Bible Society Bookstore Manager Murdered


Police found Christian leader Rami Ayyad murdered near the Christian
bookstore that he managed in the Palestinian territory of Gaza. He had been shot in the head and had multiple stab wounds.

Unknown individuals abducted Ayyad, 30, as he closed The Teacher's Bookshop at 4:30pm Saturday (6 October). The bookshop is operated by the Palestinian Bible Society, which Muslim extremists have repeatedly threatened.

The Bible Society shop was bombed in April after previous threats,
destroying most of the first floor. In February 2006, unidentified militants
exploded two small pipe bombs in front of the bookshop, destroying its steel and glass doors.

Hamas-affiliated police found Ayyad's body, according to news reports.
Authorities with Hamas, which rules Gaza, have reportedly vowed to
investigate and punish the perpetrators.

A Palestinian Bible Society release stated that on Saturday Ayyad had
noticed a car without license plates following him. At 6 pm Ayyad told his
family by telephone that a group of people had taken him and that he would return home late that evening.

Ayyad called later with a similar message, and a Gaza Bible Society worker reported the incident to police. At 6:25am 7 October Ayyad's body was found near the bookshop with gunshot and stab wounds, the release said.

Ayyad is survived by two children and his pregnant wife, Pauline.

In addition to his work at the bookshop's front desk, Ayyad served as a
youth leader at Gaza Baptist Church. He also directed the church's summer camp.

• Pray God will comfort and protect Ayyad's family and the rest of the Christians in the community.
  
  
• Pray the Holy Spirit will convict the hearts of the persecutors and that they will seek and find forgiveness.
  
• Pray for peace in this region.