the truth about this matter to those in positions of authority in Israel. OFWI has addressed the Israeli Foreign Ministry about this and we plan to do so again at the end of this month. Please sign our online petition and share it with your friends, churches, prayer groups, and synagogues, so that we can urge the Israeli government to take appropriate action to:

1.    bring those responsible for the horrific attack on Ami to justice without further delay, and 2.    ensure that the right of all Jews to believe and worship in accordance with their conscience will be respected in Israel.

Please pray:

• that Ami would continue his miraculous recovery, that he would be filled with love and forgiveness for those who have hurt him, and that what the enemy has meant for evil, God would turn around for good and use it to reveal His glory;

• that those responsible for this attack would recognize the evil of their actions and experience the love and forgiveness of God and His peace which passes understanding; and,

• that the Israeli government would move without further delay to bring those responsible to justice, and that they would ensure that the right of all Israeli Jews to believe and worship in accordance with their conscience is respected.

ACTION:

The Bible teaches that faith without action is dead, so please take action urgently and write (contact details are included below):

• a note of encouragement to Ami, c/o One Free World International at info@onefreeworldinternational.org or by mail at 20 Bloor Street East, Box 75129, Toronto, ON, M4W 3T3 Canada;

• sign our petition online at http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/JusticeforAmi/, and make sure to forward the petition to your friends, churches, prayer-groups, synagogues, and co-workers so that we can get as many signatures as possible. The future of the Messianic community in Israel depends on your support; and,

• write to the Israeli ambassador to your country, assuring them of your love and support for Israel and urging the government to take appropriate and effective action in this matter immediately.

• We will be meeting with officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at the end of this month and will present them with the petition and copies of your letters so please remember to send us a copy of your correspondence at:  info@onefreeworldinternational.org

Remember, that the persecuted Christians are dying every day, but they are still smiling.  They are in a very deep dark night, but they have the candle of the Lord. The enemy can have a very strong weapon and a very strong army, but we have the Lord Almighty.

"They can kill the dreamer, but they cannot kill the dream" in the Lord’s name.

Be with God and may God be with you.

Rev. Majed El Shafie President and Founder One Free World International El Shafie Ministries

CONTACT:

In Canada: Her Excellency Miriam Ziv Embassy of Israel 50 O'Connor Street Ottawa, ON   K1P 6L2 Tel: (613) 567-6450 ext. 232; Fax: (613) 567-9878 Email: info@ottawa.mfa.gov.il

In the United States: His Excellency Sallai Meridor Embassy of Israel 3514 International Dr. N.W. Washington DC   20008 Tel.: (202) 364-5500 Email: info@washington.mfa.gov.il and dpaofficer@washington.mfa.gov.il