Release International

As police tanks patrol the streets of Nigeria to prevent further attacks against Christians, a major new TV documentary on the persecuted Church in Nigeria is to be screened on satellite TV next week.

The Remains of the Day, a co-production by Release International, Christian Solidarity Worldwide and The Voice of the Martyrs Canada, is being broadcast on Genesis and Revelation TV on Sky on November 20 and 21.
 
The aim is raise awareness of the plight of Christians in Nigeria and to generate prayer and support.

Thousands of Christians have been killed in violent persecution in Nigeria. The Remains of the Day covers the story of five Christians in Maiduguri, as a mob fanned out to torch their houses, churches and businesses – and kill 65.

In recent week, police tanks have been out on the streets to prevent extremists carrying out further attacks.

The stories of Nigerian Christians who have overcome persecution are moving and profound. Their faith is uplifting. They include Hannatu, who forgives the killers who drove her three children back into the flames. She says, ‘I have forgiven them already – it was very difficult, but Jesus did it for me.’

Augustine recalls the moment he faced down the mob that planned to murder him and his family: ‘Their leader walked up to me with the dagger hand up to strike - but the Almighty God intervened…’

The Remains of the Day is to be screened at peak time on Genesis TV (Sky 772) on Tuesday 20th November at 9.00 pm. It will be followed by an hour-long studio and phone-in discussion at 10.00 pm.

The documentary and discussion will be repeated the following day at 8.00 am.

Meanwhile, Revelation TV (Sky 765), will screen the first 30 minutes of the film at 9pm. It will repeat the full programme the following morning (Nov 21) at 1am and again in the afternoon at 1.30pm

The three other main characters in the programme include businessman Osondu, who describes defending his workshop as a mob rained blows at the gate: ‘There were many of them – beating on the gate, beating on the gate…’

Ibrahim, who confronted rioters brandishing swords and knives, says, ‘I was not even feeling the pain, just a sense of glory in me. At the moment of persecution God takes over.’

And Enoch, standing among the ruins of a once fine church, says: ‘The love of Christ gives us the grace to forgive, and we are praying for them - praying for their salvation even.’

In interviews shot on location – often in the ruins of churches – The Remains of the Day explores their extreme test of faith.

This documentary by award-winning journalist Andrew Boyd raises challenging questions: Could we forgive? Should we defend ourselves? And why have the killers gone unpunished?

It warns that more attacks could follow… and shows what Christians in the UK can do to help.

The Remains of the Day is also available on DVD from Release International. The DVD also includes an extended interview with Benjamin Kwashi, the Bishop of Jos.

Reports from Nigeria also feature in the latest edition of World Update on the Persecuted Church, the monthly ten-minute video news roundup available on the Release International website: www.releaseinternational.org

The riots in Maiduguri – which are threatening to flare up again – were triggered by a cartoon of Mohammed produced by a magazine in Denmark. Further Mohammed cartoons – considered blasphemous under Islam – are threatening to spark fresh violence.

A Christian student in Kano State had to run for his life after being falsely accused of drawing a picture of the prophet Mohammed. As rumour erupted into riot, militants killed ten Christians, and set fire to nine churches, as well as many Christian homes and businesses.

New Mohammed cartoons have since been published in Bangladesh, prompting further riots, and in Sweden. Al Qaeda has put up a $100,000 reward for anyone who cuts the throat of the Swedish cartoonist. 

Through its international network of missions Release International serves persecuted Christians in 30 countries, supporting pastors and Christian prisoners and their families, supplying Christian literature and Bibles, and working for justice. RI is a member of the UK organisations Global Connections, the Evangelical Alliance and the Micah Network.

ENDS

NOTES TO THE EDITOR
Pictures showing the aftermath of the Nigeria riots are available from: www.releaseinternational.org/pages/media/php

For details of the rising tensions again in Maiduguri, please go to: http://www.compassdirect.org/en/display.php?page=news&lang=en&length=short&idelement=5070&backpage=summaries

And for more details of the latest riot in Kano, please go to:
http://www.releaseinternational.org/pages/posts/new-cartoon-riots-kill-christians-in-nigeria85-accused-student-describes-fleeing-for-his-life85-release-international-provides-aid-to-christians-burned-out-of-their-homes85104.php

For further information, please contact Andrew Boyd on 01730 301905 or 07986 712 813, or contact Release International on 01689 823491 or by email at info@releaseinternational.org

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