The Muslim group, The Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIS), stated that they had met Christian representatives and offered them three choices: convert to Islam, submit to Islam as dhimmis (subjugated, second-class citizens) or "face the sword." The Christian leaders allegedly then signed an agreement committing the Christian community to submission.
The conditions imposed on the believers prohibit repairing any church building, publicly displaying crosses or other symbols of Christianity, and conducting services outside a church building. Even when inside their church buildings, Christians are not allowed to sing or read the Scriptures loud enough for a Muslim standing outside to hear.
Please lift up in prayer the Christians in Raqqa and throughout Syria, asking our Father to strengthen their faith and lovingly protect and watch over them. May He grant them wisdom and discernment, as well as opportunities to effectively proclaim the Gospel. Pray also that many Muslims, including the members of ISIS, will come to know Jesus Christ in a personal way.
Please visit our website at
www.persecution.net/prayerwall to share your own prayers and petitions for our persecuted family in Syria.
BELARUS: Homeless Shelter Officially Closed
Source: Forum 18 News Service
On February 7th, a homeless shelter run by a young Christian man was deprived of its legal status in the village of Aleksandrovka.
Aleksei Shchedrov, 29, turned his home into the House of Mary shelter to help care for homeless people. Following repeated police raids, criminal charges were brought against Aleksei in June of 2013 for praying in this shelter. In August, he was able to obtain official registration for the shelter's operation, and the charges against him were dropped the following month. (For more information on the charges, go to
www.persecution.net/by-2013-07-11.htm.)
However, Aleksei soon began facing renewed pressure. Authorities -- including police, tax office officials and village council officials -- visited his home in what he felt were attempts to find faults with the shelter. He was also reportedly pressured to register his shelter as part of the Catholic Church, to which Aleksei belongs.
Now that the shelter lacks legal status, Aleksei is vulnerable to further charges. "Without state registration (he) can be charged again under the same Article 193-1 of the Criminal Code -- organization of or participation in the activities of an unregistered organization," an activist explained. At last report, Aleksei was continuing to care for 13 homeless people who would otherwise have nowhere else to go.
As Aleksei faces yet another roadblock in his efforts to extend Christ's love to the homeless, pray that he will not grow weary or lose heart (Hebrews 12:1-3). May the decision to deprive the shelter of legal status soon be revoked! In the meantime, ask the Lord to provide a way for Aleksei to continue caring for the homeless in his charge; and that they, too, may come to acknowledge the saving message of Jesus' death and resurrection.
To learn more about the persecuted church in Belarus, please visit our website at
www.persecution.net/belarus.htm.
RECENT PRISONER UPDATE
IRAN: Imprisoned Believers Need Continued Prayer
Sources: VOM USA, Mohabat News, Release International
Behnam Irani, an imprisoned pastor who has suffered complications as a result of stomach ulcers and intestinal problems, underwent surgery on February 22nd at Shahid Madani Hospital in Karaj. According to our sources, the surgery was successful and the pastor is doing well. (For more information on Behnam, visit our website at
www.persecution.net/ir-2013-10-17.htm.)
On March 2nd, a Christian man by the name of Sevada Aghasar, who spent over six months behind bars, was released from Evin Prison. Sevada was arrested in August of 2013. Although he wasn't officially charged, evidence suggests that his arrest was related to his online contact with a number of Farsi-speaking Christians. Also released was Masoud Mirzaei, a Christian convert who had been arrested at the same time.
Finally, an American pastor, Saeed Abedini, was recently transferred from a prison in Tehran to one in Karaj. Most of the prisoners at the Karaj jail are reportedly incarcerated for murder or other serious criminal offences. Pastor Saeed, who is in poor health, is presently serving an eight-year term for his ministry work in Iran among the underground house church movement. (To learn more about Pastor Saeed's case, go to
www.persecution.net/ir-2013-07-25.htm.)
With thanksgiving to God, let us praise Him for providing a way for Pastor Behnam to undergo much-needed surgery. As this pastor now recovers, pray that his health will continue to improve. Pray, too, that his release will soon follow. Similarly, let us thank God for the release of Sevada and Masoud. May they go forward from here with an even greater resolve to share the "Good News" of Jesus. Also remember Pastor Saeed in your prayers...that the Lord will hide and shield him in the shadow of His wings (Psalm 17:8).
To learn how you can write a note of encouragement to incarcerated prisoners in Iran and around the world, please visit our website at
www.persecution.net/writeprisoner.htm.
