Persecution & Prayer Alert

"...when pain is to be born, a little courage
helps more than much knowledge, a little human
sympathy more than much courage, and the least
tincture of the love of God more than all."
~ C.S. Lewis

Update: Christian released

^{Ramtin Soodmand
Photo from}^FCNN

Ramtin Soodmand, an Iranian Christian who was arrested on charges of anti-government activity in late August (click here), was released on bail on October 22, according to an October 22 report from Middle East Concern. He has since been reunited with his wife and two children. Concerns for his safety remain, however, as he could still face formal charges.

For more information on the persecution of Christians in Iran, visit the Iran Country Report.

Update: Zhang family remains under fire

^{Zhang Jian
after the beatings
Photo from}^{China Aid}

Pastor Zhang "Bike" Mingxuan and his family continue to face pressure from Public Security Bureau (PSB) officials in China. According to an October 28 report from China Aid Association, Zhang Jian, who was brutally beaten on October 16 (click here), was recently threatened by PSB officials with imprisonment unless he agreed to sign a document stating that his injuries were minor. Fearing separation from his wife and one-year-old son, Jian consented. Pastor Zhang, who hadn't been heard from since the attack, contacted Jian by telephone on October 22. He confirmed that he is being detained but was unable to give the details of his detention. Pastor Zhang's wife, Xie Fenglan, and sister have been placed under "soft detention" in a PSB-operated Beijing hotel. Their cell phones have been confiscated and their travels restricted.

For more information on the opposition facing Christians in China, visit the China Country Report.

Update: girl's account of kidnapping re-opens custody battle for her sister

^{Aneela with her parents
Photo from}^{Compass Direct}

The custody battle for Saba, one of the two sisters that were kidnapped by Muslims in late June (click here), is to be re-opened based on the testimony of her younger sister, according to an October 24 report from Compass Direct. On September 9, the court ordered ten-year-old Aneela to return home but because Saba was older she was allowed to choose whether or not to stay with her Muslim husband. The family's attorneys believe she decided to stay with her captor because she was threatened and told that her family would harm her. However, Aneela recently told her uncle that they were kidnapped, raped, forcibly converted to Islam and told that they or their family members would be killed if they did not cooperate. The attorneys hope Aneela's testimony will lead to Saba's return to her family since it confirms that Saba's marriage and conversion were not voluntary.

The feature article of the November edition of The Voice of the Martyrs Newsletter focuses on the testimonies of Pakistani Christians who are standing firm in their faith at any cost. Read their testimonies by subscribing to our free newsletter. A new DVD, Pakistani Voices, is also available for order from our online catalogue.

For more updates on the persecution of Christians in Pakistan, click here.

Persecution & Prayer Alert

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