Azerbaijan to tighten restrictions on religious literature
By mid-November, Azerbaijan's parliament will have adopted stricter amendments for those who produce or distribute religious literature. Heftier fines and long prison sentences will now be the punishment for those who do not submit their religious literature to compulsory state censorship before producing or distributing it, according to Voice of the Martyrs, Canada. Prison sentences will be as long as five years, and fines will be as high as nine years' official minimum wages, reports Forum 18 News. The new restrictions come just months after an amendment made to Azerbaijan's Religion Law. In June, the nation invoked a requirement for all religious communities that 50 adults must state that they are founders in order for the group to apply for registration. The law tightens its grip around religious necks each time an amendment is added, keeping Azerbaijan in the top 25 Most Persecuted countries in the world.
Pray: that these restrictions would not hinder the spread of Christian materials and the Gospel. (2Th.3:1)
Afghanistan/Pakistan: Christian NGOs are targeted
A brother in India received from a reliable source information issued on 17th October warning that the Taliban will be especially targeting Christian NGOs, organizations and believers. Please continue to pray for divine protection for all God’s people throughout this region. Pray for signs and wonders, for a Spirit of Revelation for those who are so blindly bent on hatred and persecution.
Pray: the Lord will give His people every place where they set their feet, that no one will be able to stand against the purposes of God in the region. (Jos.1:2-6)
Iran: Authorities attempt to corrupt Christianity
Iran is spending large amounts of money to counteract and confuse the Christianity that is spreading among Iranian youth. Haghighat-e-sabz-e-Gilan was formed to ‘identify religious teachings about both Islam and Christianity’ and to be ‘responsive to religious questions.’ The office of Culture and Islamic Guidance of Gilan province’s concern for the youth prompted a series of conferences ‘The Journey from Christianity to Islam’ with speeches by converts from Christianity to Islam. They are also establishing an Islamic internet radio station called ‘Voice of Christ’ with the intention of deceptively using Christ’s name to fight against Christianity. The station will answer questions about Christianity and targets Farsi speaking countries of Iran, Afghanistan and Tajikistan. The programmes will be broadcast in the Gilaki dialect (dialect of the people of Gilan) and the Taleshi dialect (the local language of the people in northwest Iran).
Pray: that not one Gilaki, Taleshi or Farsi speaking searcher will be deceived and for seekers to hear the truth through Christian broadcasts. (Ps.119:17-19)
Gaza Strip and West Bank: Christianity
The economy is improving in the Gaza Strip, but many families are trapped in a cycle of poverty and hopelessness. Missile attacks carried out by Hamas against Israel also continue to plague this territory - with Israel retaliating and causing damage to buildings and lives. Persecution by radical Muslims is a great challenge for Christians who are a minority of the population, however, Christian humanitarian aid workers report, ‘the Lord is moving in the Gaza Strip. The tremendous need is bringing a great openness to the Gospel.’ More than 90% of the residents in the West Bank are Arab and mostly Muslim. The percentage of Christians is very small and they too face persecution for their faith. However, according to Operation World, ’the number of evangelicals has grown into the thousands. They are persevering and praying for a great harvest of souls despite Islamic intimidation.’
Pray: for peace and unity between Palestinian Christians and Messianic Jews, and for those who have been misled by Islam so they wont have the opportunity to hear and respond to the Gospel. (Ps.133:1-2; 2Cor.4:4)
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