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!)

Name: Youcef Nadarkhani
Age: 32
Arrested: October 12, 2009
Prison: Lakan Prison in Gilan province
Location: Near Rasht, northern Iran
Charges: Apostasy

Youcef’s Story:

Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani, a church leader in Rasht, Iran, was arrested for questioning the Islamic education practice which forces Christian students – including Yousef’s own children – to be required to read the Quran in school. Youcef protested that the Iranian Constitution, which guarantees the right to practice one’s own beliefs, should be upheld. On October 12, 2009, Youcef was brought before a political tribunal for conducting the protest. After Youcef’s arrest, his charge against him was altered to apostasy.

Youcef’s wife, Fatemeh Passandideh, was later arrested on June 18.  Fatemeh was told that unless her husband renounced Christianity than their children, ages 6 and 8, would be given to Muslim parents. When her husband still refused to return to Islam, Fatemeh was put on trial without legal representation and sentenced to life imprisonment. However, Fatemeh was able to file an appeal which eventually led to her release on October 11 after four months of imprisonment.

In late September 2010, Youcef appeared before the 11th Chamber of The Assize Court of the province of Gilan and was orally given the death sentence for his conversion to Christianity from Islam although no formal verdict has been handed down. After the oral verdict was issued, Youcef was transferred to a high security prison in Lakan where he has been held in solitary confinement.

On October 29, 2010, the U.S. Commission for International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) urged the Obama Administration to press for Youcef’s immediate release. “This case is further evidence that there is no transparency or justice in Iran’s so-called legal system for religious minorities,” said Leonard Leo, USCIRF chair. “This pattern of arrest and harassment of religious minorities, coupled with increasing inflammatory rhetoric from President Ahmadinejad and other leaders has not been seen since the early years of the Iranian revolution. Time is of the essence here. This man’s life is at stake.”

A formal verdict was finally handed down on November 13, 2010, announcing that Youcef would be executed by hanging (see the translated verdict here). The sentence was appealed in December to the Supreme Court of Iran and Youcef is currently awaiting the decision.

In a letter to the international Christian community, Pastor Youcef took courage and consoled believers around the world: “What we are bearing today, is a difficult but not unbearable situation, because He has not tested us more than our faith can endure… We must consider these bumps and prisons as opportunities to testify to His name.” (Click here to view the full letter).

As a signatory to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, Iran is obligated to uphold religious freedom and to follow due process of law. While apostasy is not referred to in Iran’s legal code, it has been reported that the presiding judge over Youcef’s case based his ruling on texts by Iranian religious scholars.

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!)

Asia Bibi’s Story

Asia Bibi, 45, is a married mother of four girls and a boy. Her son is Imran, 19, and her daughters are: Sidra, 15, Isha, 11, and Isham, 9. Her eldest daughter is 20. They live in a small Pakistani village called Ittan Wali Chack. Since their family is very poor, Asia worked as a laborer on a farm. Her son, Imran, works at a brick kiln and her daughter, Sidra, does embroidery work at home.

On June 14, 2009, Asia Bibi was working on a farm with her Muslim colleagues when a discussion about Christianity and Islam arose. During the conversation, the Muslims accused Asia of insulting the prophet Muhammad and beat her. Her Muslim colleagues then spread the rumor that Asia ‘insulted’ their prophet around the village. Five days later, a group of Muslim villagers, incited by her colleagues, severely assaulted Asia. When the police arrived, they arrested Asia and registered a case of blasphemy against her. According to Article 295-C of Pakistan’s criminal law, it is a crime punishable by death to blaspheme the Muslim prophet Muhammad.

On November 7, 2010, after more than a year of trial, a court in Pakistan sentenced Asia to death and fined her 100,000 Pakistani Rupees ($1163.) She had seven days to appeal the decision to the higher court.

Asia Bibi is still in jail and faces the death penalty. Pakistan has turned deaf ears to the calls by the international community for Asia’s release. For the past three months, she has been kept in solitary confinement and she is now suffering from small pox due to the unsanitary prison environment, according to a report by Christian Today.

Despite all her trials, Asia has been steadfast in her faith. She spends her time by fasting and praying for her release. She also prays for Pakistan and its people.

Pakistan’s blasphemy law, under which Asia was sentenced to death, has been criticized by some of Pakistan’s high ranking government officials. But those who criticize the law and call for the release of Asia Bibi have become targets of Islamic radicals.

Shahbaz Bhatti, the sole Christian minister in the government of Pakistan, was assassinated on March 2, 2011. On January 4, the governor of Punjab and one of Asia’s defenders, Salman Taseer, was assassinated by his own bodyguard. The bodyguard, Malik Mumtaz Hussain Qadri, killed Taseer for criticizing Pakistan’s blasphemy law. Another Pakistani government official, Sherry Rehman, now lives in fear for her life after criticizing the blasphemy law.

Please continue praying for Asia Bibi’s release and for the persecuted Christians in Pakistan.
UPDATE: February 1, 2011:
Asia Bibi remains behind bars and faces the death penalty for “blasphemy.” The governor of Punjab and her defender, Salman Taseer, was assassinated on January 4 by his own bodyguard. The bodyguard, Malik Mumtaz Hussain Qadri, killed Taseer for criticizing Pakistan’s blasphemy law. The Associated Press (AP)  reported that the governor’s killer was given a hero’s welcome when he appeared before court.

Before the assassination, Taseer had appeared on TV calling for Asia’s pardon.

According to a report by Compass Direct News, Asia Bibi is living in constant fear for her life after the assassination of the governor. “The governor’s murder in broad daylight has put her in a state of paranoia,” said Asia’s husband, Ashiq Masih, in the statement to the Compass Direct News.

He further noted, “She knows the Muslims have announced a prize on her head and would go to any lengths to kill her.” A radical cleric has promised a reward of 500,000 Pakistani rupees ($5,800) to anyone who kills her. Muslim radicals have even threatened suicide bomb attacks on the prison where Asia is being held. As of the end of January, Asia has been moved into an isolation cell for her protection.

Speaking to Compass Direct News, her husband said that Asia wants everyone to pray for her. Would you take a moment to pray for this brave woman?

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.

Name: Shoaib Assadullah
Age: 25
Arrested: October 21, 2010
Prison: A holding jail in Mazar-e-Sharif
Location: Mazar-e-Sharif, Afghanistan
Charges: Shoaib has not been formally charged, but was notified that he will be tried for apostasy – conversion from Islam to Christianity.

Shoaib’s Story:

Shoaib Assadullah was arrested on October 21 in Mazar-e-Sharif after he had given a New Testament Bible to a man who later reported him to local authorities. He is currently in a holding jail (or Tawaquif-Khane in Dari) in Mazar-e-Sharif, in northern Afghanistan.

Since the arrest, Shoaib’s family has been against his conversion and has urged him to return to Islam. At first they tried – without success – to procure Shoaib’s release by paying bribes to court officials. Shoaib’s father is now desperate and pleading for help. He has spent much of his savings on the case, but to no avail. “He’s my son. Whatever he believes, I have to help him.”

Having appeared in court before, Shoaib was again summoned on December 28. However, this time was different. The judge told Shoaib that he had one week to recant his Christian faith. If he refused to return to Islam, he would be sentenced to death or a twenty-year imprisonment. Three days later, a partnering organization spoke with Shoaib over the telephone. “He is quite certain that they [court officials] will give him the death penalty,” the organization said. “At his last court appearance, the judge gave him one final week to renounce his faith, otherwise he would be hanged or killed for his faith. Shoaib stated he has placed his life completely in the hands of Jesus. He said he was so happy for the spiritual fight, saying, ‘Without my faith, I would not be able to live’.”

The court date was scheduled for January 4. Speaking to Shoaib again on the phone the night before he was to be summoned, the organization reported that Shoaib asked them to “tell all of his brothers and sisters, especially his Afghan brothers and sisters, that his faith is strong.” The organization added,  “He [Shoaib] said that this is spiritual warfare and that we can only go when we go with Christ. He said that tomorrow morning is his trial. He asked that everyone pray that he could stand well. He said he is not afraid of death. He talked about his father and his desire for his father to know the truth. He is concerned about his father’s health since his mother has died.”

On January 4, the day Shoaib was expected to be sentenced, pressure from Western diplomats pushed Afghanistan’s Attorney General Mohammad Ishaq Aloko to intervene. Soon after, Shoaib was taken to a hospital for medical tests. Shoaib has since been sent back to prison and sources report that authorities told Shoaib that he will be locked up for another six months.

Shoaib’s Letters from Prison:

First Letter – Click Here to View in English and Dari

Location: Qasre Shahi Prison, Mazar-e-Sharif
Date: February 17, 2011
Content:

• Describes imprisonment: “Several times I have been attacked physically and threatened to death by fellow prisoners, especially Taliban and anti government prisoners who are in jail. These assaults on my human dignity have affected me negatively, close to the point of death.”
• Fears that he will be summoned back to court soon and given the death penalty for apostasy.
• Writes about his mother’s death and the grief he experienced when he was not able to be there during her final days or able to go to the funeral.
• Appeals to the Afghan government to uphold Article 24 of the Afghan Constitution as well as Article 3 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights which Afghanistan is bound to. Both articles refer to the fundamental human right to life and liberty. “I would like to add that freedom is a gift from God,” said Assadullah. “This means that we have to respect human freedom and dignity.”

Second Letter – Click Here to View in English and Dari

Location: Qasre Shahi Prison, Mazar-e-Sharif
Date: March 11, 2011
Content:

• Describes the pressure that he is under in prison: “I am under emotional pressure from being in prison. Add to that the threat of being executed, constant insults and accusations, threats, cursing and being forced by other prisoners and by prison guards to do work for them… all because of prejudice against my different beliefs and my different ethnicity, and especially since they think that I am unclean..”
• Writes that his father is his only visitor and is insulted and mistreated every time he visits.

Press Releases Regarding Shoaib’s Case:

April 20: Afghan Christian Released from Prison and Safely out of the Country
February 23: Smuggled Letter Reveals Afghan Christian’s Fear of Execution
January 3: Afghan Christian Faces Potential Death Sentence for Apostasy
November 30: Second Afghan Imprisoned for Christian Faith

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

Tamirat’s Story

Tamirat is a citizen of Moyale, a majority Muslim city in southern Ethiopia. The dominance of Islam in the region had led some of his friends to abandon Christ and convert to Islam. His friends began pressuring him to convert as well, but Tamirat refused.

Realizing that they could not convince their friend to abandon Christ, they chose instead to accuse him of writing “Jesus is Lord” on the Qur’an. They knew that such an accusation would provoke Muslims to attack and possibly even kill Tamirat.

Just as his friends had anticipated, in early July, Muslims found and severely beat Tamirat. When the police arrived at the scene, the attackers explained they were assaulting him because he had desecrated the Qur’an.

Instead of detaining the attackers, the police arrested Tamirat and held him for more than three months without bringing any charges against him. This was in Ethiopia, a country whose constitution dictates that detained persons are to be brought before a court within 48 hours of their arrest. Two months into Tamirat’s detention, ICC wrote Ethiopian officials highlighting the illegality of detaining a citizen without bringing any charges against him, but the officials ignored ICC’s appeal for justice.

When Tamirat was finally brought to court on November 19, the court sentenced him to three years in prison. Though he was accused of writing “Jesus is Lord” on the Qur’an, his accusers failed to produce the Qur’an he allegedly wrote the statement on. In the absence of any evidence, the court ruled that since the defendant embroidered and hung similar statements on the walls of his home, he could also have written the statement on the Qur’an. Their presumption was apparently enough to sentence a man to three years in prison.

A church leader who wished to remain anonymous requested prayer for Christians in Ethiopia, remarking on the case, “In my ministry of 20 years, I have not seen such blatant miscarriage of justice. This is a clear case of Islamic discrimination of Christian minorities in the city. We live in an Islamic stronghold. Please pray for us.

Press Releases on Tamirat’s Case:

Alleged Qur’an Desecration Lands Ethiopian Christian Three Years in Prison

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!)

Name: Said Musa (commonly spelled Sayed Mossa)
Age: 45
Arrested: May 31, 2010
Prison: Kabul Detention Center in the Governor’s Compound
Location: Kabul, Afghanistan
Charges: Mossa has not been formally charged, but was notified that he will be tried for apostasy – conversion from Islam to Christianity.

Said’s Story: Said Musa worked 15 years with the Red Cross in the orthopedic department largely treating victims of landmines. Said is an amputee with a prosthetic leg, having stepped on a landmine himself while serving with the Afghan Army. As a Red Cross employee, he offered therapy to handicapped children and was greatly respected by the community. “He took care with compassion and great professionalism of the amputee or handicap children we used to bring him,” said a westerner who knew him.

In addition to Said’s reputation as a compassionate caretaker, word spread in the community that he was also a covert to Christianity. On May 31, after taking a lunch break with patients, Said was rounded-up by security officers working with the Ministry of Interior. Said’s arrest was the first in what became a nationwide crackdown against Christians.

It began in late-May when Ahmad Shah, reportedly an informant wishing to expose and endanger Christians in Afghanistan, obtained footage of Muslim converts to Christianity being baptized and participating in prayer gatherings. The footage was broadcast nationally on Noorin TV, and led to protests throughout the country. So enraged were some Islamic fundamentalist groups that parliamentarian Abdul Sattar Khawasi called for the execution of Afghan Christians on the parliament floor. President Karzai was ‘personally interested’ in the matter and summoned the interior minister and the head of country’s intelligence agency to investigate Christian organizations suspected of proselytizing. Two NGOs were suspended and 14 were put on a list to be investigated. And, after Said’s arrest, the national church dispersed, some going into hiding until the situation calmed. Others fled the country completely.

All the while, Said remained firm in his faith. In a recent letter, dated December 1, Said proclaimed from his prison cell, “I am the most sinful man but the blood of the Son of God now cleared me. I am now called a Son of God. What a great joy and hope and happiness for me. I request of yours – please be endure persecution patiently and remain firm to the end, obeying His commands and trusting in Jesus Christ our Savior.”

Through diplomacy, Said has been transferred to a safer prison where he is no longer suffering from daily beatings, sexual abuse and sleep deprivation, as he described in his first letter. However, there is no evidence that Said’s release will occur anytime soon.

Said, a husband and father of six children, has now been in prison for more than six months without being formally charged or offered legal representation. Said has been told that he will be tried for apostasy, a ‘crime’ not addressed in Afghanistan’s penal code. In such a case, Afghan law permits the judge the right to reference Sharia (Islamic) law to reach a verdict, which may likely mean the death penalty for Said.

Afghan lawyers asked to defend Said have refused, saying they will not take the case unless he is willing to return to Islam. And, an Advocates International lawyer who arrived in Kabul to represent Said was also denied, and told that Afghan law only permits legal representation in court by fellow citizens.

After three previous court postponements of Said’s case, we are uncertain when he will be sanctioned to court again. The judge recently denied foreigners the right to visit Said in prison which has handicapped their ability to know when the trial will be held. However, through sources on the ground, ICC is closely monitoring the situation and will be notified once the trial recommences.

Follow Said’s Case

Leading up to that important date, ICC will be your one stop source for all the latest information on Said’s case. We will begin by posting – in full – all of Said’s letters. Said himself asked that we share his letters so that the church – upon hearing of the perseverance of the saints – may be encouraged and led to prayer. These epistles, inscribed in a hollowed prison chamber, testify to the Light which overcomes darkness and offers hope to the destitute and downtrodden. May these letters sanctify the church by empowering our own witness and mobilizing prayer not only for Said, but for all Afghan believers and their right to worship freely.

Awareness alone will likely not accomplish our objectives. We must also take action! While ICC has long been engaged in advocacy for Said with top U.S. government officials, we are now undertaking a large petition campaign. The petition, addressed to U.S. officials who have the ability to apply pressure on the Afghan government, will urge for the release of Said Musa and Shoib Assadullah, another Christian imprisoned in northern Afghanistan. Please help us acquire 50,000 signatures by signing our petition and by forwarding it to your friends. This is a call to action! May the church offer refuge for suffering Afghan Christians by providing the support and assistance they need. Let us amplify Said’s voice and put an end to anti-Christian injustice in Afghanistan!

Said’s Letters

First Letter – Click Here to View

Addressed: To the international church, President Barack Obama and the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF).
Location: Oullayat Prison in Kabul
Date: July 30, 2010 (the letter was not received until October)
Content:

• Pleads for international intervention and to be transferred to a safer prison
• Explains the brutality of his imprisonment, also describing how Afghan judicial officials have refused to protect him and even encouraged the abuse from fellow prisoners.
• Finds solace in the Lord, stating that despite his suffering, he will not deny his faith in Christ.

Second Letter - Click Here to View
Afghan? Click Here to view a Dari translation of Said’s second letter.

Addressed: To brothers and sisters in Christ
Location: Kabul Detention Center in the Governor’s Compound
Date: November 23, 2010
Content:

• Warns against Ahmad Shah, a wolf in sheep’s clothing who delivered video footage of Afghans being baptized to Noorin TV to expose and endanger Christian Afghans.
• Asks Christians to “pray” and to “not give-up.”
• Takes comfort in the Holy Spirit, prays that the Savior may come soon, and rejoices that someday every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Christ is Lord.

Third Letter - Click Here to View
Afghan? Click here to view a Dari translation of Said’s third letter.

Addressed: To dear friends in Kabul
Location: Kabul Detention Center in the Governor’s Compound
Date: November 27, 2010
Content:

• Writes about his day in court and that his file was rejected by the judge
• Explains why he denied Islam and converted to Christianity
• Proclaims that he is ready to suffer, and even die, for his faith for the sake of his Savior
• Affirms that he never once renounced Christ throughout his imprisonment and beatings

Fourth Letter - Click Here to View
Afghan? Click here to view a Dari translation of Said’s fourth letter.

Addressed: Brothers and sisters in faith
Location: Kabul Detention Center in the Governor’s Compound
Date: December 1, 2010
Content:

• Rejoices in his sufferings for the Lord, and refers to those who were persecuted for their faith in Hebrews 11
• Describes himself as a sinful man who was redeemed by the blood of Jesus Christ
• Requests all believers to endure persecution patiently, remain firm until the end, and to obey and trust in the Lord Jesus
• Challenges believers to bear fruit by proclaiming the Gospel
• Asks Christians around the world to not give up praying for him and his fellow persecuted brothers and sisters
• Discusses his desire to build the Lord’s church in Afghanistan
• Remembers the promises of victory to soldiers of the Lord who shine the light of Christ throughout the world, according to the Scriptures
• Reminds believers that the Lord is with them and there is no reason for fear
• Expresses his desire to have a public court hearing to be able to introduce the love of Jesus to all Afghans
• Proclaims, “I have in my heart a fire of Good News. It should be announced to the people. It’s our mission in the world.”

Fifth Letter (a prayer) – Click Here to View

Addressed: Sisters and brothers in Christ
Location: Kabul Detention Center in the Governor’s Compound
Date: December 11, 2010
Content:

• Describes a vision of Christ calling him to announce the Gospel in Afghanistan: “I saw in vision during the sleep in one night. I have saw the heaven opened, saw a person, his cloths like snow, its dazzling light his face lighting. He’s coming to me and put his hand on my shoulder and on my head told me please he happy I am always with you in this jail. I chose you and you should announce my good news to the people of Afghanistan and all over the world. On that movement I was shaking and trembling with fear. I fell down and could not stand on my feet. He took my hands and I woke up.”
• Pleads for the Lord to rebuild His church and to save the people of Afghanistan.
• Prays that the hungry would be fed and that the war would end.
• Shares with fellow Afghans that Jesus Christ alone offers eternal life, and that they must open their eyes in order to receive it.
• Rejoices in the promises of Christ who alone is just and has all authority over heaven and earth.
• Writes about the Iranian spy who was the reason for his arrest and continues to spread lies against him to fellow prisoners and security guards.
• Describes the joy he has found in Christ even amidst great suffering
• Asks for all believers to not stop praying, for victory is theirs through Christ.
• Tells believers not to worry about him, because Christ is always with him.
• Prays that believers around the world would be filled with the Holy Spirit, continue to share the Good News, and that the grace and peace of the Lord Jesus Christ will always be with them.

Sixth Letter – Click Here to View

Addressed: To lovely brothers and sisters in faith
Location: Kabul Province Jail
Date: December 16, 2010
Content: Describes sharing Christ with a member of the Taliban in his jail cell.

“I want to tell you. A person whose accused of murder, he’s sleeping in front of me in the corridor of jail. He’s a hundred percent extremist and has discrimination with my religion. He’s a Talib person. One night he wants to suicide himself… I prayed for him more and more. I told him please be patient… Please believe in Jesus Christ, he’s the only person to forgive you and save you and release you from this jail… The first time he began screaming and insulting me. He told me you’re not clean, you’re not a Muslim. But I told him, oh my friend and brother. Please think about my word… Then I prayed for him since the middle night. He woke up from sleep and sit on his place. All the prisoners were in sleep. He came near my bed and sat and told me. Please forgive me brother. You’re really true person. I have seen wonderful dreams. A very light person spoke with me. He was an amazing person. I fell down on my knee and to the ground. He told me, please believe in your friend Said Musa. I am Lord Jesus Christ. I forgive you now. I can’t speak on that moment and shaking my body from fear and afraid and then I woke up. He told me, now I have believe in Jesus Christ.”

Seventh Letter – Click Here to View

Addressed: Sisters and brothers in faith
Location: Kabul Detention Center in the Governor’s Compound
Date: December 18, 2010
Content:

• Rejoices that there is victory over evil in Christ
• Asks believers around the world to not lose courage but to remain firm in faith.
• Tells believers that they are the lights of this world, and must flee the temptations of Satan.
• Encourages believers to share the Gospel and pray for nonbelievers. “It’s our mission as the Lord’s disciples,” he writes.
• Prays for all foreigners inside Afghanistan (both military and civilians) who came to bring stability and peace to Afghans by fighting “extremist groups and cruel and hard-hearted enemies.” Said prays, “Oh my Savior Lord, please please please don’t parish a hair of their heads return them to their families and their countries.”
• Prays that God will build the church in Afghanistan’s thirty-four provinces.

Eighth Letter – Click Here to View

Addressed: To the international community
Location: Kabul Detention Center
Date: December 25, 2010
Content:

• Gives an overview of his situation in prison:
• Worked with the Red Cross (ICRC) since 1994 as a physical-therapist in charge of the orthopedic center in Kabul.
• Arrested eight months ago for converting to Christianity nine years earlier.
• Refused any legal defense in court because he refused to return to Islam. He writes: “My fault is this: I have believed in God almighty and His only Son.”
• Appeals to Afghanistan to obey the international treaty (The Universal Declaration of Human Rights) they have signed onto. Article 18 says, “Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance.”
• Speaks about being the only bread winner for his six children and wife. His eldest son, who is nine years old, is disabled.
• Pleads for mercy and help.
• Says that he feels completely alone, but that the Lord is always with him.

Ninth and Final Letter Before Release  - Click Here to View

Addressed: to a brother and sister in faith
Location: Kabul Detention Center
Date: February 13, 2011
Content:

• Describes a visit by representatives of the U.S. and Italian embassies offering him asylum
• Writes about how he was visited by three Afghan officials who told him that he would be released within 24 hours if he wrote a statement declaring that he regretted his conversion to Christianity. “I laughed and replied, ‘I can’t deny  my Savior’s name,’” Musa wrote. “Because my life is just service to Jesus Christ and my die is going to heaven near Jesus Christ is. I am 100% ready to die. They pushed me much and much. I refused their demands.”
• Prays for his enemies, that the will of God would be done in his life, and that God would build His church in Afghanistan.

Press Releases Regarding Said’s Case:

February 24: Imprisoned Afghan Christian Released from Prison
November 16: Afghan Imprisoned for Christian Faith
November 22: Trial Nears for Afghan Christian’s Conversion
November 29: Afghan Christian’s Trial ‘Rejected’ by Judge
November 30: Second Afghan Imprisoned for Christian Faith
December 14: Red Cross Neglects Arrested Afghan Employee for Converting to Christianity

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.)

The Case Against Gurung

According to the report by the government-run daily Kuensel, Gurung was arrested on May 21 after he showed a Christian film in the villages of Simkharkha and Gonggaon. The villagers alleged that Gurung showed the film about Christianity after telling them that he would show them a Nepali film.

After detaining him for more than a month, the police charged him with promoting civil unrest and violating sections 105(1) and 110 of the Bhutan Information, Communication and Media Act. According to this Act, it’s illegal to show films without getting authorization from government officials.

Gurung is currently held at a prison in the town of Gelephu, Bhutan. Bhutan is a predominately Buddhist nation with 75% of the population adhering to that faith. Hindus comprise another 22% of the population. The number of Christians in the country is estimated to be less than 10,000.

Bhutan Government’s Response to ICC

ICC wrote to the government of Bhutan protesting the sentencing. The officials responded by saying that Gurung was prosecuted for “carrying out an act that is prejudicial to the maintenance of harmony between different religious groups.” However, Gurung was only exercising his religious freedom by showing the film about Christianity.

The government of Bhutan also told ICC that while they respect religious freedom, they don’t allow for anyone to be compelled or coerced into accepted other religious. We agree that no one should be forced to accept any religion, but showing a film is clearly not coercion.

Updates on Prem Singh Gurung

The police in Bhutan are searching to imprison two other Christians accusing them of involvement in showing the film. The two Christians carried a portable generator with Gurung to the villages where they showed the film because there is no electricity at the villages.

Please continue praying for Gurung and his family as well as the two Christians who are in hiding. Also, contact Bhutan officials and ask them to immediately release Gurung and not to imprison the two Christians.

Click here for more detailed information on the latest arrests.

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.)

Name: Jamaa Ait Bakrim
Age: 46
Place of Birth: Jouabra, Morocco
Prisoner Number: 26574
Prison: Prison Centrale
Location: Kenitra, Morocco
Sentenced: Total sentence of 15 years (2005); Proselytism - Article 220: 6 mo-3 yrs; Destruction of the goods of others - Article 581: 10-20 yrs

Jamaa’s Story: After receiving a bachelor degree in Political Science from Rabat, Jamaa moved to Europe where he converted to Christianity. In 1993 he applied for political asylum in the Netherlands but refused and was expelled back to Morocco when his visa expired. Jamaa returned to his Moroccan village and his family thought his conversion was a religious crisis and would soon pass. In 1994 he spent seven months in jail for “proselytizing”(case no. 919/95) and then forced internment at the mental hospital of Inezgane although he had no mental instability. Two years later he was again prosecuted for putting up a Christian cross in public and spent a year in jail.

When he was released Jamaa was rejected by his family and forced to move away from his home village to the city of Massa. He refused to bow to pressure to convert, and instead, put representations of the cross and verses from the Bible on his business storefront. When Jamaa burned two defunct wooden posts that had been unused for three years, it gave the authorities the excuse they needed. Although he contacted local authorities to obtain permission, he was charged with “destruction of the goods of others” and “proselytizing.” Sentencing was delivered at the court of Agadir on December 28, 2005, condemning him to 15 years imprisonment.

“Jamaa is a Christian who is convinced of what he believes, he is far from being mad,” said a businessman who knew Jamaa well. “The business of two burnt posts gave the authorities an excuse to rid their city of a man they hated.”

Jamaa has at no time denied his Christian faith. He does deny disturbing the public good or destroying the property of his neighbors. He denies approaching his neighbors to “shake their faith,” or “undermining the king’s person,” as was brought against him in court. When the judge condemned Jamaa to 15 years in prison he said, “The fact that Jamaa denies accusations of proselytization is inconsistent with the confession during which he proclaimed he was a son of Christ and he wanted Moroccans to become Christians.”

Jamaa has been serving five years for his Christian faith in the largest prison in Morocco. Prison Centrale, or Central Prison, is a large complex built during the French protectorate and located alongside the military base in Kenitra (see satellite view of Prison Centrale above).

“Jamaa presented a serious problem for the authorities,” said one long-time friend of Jamaa. “He displayed his convictions in broad daylight and for this reason he underwent the crackdown of ‘justice’.”