Imprisoned Gospel Singer Hospitalized

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Popular Eritrean gospel singer, Helen Berhane (31), has been imprisoned since May 2004 after she refused to sign a statement renouncing her Christian faith. Since then she has reportedly been held for extended periods of time in shipping containers and underground cells at the Mai Serwa military camp.

According to an October 17 report from Christian Solidarity Worldwide, Helen was recently seen in a wheelchair in an Asmara hospital. She is reported to have sustained serious physical mistreatment. She has not been allowed visitors.

CSW also reports that forty members of the Kale Hiwot Church were detained in the Adi Sebdo suburb of Asmara last week. Ten of those detained were children. When relatives attempted to bring food and blankets to those detained, they were also arrested.

Continue to pray for the hundreds of Christians detained for their faith in Eritrea. Video reports on the persecution facing Christians in Eritrea can be viewed online at https://www.vomcanada.com/.

Country Information

Designation
Persecuted

Population
6,147,398 (July 2021 est.)

Ethnicity (%)
Tigrinya (50), Tigre (30), Saho (4), Afar (4) Kunama (4), Bilen (3), other (5)

Religion (%)
Islam (47.4), Christianity (48.8), other (3.8)

Leader
President Isaias Afworki (1993)

Government type
Presidential republic

Legal system
Mixed legal system of civil, customary, and Islamic religious law

Sources: CIA World Factbook, Operation World

Pray for Eritrea

Ask the Lord to provide imprisoned Eritrean believers a means of escape and a place of safe refuge. Pray for Him to also work deeply in the hearts of the country's governing officials so they will grant His people the freedom to worship Him and glorify His matchless name. Mindful of their own human frailties, may these political leaders realize the need to make Jesus their own personal Saviour and Lord by accepting His gift of eternal salvation.

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