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Christianity Today, October (Web-only), 2007 |

Christian Bookstore Manager Martyred in Gaza City

Rami Ayyad received death threats after store bombing in April.

Deann Alford | posted 10/08/2007 09:43AM

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The worker told CT that he believes Ayyad's murder was committed by non-Palestinians likely affiliated with Al Qaeda.

"The long tradition of coexistence between Palestinian Muslims and Christians doesn't mean anything to them," the worker said. "This is a campaign to purge Muslim lands of all 'infidels.' That includes Christians as well as Jews.

"All things work together for good. God has a purpose for letting this happen. It will not silence the church."

On Sunday, the Associated Press reported from the funeral:

The report included this comment:

"He paid his life for his faith, for his dignity, and the dignity of the Bible and Jesus Christ," said Issa, a 24-year-old Christian who came to pay his respects at Ayyad's home. "I am terrified and cannot believe this has happened in Gaza," said Issa, declining to give his last name because of the tense atmosphere.

Top left photo: Ayyad leads an Awana meeting. Bottom right photo: Ayyad at Gaza Baptist Church.

Related Elsewhere:

Associated Press, The Jerusalem Post, and other news sources have reported on the murder.

Previous stories about Israel and Gaza include:

'Have You Prayed for bin Laden Today?' | Brother Andrew urges Christians not to 'black list' radical Muslims. (June 22, 2007)

Gaza's Christian Bookstore Bombed | No injuries in Palestinian Bible Society blast, but security guard was kidnapped and beaten. (April 16, 2007)

News Briefs | Medi-Share, British Airways' jewelry policy, and Gaza Baptist Church. (March 20, 2007)

Fatah Police Seize Gaza Baptist Church | As cease-fire agreements between Fatah and Hamas come and go, a church is literally caught in the middle. (February 7, 2007)

The Middle East's Death Wish—and Ours | We say "everyone wants peace," but we also want to see our enemies destroyed. (David P. Gushee, July 14, 2006)

Christian Zionists Split Over Gaza Pullout | Some remain politically neutral. (Deann Alford, July 2005)

Love in the Land of Enmity | The local joke is that Gaza is hell. But that doesn't seem to deter ministry there. (Deann Alford, July 2005)

Outreach to Despair | Christians minister to the hopeless in Gaza. (Deann Alford, August 1, 2004)

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October (Web-only) 2007, Vol. 51

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Rodler

Posted: October 10, 2007 7:53 AM

Here are a few more martyrs--unless getting killed by a private military contractor doesn't get you martyr status. Personally, I think being a faithful Christian in any dangerous place and getting killed counts, no matter who kills you. And since there's no evidence that Ayyad's murder was religiously motivated, since no one has taken credit or responsibility, as they likely would if they were making a political or religious statement, then these women are also martyrs. We'll see if anyone reports it that way... BAGHDAD, Oct. 9 -- Private security guards from an Australian-run firm opened fire on a white sedan in downtown Baghdad on Tuesday afternoon, killing two Iraqi Christian women who were driving home from work. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/10/09/AR2007100900481.html

Brian

Posted: October 09, 2007 8:58 AM


Every Christian in America should consider and pray for the oppressed Christians all over the world. Can you imagine if right in the middle of your small group DVD, armed men broke down the door and demanded that you renounce your faith with the threat of violence?

John	Posted: October 08, 2007 4:02 PM


Ah, the "religion of peace" strikes again!

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