NORTH KOREA - Amazing Faith
28/03/06 - Believers unite as food shortages and persecution continue
Christians in North Korea have suffered long years of persecution and still risk their lives to keep their Christian faith. If discovered, they and three generations of their families are often killed.
However, Open Doors has never received even one letter from North Korea that contained anger or blame toward their persecuting government but they have received hundreds of secret letters over the last 10 years asking that Christians will pray for their countrymen to turn to God.
Food Supply
Official reports claim there was a good harvest last year. However, the government’s food rationing programme last October, distributing 7 kilos of rice to each person every 15 days, was discontinued after just a few food deliveries.
The price of crops has begun rising again, and the exchange rate of the Chinese yuan is rapidly increasing. Ordinary citizens are still suffering starvation, especially in winter when food is most scarce.
Many North Koreans no longer respect government orders in public, distrust their leaders and are concerned only with their own survival.
Struggle to Survive
Illegal trade with China has spread nationwide as North Koreans become ever more desperate to find an income. High-ranking officials are collecting foreign currencies to prepare for possible crises, and sending their children to schools in other countries for both an education and an escape route in the event of a national emergency.
Feuds amongst various factions vying for succession after the fall of current dictatorial ruler, Kim Jung Il, are increasing.
'Threat' of Christianity
The North Korean government fears infiltration of outside thoughts and philosophies that could shake Kim Jung Il’s dictatorship and regime. Government officials blame the collapse of communism in the West on the spread of Christianity and have begun anti-Christian 'education' on a national level.
The government of North Korea is based on an ideology of absolute obedience to the supreme leader Kim Jung Il. He is a legitimate successor of Kim Il Sung, still worshipped as a god of North Korea, and is greatly threatened by those who worship any other god. Although Kim Jung Il’s tyranny opposes and persecutes the Church, the believers are united despite heavy surveillance and violent threats.
North Korean visitors in China
The government has particularly strengthened surveillance of those who live near the border since recent video clips and photographs of civilian life, particularly in the border regions, were smuggled out and exposed to the world.
Recent starvation in North Korea has forced many people across the frozen winter rivers in search of food, although, due to increasing dangers, illegal border crossings have greatly reduced. Official passports are issued only to those travelling for national trade business or visiting family.
Open Doors’ ministry for 2006 will include two new training shelters to help provide much-needed spiritual discipline and refreshment to Christian North Korean refugees.
Projects
Open Doors prepares materials requested by North Korean believers and safely transports them to a number of key delivery points all over North Korea, to the great encouragement and even amazement of Christians there.
The increasing delivery of radios has been a particular source of great joy for North Korean Christians. They can listen to both the news from the outside world and Christian broadcasting programmes, which help them to grow in their faith and develop leadership skills.
Although the Open Doors food deliveries in 2005 faced a number of difficulties and delays, most of the food eventually made it through.
Greater unity among believers
As the economy gets worse, Christians in North Korea are uniting in support of one another and doing their best to help Christians in other poor regions, especially by caring for children and the elderly.
In 2006, the Open Doors North Korean ministry will expand and improve the support system for their workers in the field. For the fourth year in a row, North Korea has headed the Open Doors World Watch List where Christians are most persecuted for their faith.
Open Doors UK & Ireland on 01993 885400, www.opendoorsuk.org info@opendoorsuk.org.
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The release of Abdul Rahman, the Muslim convert to Christianity on trial for his life does not mean his life is safe, explains Arie de Pater, advocacy spokesperson for Open Doors.
He adds, “This release leaves the constitution and the law unchanged, so that apostates remain under threat of being hanged.”
Judge Ansarullah Mawlavizada has dropped Abdul Rahman’s case and sent it back to the prosecutor-general, only because of juridical and technical shortcomings.
Afghan clerics are continuing to call for execution of the apostate, leaving Afghan President Hamid Karzai under tremendous pressure, balancing this call with those from international donors to “seek a favourable resolution to this case at the earliest possible moment.”
Arie de Pater says, “According to our assessment, the position of the president is very delicate. The release of Abdul Rahman, even with reference to a mental disorder of the accused, might very well lead to massive protests that could cause the fall of Karzai and subsequent chaos.”
The news of a possible release of the convert, spiked massive protests in Mazar-e-Sharif Monday morning, as thousands of protestors took to the streets.
Interviewed by the Associated Press, the chief cleric at Haji Yacob Mosque, one of four of Kabul’s most popular mosques, said people will kill Rahman if he is freed. Raoulf, a member of the Afghan Ulama Council, the country’s main Islamic organisation, was quoted in the same press release as saying, “We will call on the people to pull him into pieces so there’s nothing left.”
“Mr Rahman has asked for asylum outside Afghanistan,” said UN spokesman Adrian Edwards in an Associated Press report today. Edwards said the UN was working with the Afghan government to meet Mr Rahman’s request:
“We expect this will be provided by one of the countries interested in a peaceful solution to this case.”
Rahman’s case has aroused an international wave of protest involving numerous politicians and media organisations
Open Doors’ Advocacy Department took up the case of Afghan Christians a few weeks ago, preparing a political lobby for religious freedom for all Afghan citizens:
“However, we are not planning an urgent campaign on Mr Rahman’s behalf to politicians, as much is already being done on his behalf by governments around the world and a letter-writing campaign could incite more hatred amongst Afghan Muslims, strengthening them in their protest against the perceived foreign interference in national matters,” said Arie de Pater.
This opinion is supported by Barnett R Rubin, a New York University professor and expert on Afghanistan. He was quoted by the New York Times as saying, “Moderate Afghan officials are eager to quietly dispose of the case, but the vocal criticism from American and Western officials make that more difficult.”
“Open Doors calls for massive and united prayer for Abdul Rahman, for other Afghan converts to Christianity and for Afghan Christians in general – for religious freedom in the country, for progress and political stability and for wisdom and boldness to all Afghan authorities involved,” said de Pater.
The Afghan constitution reads, “The State will abide by the UN charter, international treaties, international conventions that Afghanistan has signed, and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.” At the same time, it declares that “no law can be contrary to the beliefs and provisions of the sacred religion of Islam.” The Hanafi school of jurisprudence adhered to by Afghanistan’s Sunni majority and privileged by the Afghan constitution, declares apostasy a crime punishable by death.
Hussain Andaryas, the editor and producer of Afghan Christian Radio’s television and internet ministries, has said that in addition to many negative and abusive emails calling for punishment for Abdul Rahman and also Mr Andaryas himself, there are also many emails coming from Afghans wanting to know more about Christianity and asking to study the Bible.
Afghanistan is listed in 11th place in the 2006 Open Doors World Watch List as among the worst violators of the right to religious freedom.
Open Doors UK & Ireland. Tel 01993 885400 www.opendoorsuk.org e-mail info@opendoorsuk.org
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