With the U.N. draft resolution in the news, Iraq is taking pains to shield its national treasures in the likely event of war. Ron Ensminger of the SAT-7 Christian television outreach says people across the Middle East are trying to ready themselves, but the pressure is taking its toll. "The increased tensions, the increased uncertainty, the lack of hope, the effect of the long-lasting sanctions that have been in the region are driving the people to look for answers," he said. "They're finding reasons for hope in Christian TV, and they're calling, asking for answers to their questions. They're also asking for copies of the Bible." Ensminger says the church is also responding to the increasing spiritual needs. "It is not illegal to be a Christian in Iraq. There are evangelical, Catholic and Orthodox Christian churches that meet openly, and SAT-7 is committed to supporting them through Christian television programming that supports the whole family, and it's produced in their language in the region."

Meanwhile, mission organizations in Central Asia are also preparing for the possibility of war with Iraq. Bible Mission International's Mark Reimschisel says the violence could help workers in their efforts to reach the lost. "The people are seeing that followers of Islam don't have good things happening to them," he says. "The folks there want to know, 'Well, if that's the religion of peace, why is all this destruction coming on them?' It creates some real opportunities for them to question why they would want to be followers of Islam." Reimschisel adds Christian workers are taking more precautions as tensions increase, especially since any invasion of Iraq is being billed in the media as a "war against Muslims. . . . But they realize they have a mission that has to be accomplished -- taking the unchangeable Word of God to the people." (Mission Network News)

* HCJB World Radio reaches across North Africa, the Middle East and Europe with Christian Arabic programming aired via shortwave, satellite and local stations. The Radio Al Mahabba (Radio Love) Arabic satellite network, operated with partner Arab World Ministries, airs programs direct-to-home 24 hours a day. This region has the world's highest concentration of personal satellite dishes.

3 CHRISTIANS IN NEPAL JAILED ON PROSELYTISM CHARGES

A Christian worker and two local believers were arrested and jailed on proselytism charges in western Nepal last month, Christian Aid Mission learned last week. They include a 34-year-old Christian worker from a church in the Pokhara district, his 26-year-old assistant and a 46-year-old retired soldier from the Royal Nepal Army. The three were on their way to visit a Christian family in Pyuthan district when they were stopped and interrogated by police in the village of Arlabang. The names of the accused are being kept confidential. In response to the police questions, they answered, "We are Christians and are going to meet one of our Christian brothers in the next village. And then we are going to Pokhara to participate in a Christian program." The police checked their bags and found Bibles and other Christian literature, placed them under arrest and charged them with "carrying Christian literature, preaching Christianity, and attempting to convert others into Christianity." On that basis they were detained 15 days. A hearing took place on Feb. 28 in the District Court of Pyuthan. When questioned by the judge, the three said, "We are Christians but have never forced anyone to convert from their own religion to Christianity." The judge then threw them in jail, saying any attempt to influence others to change their religion is illegal. They are appealing the ruling. If they lose their appeal, they could be incarcerated for three to six years. (Missions Insider)

SAUDI ARABIA BANS CONSTRUCTION OF CHURCHES

Saudi Arabia will not allow churches to be built on its land, Defense Minister Prince Sultan told reporters March 8. Foreigners are allowed to worship freely in their homes, but churches would not be permitted "since it would affect Islam," he said, calling those who want churches fanatics. "We are not against religions at all . . . but there are no churches -- not in the past, the present or the future." Saudi Arabia is well known for forbidding religions other than Islam. Despite assurances from Sultan, foreigners have been arrested and deported for worshiping in their homes, and Christians face imprisonment, torture and death. State Department spokesman Richard Boucher said the U.S. is seeking opportunities to work with Saudi Arabia to improve the country's state of religious freedom. (Voice of the Martyrs)

HATE CAMPAIGN WAGED AGAINST CHRISTIAN MINORITY IN PAKISTAN

An intensive hate campaign is being conducted against the Christian minority of Pakistan by various militant Islamic groups. Christians in Pakistan represent about 2.5 percent of the population. Large demonstrations have been held the past two weekends in Karachi, Islamabad and Rawalpindi, protesting the expected war in Iraq and urging citizens to boycott Christians and to wage a jihad against them. Islamic extremists are targeting Christians because of their religious affiliation. Muslim clerics are also openly asking for jihad against "infidels" in the mosques. Pakistani Christians are expecting the worst as the demonstrations have been called by a coalition of Islamic radical parties linked with al-Qaeda and the Taliban. The Christians are appealing to the world for security against this rising tide of hatred as fueled by Islamic militants. (International Christian Concern)

'JESUS' FILM BECOMES WORLD'S MOST TRANSLATED MOTION PICTURE

The "Jesus" film has become the world's most translated film with versions in 807 languages. Jesus Film Project teams, made up of national staff members worldwide, show the productions several times a week to expose their countrymen to the gospel. Project leaders have the goal of giving every person on earth the chance of viewing the "Jesus" film. Plans are to translate the film into an additional 1,071 languages. (Mission Network News)

NEWS SERVICE LAUNCHED TO REPORT ON ABUSES TO RELIGIOUS FREEDOM

An Oslo, Norway-based group has launched the Forum 18 News Service, a Christian e-mail initiative to report on threats and actions against the religious freedom of all people, regardless of religious affiliation, in an "objective, truthful and timely manner." Forum 18 will initially focus on religious freedom abuses in countries of the former Soviet Union and Eastern Europe, but will eventually expand to cover other areas worldwide. The announcement comes after the U.K- based Keston News Service shut down earlier this year due to financial difficulties and personnel changes. To subscribe to this free service, visit www.forum18.org. (Forum 18 News Service/Assist)

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