Prayer Focus: Turkey
Posted: 29 Oct 07
Speaking at the Council for Europe on October 9, the president of Turkey, Abdullah Gul, called for changes to a law on "insulting Turkishness" that has damaged Turkey's bid to join the European Union. Known as "Article 301," the law has been used to persecute writers, journalists, scholars, and religious minorities. For example, as reported by Compass Direct, two Turkish converts to Christianity, Hakan Tastan and Turan Topal, are currently on trial for "insulting Turkishness." Others accused under the law have included Turkish Armenian editor Hrant Dink (who in January was murdered by an ultra-nationalist because of his views on the deaths of Armenians at the hands of the Ottoman Turks in 1915), and the Nobel Prize-winning author Orhan Pamuk. Please pray that president Gul's acknowledgement of the need for change in the law helps move Turkey towards full embrace of religious freedom and human rights.
Hroi Christians in Phu Yen Province, Vietnam
Posted: 05 Jul 07
A young Hroi ethnic minority man, Vin Y Het, who refused to recant his Christian faith died from injuries received while under official interrogation. He left a pregnant wife and two small children.
Christians in NW Pakistan
Posted: 18 May 07
Christian families in the town of Charsadda recently received letters threatening attack if they did not convert to Islam within ten days. Last week, militants bombed music and video shops for un-Islamic activities after delivering similar threatening letters.
Christians in Turkey
Posted: 20 Apr 07
On 18 April, assailants murdered three people at a Bible publishing house in Malatya, Turkey. Malatya is known for its strong Turkish nationalist sentiment.
Christians in Laos
Posted: 04 Apr 07
In the Central Laos province of Bolikhamxai, provincial and district governments have issued an order to banish ethnic minority Christians. A Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman denied the claims.
Orthodox in Eritrea
Posted: 01 Jan 05
Members of the Orthodox Church in Eritrea are facing increased persecution, as demonstrated by the detentions three Orthodox priests.
The 2008 Global Leadership Forum, September 26-27, will feature conversations among leading evangelical thinkers and representatives from other faith traditions on the diverse challenges facing evangelicalism in this new century. Read more »
Speaking at the Council for Europe on October 9, the president of Turkey, Abdullah Gul, called for changes to a law on "insulting Turkishness" that has damaged Turkey's bid to join the European Union. Known as "Article 301," the law has been used to persecute writers, journalists, scholars, and religious minorities. For example, as reported by Compass Direct, two Turkish converts to Christianity, Hakan Tastan and Turan Topal, are currently on trial for "insulting Turkishness." Others accused under the law have included Turkish Armenian editor Hrant Dink (who in January was murdered by an ultra-nationalist because of his views on the deaths of Armenians at the hands of the Ottoman Turks in 1915), and the Nobel Prize-winning author Orhan Pamuk. Please pray that president Gul's acknowledgement of the need for change in the law helps move Turkey towards full embrace of religious freedom and human rights. Read more »
The 2008 Global Leadership Forum, September 26-27, will feature conversations among leading evangelical thinkers and representatives from other faith traditions on the diverse challenges facing evangelicalism in this new century. Read more »
