Four Christians arrested in Saudi Arabia for praying at home
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Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Jun 26, 2006 / 12:00 am (CNA).- Two Ethiopian and two Eritrean Christians have been arrested and incarcerated in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, for conducting prayers in their home.

The Compass Direct news agency reported that the religious police, called Muttawa, armed with wooden clubs, broke into a private residence in Jeddah two weeks ago and arrested the four Christians - the four remain in prison.

More than 100 Eritrean, Ethiopian and Filipino Christians were gathered in the house when the Muttawa arrested the four group leaders: Mekbeb Telahun, Fekre Gebremedhin, Dawit Uqbay and Masai Wendewesen. The few Christians in Saudi Arabia are mostly migrant workers.

The government of Saudi Arabia forbids the practice of any religion other than the fundamentalist Wahhabite version of Islam. It prohibits building places of worship, churches, or chapels. Any public expressions of faith, such as carrying a Bible, a crucifix, or rosary beads, and praying in public are forbidden.

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Subscriber comments:
Published by: Avitazen
USA 03/20/2007 10:33 PM EST
1 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.

2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.
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Published by: Reine Razzouk
Montreal - Canada 07/05/2006 10:44 AM EST
I lived in Jeddah for many years and know how hard it is. It is the responsibility of the Head of States of Europe and America to do something about it. What about the Human Rights?!!!!
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Published by: Jen
mumbai/india 06/27/2006 02:32 PM EST
It is most unfortunate that these four are being persecuted for their faith in Christ. We must pray fervently for their quick release though this is a remote likelihood. Strange, but Saudi is progressing in leaps and bounds in other areas, so why this lethargy in understanding man's need for worshipping his God.
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Published by: Lou Smith
USA 06/27/2006 02:12 PM EST
One has to wonder why we help the Moslem community. The Saudis have NO regard for anyone else's religion. This intolerance has spread to other countries. Islam claims to be peaceful! I really wonder!!
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Published by: Albert Whipple
Scottsdale, Az, USA 06/27/2006 01:50 PM EST
" LOVE YOUR ENEMIES", OUR LORD SAID, BUT I HAD THOUGHT THE SAUDIS WERE OUR FRIENDS?
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Published by: Steven Barrett
Hadley, MA USA 06/27/2006 09:03 AM EST
Think about these four Christians in the Saudi pokey the next time you see W. schoozing with Saudi roilty. (Spelling is deliberate.)
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Published by: Ted
Jeddah, Saudi Arabia 06/27/2006 03:32 AM EST
It is unfortunate to know this but holding a huge prayer meeting with amplified guitars and percussions would really attract attention. Jeddah is better than other cities in Saudi Arabia in terms of religious tolerance. Christians here are not being persecuted because of their religion as long as they do not hold public gatherings like the mass or prayer meetings.
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Published by: Thomas Aquinas
Collingswood,NJ,USA 06/26/2006 03:46 PM EST
Once again we see Christians, in their own home arrested for praying. This has got to stop if Sudias want outside help to work in their country.
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Published by: Allan Gibb
Waterloo, Ontario, Canada 06/26/2006 03:19 PM EST
One day Our Blessed Lord will give the slaves of Suadi Arabia freedom in His Church. Actions like this only infuriate God and beg for punishment.

Until God acts, let's pray for the victims of Islam and also elimate our need for Saudi Arabia's oil. Let's stop making their government rich.

Why are we allies with such intolerant fascists?
Is the antichrist running their country?

"If the world hate you, know ye that it hath hated me before you."
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Published by: Jim
Port Orange/FL/USA 06/26/2006 12:41 PM EST
May these modern day martyrs receive many graces and be the seed for many to follow. Jesus is King and no one or thing will be of no use to our God. We must pray for our enemies in Saudi Arabia and around the world. True peace comes from following Jesus as these four arrested exemplars of our faith will find out. Peace be to them.
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