A rescue mission is planned for pastor in Iran

Turkey (MNN) ― A rescue mission is underway for Pastor Saeed Abedini, a Christian arrested for starting home churches in Iran. But it's more like a rescue intervention.

Rev. Patrick Mahoney, Director of the Christian Defense Coalition in Washington, D.C. is taking action in this crisis and plans to leave the U.S. this Sunday for Turkey to meet and talk to Iranian officials there for the release of Abedini.

Once in Turkey, Mahoney hopes that he can make a difference. "I will not be speaking on a political level, but rather as one faith leader to another."

Rev. Mahoney says he's going on this rescue mission in "hopes of securing the release of Pastor Abedini who is serving an 8-year prison sentence because of his Christian beliefs." Rev. Mahoney says, "Every person should be afforded the right to express their faith traditions, free from government persecution, harassment, and intimidation. No one should have to suffer violence or brutality because of what they believe."

Abedini's wife teamed up with The Christian Defense Coalition and America Center for Law and Justice to hold a prayer vigil in front of the White House yesterday--the one-year anniversary of Abedini ‘s imprisonment. This prayer vigil was one of dozens held across the country and around the world for the release of Abedini and religious freedom.

Pray for safety for Mahoney. Pray also that the hearts of Iranian officials will be softened. Click here for more information on other prayer vigils and updates, and to join 600,000 others who have signed a petition securing the release of Saeed Abedini.

Evening prayer raided by Eritrean authorities

Eritrea (MNN/ODM) ― Eritrean authorities arrested 30 members of the Church of the Living God gathered for evening prayer on August 24.

The Christians were located in the Kushet suburb of the capital Asmara. Their group includes 12 women.

Map of Eritrea. (Photo courtesy
of the CIA World Factbook)

Sources with Open Doors USA say the Christians are being held at Police Station 5 in Asmara and are under pressure to recant their faith.

Since the beginning of the year, the religious atmosphere in Eritrea has deteriorated with authorities arresting at least 261 Christians.

Human rights organizations such as Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have reported that the government of Eritrea continues to incarcerate prisoners under inhumane conditions.

Officials continue to deny access to organizations like The Red Cross to investigate the state of prisons.

"The Church in Eritrea is deeply saddened by the continued scrutiny and distrust from the government and highly appreciates the prayers of our brothers and sisters around the globe," commented an Open Doors source who remains anonymous for security reasons.

Eritrea is ranked 10th out of 50 countries for extreme persecution of Christians on the Open Doors 2013 World Watch List. Evangelical churches in Eritrea were closed in 2002 after a government ban on religions other than Orthodox, Lutheran, Catholic and Islam.

Please pray for religious freedom in Eritrea and for the arrested Christians to be released.

Vietnamese Christian electrocuted in prison

(Photo courtesy of Aapo Haapanen/Flickr)

Vietnam (MNN/VOM) ― “Bao,” a new Christian, is being pressured by village authorities in Vietnam to recant his faith, a Voice of the Martyrs (VOM) worker reports.

After Bao and his family converted to Christianity four months ago, authorities told Bao he could not live in the village. They also barred him from purchasing products like food, clothing, or candles in the village as long as he continued in his beliefs.

They repeated their threat three times. After Bao was baptized on July 16, his brother beat him and had him arrested. Bao was jailed for two days, beaten, and shocked in his eye with electric wires.

Police fined Bao $250, which had to be paid before he could be released. His wife was unable to go and find someone to loan them the money because she is blind. Instead, Bao was released on the condition that he returns in two days with the full payment. VOM is providing Bao with money to pay the fine.

VOM exists to serve the worldwide persecuted church through spiritual and practical assistance. Their ministry is based on Hebrews 13:3 which reads, “Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body.”

You can also take action to show our persecuted brothers and sisters in Christ that they are not forgotten. Click here to support VOM’s ministry or write a letter to a Christian prisoner.

Please pray for the provision and protection of Bao and his family. Pray that Bao’s faithfulness to Christ will cause others to ask, “Who is this God he serves?”

Persecuted death in Eritrean prison

(Photo courtesy of Aap Haapanen/Flickr)

Eritrea (MNN/ODM) ― Open Doors USA recently learned about the death of another Christian in an Eritrean prison.

Yosief Kebedom Gelai, a recently converted single Christian, died in Medefera July 5.

Sources told Open Doors that Yosief, 41, had been sick for a long time, but that the harsh treatment at a secret Medefera incarceration center aggravated the effects of the unknown disease.

Eritrea ranks #10 on the Open Doors World Watch List of countries with the worst persecution of believers. Yosief is the 24th reported death connected to punishment for religious activities outside of the government-sanctioned Catholic Church, Orthodox Church, Lutheran Church, and Islam.

However, because of the government's secrecy surrounding prisoners and denied access to watchdog organizations, there may be many more deaths and burials that have not been reported.

Yosief was originally from Asmara. He went to Mendefera to teach at a primary school some time prior to his arrest. Six months after his arrival, Yosief came to faith in Christ. His devotion to Bible study and prayer caught the attention of representatives of the ruling Eritrean People's Front for Democracy and Justice (EPRDF) at the school.

Authorities arrested him in December and took him to the secret incarceration center in Mendefera where he was kept incommunicado. Sources told Open Doors the center holds many other religious prisoners whose whereabouts were previously unknown to family members and churches.

"Christians should be hugely encouraged to see how God through His Holy Spirit enables His children even new--and isolated ones like Yosief--to remain firm in their devotion to Christ no matter the circumstances," commented an Open Doors team member.

Please pray for other Christians incarcerated in Eritrean prisons. Pray for the Holy Spirit to give believers strength and peace.

You can be an encouragement to persecuted believers by supporting the ministry of Open Doors. Learn more about their work in oppressive countries.

Eritrean campaign against churches continues

(Images courtesy Compass Direct News, Open Doors)

Eritrea (MNN) ― A mild tremor in Eritrea's façade rippled through the government last month.
A brief and quickly-ended coup attempt executed by dissident soldiers did little to provoke an uprising. It was over before it really began.

However, it did give rise to two thoughts: (1) the government was dealing with discontent, and (2) due to the heightened tension, anyone who fell outside the prescribed government lines was under scrutiny.

The latter was particularly true for Christians, who voiced expectation of a spike in harassment and oppression. True to form, the government obliged. Paul Estabrooks, Open Doors Minister-at-large, explains that on February 20, "Seven more believers were arrested. Three of them work for the telecom company, one is a university student, and there was one woman among the seven--a mother of five."

The government only allows Catholic, Orthodox, and Evangelical Lutheran churches. As to why Eritrea's government seems to focus on evangelical and Pentecostal Christians, Estabrooks suggests, "For some reason--and it's suspected that it's to do with a perception of evangelical Christianity being aligned with America, the government has decided that it's illegal to worship in any [denomination] other than those three."

Open Doors partners say that officials arrived during office hours at the Eritrean Telecommunications Corporation and took into custody employees: Petros Araya, Aster Ghermay, and Ferewini Hagos.

At the same time, university student Daniel Mesfin, and another Christian--Samson Tekle, were both taken from their homes in the Mai-Temenai district northeast of Asmara. Open Doors has learned that these two men have both only recently come to faith in Christ.

Officials also collected Haile Gebremiskel Wodi Keshi from his home. He is married and the father of three. Azib Hadgu--a married woman and mother of five--was taken from her small store in Asmara.

Their well-being remains unknown, says Estabrooks. "We don't know where they're being held, or where they'll be moved to. They don't have enough prison cells in Eritrea for that many prisoners, so they keep them in shipping containers." Estimates are that there are 1500-3000 Christians being held this way.

Worse yet, the legal system isn't protecting the rights of the Christians, either. "There never is a court case in these situations. They don't have any chance to defend themselves, so they are simply charged with ‘worshipping outside prescribed church denominational facilities.'"

Sometimes, the detention is used to try to force a Christian to recant. Open Doors partners have shared reports in which survivors revealed the pressure they faced. "All these people have to do is sign a document that they will no longer be evangelical Christians, they'll no longer follow Jesus, and they'll be released immediately. 'Just sign the document, and you're free.' And yet, our brothers and sisters refuse to sign that document and remain in these terrible prison conditions."

The harsh treatment of Christians hasn't escaped notice. The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom has designated Eritrea as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) for several years. Systematic and ongoing religious freedom violations continue. The report says these violations include: torture or other ill-treatment of thousands of religious prisoners; arbitrary arrests and detentions without charges of members of unregistered religious groups; a prolonged ban on public religious activities; revocation of citizenship rights of Jehovah‘s Witnesses; interference in the internal affairs of registered religious groups; and inordinate delays in responding to registration applications from religious groups.

"Every time we hear about believers being taken to prison, we wonder with the Psalmist, 'How long O, Lord?' But the one comfort that we all have in the Lord is that the gates of hell shall not prevail against Christ and His Church.... We need to continue crying to the Lord for help. Our help comes from Him alone," commented an Open Doors source who remains anonymous for security reasons.

Estabrooks urges prayer for these Christians. "Ask God to bring justice to their situation and faithfulness to those who are finding themselves in these terrible prison situations in Eritrea." Also remember the 40 believers arrested since January 1.

Be a part of a petition

(Photo Courtesy of BP)

Iran (MNN) ― You can be a part of saving a life. An Iranian-born pastor, who is a U.S. citizen, was arrested by the Iranian government on September 26, 2012. He is undergoing physical and mental torture in a notoriously brutal Tehran prison. An international campaign for his release is being shared, according to the American Center of Law and Justice (ACLJ).

On January 27, Saeed Abedini was sentenced to eight years in prison for establishing a network of Christian house churches years ago and for "attempting to sway Iranian youth away from Islam."

Since his conviction, he has not been allowed to communicate with his wife and two children who are in the United States, according to Baptist Press.

In the beginning of February, his Iranian relatives were allowed to visit him. According to FoxNews.com, he expressed apprehension and concern for his future. Abedini asked if there were international efforts to secure his freedom, the news network said, adding that his downtrodden spirit "is due to abuse and brainwashing techniques used by prison officials."

"It is no surprise that the Iranian prison guards are engaging in this kind of psychological abuse," Jordan Sekulow, ACLJ's executive director, told FoxNews.com. "We know that Pastor Saeed is undergoing physical beatings and torture. And we know there is growing concern about his health."

One of the many things ACLJ has done for the pastor is to launch a Web site SaveSaeed.org, and they are promoting #SaveSaeed on Twitter.

As of Monday (Feb. 11,) almost 195,000 people had signed a petition at SaveSaeed.org asking the United Nations, European Union, and Council of Europe to mobilize their resources to require Iran to honor its treaties and its constitution, and release the pastor.

ACLJ is looking for 300,000 signatures for this petition. That means for every day Saeed is supposed to be in prison, 100 people will have signed the petition. ACLJ believes that the more people are calling for Abedini's release, the more international media, governments, and world leaders are willing to put pressure on Iran to grant his freedom.

If you would like to sign this petition, click here. You can be a part of getting Pastor Saeed Abedini his freedom back. Also on the site are videos of Steven Curtis Chapman, TobyMac, Bart Millard of MercyMe, and other musicians and concerned citizens who have joined the effort.

Pray for Saeed as he is facing many trials in prison. Pray for his safety and continued strength to keep fighting. Ask God to give his wife and children the support they need at this time. Pray that God will use this devastating situation for growing His kingdom.

Two Iranian believers released

(Photo courtesy of VCM)

Iran (MNN) ― After several months in prison and solitary confinement, two Iranian Christians have been released from prison.

According to The Voice of the Martyrs, Canada, Noorollah Qabitizse, 48, was recently released after serving 19 months in prison.

Qabitizse was a house church leader arrested in 2010 on Christmas Eve. Authorities raided a celebration gathering in his house church and captured Qabitizse, along with 10 other believers.

Authorities interrogated and tried to force Qabitizse to denounce his faith, causing him to suffer from mental abuse.

While in the Dezful prison, Qabitizse started a Bible study. When authorities got wind of his activities in prison, they transferred him out to Ahwaz as punishment.

The second Christian recently released was 24-year-old Ehsan Behrouz. He was a university student studying management in the University of Mashhad.

After his arrest on October 2011, Behrouz suffered eight months in prison including 105 days in solitary confinement.

Although Behrouz has been released, he hasn’t been able to resume classes, and his education is at stake. Other Christian students in the past have been forcibly deprived of their education.

Please pray for Behrouz to be able to continue his education in peace. Pray that these testimonies of faith in Christ will encourage other believers in Iran to persevere for the Gospel.

Imprisoned pastor in critical condition

Pastor Behnam Irani (Photo courtesy of VCM)

Iran (MNN) ― Behnam Irani, a 41-year-old Iranian pastor serving prison time, is currently facing severe health concerns due to physical persecution.

While serving his time in Karaj’s Ghezel Hesar Prison, Behnam has suffered several beatings from prison authorities and his cell mates. Authorities have ordered these beatings to occur regularly.

In a recent update, Voice of the Martyrs, Canada (VCM) reports that Behnam lost consciousness in the last few days due to colon complications and severe bleeding from ulcers. He was admitted into a military hospital.

Benham has since regained consciousness, but his health is reportedly declining because of harsh mistreatment and prison conditions. He is unable to walk or see well, and VCM says there are growing concerns that he may not even survive these next few months.

Serving a five-year sentence, Behnam has a little less than four years left to serve in prison. For the first few months of his sentence, he was held in solitary confinement.

His conviction occurred on January 2011 for crimes against national security. At the time of Behnam’s arrest, he was conducting a Bible study for 10 young Iranian men who had recently come to Christ.

Behnam is a husband and father to two children. His family is concerned about his poor health, especially since his brother died from intestinal cancer.

Ghezal Hesar Prison, where Behnam is held, is one of Iran’s largest and most notorious prisons for violence and cramped conditions. The head of Prisons Organization says it houses 20,000 inmates: 300 times its holding capacity.

Please pray for the Lord to fully restore Behnam’s health. Pray for Christ’s perfect comfort to give his family peace. Pray that prisoners and guards in Ghezal Hesar Prison will come to know Christ through Behnam’s example and faith.

Released Christian finds kids missing

Kids of wrongfully imprisoned
 Christian father are missing. (Photo
 courtesy of Colleen Taugher)

Ethiopia (MNN) ― Tamirat Woldegorgis, a Christian in southern Ethiopia falsely accused of desecrating a Qur’an, has just been released after serving two of his three sentenced years in prison.

However, Tamirat has lost more than just two years of his life in prison. Due to cramped and harsh conditions, one of his legs is now paralyzed.

Furthermore, when he returned home, Tamirat discovered that his two children, ages 6 and 15, are missing.

"I have been trying to locate my children, but all in vain," says Tamirat. "My life is ruined--I have lost my house, my children, my health. I am now homeless, and I am limping."

According to Voice of the Martyrs, Canada’s source Compass Direct News, Tamirat is staying with a friend in an undisclosed town. Tamirat believes Muslims from his area may have taken his kids to restrict his influence.

Tamirat used to work in a cloth-making business before his arrest. When Tamirat was arrested back in August 2010, it was because his co-worker found that Tamirat had written “Jesus is Lord” on a piece of cloth.

Tamirat’s co-worker further accused him of writing “Jesus is Lord” in the cover of a Qur’an, but with no evidence. But Tamirat was still sentenced to three years in prison on November 18, 2010 for desecration of a Qur’an, a serious offense according to Muslim Shariah law.

Ethiopia is nearly 35% Muslim. Jijiga, the town where Tamirat was imprisoned, is the capitol of Ethiopia’s Somali Region Zone Five, which follows Shariah principles.

Persecution of Christians in Ethiopia is only getting worse. Ethiopia moved up to #38 on the World Watch List of countries with the worst Christian persecution, where last year it was #43.

Pray for the safety and salvation of Tamirat’s children, and for reunion with their father. Pray for courage among persecuted Ethiopian Christians and for the spread of the Gospel there.

Iranian believer charged with blasphemy released

Iran (MNN) ― Last week on June 10, Christian brother Mehdi "Petros" Foroutan was released from prison in Iran, reports Voice of the Martyrs, Canada.

Foroutan served about a year in an Iranian prison for crimes against national security. In other words, he did time for following Christ.

Foroutan, 27, was one of five Iranian Christians and ministers who were convicted of crimes against the Islamic Order. They were convicted March 8, 2011 for telling Muslims the truth about Jesus Christ. Their technical crime was blasphemy.

Although the judge ruled that the five were not guilty, the prosecutor appealed the verdict.

At the time of the sentence, one of the five believers was seven months pregnant.

Now Foroutan at least has been released from prison. His time spent was very difficult, as only about a month into his sentence, Foroutan was put in solitary confinement for a period. Pray that he would overcome all of the after-effects of his imprisonment.

This is one small victory for the persecuted church in Iran, but many others remain imprisoned for their faith. Most notably, Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani remains on death row in Rasht, Iran. He is still awaiting an official response from the local court regarding his September 2011 trial.

Voice of the Martyrs has several ways for free believers to encourage their persecuted brothers and sisters. Through theirPrisonAlert.com, Christians can advocate on behalf of individual believers, write letters to prisoners, and become better versed in worldwide persecution.

Encourage Youcef Nadarkhani or Behnam Irani, another imprisoned Iranian pastor, here. 

Believer awaits appeal decision after 'shaking the faith' of Muslims

Mission Network News: Algeria (MNN) ― Algeria is earning its keep as country number 23 on the Open Doors World Watch List for the worst persecutors of Christians.

Voice of the Martyrs, Canada and Voice of the Martyrs, USA recently cited two separate accounts of persecution in Algeria.

An Algerian Christian was sentenced to five years in prison for "shaking the faith" of Muslims last May. Currently, "Kadar" is awaiting a decision on his appeal.

Kadar, who regularly shares his faith with Muslims in the city of Oran, was discussing his belief in Christ with a man at an outdoor food court last May when the man became angry and accused Kadar of insulting Muhammad. Police arrested Kadar and found a large amount of Christian materials in his apartment.

After Kadar was convicted, the judge gave him the maximum sentence of five years in prison even though the prosecutor had recommended a lesser sentence. Kadar is now out on bail awaiting the decision.

Another case has been much more hopeful. An Algerian evangelist, "Azad," had been a believer for several years when his father chased him out of his family home. Azad's in-laws even threatened to take away his wife if he continued to evangelize. A few months later, Azad was fired from work.

In the midst of the battle, Azad told a VOM worker, "I am so discouraged, and I feel hatred against God." He stopped reading his Bible or going to church.

Recently, though, Azad asked a Christian friend for something to read. The Christian gave him "Tortured for Christ," a book written by VOM's founder about his experiences in prison. The book had a profound effect on Azad, and he decided to accept his plight and recommit to the Lord.

Life is not easy for believers in Algeria. Pray that the Lord will give believers undergoing persecution peace and strength, and even more opportunities to share the Gospel. Ask that the Church will continue to grow in Algeria. 

'via Blog this'

'Blaspheming' Christian still awaiting sentence after eight months in Pakistani prison

Pakistan (MNN) ― Things are only getting worse for another Christian charged with blasphemy in Pakistan.

Dildar Yousaf, 28, was arrested and charged with blasphemy after defending his 8-year-old nephew from a group of Muslim boys last June, according to Voice of the Martyrs.

Dildar's nephew, Ehtasham, was taunted by a group of boys as he passed an Islamic school. As Ehtasham walked by the "madrassa," seven boys gathered around him and tried to force him to become a Muslim. When Ehtasham refused, the boys began to scream and beat him.

Dildar happened to pass by and pulled his nephew away from the boys, took him home, and went about his work for the day. That afternoon, the news spread that Dildar had disgraced the Muslim proclamation of faith.

Police picked up Dildar from his workplace and put him in protective custody. They also filed a blasphemy charge against him under Pakistani law 298A, which carries the lightest sentence for blasphemers.

Months later, Dildar remains in prison, awaiting a sentence. His wife and two children have now been forced to flee because of ongoing threats. Ehtasham and his family have also had to leave their village. VOM is supporting the family and providing legal assistance to Dildar.

Dildar's village has a history of persecution, VOM reports. Pray for Christians in the area to remain bold. Pray that despite ongoing trials, Dildar would remain safe and faithful to the Lord.

To learn about others willing to take a stand for Christ in places dangerous to do so, visit persecution.com. 

Iran: Concern over health condition of Pastor Farhad Sabokroh in prison

By Dan Wooding
Founder of ASSIST Ministries

AHWAZ, IRAN (ANS) -- Concern is growing in Iran over health condition of Pastor Farhad Sabokroh who was arrested together with two other Christian converts. They have now been in custody for over 40 days.

Pastor Farhad Sabokroh (From Mohabat News)

According to the Iranian Christian news agency, Mohabat News (www.mohabatnews.com), family, relatives and a wide range of Iranian Christians within and outside Iran expressed their concern over the health condition of Pastor Farhad Sabokroh, who was arrested on December 23, 2011, with others in attendance at the Christmas service of the Assemblies of God (AOG) church of Ahwaz, where he was pastoring.

According to this report, sources affirmed that Pastor Sabokroh, Naser Zamen-Defzuli and Davoud (David) Alijani were transferred to Karoun prison of Ahwaz. They have now been held in prison for over 40 days. They were arrested by security authorities in Ahwaz, (543 miles south west of Tehran, the Capital), which is in Khuzestan province.

“Prior to his arrest, Pastor Sabokroh was under treatment for cataract disease and underwent surgery but now has no access to a doctor,” a spokesperson for Mohabat News told the ASSIST News Service.

“Knowledgeable sources define his situation concerning this because, after the surgery, he needed to visit his doctor on a regular basis for the required medications. Now, with this situation, he is still not allowed to leave the prison after over 40 days to continue his treatment.”

Christian Prisoners' Rights Advocacy Club sent a report to Mohabat News expressing their deep concern and objection to illegal and inhuman acts by the Iranian Security system towards Iranian Christians, especially Pastor Sabokroh and the two other Christian prisoners who are being held with him.

Illustration from www.freedomessenger.com

They called on the Intelligence and Judicial systems of Iran to free them immediately and grant Christian prisoners their legal and human rights. This organization also considers the continuation of Pastor Sabokroh's medical treatment as his human right and adjudged the authorities as directly responsible for the health and welfare of Christian prisoners.

Pastor Sabokroh’s wife was allowed to visit him briefly on January 27, 2012, and expressed concern over his health condition.

"It's being said that he spends most of his time in prayer and fasting in his cell. His physical situation is extremely bad and he has lost weight. He also asked all Iranian Christians to pray for the release of Christian prisoners," added the Mohabat News spokesperson.

“It should be remembered that Mrs. Shanaz Jeizan, the wife of Pastor Sabokroh was also among those arrested at Christmas in the AOG church of Ahwaz. After 10 days, she was temporarily released from the Intelligence office of Ahwaz after submitting a house title deed as bail."

According to this report, no news is available regarding the condition of the two other prisoners, Davoud Alijani and Naser Zamen-Dezfuli. They're still being held in uncertainty and without being formally charged.”

The reports also indicate that Noorollah Qabitizade, another Christian convert who was arrested on December, 24, 2010, is still being held in Karoun prison of Ahwaz.

“He was subjected to severe interrogations by Intelligence officers from the time of his arrest,” added the spokesperson. “It is being reported that security authorities and interrogators have put him under different mental pressures including forcing him to sign commitments stating that he won't participate in any evangelical activities and to write repentance notes renouncing Christianity, in order to make him discontinue his faith in Christ.”

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Dan Wooding, 71, is an award winning British journalist now living in Southern California with his wife Norma, to whom he has been married for 48 years. They have two sons, Andrew and Peter, and six grandchildren who all live in the UK. He is the founder and international director of ASSIST (Aid to Special Saints in Strategic Times) and the ASSIST News Service (ANS) and was, for ten years, a commentator, on the UPI Radio Network in Washington, DC. He now hosts the weekly “Front Page Radio” show on KWVE in Southern California which is also carried throughout the United States. The program is also aired in Great Britain on Calvary Chapel Radio UK and also in Belize and South Africa. Besides this, Wooding is a host for His Channel Live, which is carried via the Internet to some 192 countries and also provides a regular commentary for Worship Life Radio on KWVE. You can follow Dan Wooding on Facebook under his name there or at ASSIST News Service. He is the author of some 44 books, one of which is his autobiography, “From Tabloid to Truth”, which is published by Theatron Books. To order a copy, press this link. Wooding, who was born in Nigeria of British missionary parents, has also recently released his first novel “Red Dagger” which is available this link.

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** You may republish this story with proper attribution.

Accused apostate's accuser recants in Pakistan?

Pakistan (MNN) ― The case of Asia Bibi, the Pakistan Christian mother-of-five who was sentenced to death for alleged blasphemy, has taken an extraordinary turn.

According to a story monitored by the ASSIST News Service, Qari Salam, who accused Bibi of blasphemy charges which resulted in a jail sentence and possible hanging, is reported to have "ostensibly" regretted filing a blasphemy charge against the impoverished Christian woman.

"The source of his guilt: realization that the case was not based on facts but on hyped religious emotions and personal bias of some village women, including his wife," said the story posted at: 

http://www.topix.com/forum/religion/islam/T72AF1K9C8RL3C6TG.

Bibi has been languishing in Sheikhupura jail since a sessions court gave her a death sentence for insulting Prophet Muhammad.

Qari, according to some of his close friends, was now thinking of not pursuing the case anymore and expressed his desire to some of his friends, only to find himself in a difficult situation when activists of an Islamic religious organization "convinced" him not to change his mind.

"We will chase her through hell. Don't worry about the money, hiring best lawyers," Salam told The Express Tribune, quoting the son of Khatm-e-Nabuwat's London chapter's leader.

The leader's son flew to Nankana from London after hearing that Salam might not go to Lahore High Court (LHC) when the review petition against Asia's conviction is taken up.

Iranian Pastor Nadarkhani Rejects ‘Unconstitutional’ Terms of Release

By Michael Ireland
Senior International Correspondent, ASSIST News Service

 Iranian Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani

RASHT, IRAN (ANS) -- Iranian Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani recently refused an offer to secure his own release by agreeing to state that the Muslim prophet Mohammed was a messenger sent by God.

Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) says lawyers for Pastor Nadarkhani were unexpectedly summoned to his home city of Rasht on December 30, 2011.

In a media update, CSW says: “During ensuing discussions, local authorities indicated they would release the pastor if he agreed to make the statement regarding the Prophet Mohammed. However, Pastor Nadarkhani has refused to do so, and remains in prison awaiting a final decision on his case.”

Pastor Nadarkhani of the Church of Iran denomination was initially arrested in Rasht in 2009.

In September 2010 he was tried and found guilty of apostasy, and sentenced to death. After further legal wrangling in 2011 during which the pastor thrice refused to recant his faith to save his own life, his case was eventually referred to Iran’s Supreme Leader, as international pressure mounted on his behalf.

Towards the end of 2011, CSW received unconfirmed reports indicating that the case may have been passed on to the head of the Iranian judiciary, and that execution may have been delayed for up to a year to allow time to convince the pastor to renounce his faith.

CSW explains the terms of the recent offer from the Rasht officials have been described by local sources as “amounting to an indirect recantation of faith.”

CSW sources also point out that the request violates article 23 of the Iranian Constitution, which states that no-one should be molested or taken to task simply for holding a certain belief.

Jason DeMars of www.Presenttruthmn.com , says: “The Iranian regime is continuing to use pressure tactics to get Youcef to convert to Islam. This is their ultimate goal in this process.

“We ask that everyone continues to pray and to reach out to Iranian officials requesting that a verdict be issued and that Youcef be released quickly.

“According to Iranian law a verdict needs to be issued within one week of the completion of the trial. It has now been three months and even one month past what was promised in mid December.”

Pastor Nadarkhani’s case was recently highlighted by British parliamentarians on January 11, during a 90-minute debate on human rights in Iran.

CSW's Chief Executive, Mervyn Thomas, said: “Just as the initial conviction of Pastor Nadarkhani is illegal under Iranian law, the recent offer made by the authorities in Rasht is a violation of the Iranian constitution, and of international covenants to which Iran is a signatory that guarantee freedom of religion and freedom to change one’s religion.

“CSW continues to call for the unconditional release of Pastor Nadarkhani, and of all those imprisoned in Iran purely on account of their faith. It is vital that the international community maintains pressure on the Iranian regime until the human rights situation positively and irrevocably improves for the better.”

British MPs Highlight Nadarkhani Case and Iran’s “Appalling” Religious Freedom Violations
Meanwhile, in a 90-minute debate on human rights in Iran, the UK’s Members of Parliament yesterday highlighted the worrying situation of Pastor Nadarkhani and discussed the Iranian regime’s systematic denial of the Iranian people’s right to freedom of religion or belief.

CSW said the severe persecution faced by Christians, Baha’is, Jews and other religious minorities in Iran was highlighted as a key area of concern by various MPs, within the wider discussion on the extensive and broad-ranging human rights violations committed by the Iranian government.

Stewart Jackson MP drew heavily on Christian Solidarity Worldwide’s (CSW) research to describe the problems faced by Christians, including the worrying uncertainty surrounding the Nadarkhani case, and the plight of other detainees such as Farshid Fathi and Pastor Benham Irani.

Jackson said: “Torture is used to pressure individuals to make confessions and to provide information on others. As I mentioned, exorbitant bail postings secure the release of individuals, along with illegal documents that religious detainees are forced to sign. Such documents demand an end to participation in Christian activities, the renunciation of faith, and compliance with further questioning when summoned. Laptops and mobile phones are often confiscated during raids on private Christian homes and are used to obtain information on the activities and identities of other Christians.”

Louise Ellman MP, who tabled the debate, began the proceedings by raising the plight of the severely-targeted Baha’i religious minority.

She said: “The repression takes a number of forms in an ongoing and systematic persecution. It means arbitrary arrest and imprisonment and the denial of access to higher education and areas of employment. The homes and businesses of Baha’is have been subject to arson attacks, cemeteries have been destroyed, and children have been harassed.”

According to the CSW report, MPs pressed the British Government to make representations to Iran on the issue of the Islamic Penal Bill, which is due to be passed by the Iranian parliament later this year and which may still include a clause stipulating the death penalty for male apostates, despite Iranian claims to the contrary.

Replying to the debate, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Alistair Burt MP said: “We will press at the [UN Human Rights] Council in March, as we do at every Council, for Iran to deal with the record against it that colleagues have spoken about. There is no doubt that the issues raised here will continue to be raised by colleagues, but they may rest assured that their concerns are echoed by the Government. We will continue to stand up for the rights of those who are oppressed in Iran.”

CSW was commended for its work by a number of Parliamentarians, and a reference was made to CSW’s engagement with a debate on human rights in North Korea, which also took place yesterday prior to the Iran debate.

After the debate, CSW’s Chief Executive Mervyn Thomas said, “CSW welcomes the remarks made by Members of Parliament and the response of the government during yesterday’s debate on the human rights situation in Iran, and is encouraged by the robust coverage of the widespread abuses of freedom of religion or belief in that nation.

“Given the appalling violations that religious minorities face in Iran, it is of utmost importance that the international community both stands and acts in solidarity with them, something that was well articulated in yesterday’s debate.

“CSW is committed to continuing to raise religious freedom issues in Iran with key policy shapers and decision makers until the human rights situation there is positively and irrevocably changed.”

For further information or to arrange interviews please contact Matt Jones, Senior Public Affairs Officer at Christian Solidarity Worldwide on +44 (0)20 8329 0045 / +44 7796 212 792.

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** Michael Ireland is the Senior International Correspondent for ANS. He is an international British freelance journalist who was formerly a reporter with a London (United Kingdom) newspaper and has been a frequent contributor to UCB UK, a British Christian radio station. While in the UK, Michael traveled to Canada and the United States, Albania,Yugoslavia, Holland, Germany,and Czechoslovakia. He has reported for ANS from Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, Israel, Jordan, China,and Russia. Michael's volunteer involvement with ASSIST News Service is a sponsored ministry department -- 'Michael Ireland Media Missionary' (MIMM) -- of A.C.T. International of P.O.Box 1649, Brentwood, TN 37024-1649, at: Artists in Christian Testimony (A.C.T.) International where you can make a donation online under 'Donate' tab, then look for 'Michael Ireland Media Missionary' under 'Donation Category' to support his stated mission of 'Truth Through Christian Journalism.' Michael is a member in good standing of the National Writers Union, Society of Professional Journalists, Religion Newswriters Association, Evangelical Press Association and International Press Association. If you have a news or feature story idea for Michael, please contact him at: ANS Senior International Reporter

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** You may republish this story with proper attribution.

'Disappeared' Human Rights Lawyer Gao Zhisheng Imprisoned in Remote Far Western China

Attorney Gao Zhisheng with his family, prior to his arrest in
 2006. (Photo courtesy: The Epoch Times)

WASHINGTON, Jan. 1, 2012 /Christian Newswire/ -- For the first time since his most recent forced disappearance 20 months ago, the whereabouts of human rights lawyer Gao Zhisheng were confirmed on Sunday.

ChinaAid learned that Gao Zhisheng's older brother, Gao Zhiyi, received written notification on Sunday of Gao's incarceration in Shaya Prison in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region in far western China.  The notification was signed and dated on Dec. 19 by the prison.

Gao disappeared into police custody in April 2010, the most recent in a series of forced disappearances since his 2006 conviction on a subversion charge.  On Dec. 16, just days before his five-year probation period was to have ended, the Chinese government announced that it was sending him to prison for three years for violating his probation.  It was the first word that he was still alive, but no information of his whereabouts or condition was released.

Shaya (Xayar) Prison is located in Aksu Prefecture, about 1,130 kilometers (700 miles) southwest of the Xinjiang capital of Urumqi.

"Gao's internal exile reminds the world of how former Soviet dissident Andrei Sakharov was cruelly treated in Siberia in the 1980s," said ChinaAid founder and president Bob Fu, a friend of Gao. "The Chinese government can use this remote jail to prevent concerned people from visiting Attorney Gao, but just like Sakharov, Gao's courageous voice can never be silenced by the four walls of his prison cell."

Gao Zhiyi is planning to visit Gao Zhisheng as soon as he gets a physical address of the prison.

Chinese Christian attorney receives sentence

Gao Zhisheng receives a
 prison sentence in China.

China (MNN) ― Gao Zhisheng, the Christian human rights lawyer in China, has been given a three-year prison sentence for "violating the terms of his probation," despite having been missing since April 2010.

According to Christian Solidarity Worldwide's Web site, news of the sentence was reported in Chinese State Media on Friday 16 December. The sentence relates to his 2006 probationary sentence (three years' imprisonment and five years' probation) for "subversion of state power" that is due to expire next week. Gao has not yet appeared in public. There are concerns that he has been severely tortured while missing, as has happened in prior detention. Gao's brother in China and his wife in the U.S. have not been informed formally about Gao's return to prison. There has been no news of his whereabouts, condition, or health since April 2010, and Chinese authorities have repeatedly avoided questions from the international community about his case.

The prominent self-taught lawyer--twice-nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize--first went missing on 4 February 2009. 

Following a brief reappearance in March 2010, Gao went missing again on 20 April as he traveled home to Beijing after visiting relatives in Xinjiang province. He reported being subject to severe torture in detention, and there are grave concerns for his health and well-being. Gao's wife and two children fled from China and are now living in the U.S.

Gao, who was once named one of China's Top Ten Lawyers by the Ministry of Justice, attracted attention from authorities for defending cases of religious persecution, including house church leaders and Falun Gong practitioners. In 2007 he wrote an open letter to U.S. Congress highlighting the use of torture by Chinese authorities.

Mervyn Thomas, Chief Executive of Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW), said, "CSW calls upon the Chinese government to release Gao Zhisheng immediately. It is inconceivable that a man who has gone missing at the hands of the authorities could have violated the terms of his probation, and we ask the international community to express their support for Gao in the strongest terms. His disappearance represents a grave denial of rights to a Chinese citizen who has dared to speak up about injustice."

Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) is a Christian organization working for religious freedom through advocacy and human rights, in the pursuit of justice.

This year to be man's third Christmas in prison for organizing prayer rally in 2009

China (MNN) ― Can you imagine being in prison during Christmas just for hosting a prayer rally? How about being in prison for three Christmases?

This year will mark Yang Xuan's third Christmas in prison for organizing a prayer rally in September 2009. Yang was arrested on September 14, 2009 along with four other church leaders.

On November 25, 2009, Yang and the other four Linfen-Fushan church leaders from Shanxi Province were sentenced to criminal detention for 2-7 years. The five church leaders were accused of "gathering people to disturb the public order" because they organized a prayer rally the day after 400 military police raided the church's grounds. During that raid, more than 30 believers were seriously wounded, and 17 buildings were destroyed.

Yang has been imprisoned for over 750 days. According to his daughter, Yang's visits in prison are very limited.

This Christmas, Voice of the Martyrs is calling on you to be an encouragement to this suffering brother in Christ. There have been 814 letters written to Yang over the past couple of years. VOM wants to increase that number to 1,000 by Christmas.

To help VOM send 200 letters to Yang this Christmas, click here and write a letter. Help let Yang know you love him and are praying for him this Christmas.

In the meantime, pray for Yang and his fellow prisoners. Pray that they would be a blessing even in prison and would have opportunities there to share the Gospel, just as Paul did nearly 2,000 years ago.

To learn about more faithful believers imprisoned for their faith, and to send them letters, too, visit prisoneralert.com. 

Persecuted couple safely flees Iran

Mission Network News: "Iran (MNN) ― Iranian pastor Vahik Abrahamian and his wife, Sonia, left Iran for the Netherlands recently with the help of the Netherlands Embassy and with approval from the Iranian government.

Vahik and Sonia continually expressed their desire to remain in Iran for the sake of their ministry; however, fears for their safety caused them to flee the country."

Read more...

Imprisonment, death threats won't stop believer from sharing Good News

Mission Network News: "Asia (MNN) ― Several months ago, a Vision Beyond Borders partner in a closed-access Asian nation was arrested. Seven months later, he was overjoyed for his time in prison. He was later threatened with death, arrested again, and now he continues to tirelessly share the Good News."

Read more...