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Click here to learn more about the persecution of Christians in Iran.
An Ethiopian Christian convert from Islam has been languishing in prison for nearly four months for "malicious" distribution of Bibles, according to a September 15 report from Compass Direct. On May 23, police officers arrested thirty-nine-year-old Bashir Musa Ahmed in Jijiga, eastern Ethiopia for providing Muslims with Somali-language Bibles bearing covers that resemble the Qur'an. Local sources, who requested anonymity, claim that authorities are secretly planning to transfer Ahmed from his Jijiga cell to Ghagahbur jail, in part to prevent other Christians from visiting him and in part because he has not been charged. Ahmed's arrested was reportedly instigated by family members intent on stopping him from spreading Christianity in the region, which is predominately inhabited by Muslims of Somali origin.
Pray for Ahmed's release. Ask the Lord to give him opportunities to share Christ, even in prison. Pray that other believers in Ethiopia will remain steadfast in faith as they suffer.
To learn more about the trials facing Christians in Ethiopia, click here.
On September 3, Laotian authorities arrested a church leader in Liansai village in Savannakhet province for embracing Christianity, according to reports from Human Rights Watch for Lao Religious Freedom. Authorities arrested Thao Oun, an elder at Boukham Church who came to Christ 10 months ago, in his home and forced him at gunpoint to the Saybounthong sub‐district office. Oun was charged with bringing destruction to the Lao nation and government by embracing Christianity, which the officials consider a "foreign religion to be abhorred." He was interrogated for three hours, during which authorities pressured him to sign a document renouncing his Christian faith. When he refused, he was expelled from the village. At last report Oun had sought refuge in a nearby village. On September 6, local officials surrounded the Boukham Church worship site in Saisomboon village and blocked church members from entering for Sunday morning worship.
Pray for strength and protection for Thao Oun amidst his trials of faith. Pray that he and the other members of the Boukham Church will continue to be attentive to God's will and faithful in His service.
For more information on the situation facing Christians in Laos, click here.
Archives
- Christians Harassed for Sharing Their Faith (Nepal) 2026-04-02
- Pastor Faces Expulsion From His Country (Occupied Ukraine) 2026-04-02
- Faith and Public Life in Light of Bill C-9 (Canada) 2026-04-02
- Heightened Concerns for Christian Prisoners (Iran) 2026-03-26
- Church Elder Released After Five Years' Imprisonment (China) 2026-03-26
- New Charges Filed Against Retired Missionary (Russia) 2026-03-26
- Pastor Detained After Posting Video (Cuba) 2026-03-19
- New Policy Restricts Travel for Clergy Members (China) 2026-03-19
- Local Residents Oppose Church Renovations (Indonesia) 2026-03-19
- Pastor and Associates Abducted and Slain (South Sudan) 2026-03-12
