Monday 31 March 2014
Saturday 29 March 2014
NEW PRISONER ALERT FACTSHEET: UMID GOJAYEV
Date of Alert: 28 March 2014
In early 2012, 29-year-old Umid Gojayev of Turkmenistan had an argument with four neighbors over access to a well where they live in Dashoguz. In the scuffle, Umid defended himself and hit one of the men on the head with a brick, causing injury. The man filed a complaint against Umid with local police.
Several days later, he and his family reconciled with the man he injured and paid for his hospital expenses. They agreed to withdraw their complaint. However, when police learned that Umid was a Christian, they insisted on bringing the case to court, though the victim refused to press charges.
Umid was sentenced to four years in prison on charges of hooliganism. None of the other men involved in the melee were prosecuted. According to Forum 18, one of the investigators told Umid's relative that because he is a believer, the court will not forgive him.
After nearly two years in prison, there have been four general amnesties in which prisoners charged under the same law as Umid have been released, but Umid remains in prison. According to Forum 18, "Umid was told in the labor camp he is not being included in the amnesties because he reads the Bible."
As a result of his imprisonment, Umid's wife, Malahat, was forced to leave her job and care for their three young children. They are struggling to make ends meet without their primary breadwinner.
Please pray for Umid, Malahat and their three young children.
Should you wish to write to Umid Gojayev, please visit Prisoner Alert (A Ministry of Voice of the Martyrs) for assistance in doing so. Please observe their caution below:
"Please note
When writing a letter, never mention the name of the source of your information or the name of any organization such as Voice of the Martyrs or Prisoner Alert. It is not dangerous for a prisoner to receive letters from individuals, but if an organization is mentioned they may be accused of links with 'foreign organizations' and receive harsher sentences. Also, please do not state anything negative about their government. For the latest information, including letter writing tools and helps, please visit PrisonerAlert.com."
Friday 28 March 2014
IRAN: Christians Arrested at Church Picnic
Date of Bulletin: 26 March 2014
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| Iran |
On March 6, Pastor Amin Khaki and seven other believers were arrested by Iranian intelligence agents while having a picnic in a park near Shoush, Khuzestan province. The officers reportedly pulled their guns on the believers and beat them, even injuring one man. The Christians were blindfolded and detained in interrogation rooms for six hours.
Five of the believers were released, but Pastor Amin and two other church members remain in prison in Shoush. No charges have been filed, and no bail has been set. Pastor Amin's wife reportedly received a very brief phone call from him in which he simply told her that he was doing fine.
Please Pray!
- Please pray that God will comfort and protect these believers while they are in prison and that other prisoners will be drawn to the truth of the gospel through them.
- Pray that the Iranian authorities will be favorably disposed toward the believers and that they will be released soon to return to their families.
"For He looked down from the height of His sanctuary; from heaven the LORD viewed the earth, to hear the groaning of the prisoner, to release those appointed to death."
- Psalm 102:19-20 -
The Voice of the Martyrs helps Christians in Iran by providing Farsi Bibles and by supporting Christian satellite broadcasts.
Sunday 23 March 2014
INDIA: House Church Attacked in Karnataka
Date of Bulletin: 19 March 2014
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| India |
On Jan. 24, Hindu radicals attacked a group of house-church believers at a one-day prayer meeting in Karnataka. The leader of the house church, Pastor Anand, has ministered in the area for more than three years, and the house church is attended by about 10 families.
At about 4 p.m., six hours after the prayer meeting began, Hindu radicals arrived at the house church and interrupted the meeting by shouting at the believers. They snatched Bibles from believers' hands, tearing some of them up and taking others away. They beat some of the Christians and took them to the police station.
Pastor Anand as well as another pastor and four other believers were charged with forced conversions. The men were detained overnight and released the following afternoon. The case is ongoing.
VOM Sources
Photo: Indian believers worshiping in a church destroyed by Hindu radicals
Please Pray!
- Pray that all charges will be dropped against these believers and that their work for God's kingdom will not be thwarted.
- Pray for their protection as well as that of their families.
- Pray for the salvation of the Hindu radicals.
VOM assists Christians in India through the Families of Martyrs fund, the Participating with Strategic Partners program and Bibles Unbound.
Wednesday 19 March 2014
KAZAKHSTAN UPDATE: Pastor Bakhytzhan Kashkumbaev
Date of Bulletin: 12 March 2014
Kazakhstan
Bakhytzhan Kashkumbaev, the retired pastor of Grace Church in Astana, Kazakhstan, was released on Feb. 17 after spending nine months in jail awaiting trial on a charge of "intentionally inflicting serious harm to health." He was convicted of the charge and received a four-year suspended sentence after the family of a church member accused him of putting drugs in the Communion drink. The court ordered Kashkumbaev to pay his alleged victim large "moral damages" as well as all court expenses, experts' fees and lawyers' fees (around $20,000)."In my experience as a lawyer, this is one of the strangest cases I have seen in terms of legality," said Nurlan Beysekeyev, Pastor Kashkumbaev's lawyer. "It was not just strange, but from the standpoint of the law all types of violations occurred, when the case was opened, when it was being investigated and during the trial."
Kashkumbaev plans to appeal the conviction.
Forum 18 News Service, VOM Sources
Please Pray!
- Thank God for Pastor Kashkumbaev's release.
- Pray that the truth will prevail and he will be absolved of any wrongdoing.
- Pray that he and his family will continue to stand firm and grow stronger in faith through the turmoil.
"Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the perilous pestilence. He shall cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you shall take refuge. His truth shall be your shield and buckler."
Psalm 91:3-6
To learn more about the challenges facing Christians in Kazakhstan, visit the VOM Restricted Nations map.
Thursday 6 March 2014
NIGERIA: More Than 100 Dead in Village Attack
Date of Bulletin: 5 March 2014
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| Nigeria |
Members of the Islamist terrorist group Boko Haram attacked the Christian village of Izghe, in Borno state, on Feb. 15, killing 106 residents. They also looted businesses and stole residents' vehicles.
Nearly 100 members of Boko Haram, which seeks to eradicate Christianity from Nigeria and establish Sharia law, entered Izghe on trucks and motorcycles, witness Ali Ndume reported to the BBC. They shot and hacked to death male residents who had gathered in the town square. From there, they marched door to door, searching for men who had attempted to hide, shooting them or cutting their throats. They also took the life of a grandmother who had attempted to save her grandson's life.
The Nigerian military left the area after nine soldiers were killed last week, leaving the region even more vulnerable to attacks from Boko Haram. The military was reportedly absent throughout the five-hour attack.
Source: Christian Post
Photo: Nigerian woman who survived a previous attack
Please Pray!
- Pray that God will comfort those who lost loved ones and property in this attack.
- Pray that they will sense His presence and cast their cares and anxieties upon Him.
- Pray that Boko Haram members will come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.
"Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you." 1 Pet. 5:8-10
Voice Of the Martyrs assists hundreds of pastors in Nigeria and also provides food, clothing and medical aid to Nigerian Christians who are attacked.
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