Meriam Ibrahim, 27, was sentenced in May of this year with apostasy -- a crime punishable by hanging -- and adultery, as government officials didn't consider her marriage to a Christian man valid. Eight months pregnant at the time, she was confined to a prison cell along with her 20-month-old son. At the end of May, Meriam gave birth to a daughter while shackled to the prison floor. (For more information on these charges and her imprisonment, please
visit our website.)
Following worldwide attention on her plight, the appeal court reviewing her case quashed the original verdict and ordered her release. Yet this family's rejoicing was short-lived. According to Meriam's lawyer, over 40 agents from the National Intelligence and Security Services apprehended the family the following day as they attempted to board a plane to the USA. Meriam's husband, Daniel, is an American citizen.
At last report, the family was being detained at a police station on charges of forging official documents and giving false statements. The accusations stem from the family using a travel document issued by the Embassy of South Sudan that lists Meriam's nationality as "South Sudan." However, Meriam is known to be a Sudanese citizen.
Another complicating factor in Meriam's case is that the Court of Appeal's recent verdict has not yet been formally issued in written form. As such, it is not yet known whether the Attorney General will appeal the verdict to the High Court.
Thank the Lord that the initial charges against Meriam have been dropped, and let us praise Him for sustaining her and her young children while they were incarcerated in prison. Pray that this latest setback will be resolved quickly and that God will continue to guide this family to safety, allowing them to travel to the United States. May the international outcry over this case bring to light Sudan's other religious freedom violations, and thus lead to increased freedom for all believers. Pray, too, that the authorities involved with this case will be moved by Meriam's unwavering stand for Jesus and turn to Him in faith.
To post prayers of thanksgiving that Meriam's initial charges have been dropped, as well as continued petitions that she will soon be free, please visit our
Persecuted Church Prayer Wall.
EGYPT: Christian Man Sentenced to Five Years in Prison
Sources: Morning Star News, Middle East Concern
Bishoy Armia Boulous -- who formerly went by the name Mohammed Hegazy -- was sentenced on June 18th to five years in prison for "disturbing the peace by broadcasting false information on...an evangelism (TV) channel." Bishoy was also sentenced to pay 500 Egyptian pounds (approximately $75 CAD).
While carrying a camera and four flash drives, Bishoy was arrested on December 4th of last year in Minya, Upper Egypt. At the time, security forces claimed he was contributing to a "false image" that there is violence being perpetrated against Christians in Minya. (For more information on his arrest,
click here.)
Bishoy's attorney, however, asserts that the 31-year-old Christian is innocent. "He did not commit a crime," he explains. "Even if he did take some photos or videos of a protest, that is legal. Even if he was doing it for a newspaper, that is legal." The defending lawyer believes that the sentence actually comes as a result of Bishoy's conversion from Islam to Christianity. The accused believer has faced ongoing persecution since 2007, the year he tried to legally change the religious identity on his official ID.
There remains fear that Bishoy is facing physical abuse while in prison, and his lawyer has confirmed that his client "has been treated in an inhumane way." While an appeal process can begin in about a month's time, Bishoy's legal team believes that an appeal is unlikely to be accepted.
Please bring this case to our Lord in prayer, asking that His Holy Spirit personally and powerfully minister to Bishoy in his time of need. Pray that this young man will be treated with kindness and respect by prison guards and fellow inmates. May he also be presented with opportunities to share his faith with those who do not yet know the Living God. Please also pray that the Lord will bless Bishoy's legal team with wisdom and endurance as they advocate on his behalf. Also remember in prayer Bishoy's wife and their two children, who are living in an undisclosed country in Europe. May God grant them peace during this most unsettling time.
To watch a short video interview with Bishoy that was conducted while he was in hiding during 2009, please visit our
multimedia site.
IRAN: Two Christian Prisoners in Need of Intercession
Sources: Christian Solidarity Worldwide, Iran 30, Elam Ministries
Pastor Behnam, who is currently serving a six-year prison sentence, was beaten and transferred to an unknown location in the early hours of June 7th. Behnam has suffered from stomach ulcers and intestinal problems, and underwent surgery in February. (For more information on this prisoner of faith,
visit our website.)
Meanwhile, a Christian prisoner whose foot was broken by a guard has been denied permission to return to hospital and receive further treatment. Farshid was among a group of more than 30 prisoners who were injured by prison guards in April. Despite being in agonizing pain, he was taken to hospital three days after the incident. Although he was treated with a cast, his foot requires follow-up surgery. However, Farshid has been denied further treatment and, medically speaking, the window of opportunity for an operation has passed. He must now wait for his foot to heal naturally. (To learn more about the attack on Farshid, please
visit this page.)
Please pray that God will surround Behnam and Farshid with His peace and grace. While we can rest assured that God is fully aware of Behnam's current whereabouts and condition, pray that Iran's authorities will soon reveal his location to his loved ones. Let us also pray that his health will not suffer from this latest ordeal. Please also intercede for Farshid as his foot heals, praying that his recovery will be swift and complete. Also remember in prayer the prison guards in Iran's jails...that they may seek justice and pursue peace, ultimately coming to faith in Jesus Christ.
To encourage these men in prison, please consider mailing them letters. You can compose a letter online by going
here for Behnam or
here for Farshid.
