Raa Attol, Maldives:
Christians are praying hard for the release of a youth arrested in the Maldives on false charges of converting others to Christianity, for merely keeping a Bible and a rosary with him. .
Mr. Shijo Kokkattu from Tellicherry Archdiocese in the southern state of Kerala was imprisoned last week in the Maldives. He had been working with Raafainu School in Raa Attol, in the Maldives, for the past two years, where the official religion is Islam, and no other religion can be preached.
Recently, while transferring some data from his pen drive to the school laptop, Kokkattu, accidentally copied Marian songs and a picture of Mother Mary, into the system. The matter was reported by some teachers to the police who raided his home and recovered a Bible and a rosary. “On charges of preaching a non-Islamic religion, the police took him to another island for interrogation,” his father, 77 year old Mr. Cheriayn Kokkattu, said. He said that his son had called them last Saturday to say that he would be released in two days, but he is still in prison. His father also said that Shijo who is 30, is the last of his eight children, and that he is terribly disturbed by the whole unexpected development. “Thousands of people called me up and offered their prayerful support. Prayer groups and retreat centers across the Archdiocese are praying for his release.” He said.
Father Varambakathu Lazer, the Parish Priest of Manippara Parish said that prayer groups in the parish are praying for his release since last week. “I hope this is the month of the rosary and Mary will make his release easier,” he added. Father Joseph Karinattu, the Vicar General of the archdiocese, said “we are taking legal steps for his release with the help of the Government.” Please pray for Shijo Kokkattu’s immediate release.