"Teach me your way, O Lord, and lead me on a level path because of my enemies. Give me not up to the will of my adversaries; for false witnesses have risen against me, and they breathe out violence... Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!" - Psalm 27:11-12, 14 (ESV)

Morocco

Christians targeted on Facebook

Muslim extremists in Morocco are using the social networking site Facebook to expose and vilify Christians, according to Moroccan believers.

Thirty-two images featuring dozens of Christian converts have been posted on the site, calling them 'hyena evangelists' or 'wolves in lamb's skins' who are trying to 'shake the faith of Muslims'. Personal address details and anecdotal stories denigrating the Christians accompany the photos. An entire page was dedicated to a well-known Christian TV personality in the Middle East, Rashid Hmami, and his family.

Dozens of Christians have been called to police stations for interrogation; many of them have been verbally abused and threatened with jail or death. Others have been forced to leave home by their relatives.

Abdel Adghirni, a Moroccan lawyer, said that "The government is testing the [Christians'] reactions." Although the government's recent reactions seem regressive, he explained, they are part of the nation's societal transformation process. Observers have called this a calculated effort to purge the historically moderate Muslim country, known for its progressive policies, of all Christian elements – both foreign and national.

Moroccan authorities expelled eight more foreign Christians from the country last weekend for alleged 'proselytising', bringing the total number of Christians deported since March to 128. Two foreign women married to Moroccan Christians were included in this third wave of deportations, raising concerns that local authorities intend to harass the country's small but growing evangelical community. More than 7,000 Muslim clerics signed a statement denouncing all Christian activities and calling foreign Christians' aid work 'religious terrorism'.

Source: Compass Direct

Please pray:

1.    That God will comfort and strengthen Moroccan Christians and enable them to respond to their persecutors with compassion, love and forgiveness

2.    That the government and Muslim families will see Christians as they really are, instead of as criminals or traitors

3.    Ask God to protect and encourage Rashid Hmami and his family.