| VOM-USA Prayer Update for September 9, 2011
On Thu. Sep 08 2011 at 09:24 AM Moderator wrote:
Pakistan—Son of Blasphemy Law Opponent Kidnapped
Los Angeles Times
Micah 6:8
The 28-year-old son of murdered Punjab governor Salman Taseer was kidnapped Aug. 26. Authorities have no suspects, and no ransom demands had been made by Shahbaz Taseer’s kidnappers. Governor Taseer was assassinated in retaliation for his opposition to Pakistan’s blasphemy law, which was used to convict Christian Asia Bibi of blasphemy against Islam. Bibi was sentenced to death for this crime. Taseer had called for Asia’s release before his death at the hands of his personal bodyguard, who said he acted in defense of Islam. This month, The Voice of the Martyrs intends to present UN and Pakistani officials with a petition signed by thousands of VOM readers calling for Asia’s release. Pray that God will use the “Call for Mercy” petition to help release Asia from jail and amend the blasphemy laws which are so often used against Christians in Pakistan.
Iran—Pastor Freed on Bail; Others Remain in Prison
VOM Contacts
Isaiah 26:1–3
A pastor arrested and charged with blasphemy against Islam was released on bail on Saturday, Aug. 27, 2011. Pastor Matthias Haghnejad was arrested Aug. 17 while making a pastoral visit in the city of Rasht, Iran. He was held until his family paid $30,000 in bail. Pastor Matthias is free, but he still faces a trial on the blasphemy charge. Matthias and 10 other church members were detained earlier this year and charged for activities against the Iranian order. They were later acquitted. At least eight other Iranian Christian leaders are currently in prison. Ask the Lord for Pastor Matthias to be fully acquitted of the charges. Pray also for Youcef Nardarkhani, another imprisoned pastor, and for all Iranian Christians, who have faced increased pressure from the government since December.
Kazakhstan—Christian Expelled, Another Fined for Unregistered Church
Forum 18 News
Matthew 18:20
A Christian man who is a Russian citizen but was a legal resident of Kazakhstan for 15 years was expelled from the country for his Christian activity, while the leader of a tiny church in western Kazakhstan was fined for unregistered religious activity. Because of his preaching at the Grace-Light of Love Church, an officially registered religious organization, Leonid Pan’s residency permit was not renewed by immigration officials in August. Pan is married to a Kazak citizen and has a two-year-old daughter from the marriage. His official notification said that Pan gave false information on his visa application regarding his church involvement. Meanwhile, a court gave a fine equivalent to $500 to Gennady Tsyba, a member of an unregistered Baptist church. The judge reportedly said he was forced to apply the law, which prescribes punishment for members of unregistered communities. Tsyba argues he can’t be considered a religious organization, since the church consists of four people.
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