Bible Store Manager Martyred in Gaza

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Palestinian bookstore owner 

 Rami Ayyad
Photo from Compass Direct

Rami Ayyad (30), the manager of the only Christian bookstore in Gaza, was killed by unknown assailants on October 6. At approximately 4:30 p.m. Ayyad was abducted as he closed up The Teacher's Bookshop, which is owned by the Palestinian Bible Society. Shortly afterwards, his family received a telephone call from him saying that he had been kidnapped and that he would be returned home late that evening. The following day, Ayyad's body was found near the bookstore at approximately 6:25 a.m. He had been shot in the head and stabbed multiple times.

According to Middle East Concern, the local media is reporting that the murder occurred during a robbery, which the Christian community believes is a deliberate attempt to cover up the religious motive behind the attack. Ayyad regularly received anonymous death threats from people angered by his work and Muslim militants have repeatedly threatened the Palestinian Bible Society. In mid-April, the Gaza office was bombed by suspected Muslim militants.

Ayyad is survived by a pregnant wife and two young sons. Ask God to fill his loved ones with a peace that surpasses understanding in the midst of their grief (Philippians 4:7). Pray that the Bible Society staff will continue to spread God's Word in this troubled area. Pray that Christians in Gaza will exhibit the love and forgiveness of Christ.

Two video reports on this story are available. Click here to view a video from infolive.tv. A news report from CBN is also available here. For more information on the persecution of Christians in Palestine and Gaza, click here.

 

  • Palestine Information

    Population
    Gaza - 2,098,389 (2023 est.)
    West Bank - 3,176,549 (2023 est.)

    Religion (%)
    Gaza - Muslim (98-99), Christian and other (1-2),
    West Bank - Muslim (80-85), Jewish (12-14), Christian (1-2.5), other (<1)

    Leadership
    President Mahmud Abbas in the West Bank
    Hamas in the Gaza Strip

    Statistics: CIA World Factbook

  • Pray for Palestine

    Pray not only for the peace of the land, but also for both Jewish Israelis and Palestinian Arabs to meet the Prince of Peace, as it is through Him alone that any meaningful reconciliation will come.

    Pray Palestinian Christians who remain will stay strong in both their Christian faith and in their commitment to live out the gospel in very difficult conditions.

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