Azerbajian
Police Shut off Electricity, Arrest Believers
The predominantly Muslim country of AZERBAIJAN claims to be religiously tolerant, but Christians are facing persecution. When believers gathered in a private home on October 31, police shut off the gas and electricity before recording, photographing, and filming everyone present and arresting four men. Late that evening, the four were sentenced in a closed hearing to an initial five days in prison. One of the men is being threatened with a 12-year prison sentence.
Pray that they will be allowed to worship freely.
Church Unable to Meet
According to a September report, a church in AZERBAIJAN has been unable to meet since January, when their meeting tent was burned. The government has refused to re-register the church and will not let it rent another place for worship. Although the government backs certain kinds of mosques, it has allowed hardly any churches to register.
Pray that God will provide a place for the congregation to gather. “Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand.”
Pastor Threatened
Recently, police in AZERBAIJAN threatened a pastor, questioned him about the religious books in his home, and told him that his church has no right to gather for worship. For about fifteen years, the church’s repeated attempts at legal registration have been denied.
Pray that the congregation will persevere. “For he delivers the needy when he calls, the poor and him who has no helper.”
Newspaper Defames Church
In AZERBAIJAN, a newspaper accused Christians of being dangerous spies and of being “against Allah and Islam,” but did not give the believers an opportunity to respond. Now the police say the church should be closed down since the government never granted its request to be re-registered after the enactment of the country’s new religion law.
Pray that the Christians in Azerbaijan will persevere. “Yet have regard to the prayer of Your servant and to his plea, O LORD my God, listening to the cry and to the prayer that Your servant prays before You.”
Restrictions on Religious Instruction of Children
A new set of religious laws was implemented in AZERBAIJAN. One of the new stipulations is that the government must be informed of and approve any religious instruction of children. These laws prevent believing parents from telling their own children about Christ.
Pray that God will defend these young minds and saturate them with His truth. “For I delight in the law of God, in my inner being.”
Believer Deported
November 26, 2009
A Christian in AZERBAIJAN was heavily fined and deported. He was accused of violating the country’s religious laws for "propagandizing his faith" because he "invited friends and neighbors for religious events at his home."
Pray that the seeds he planted will flourish and that he will be able to return to the country and his family. "This makes Jesus the guarantor of a better covenant."
Pastor Deported
A native pastor in
Christian Woman Threatened and Denied Pension
A Christian woman in AZERBAIJAN has been denied her pension because she claims Christ. Along with this deprivation, she has been threatened and forbidden to contact any Christians or attend any of their meetings. This is not her first brush with persecution: her husband was viciously murdered while the couple was still living in Iran.
Pray for this woman's safety and good heart in the face of discouragement. "Peace I leave with you."
Amendments Threaten Religious Freedom
A set of amendments introduced in AZERBAIJAN would seriously stunt the growth of the church. Some of the things banned by the new law are: "establishing any superiority... in comparison to another religion," religious education without a license from the government, selling or distributing Christian literature, and any religious meeting without official approval of the doctrines taught.
Interrogate children
Police in Azerbaijan raided the home of a 70-year-old Christian woman because she had been reading Bible stories to children. The children were interrogated without the permission or presence of their parents; the woman and three other adults were questioned for hours, then their identification documents were confiscated.
Pray that this lady can continue to minister. "...since the day you heard it and understood the grace of God in truth."
Bibles seized in Azerbaijan
Officials seized Bibles from pastors traveling into Azerbaijan. "Our society doesn't need books that don't suit our laws and beliefs," a spokesman said.
Pray that God's word will not be bound, but will reach all those for whom He sent it. "The Lord GOD has spoken; who can but prophesy?"
Children interrogated in Azerbaijan
On March 25, eight men raided the house of seventy-year old Vera. The cause of the raid -- she was a long-standing Christian who was telling Bible stories to twelve children. The officers told Vera "We have long been after you and now we've caught you!"
"They thought the church would cease to exist, but they were wrong."
A pastor in Azerbaijan was sentenced for allegedly possessing an illegal weapon -- which he says police planted. But his faith is strong. Another Church leader says, "When they arrested first one pastor then another, they thought the church would cease to exist, but they were wrong."
Pray for continued confidence in the Lord Jesus. "To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery."
Churches Forced to Register
Not content with an already repressive religious law, AZERBAIJAN is introducing even stricter punishments and limitations on those who gather in the name of Christ. Churches, now required to re-register with the state, must submit lists containing information on the marriage, beliefs, identity, politics and educational views of all their members before a church can be approved.
Azerbaijani believers reject fear
Police raided a church in Azerbaijan. Some 30 believers were bussed to the police station. Then officers called the local imam. One believer says: "The imam held up a copy of the Koran and police tried to force church members to pass underneath it and deny their faith. They do this from time to time to frighten us."
