Update: Christian released from prison in Afghanistan

(Source: VOM USA) An Afghan convert to Christianity was reportedly released from prison on March 31. Shoaib Assadullah, 23, was imprisoned in the city of Mazar-e-Sharif. He was arrested in late October 2010 for giving a Bible to a friend (click here for more information). While detained, Shoaib was physically abused and threatened with death by fellow prisoners. He refused to recant his faith in Christ in exchange for his freedom.

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Thank the Lord for Shoaib's release! Pray for healing and strength for him, as he adjusts to life outside prison walls. Pray he will continue to entrust his life and future to the Lord. Pray for the release of other imprisoned Christians. Pray that believers in Afghanistan will stand strong in their faith and reach out to their neighbours, despite their small numbers. Learn more about the trials facing Christians in Afghanistan by visiting the Afghanistan Country Report.

Riot police versus worshippers in Azerbaijan

(Source: Forum 18 News Service) Three religious communities in Gyanja, Azerbaijan, have been banned from meeting for worship. The worship bans were imposed in mid-March because the communities do not have state registration. However, Babek Sadykov of the Gyanja Police denied this ban, claiming, "no one is being prevented from worshipping." Local sources told Forum 18 that one of the communities was warned that "if they met for worship on the following Sunday or at any future date they will all be arrested." Two buses full of ordinary police and riot police later arrived to prevent any religious worship. Protestants told Forum 18 that the church had already reluctantly decided not to hold one big Sunday service that day. "People are now very afraid." Meanwhile, President Ilham Aliev told a government-initiated World Forum on Intercultural Dialogue that "freedom of religion freedom of conscience has been fully established in Azerbaijan." Ask the Lord to grant true religious freedom in Azerbaijan. Pray believers will be encouraged to continue to meet together despite opposition (Hebrews 10:23-25). Pray believers will be unified and encouraged as they continue to walk in faith and be an effective witness for the gospel to all those around them, including the local police. Read more about the persecuted Church in Azerbaijan at the Azerbaijan Country Report.

Chinese church leaders kept from public worship attempt

(Sources: Compass Direct, ChinaAid Association) Police in China held "about two dozen" pastors and elders of Beijing's Shouwang Church under house arrest or at police stations over the past weekend to keep them from attending a Sunday worship service in a public location. Hundreds of police cordoned off the walkway to a third-floor outdoor meeting area and arrested at least 160 members of the 1,000-strong church as they tried to assemble. Most have since been released. Three top leaders of the church remain in jail and several others are under strict surveillance. Church leaders claimed officials pressured landlords, forcing the church out of its locations and leaving the leaders no choice but to worship in the open. "The government cornered them into making this decision," said Bob Fu, president of ChinaAid Association, noting that the church initially tried to register with the government. "They waited for two years, and when the government still denied them registration, they tried to keep a low profile before finally deciding to buy the Daheng New Epoch Technology building." Shouwang is a very unique church, Fu said, as most members are well-educated, and include China's top religious scholars and former government officials, which may be a factor in the government's response. Thank the Lord for the courageous and faithful believers in China who are willing to glorify His name in public. Pray for the release of the remaining church leaders. Ask the Lord to continue to grow His church in strength and unity. Read more about the persecution of Chinese Christians at the China Country Report.

Nepalese Christians on hunger strike

(Source: International Christian Concern) On March 20, thousands of Christians marched with empty coffins and empty stomachs in front of Nepalese government offices. The believers were begging the government of Kathmandu to allot them plots of land to bury their loved ones. In recent years, land available to Christians has been limited, forcing them to bury their dead on top of one another in the same tomb. In 2009, Christians were given the Shleshmantak Forest as a place to bury their dead. However, this forest was right next to a Hindu temple. The decision sparked protests from Hindus around the country, forcing the government to ban Christian burials in Shleshmantak Forest. Although the Nepalese government has lifted the ban, radical Hindus continue to stop Christians from burying their dead in the forest. Pray the Nepalese government will have compassion for these believers and grant them land. Ask the Lord to provide for them. Pray these believers will be the light of Christ to their Hindu neighbours. Learn more about the tribulations that befall Nepalese Christians at the Nepal Country Report.

Vietnamese government steps up repression of Christian group

(Source: The Straits Times) Recently, the Vietnamese government has been increasingly harassing a peaceful group of Montagnard Christians living in the Central Highlands of Vietnam. Although Christian Montagnards have always been a target of persecution, the Vietnamese government has stepped up its repression of this indigenous minority -- forcing hundreds to renounce their religion. According to a report from Human Rights Watch, "the Vietnamese government has increased its harassment of peaceful ethnic minority Christians in the Central Highlands, targeting members of unregistered house churches." Pray the Lord will protect these believers and give them the strength they need to stay faithful and remain effective witnesses for Christ. May they rely on the Lord to give them the words to say when they stand before accusing authorities (Matthew 10:19). Pray for the perpetrators and all those in authority. Read more about persecuted Christians in Vietnam at the Vietnam Country Report.

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