27 believers remain detained in Iran

Believers study God’s Word in apartments.

There are calls for both praise and petition in Iran as some formerly imprisoned believers have been released while others remain jailed for their faith, reports Middle East Concern.

Davoud Alijani was arrested in Ahvaz last December and was released on March 8. Sharifeh Dookh, Masoud Golrooyan and Nima Shokouhi arrested in Shiraz last February were released after 36 days in custody. And Giti Hakimpour, a 78-year old detained for three days in February, received all the property back that was confiscated when she was arrested including her passport, pension book, computer, mobile phone and Bibles and other religious materials.

However, at least 27 believers remain detained across Iran because of their Christian faith. Following a series of raids in February and early March, five believers remain detained in Shiraz, three in Kermanshah and at least seven in Isfahan. Among those detained for more than one year are Youcef Nadarkhani, Noorallah Qabitizade and Farshid Fathi.

Several believers who have been released on bail await court hearings. Alireza Akhavan, a Christian who was released on bail in 2010 but was convicted in November 2011 of "actions against national security," was re-arrested on March 14 while attempting to flee from Iran.

Please pray for believers in Iran!

• Please pray that each of those detained or facing court hearings will know the presence and peace of Jesus. 
• Please pray that believers across Iran will know the Lord's wisdom and protection while meeting together, and so will be enabled to live without fear.

To learn more about Iran's persecuted Church, go to the Iran Country Report. You can encourage imprisoned believers in Iran by writing them letters of encouragement. Compile a letter online at www.PrisonerAlert.com or download our letter writing guide.

Christians remain detained after massacre in Cairo, Egypt

Over 30 Christians remain detained for alleged
involvement in the October 9 massacre in Cairo.
(Photo: Compass Direct News) 

Egyptian Christians have requested our prayers for the continuing detention of 34 Christians detained for alleged involvement in violence in Cairo on October 9, reports Middle East Concern.

On October 9, there were violent clashes in Cairo involving demonstrators marching in protest at the authorities' lack of action to prevent the destruction of a church building in Aswan (for more, click here).

Violence erupted when thugs and the army attacked protesters. The protesters were mainly Christians but also included some Muslim sympathisers. There remains some doubt about the death toll, but the most reliable sources report that 26 protesters (23 Christians, 3 Muslims) and one soldier were killed. A local human rights group reported that 12 of those killed died of injuries sustained while being run over by army personnel carriers. Many others were injured (for more information on the violence, click here).

On the day of the violence a state-owned TV channel put out reports claiming that Christians were attacking the army and calling for people to intervene. The channel subsequently acknowledged that this reporting was incorrect.

On November 3, a court ordered that the 34 imprisoned Christians remain detained pending the outcome of investigations into charges of charges of "inciting violence, carrying arms and insulting the armed forces."

Those supporting these Christians request our prayers that:

• The truth concerning events of October 9 will become known, and those actually responsible will be brought to justice. 
• Those detained will know the presence, peace and protection of Jesus.
• Those who are innocent will be cleared of all charges and released. 
• Those bereaved, wounded and/or traumatised will know the comfort, healing and restorative touch of Jesus. 
• The authorities will act to protect all Egyptians, irrespective of their religious affiliation.
• All officials involved will love mercy, act justly, learn about Jesus and choose to follow Him.

To learn more about the persecuted Church in Egypt, click here. 

Pray for Christians in Iraq!

Iraqi Christians are requesting our prayers for two recent incidents, reports Middle East Concern.

Yesterday morning, a car bomb exploded outside the Holy Family Church in Kirkuk. At least 20 people were injured, including the priest, other church staff and neighbours. One person is reported to be seriously hurt. The church building was badly damaged, and several nearby homes were also damaged.

Bombs were found outside two other church buildings in Kirkuk.

Back in July, a house fellowship leader was detained by the police and continues to be held without charge. It is believed he may be held for his Christian activities, because the authorities recently warned him to stop.

Today in Baghdad, four men were convicted of planning and coordinating the October 31, 2010, attack at the Syrian Catholic Church of Our Lady of Salvation in Baghdad in which 58 people, including the perpetrators, were killed. Three were given the death sentence and the fourth a 20-year jail term.

Iraqi Christians request our prayers that:

• The wounded and traumatized will know the presence, peace and healing touch of Jesus.
• The perpetrators of the bomb attack will love mercy and act justly, and know the Spirit's conviction of guilt and the Father's loving offer of forgiveness and new life.
• Our brother will know the peace and presence of Jesus, and be released soon.
• All officials involved will love mercy and act justly.

Pastor and believers detained in Cuba

Cuba is a popular vacation spot, but behind the
hotels lies a government hostile to Christians.

Pastor Mario Felix Lleonart Barroso and his wife, Yoaxis, along with 21 others were detained and kept from attending a church service on June 26, reports Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW).

The group was picked up by police at around 10 a.m. and released five hours later, after the service had finished.

The service was being held in support of Pastor Yordi Toranzo, who was ousted from his position for refusing to deny pastoral support to human rights activists and members of the political opposition.

The order for his expulsion came from Methodist Bishop Ricardo Pereira Dias, who church authorities generally believe was pressured by the government. There have been reports of similar pressures on other church leaders as well.

Authorities have been detaining pastors for only short periods of time – a tactic CSW believes is used to deflect international attention away from governmental interference.

In 1992, Cuba officially became a “secular” state that formally guarantees freedom of religion. However, full freedom is not experienced by many minorities. Authorities continue to pressure Christian believers through coercion and intimidation.

Pray for Cuba:

• Pray that the Church in Cuba will continue to reach out with the news of God's grace, despite the opposition from the government.
• Pray that freedom of religion will truly become a reality in Cuba.

Iranian Christian held in solitary confinement

Farshid Fathi

Friends and family of a detained Iranian Christian are calling for clarification of his case more than five months after he was sent to Tehran's notoriously brutal Evin prison, reports Release International and Mohabat News.

Farshid Fathi, 32, was one of several believers detained by government security officials in December 2010 during a series of raids on Christians' homes in Tehran. He has endured months of solitary confinement even though no court orders or instructions have been issued in his case. Interrogators have reportedly used psychological torture in attempts to force Farshid to reveal details of Christian contacts.

Farshid's wife and two young children have been allowed to speak to him only once a week. Farshid's family was forced to sell his father-in-law's home in order to survive financially and have not been able to pay the bail to secure his release.

You can help Farshid Fathi by praying!

• Pray God will strengthen and console Farshid as he suffers for his faith.
• Pray his family will trust in the Lord for provision and comfort.
• Pray the steadfast faith of Iranian believers will encourage other Christians in the country who are suffering persecution.
• Pray the Word of the Lord will continue to go forth in Iran and that many will come to embrace Him as Lord.

Fate of Iranian Christian prisoner unclear

Farshid Fathi, 32, a Christian resident of Tehran, was arrested in September 2010, and remains in custody in the political prison ward of Evin Prison, reports Mohabat News.

Unlike the detainees in other home invasions that took place in December 2010, Farshid has remained in custody for months. Of the more than 60 believers rounded up in December, half were released within hours of their arrests.

Farshid, however, continues to be subjected to psychological torture by security forces and interrogators in an attempt to extract a full list of individuals he has evangelized as well as details on his foreign contacts. One such method included temporarily releasing Farshid and then immediately re-arresting him and putting him in solitary confinement.

Farshid’s family has not seen or heard from him in more than five months. The high bail amount set by the authorities leaves the family unable to pay for his release.

You can read the full article here.

You can help by praying!

• Pray Farshid Fathi’s faith will not waiver under the tremendous pressures of prison life.
• Pray Farshid’s family will see God’s provision for them despite the financial and psychological pressures that they face.

Deputy chairman of Chinese House Church Alliance is administratively detained

Our partner mission ChinaAid Association, is reporting that Chinese authorities have detained the deputy chairman of the Chinese House Church Alliance, Pastor Shi Enhao, for 12 days.

Pastor Shi and other lay leaders were taken into police custody on May 31 and detained at the Suqian city detention center in coastal Jiangsu province. Twenty-four hours later, the other detainees were released but Pastor Shi and a woman named Chang Meiling were given a 12-day administrative detention sentence.

On June 1, more than 10 people raided and searched Pastor Shi’s home and took away some books and other written materials.

ChinaAid Association calls on Christians to keep this in this prayer, and expresses its deep concern that church persecution in China is continuing to deteriorate. May the Lord Jesus Christ protect His church and His flock.

Please join us in praying for Chinese believers today!

Egyptian Christian detained at airport

Sherif Muhammad was
detained one week ago
and has not been heard
from since.

One week ago, Sherif Hassan Abdelwahab Muhammad, an Egyptian Christian, and his British wife were detained at the Cairo Airport following a trip from the United Kingdom, reports Middle East Concern (MEC). While on their way to passport control, the couple was approached by a plainclothes security official who asked Sherif, a UK resident, to identify himself. Upon stating his name, Sherif was detained. MEC says that no one has heard from Sherif since November 9.

Sherif’s wife, Emma, was asked to hand over her passport and plane ticket. She was then escorted to another room. She was issued a boarding pass for return to the UK on the same plane that brought the couple to Cairo. She has received no word of her husband’s whereabouts, nor any explanation of his detention or possible deportation.

Sherif has been detained in Egypt on numerous occasions since his conversion to Christianity 19 years ago. During these detentions, he was only questioned about his conversion and the peaceful exercise of his Christian beliefs, including his relationship with other Christians.

He has never been charged with any crime under Egyptian law.

International law, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights to which Egypt is a state party, clearly states that everyone has:

• the right “to have or to adopt a religion or belief of his choice” and
• “either individually or in community with others and in public or private, manifest his religion or belief in worship, observance, practice and teaching.”

Please consider calling, writing or emailing the Ambassador of Egypt to Canada and petition his intervention in this case to ensure that Sherif’s human rights, as well as his right to peacefully exercise his belief in Jesus Christ, are respected.

Shamel Nasser
Ambassador of Egypt to Canada
Egyptian Embassy
454 Laurier Avenue East
Ottawa, ON  KIN 6R3
Tel: 613-234-4931, 613-234-4935
Egyptemb@sympatico.ca

You can also email the offices of the following individuals:

H. E. Muhammad Hosni Mubarak
President of Egypt
webmaster@presidency.gov.eg
Please address him as “Excellency.”

Habib Ibrahim El Adly
Ministry of the Interior
moi@idsc.gov.eg
Please address him as “Minister.”

Play pray for Sherif and his wife. Pray for Sherif's protection and release. Pray that God would fill the two of them with peace. Pray for the authorities involved that God would move and cause them to release Sherif immediately.