Imprisoned twice in two years.

[LoricaLady]

Iranian Christian Amin Nader Afshar (pictured) is currently in prison in Iran for the second time in two years simply because he became a follower of Christ and seeks to live out his faith in his community.

Amin, together with several Christian friends, was arrested in August 2016 and remains in custody with no immediate prospect of release. Please pray for this dear brother, his family, his two Christian friends also incarcerated in Evin prison in Tehran, and for many other Iranian prisoners of faith.

Please use this month’s Prisoners of Faith Alert to pray for Amin, for Iran and for the Iranian brothers who were arrested with him. It includes actions you can take to help them such as writing to the Iranian embassy in the UK on their behalf.

Our brothers and sisters behind bars need to know they are not forgotten: your support makes a world of difference. Thank you for your faithful prayers, gifts, letters and campaigning.


TAKE ACTION
For help and advice on writing letters to prisoners of faith such as Amin, or to the authorities on their behalf, download our online guides Reach Out and Speak Out.


UPDATES
Yang Rongli released

Thank God that on October 10 after serving her full seven-year sentence, Pastor Yang Rongli (pictured) walked out of Shanxi’s women’s prison and was reunited with her family and friends. During her imprisonment she endured interrogation, beatings, and deprivation as well as suffering from two kidney stones, diabetes and a heart complaint. Despite all of these she was reported to be in good spirits regarding her freedom, and has no complaints or resentment. Because of continuing government restrictions she has been unable to give any interviews at present.

Asia Bibi hearing postponed
Asia Bibi and her family will have to endure further hardship and another agonising wait following the adjournment of her appeal hearing by Pakistan’s Supreme Court after one of the judges pulled out of the case.

Her lawyer, Saif-ul-Mulook, said it would probably take weeks or months for a replacement judge to be found and for the appeal to be rescheduled.

Tensions are running high over Asia’s case. Recently 150 Muslim clerics issued a fatwa (religious edict) warning the Government not to release Asia, and threatening to kill anyone who helped a person accused of blasphemy.