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"Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me." ~ Psalm 23:4 ESV

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EGYPT: Three Christians Hospitalized After Stabbing​ Sources: Christian Solidarity Worldwide, Open Doors​ Domes of a Coptic Church building in Egypt. Photo: Flickr / Andrew A. Shenouda (cc) ​ ​ Three Christian men were hospitalized after being brutally attacked on November 5th in Ashruba, a village located within the Minya province of Upper Egypt. This is only the latest incident to occur amid a recent surge of sectarian violence throughout the region. The targeted Christians had been inside a local pharmacy when they were suddenly assaulted by four male Muslim militants armed with knives and machetes. Following the attack, the wounded victims were taken to the University Hospital in Minya, while a few of the perpetrators were arrested by police. Christians in Ashruba report that they live in a constant state of fear amid tensions due to numerous other attacks on believers and their properties over the past year. Speaking anonymously for security reasons, one Egyptian Christian leader gave praise to God for the positive steps that the authorities have taken, as demonstrated in these recent arrests. Even so, he describes the situation in Ashruba as "a culture of threat and harassment [towards] Christians." For more on the persecution of believers in Egypt, go to our country profile. Pray for the complete healing of the three believers who were physically injured in this recent violent attack. May these brothers in Christ, along with all the other Christians living within this community, be divinely protected and kept safe from those who wish them harm. Pray that the authorities will continue to take firm action against this type of sectarian violence, and that God's peace, courage and strength will reign within the hearts of believers throughout Egypt. IRAN: Christian Convert Sentenced to Ten Years in Prison​ Sources: Mohabat News, Article18, Human Rights Activists News Agency​ Christians in Iran. Photo: VOMC ​ ​ A Christian convert identified as Toomaj Aryan-Kia has been sentenced to ten years in prison for allegedly committing the following offenses: 1) "propaganda"; 2) collaborating with the "hostile governments" of Israel, the United Kingdom and United States; and 3) holding a membership with "anti-regime groups." Along with administering the recently applied prison sentence, Judge Mostafa Narimani banned the Christian man from having any affiliations with a group for an additional two years following his release. Although Toomaj has appealed the sentence, his request for a retrial was denied. Toomaj was initially arrested in October 2022 when his home was searched by Iran's intelligence agents. During the raid, the authorities confiscated the believer's personal items, including several Bibles. Following the initial arrest, Toomaj served more than two months in prison before being released on bail. The judge's recent ruling regarding Toomaj's case marks the sixth time during the year of 2024 that a Christian in Iran received a prison sentence of at least ten years. Further details on Christian persecution in Iran, along with previous reports covering the cases of other imprisoned believers in this Middle Eastern nation, are available at our country profile. Prayerfully uphold Toomaj and the many other Iranian Christians who are facing extended prison sentences because of their faith in Jesus. In addition to providing them greatly needed comfort, encouragement and protection during their time in custody, may they also be granted divinely appointed opportunities to boldly share the Good News of Christ with those around them. As for other followers of Jesus in Iran, pray that they too will be equipped with the courage, wisdom and strength that's needed to withstand opposition and effectively serve as "salt" and "light" in their communities, even in the midst of difficult circumstances. NIGERIA: Abducted Christians Escape Captivity​ Sources: Church in Chains, New York Times, Open Doors​ Muslim militants. ​ ​ On March 1st, 2018, Islamic militants attacked a displacement camp in Borno state. As a result of the attack, three UNICEF workers were killed, along with eight soldiers. During the attack, a Christian woman named Alice Loksha Ngaddah, who worked as a nurse in the camp, was taken captive – along with two Muslim midwives, Saifura Khorsa and Hauwa Liman. Having been declared "apostates" by their captors merely for working with the Red Cross, the two midwives were killed a few months later. The militants responsible stated at the time that they would be holding Alice, along with a Christian student named Leah Sharibu (whom they had captured only ten days earlier), as "slaves for life." (For more details, see this report.) For more than six years, Alice had patiently waited for the ideal opportunity to safely escape her abductors. During that time, she gave birth to a son who is now three years old. When the chance to flee finally arrived on October 24th, Alice, along with her young son and another abductee named Fayina Ali Akilwus, quietly slipped away from the militants' camp. After travelling for more than three days, the weary escapees safely arrived at a military outpost in northeastern Nigeria. As Alice and Fayina neared their destination, they broke out in praises to Jesus, shouting, "We are really saved!" Then, following their arrival at the outpost, they expressed thankfulness to God for the military, asking Him to further strengthen Nigeria's governing authorities and give them victory over the plight of terrorism in their country. Reportedly, the two women have since been transferred to the Borno state government for rehabilitation. While Alice's long-awaited escape is good news, a source within the United Nations has expressed concern over the many challenges her family must now face following her extended captivity. At the time of her kidnapping in 2018, Alice was a married mother of two children. Her husband, however, believing that she had been killed by the abductors, has since remarried. "Alice and her children will need ongoing emotional, physical and spiritual support if she is to be integrated back into society," reports a local trauma care worker. Unfortunately, the violence and resulting atrocities of persecution continue to erupt in many areas of Nigeria where Christians have frequently been kidnapped and/or killed. More recently, a group of attackers, believed to be Fulani militants, raided two villages in southern Kaduna state on November 8th and 16th. As in the many other reported cases, the outcome is devastating: five Christians were killed, three have been kidnapped, and several others are presently suffering from serious injuries. To read previous reports concerning our suffering Christian family in Nigeria, and/or view informative video interviews, go to our country profile. Praise God that Alice and Fayina were able to safely escape their abductors after many years of captivity. Ask our compassionate Lord to help these former captives throughout the difficult processes ahead as they try to re-integrate into life outside of the militants' camp. In particular, pray that the Lord will grant wisdom, healing and hope to Alice and her family as they navigate through their very challenging and complex situation. Also continue to remember Leah Sharibu and the many others presently remaining in captivity, praying that they too will soon gain their freedom. In the meanwhile, may the Nigerian military actively work to stem the influence of militant groups and bring lasting peace, stability and safety to this beleaguered nation.