Window International Network

Laos, Southeast Asia

Population: 6,677,534

Political Leader: President Lt. Gen. Choummali Saignason

Religions: Buddhism 61%, Traditional 31.2%, Christianity 1.9%, Other 5.9%

Persecution Ranking: 8

Number of Terrorist Groups: 1

Acts of Terrorism: 14; Casualties: 3

Percent of Corruption: 74%

% of People in Poverty: 31%

Location:

Laos, officially known as the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, is a landlocked communist state in southeast Asia, bordered by Myanmar (Burma) and China to the northwest, Vietnam to the east, Cambodia to the south and Thailand to the west. After a period as a French protectorate, Laos gained independence in 1949. A long civil war that lasted for two decades ended when the communist Pathet Lao movement came to power in 1975. Laos’ thickly forested landscape consists mostly of rugged mountains, with some plains and plateaus. The Mekong River forms a large part of the western boundary with Thailand, whereas the mountains of the Annamite Chain form most of the eastern border with Vietnam.

Terrorism:

Since 2002, the government of Laos has consistently denounced international terrorism and expressed a willingness to cooperate with the international community on counterterrorism, but it has taken little proactive action to combat terrorism, according to Country Reports on Terrorism 2007. In addition to a lack of resources, Lao officials at many levels believed that Laos, a small and neutral country, would not be targeted or exploited by international terrorists. Laos did not have a separate counterterrorism law, but recent amendments to the criminal code sought to strengthen counterterrorism sanctions. Laos’ border security was weak. Border officials could not effectively control access to the country even at its most sophisticated border checkpoints. Illegal border crossing along the Mekong River into the surrounding countries of Burma, Thailand, and Cambodia could be accomplished easily and without detection. Border delineation remained poor in more remote sections of the country, especially along the land borders with Vietnam and China; it is likely that unmonitored border crossings by locals occurred on a daily basis. Since 9/11, Lao authorities have strengthened airport security, and airport security forces participated in U.S.-supported security seminars in an effort to raise their standards, but security procedures at land immigration points remained lax compared with most other countries in the region. In addition, official Lao identity documents, including passports and ID cards, were easy to obtain.

Religion:

Laos’ population is approximately 61% Buddhists and only 1.85% of its citizens are Christians.

Challenges for Christians:

The Laos government, still one of the world’s most severe abusers of religious liberty, has explicitly declared its intention to “eliminate Christianity.” Laos is ranked No. 8 among nations that are the worst persecutors of Christians based on Open Doors 2008 World Watch List. The government not only severely persecutes Christians, but it is also pursuing a genocidal war against the Hmong, using military means that include gross barbarity, chemical weapons and starvation. Thanks to Gospel radio and indigenous missionaries, the 20th century saw revivals amongst the Hmong and the Khmu, which sometimes involved whole villages turning to Christ. Over 90% of trained church leaders left Laos in 1975 in the face of persecution from communists. It is still dangerous and difficult for church leaders to leave the country to get training.

Meanwhile, the chief of Boukham village, on August 28, 2008, ordered the families of three detained Christians in Savannakhet province to sign documents renouncing their faith, Compass Direct News reported. Human Rights Watch for Lao Religious Freedom reported that the family members refused. A crackdown in other parts of Laos continued, with new incidents reported that week in Attapue and Borikhamxay provinces. On August 25, 2008, the chief of Donphai village in Attapue province summoned Christians and fined them for holding a church service during local animistic ceremonies. In Borikhamxay province, officials continued to pressure 22 Christian families comprising 150 people in Toongpankham village who have refused to give up their faith. Village officials had torn down their church building in January 2008, then in mid-August harassed church members for not meeting in a proper worship facility.

Prayer Points:

Pray for the government of Laos to take more proactive action to combat terrorism besides denouncing international terrorism.

Thank God for His faithfulness and the faithfulness of His Church in Laos. Despite restrictions and persecution, the Church in Laos is growing.

Pray for God to protect and sustain His Church in Laos amidst terrible persecution, especially the Christian leaders, who are being specifically targeted by the authorities.

Pray for God’s speak[dd1] comfort and love to reach the hearts of the Christian Believers among the traumatized Hmong fleeing through the jungle or who are refugees in Thailand – that they will not lose faith or hope. Pray that God may draw them to prayer and deliver them from their enemies. (Psalm 3:8)

Ask God to turn the hearts of world leaders from indifference to indignation that leads to action. (Proverbs 21:1)

Pray for God to pour out His Spirit mightily on the majority Lao people, emboldening the Lao Church and opening Lao hearts to receive the Gospel.

Sources: 24-7 Prayer, Operation World, CIA Factbook, Wikipedia, International Religious Freedom Report 2007, Country Reports on Terrorism 2007, World Evangelical Alliance Religious Liberty Commission, Open Doors, Compass Direct News

Western Sahara, North Africa

Population: 393,831

Political Leader: President Mohamed Abdelaziz

Religions: Islam 100%

Persecution Ranking: Not Ranked

Number of Terrorist Groups: 1

Acts of Terrorism: 3; Casualties: 9

Percent of Corruption: Insufficient Data to Rank

% of People in Poverty: Not Ranked

Location:

Western Sahara is a territory of northwestern Africa, bordered by Morocco to the north, Algeria in the northeast, Mauritania to the east and south, and the Atlantic Ocean on the west. It is one of the most sparsely populated territories in the world, mainly consisting of desert flatlands.

Terrorism:

Although there have been no recent attacks in Western Sahara, there have been serious incidents in Morocco, including in May 2003, when 45 people were killed in terrorist attacks in Casablanca, according to England’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office. The status of the territory of the Western Sahara is disputed between Morocco and the Polisario Front. There has been a U.N.-monitored cease-fire in the territory since 1991. In June 2007, the U.N. brokered talks between the two sides but a return to fighting cannot be ruled out, and the Polisario Front issues periodic threats to resume hostilities. There are occasional violent demonstrations in the territory.

Religion:

Western Sahara has been a disputed territory since Spain withdrew in 1975. Morocco controls 80% of the land, while the remaining 20% is controlled by the Polisario, an independence movement established in 1973, and the government of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic or SADR. Polisario resisted in a guerrilla war that ended in 1991 with a U.N.-brokered cease-fire, leaving several thousands dead on both sides. A U.N.-mandated vote on independence foundered over disagreements about who should vote.

Polisario still wants a referendum on Western Sahara’s future. Morocco rules that out and proposes limited autonomy. Morocco fears losing Western Sahara would undermine the authority of King Mohamed VI. Western Sahara’s population of around 400,000 are overwhelmingly followers of Sunni Muslim along with some animistic practices. Western Sahara’s Sahrawi people have been tortured, kidnapped and separated from their families in a humanitarian crisis that has lasted for more than 30 years. Presently, camps run by the Cuban-backed Polisario Front exist in southern Algeria, where thousands of indigenous Sahrawi people are sequestered and treated inhumanely. Public beatings are common and young children are taken from their families and sent to Cuba for re-education.

Challenges for Christians:

Western Sahara has a few isolated Christian Believers. The Polisario has formed an effective administration over the territory they control. There are no known cases of persecution of Christians, but there is usually intense social pressure from family members to leave Christianity. Morocco is trying to develop the area under its control. Although the constitution grants freedom of religion, restrictions are applied. All religious groups are monitored to ensure that adherents do not stray into politics.

Prayer Points:

Pray for a resolution of the disputed status of Western Sahara.

Pray for healing and restoration of the families of the Sahrawi people. Pray that the Saharawi will discover the abundant life found in Jesus.

Pray for fellowship and discipleship of all Christians. Pray for Believers to receive greater acceptance in society.

Pray for whole families, heads of households and men of influence to find Christ (Acts 16:30-34).

Sources: Operation World, Wikipedia, Country Reports on Terrorism 2006, International Religious Freedom Report 2007, National Clergy Council, LifeAgape International, Barnabus Fund, Christian Solidarity Worldwide, Forum 18 News Service, Jubilee Campaign, Middle East Concern, the Associated Press and 3P Ministries, England’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office

---

[dd1]??