Seven Iranian Christians released

(Source: VOM-USA) Seven Iranian Christians who were arrested on December 26, along with 31 other believers, were recently released from prison on bail. On January 26, two men and a woman were released in Isfahan. Three days later, four women were released from Tehran's notoriously brutal Evin prison. The release of one of the women, Sara Akhaven, involved her family giving up their trade license in exchange for her bail. If authorities decide Sara has broken bail, however, the family's livelihood will be gone. Sadly, the trade license was not valuable enough to secure bail for Sara's sister, Leila, who remains in prison. Some of the original 31 Christians who were arrested have reportedly been released.

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The recently released believers reported that they spent over a month in solitary confinement and endured hours of interrogation and torture. It is likely that those who remain detained continue to face the same brutal treatment. Among those who remain in prison is a couple with two children. Although their mother, Maryam, has been able to phone her children from prison, they have not heard from their father, Rasool, in over a month. All of the other prisoners have reportedly been able to call their families, so there is great concern for Rasool's condition. Thank the Lord for the release of these believers. Pray that they will remain faithful in witnessing about Christ. Pray all imprisoned Christians in Iran will be released. Pray they will be emboldened and equipped by God's grace as they suffer. Pray for Iranian Christians who face extreme pressure and opposition under the government's new policy of "religious cleansing." To learn more about the suffering of Iranian Christians, go to the Iran Country Report.

Pakistani Christian killed by Muslim employer

(Source: Agenzia Fides) A young Christian man was recently killed by his Muslim employer in Gujranwala district, Punjab province, Pakistan. On February 5, Imran Masih, 24, stayed home from his job as a driver for two local Muslims because he was ill. When Imran returned to work the next day, his employer verbally confronted him, attacked him and killed him. Imran's body was brought to his father, Lal Masih, the next day, with the employer claiming that he committed suicide. Lal, who is also employed by the same estate, said that his son's body was covered in blood and bore clear signs of torture. Local people also reported that they had heard the employer insult and attack Imran the night of his death. Lal went to the police station to file a report about the unjust treatment of his son's death. However, the assistant sub-inspector r efused to accept it, allegedly due to the influence of the Muslim employer in the area. Only after activists from the All Pakistan Minorities Alliance made a public protest in Gujranwala did the police officially record formal murder charges and damages against the employer and his accomplices. Pray for the family members and friends mourning the loss of Imran. Pray that, as sufferings overflow, their comfort in Christ will abound (2 Corinthians 1:5). Pray the truth in Imran's death will come to light. Ask God to change the hearts and minds of the Muslim responsible for this brutal murder, leading to repentance. To learn more about the persecution of Christians in Pakistan, visit the Pakistan Country Report.

Update: Christian Convert from Islam facing execution in Afghanistan

(Source: World Evangelical Alliance - Religious Liberty Commission) Said Musa, who was imprisoned for converting from Islam to Christianity, is reportedly facing execution. A 15-year employee of the International Committee of the Red Cross in Kabul, Afghanistan, Said, 45, was arrested on May 31, 2010, after a television station in Kabul broadcast images that allegedly showed Western Christians baptizing Afghans. Since his arrest, he has remained in Kabul Detention Center, where he has reportedly suffered sexual assault and torture and been denied access to a lawyer. In the second week of February, an Afghan judge reportedly informed Said that he would be hanged within days if he did not renounce his faith in Christ and reconvert to Islam. Godfrey Yogarajah, the Executive Director of The Religious Liberty Commission of the World Evangelical Alliance, recently called attention to the illegal and unjust treatment of Said. "The arrest of Said in the first place and the subsequent demands for death for apostasy violate at least three provisions of the Constitution of Afghanistan," he said. Said's trial is reportedly the first for apostasy that has reached near execution since the Taliban's fall. Pray for God's enduring comfort and peace for Said in prison. Pray that, even in chains, he will exalt and praise his Lord -- a God of compassion, justice and truth. Pray for his release. Pray also for Said's wife and six children, who fled to Pakistan after his arrest, that they, too, will continue to find strength in Christ. To find out more about the opposition facing followers of Christ in Afghanistan, go to the Afghanistan Country Report.

Uzbek Christians facing prosecution after police raid

(Source: Forum 18 News) Authorities who raided a Christian meeting in Syrdarya Region, central Uzbekistan, in January, are reportedly preparing to prosecute several of the Christians present. On January 6, 12 police officials broke into the home of Pastor Andrey Shevchenko, where approximately 25 members of an unregistered local Baptist church were gathered to celebrate the baptism of Christ. The officials confiscated DVDs, CDs and Christian books. They also forced some of the believers to write statements. Pastor Andrey showed the police documents proving that the material had been purchased from the officially registered Bible Society of Uzbekistan. However, police told him that the literature would be sent to the State Religious Affairs Committee in the capital Tashkent for "expert analysis." In early February, police rep orted that they are planning to prosecute Pastor Andrey and other local Christians under the code of Administrative Offences for "violation of the law on religious organisations" and "illegal storage, production, import or distribution of religious materials." Pray for strength of faith for these Christians as they face opposition. Pray they will not face charges or fines. Pray they will bear witness to the love and grace of Christ, even to their persecutors. Pray Uzbek authorities will treat all of their citizens with true justice. You can find out more about the trials facing the Church in Uzbekistan at the Uzbekistan Country Report.

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