Uzbekistan: Christians punished for peaceful activities
Two Protestant Christian churches in and near Tashkent were subjected to raids within two days of each other in mid-April. The first raid targeted a youth conference and the second - where the police were accompanied by television journalists - targeted a feeding programme for the homeless. In addition an ‘anti-terror’ raid in Tashkent targeted ten Protestant women gathering for a birthday party in a private home, eight of them pensioners. They were all given massive fines. No officials in Tashkent have been prepared to explain why peaceful religious believers should face such punishments. Protestants in north-western Uzbekistan have complained of mounting raids, threats, fines, literature confiscations and court-ordered destruction of religious literature. State-imposed restrictions on all faiths are tight and the latest raids, fines, threats and literature confiscations come as religious believers of a variety of faiths face criminal trials for peaceful activity.
Pray: for God to turn this situation around and for the Christians in Uzbekistan to be treated fairly. (Ps.9:13-14)
More: http://www.forum18.org/
America: Challenging Afghanistan negotiations
A war in which the general doesn't know his enemy is a war lost. The manner in which the Barack Obama administration is handling its negotiations with Afghan President Hamid Karzai suggests the Afghan president is the US president's enemy number one in the Hindu Kush, alongside the insurgents. The number of dogfights between US special representative Richard Holbrooke and the Afghan government is now legion. The tussles are watched in regional capitals as Mr Holbrooke tirelessly wages his war with President Karzai's leadership. Mr Holbrooke announced in Washington soon after his visit to Kabul that the Jirga, or Peace Council, President Karzai was planning to hold on May 2-4 now stands postponed until after the Afghan leader's visit to Washington on May 10-14. (See Prayer Alert 1710). Holbrooke then went on to announce that the Jirga would be held on May 20. By all indications, the Afghan government is seething with resentment over Washington's announcement.
Pray: that President Obama fulfils his 2008 pledge to bring the ‘war on terror’ to an end; for the Taliban to be broken and the leaders at the Peace Jirga to stand in unity against war lords. (Pr.14:8 & 22)
Iran: Christians suffering uncertain future
Nineteen year old Daniel was arrested during a raid on his home by security agents acting on the orders of the revolutionary court and then released on bail. He is accused of blasphemy and spreading Christian propaganda and faces possible further court proceedings. His personal electronic items and books were confiscated in the raid. Daniel had been present at the arrest on 28th February of Hamid and Reyhaneh, who remain detained. Also Maryam and Marzieh were summoned to their court hearing to face charges of propagating Christianity and apostasy, but were told more time was needed to consider their case and they were sent home. Both women are frail after being held for eight months in Evin Prison, notorious for treating women badly. These and similar ordeals are a grave test for the endurance of our Iranian brothers' and sisters' endurance.
Pray: for God to give Daniel, Maryam, Marzieh, Reyhaneh and Hamid a sense of His presence and peace in their minds and hearts; and for officials involved to love mercy and act justly. (Ps.54:7)
More: http://www.givengain.com/cgi-bin/giga.cgi?cmd=cause_dir_news_item&cause_id=1489&news_id=86114
Commentators speak out over street preacher arrest
Another street preacher in the UK has been arrested for proclaiming Christian teachings about the sinfulness of homosexual behaviour. Dale Mcalpine was handing out leaflets in Workington when he was approached by a police community support officer identifying himself as homosexual. The officer arrested Mr Mcalpine because in the course of a conversation he said his belief was that homosexuality is a sin because it is against the word of God. This is the second time in five weeks that a Christian has been arrested in the UK for preaching Christian sexual ethics. By law a police officer has no right to call upon a citizen to desist from lawful conduct. (See) Article 9 of the Human Rights Act confirms that ‘everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion’ and ‘in public or private, to manifest this religion or belief in worship, teaching, practice and observance.’
Pray: for police guidance to recognise the rights of free speech of all parties including Christians. (Ac.20:20-21)
