proclaiming liberty to the captives

Youcef Nadarkhani, an Iranian Christian, was arrested for denouncing Iran’s educational practice of requiring children to read the Quran in public schools. Last September, Youcef was given the death sentence for apostasy. The verdict was appealed to Iran’s Supreme Court, and though it was initially reported in July that they had upheld the sentence, we have now joyfully learned that the they overturned their decision (likely due to international pressure) and sent the case back to a lower court. Please continue to pray for Youcef, however, as he is still being pressured to recant his faith.

Please be in prayer for this brother and lift up your voice on his behalf! First, read the information below and find out all you can about Youcef and about religious persecution in Iran. Then take a look at the top menu to see the different actions you can take to help free him (spread the word, call your representatives, and contact the Iranian embassy in your country).

(p.s. – try clicking and dragged the image of Youcef to help spread the word!)

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UPDATE: Asia Bibi Fasting and Praying for Justice

Asia Bibi, a Christian mother of five, was sentenced to death for ‘blasphemy’ against the Islamic prophet Muhammad. On November 22nd, the president pardoned Asia and she has been moved to an undisclosed location for her safety.

Last week, we posted an update that Asia has been released. While some of our sources still insist that she has been released, the government has denied it. The latest report is that the President will not be able to pardon Asia until the Lahore High Court has reached a decision on Asia’s appeal. Please see the updated press release at the top of the page for the full details.

(p.s. – try dragging the image of Asia to help spread the word!)
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UPDATE: Shoaib Released from Prison and Safely out of the Country!

Thanks to advocacy efforts and your help in raising awareness for and praying for our brother in Christ, Shoaib Assadullah, an Afghan Christian who was imprisoned for five months and threatened with execution for his conversion to Christianity, was released from prison in late March and recently fled Afghanistan to safety!

Months of aggressive international diplomacy that engaged Afghanistan’s government finally lead to Assadullah’s release on bail on March 30. On April 14, however, ICC learned that Assadullah received a passport and was able to safely flee the country. “Shoaib’s location in Mazar became known and this was judged to be a high risk, so he has left the country for an indefinite stay abroad. He traveled to Kabul and then [out of the country] with the help of friends,” a friend of Assadullah’s told ICC from Mazar-e-Sharif.

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Tamirat Woldegeorgis, an Ethiopian Christian known for sharing the gospel, is serving three years in prison after Muslim officials in Ethiopia found him guilty of desecrating the Qur’an in a judgment based on the false allegations of Tamirat’s own Muslim friends. You can help free him! First, read our information below and find out all you can about Tamirat and Christian persecution in Ethiopia. Then take a look at the top menu to see the different actions you can take to help free him (call your representatives, contact embassy, spread the word).

Tamirat has made an appeal, and it is expected to be decided this week. Please check back for updates!

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UPDATE: Said Musa Released from Prison!

An Afghan Christian named Said Musa, imprisoned without formal charges for his faith in Jesus Christ and facing death for apostasy, was released from prison last week after aggressive international diplomacy engaged Afghanistan’s government.  Your prayers, signatures, and calls to speak up for Said all contributed to his release. Thank you and please continue to pray for all our imprisoned brothers and sisters – especially for Shoiab, another Afghan Christian who is still imprisoned.

(p.s. – try dragging the image of Said to help spread the word!)

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Update: Police Seeking to Arrest Others Involved in Film

On October 6th, Prem Singh Gurung, a Bhutanese Christian, was sentenced to three years in prison for showing a film about Christianity. He is accused of “promoting civil unrest.”

You can help free him! First, read our information below and find out all you can about Gurung and the case against him. Then take a look at the top menu to see the different actions you can take to help free him. Evil likes to hide in darkness, so help us shine the light on injustice and free Gurung!

(p.s. – try dragging the flag of Bhutan to help spread the word.)

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Just released: See Compass Direct News article on Jamaa here!

A Moroccan Christian named Jamaa Ait Bakrim was sentenced to 15 years imprisonment in 2005 for his faith in Jesus Christ. You can help free him! First, read our information below and find out all you can about Jamaa and about religious persecution in Morocco. Then take a look at the top menu to see the different actions you can take to help free him. Evil likes to hide in darkness, so help us shine the light on injustice and free Jamaa!

(p.s. – try dragging Jamaa’s image to help spread the word.)

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