ChinaAid
January 8, 2010
XINJIANG—On December 25, 2009, Puhui Farm leaders and policemen arrested several elderly and ailing Christians in Korla City, Xinjiang. Like many around the world, members of Corps house church were celebrating Christmas Day. In the middle of the celebration, a band of farmers and Security policemen disrupted a gathering of believers during their fellowship celebration. The Chief of Security, Yu Fagan, seized Wang Qiuyue, a 71-year-old widow, who had been a known Christian for over 45 years. Yu Fagan threw her roughly against a police car, like a rejected sack of garbage. The group wore hats of bearing the title “People’s Police.” They proceeded to dismantle and burn elderly Sister Wang’s furniture before her eyes.
In another devastating blow to an elderly Christian woman, six farm leaders and policemen broke into He Cuiying’s home, seizing 30 Bibles and spiritual books and publicly burning them in a bonfire outside her home. Sister He is a 69-year-old hemiplegic confined to her bed and permanent home care, and has been a faithful Christian for over 20 years.
Earlier that day, two elderly Christian leaders had dispatched gospel leaflets to members of their community. One farm leader traced the leaflets back to the women, and the “People’s police” then arrested five Christians. Brother Nie Jiping (56 years old), Sister Huang Ying (46 years old), Sister Zhou Xia (39 years old) and Sister Wang Youling (46 years pld), were arbitrarily fined 5,000 Yuan each with no official charge.The farm leader warned them they would not be allowed to join in future Christian fellowship events or activities, and that all other Christians would not be allowed to meet.
President of ChinaAid Bob Fu denounced the blatant persecution of these elderly and faithful Christian brothers and sisters. “The actions of the Korla City farm leaders and police cannot be tolerated. They desecrated the sacred Word of God by burning Sister He Cuiying’s Bibles and spiritual books. They further attacked those known to be physically weak and vulnerable.”
ChinaAid calls on the international community to pray for the five Christian leaders who were arrested, and for those who suffered physical and emotional loss on Christmas Day. We urge the international community to continue praying for religious freedom in Xinjiang and throughout China.
China Aid Contacts
Rachel Ritchie, English Media Director
Cell: (432) 553-1080 | Office: 1+ (888) 889-7757 | Other: (432) 689-6985
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.chinaaid.org
