Uzbekistan: 15,000 Bibles seized: Christian fined
Uzbekistan on Monday, February 28, still refused to release some 15,000 Bibles that were seized earlier by customs authorities and the Bible Society of Uzbekistan said one of its staff members was fined for ‘violating procedures.’ In statements, the State Religious Affairs Committee and Justice Ministry officials said they ordered the Bible Society to return the books to Russia at their own cost as ‘There is no need to import Bibles into Uzbekistan since there’s an electronic version on the Internet.’ Christian workers say however, that since the average income in Uzbekistan is about $10 a day, Internet access ‘may not be very accessible to the average person’. The Slavic Gospel Association, which is supporting churches in the former Soviet Union, said the latest developments are part of a wider crackdown on evangelical Christianity in the region. Pray: for the release of these Bibles that God’s Word will fulfil its purpose. (Pr.19:21) More: http://www.bosnewslife.com/15758-uzbekistan-seizing-15000-bibles-christian-fined
Turkey: The right to have places of worship
The right to establish, own, and maintain places of worship is set out in the international human rights standards that Turkey is a party to. Yet religious communities face serious obstacles – both formal and informal – preventing this, Forum 18 News Service notes. Only the state-run Diyanet can open mosques and administer them. The largest community demanding to have its own places of worship is the Alevi community, which is around one third of the population. But despite government promises of a solution, none has yet appeared. Indeed, the state is currently attempting to close down an Alevi association because its statute describes its cemevi as a place of worship. Communities, such as Protestants and Jehovah's Witnesses, face serious obstacles in establishing places of worship, while Catholics, Greek and Syriac Orthodox and other communities face serious problems in maintaining places of worship. To implement human rights obligations this right must be made secure. Pray: for the rights of worshipping communities to be set free. (Ps.86:9)
Turkey: The right to have places of worship
The right to establish, own, and maintain places of worship is set out in the international human rights standards that Turkey is a party to. Yet religious communities face serious obstacles – both formal and informal – preventing this, Forum 18 News Service notes. Only the state-run Diyanet can open mosques and administer them. The largest community demanding to have its own places of worship is the Alevi community, which is around one third of the population. But despite government promises of a solution, none has yet appeared. Indeed, the state is currently attempting to close down an Alevi association because its statute describes its cemevi as a place of worship. Communities, such as Protestants and Jehovah's Witnesses, face serious obstacles in establishing places of worship, while Catholics, Greek and Syriac Orthodox and other communities face serious problems in maintaining places of worship. To implement human rights obligations this right must be made secure. Pray: for the rights of worshipping communities to be set free. (Ps.86:9)
Pakistan: Christian Government Minister slain
Unknown assailants sprayed bullets at minorities minister Shahbaz Bhatti a Christian who defied death threats following the murder of another politician opposed to Pakistan’s blasphemy law which carries the death penalty. While no one has been killed for blasphemy the law is used to exploit others motivated by personal enmity or because of business disputes. Controversy flared when Christian mother of five, Aasia Bibi, was sentenced to death for blasphemy following a dispute over land. She was in competition for a valuable piece of land with local Muslims and they accused her of blaspheming against Islam when they failed to gain control of it. Aasia is desperate to have her death sentence overturned, extremists are offering rewards for her killer. Bhatti’s assassination raises fresh questions and concern about the safety of Sherry Rehman, a parliamentarian who also championed reform of the blasphemy laws. She has been living in semi-hiding since January. Pray: that those who hate justice and detest the truth be silent (Am.5:10) and the establishment of justice to prevent assassination of Christians. (Am.9:14)
