At Least 30 Arrested at a Birthday Gathering

A birthday cake with a candle in the shape of the numeral "1" is in the foreground. A person in handcuffs is in the shadows.
 

On January 20th, 30 Christian adults, plus an unknown number of children, were arrested in Eritrea when police raided a party that was held in celebration of an infant's first birthday. The incident took place in the capital city of Asmara at the home of a Christian couple who was hosting a gathering of family and friends to celebrate the birthday of their firstborn child.

Police specifically targeted evangelical Christians at the event. Although authorities sent home those who were not, all adult male evangelicals had immediately been taken into custody. The evangelical women, many of whom happened to be mothers, were told to appear at the police station two days later. When these women arrived, they had also been taken into custody, along with some children who needed to accompany their mothers.

Dr. Berhane Asmelash, who presently serves as the director of Release Eritrea, states that there are now more Christians in Eritrea than ever before in the country's history. "Twenty years ago, the number of evangelicals was very small, but now it has multiplied several times because the Gospel can never be in chains," he explains. "Christians cannot stop worshipping because their hearts will not allow them to stop. They meet for Bible study and prayer despite the risk of arrest because they are in love with their Lord." To learn more about the country of Eritrea, and/or read additional reports addressing the suffering of Christians in this East African nation, go to our country report.

Please prayerfully uphold the Eritrean Christians who were recently arrested at the birthday gathering because of their faith in Christ, asking the Lord to mediate on their behalf. While waiting for their hopeful soon release from custody, may these believers – including their accompanying children – experience His perfect peace, as well as greatly needed comfort and strength. Specifically pray that as the children grow to maturity, they will acquire a full understanding of the spiritual freedom that's available to all who trust in Jesus. Also continue to remember the many other believers throughout Eritrea who are currently being held without charge, asking that they too will receive needed courage, hope and endurance from the abiding presence of our loving Heavenly Father who promises to never leave them nor forsake them (Deuteronomy 31:6)

  • Country Information

    Population
    6,274,796 (2023 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.

Eritrea News

  • Christians Imprisoned for 20 Years Without Charge
    Rev G. Gebregiorgis, Kiflu Gebremeskel, Futsum Gebrenegus, Meron Gebreselasie, Tekleab Mengisteab, Haile Nayzgi
    Photos: Christian Solidarity Worldwide / Human
    Rights Concern Eritrea / Release Eritrea

    On May 23rd, 2004, Eritrean authorities arrested two pastors from the Full Gospel Church in Eritrea: Dr. Kiflu Gebremeskel and Pastor Haile Nayzgi. The arrests were made in response to a government ban instituted in 2002 against all but four of the country's religious communities. Throughout 2004, arrests continued against pastors of the banned organization, which consisted of between 120 and 150 home church congregations at the time. Pastor Meron Gebreselasie was arrested in June 2004. Then in November of that year, Dr. Futsum Gebrenegus, Dr. Tekleab Mengisteab and Rev. Gebremedhin Gebregiorgis were also detained.

  • Recent Passing of Imprisoned Church Leader
    Reverend Ghirmay Araya
    Reverend Ghirmay Araya
    Photo: Release Eritrea

    Reverend Ghirmay Araya was one of the founders of the Full Gospel Church in Eritrea. Under the country's oppressive regime, the denomination was banned in 2002 and its senior leaders were imprisoned in 2004. Over the decades since, thousands of other Eritreans have been imprisoned for their faith, often enduring torture and inhumane treatment.

  • At Least 30 Arrested at a Birthday Gathering
    A birthday cake with a candle in the shape of the numeral
     

    On January 20th, 30 Christian adults, plus an unknown number of children, were arrested in Eritrea when police raided a party that was held in celebration of an infant's first birthday. The incident took place in the capital city of Asmara at the home of a Christian couple who was hosting a gathering of family and friends to celebrate the birthday of their firstborn child.

  • More Christian Youth Released from Prison
    A microphone is in the foreground and an open laptop is in the background.

    In April 2023, more than 100 talented Christian young people, who are members of a musical group known as the Mahalians, were arrested after recording songs of praise which they had intended to share on YouTube. The government deemed their recording session to be an illegal church gathering. For more details, go to this page.