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Azerbaijan

• Church swarmed and raided by police

  Approximately 50 children were questioned during a recent church raid in Azerbaijan

  Police in Azerbaijan have denied the recent raiding of a church, even though at least 20 police officers, including the police chief and the local head of the State Committee for Work with Religious Organizations, participated.

  During the raid, police first searched for foreigners. After finding none present, they began questioning about 50 children to make sure they had permission from both parents to be there. At least one congregation member has been fined without being tried by a court.

  A harsh Religion Law was adopted in the country in 2009 with new offenses and punishments that many in the international community say are vague and dangerous. There are limitations on conscientious objection, the distribution of literature, and the criticism of other religions.

  Please pray that Christian brothers and sisters in Azerbaijan will rely on the spirit of power provided to them through Jesus, and that they will be bold and loving despite the adversity they face (2 Timothy 1:7-12). Pray that God will enable Christian parents in Azerbaijan to demonstrate an unwavering commitment to Christ so that their children will be encouraged to walk closely with the Lord as they grow up (Deuteronomy 11:18-20).

  For more on the trials Christians face in Azerbaijan, visit the Azerbaijan Country Report.

• Update: Judge rules to liquidate church

  In the first known case of a church closure under Azerbaijan's new religion law, a judge in Baku ruled on April 25 to liquidate Greater Grace Protestant Church. Under terms of the ruling, religious activity by the church or its members is illegal and is subject to punishment. The church intends to appeal the ruling. Although Greater Grace registered with the state in 1993, it did not re-register in 2009 when the new religion law passed because leaders believed the church was already registered (for more information, click here).

  Hundreds of churches that re-registered in 2009 are still waiting for the State Committee to respond to their applications. In some cases, churches were denied registration because of unspecified errors in their applications. Christians fear that the ruling against Greater Grace sets a dangerous precedent for other churches in the country.

  Pray that Christians in Azerbaijan will continue to gather together for worship despite restrictions. Pray that believers will confidently entrust themselves to Christ so that they can preach the gospel without hesitation (2 Timothy 1:7-12). Pray that religious freedom will be respected in Azerbaijan.

  For more on the trials Christians face in Azerbaijan, visit the Azerbaijan Country Report.

• Church building may soon be closed

  Pray the Church in Azerbaijan grows despite opposition. Photo: The Central Intelligence Agency

  A court in Azerbaijan's capital Baku will determine if Greater Grace Protestant Church should be liquidated in a decision likely to be made on April 19. If the court upholds the liquidation suit filed by the State Committee for Work with Religious Organizations, all the church's communal activity will become illegal. The church had state registration for 19 years.

  The possible closure is one of many examples of the country's recent attempts to restrict freedom of religion and belief. The country's leaders are brazenly defying international human rights commitments by banning all exercise of freedom of religion or belief without state permission and imposing heavy penalties for those who fail to obey.

  The State Committee has not registered hundreds of religious communities that applied for the compulsory re-registration required by harsh amendments to the Religion Law in 2009 (for more on this law, click here). As of April 2012, only 570 religious communities were registered on the State Committee website and none had been added to the list since November 2011.

  Please pray that the Greater Grace Protestant Church's congregation will find joy in this trial, knowing that proving their faith genuine will result in praise, glory and honour for Jesus Christ (1 Peter 1:7). Pray that, despite these restrictions, Christians in Azerbaijan will continue to meet together and share the Good News with others.

  Please visit the Azerbaijan Country Report to learn more about persecution in Azerbaijan.

• Update: New laws attempt to repress the gospel

  Believers in Azerbaijan who distribute religious material that hasn't been through compulsory state censorship will now face prison terms of two to five years or fines equivalent to nine years' minimum wage salary. The punishments are included in amendments to the Criminal and Administrative Codes, which were prepared by the powerful Presidential Administration (for more information, click here) and signed into law by the president on December 12, 2011.

  Azerbaijan has been increasingly restricting religious freedoms for several years. In 2009, the Religion Law was twice amended to restrict rights and freedoms related to religion, and in December 2010, fines for religious activity under the Administrative Code were increased by up to 20 times. More amendments in July 2011 introduced new controls on religious education as well as other restrictions.

  Please pray that President Ilham Aliev will succumb to international pressure and stop violating the rights and freedoms of the people he governs. Pray that believers in Azerbaijan will continue to be bold in sharing their faith so that more will be saved (1 Timothy 2:4).

  Please visit the Azerbaijan Country Report to learn more about persecution in Azerbaijan.

• Restrictive amendments proposed for uncensored religious literature

  Prison terms and hefty fines are set to be adopted by Azerbaijan's parliament in mid-November for groups of people who produce or distribute religious literature without first submitting to compulsory state censorship. Those found guilty will be subject to prison terms of up to five years or maximum fines of nearly nine years' official minimum wage.

  The punishments are included in proposed amendments to the Criminal and Administrative Codes, which were prepared by the powerful Presidential Administration and approved by two parliamentary committees on October 28. Parliamentary officials said they are set to be adopted in one reading, likely on November 15.

  Please pray the Lord will flood this nation with His Word and that the gospel will continue to spread in spite of these restrictions. Pray the Church in Azerbaijan will grow in number and in faithfulness. Pray the Lord will bless their efforts as they act as witnesses to Him. Pray that religious freedom will be respected in Azerbaijan.

  Check out the Azerbaijan Country Report to learn more about persecution in Azerbaijan.

• New measures to control religious freedom

  New amendments could further restrict Christians.

  Christians in Azerbaijan fear that new amendments to the restrictive Religion Law will increase state restrictions on freedom of religion or belief in the country. The amendments, adopted June 10, could make it difficult to determine which individuals are able to serve as religious leaders. A news article states that a "religious person engaged in religious activity is a person with higher or secondary specialized religious education." While this definition does not specify that only "professional" religious workers can conduct activities such as religious education or leading worship, officials could use the new definitions to ban individuals from any religious activity not specially authorized by the law.

  Churches and other religious communities worry that the new amendments are a covert way of requiring those still waiting for re-registration to begin the entire process again, offering more opportunities for officials to impose pressure on communities and stop them from gaining legal status.

  Pray for Christians in Azerbaijan as they go about their ministry for Christ amid these new amendments. Pray they will continue to echo Peter's sentiment and be determined to obey God regardless of what man says (Acts 5:29). Pray true religious freedom will be upheld in Azerbaijan.

  To find out more about the hardships Christians face in Azerbaijan, go to the Azerbaijan Country Report.

• Officials raid churches, question Christians Several Christians were targeted by authorities in the town of Sumgait, Azerbaijan, in recent weeks. On May 15, police raided the Sunday morning service of Praise Church, taking place at a local restaurant. The officials wrote down the names of all believers present and took them to the police station. Three days later, two church members were each fined about two weeks' average local wages. That same day, police went to the home of another local pastor and questioned him about his Christian activity.

  On May 17, approximately 20 police and officials of the State Committee raided the private home of a South Korean citizen, where members of another church had gathered. Some 60 Bibles and other Christian books were confiscated and those present were taken to the police station, where they were questioned and forced to write statements. At last report, the books had not been returned.

  Thank the Lord for the faithfulness of the believers and their desire to worship Him amid opposition. Pray for continued strength for Christians facing charges and harassment from authorities in Azerbaijan. Pray especially for wisdom for church leaders when dealing with opposition. Pray the Lord will continue to spread the gospel in this nation.

  For more on the challenges facing followers of Christ in Azerbaijan, go to theAzerbaijan Country Report.

• Riot police versus worshippers

  Three religious communities in Gyanja, Azerbaijan, have been banned from meeting for worship. The worship bans were imposed in mid-March because the communities do not have state registration. However, Babek Sadykov of the Gyanja Police denied this ban, claiming, "no one is being prevented from worshipping." Local sources told Forum 18 that one of the communities was warned that "if they met for worship on the following Sunday or at any future date they will all be arrested." Two buses full of ordinary police and riot police later arrived to prevent any religious worship. Protestants told Forum 18 that the church had already reluctantly decided not to hold one big Sunday service that day. "People are now very afraid."

  Meanwhile, President Ilham Aliev told a government-initiated World Forum on Intercultural Dialogue that "freedom of religion [and] freedom of conscience has been fully established in Azerbaijan."

  Ask the Lord to grant true religious freedom in Azerbaijan. Pray believers will be encouraged to continue to meet together despite opposition (Hebrews 10:23-25). Pray believers will be unified and encouraged as they continue to walk in faith and be an effective witness for the gospel to all those around them, including the local police.

  Read more about the persecuted Church in Azerbaijan at theAzerbaijan Country Report.

• Christian festival raided; believers detained

  Police raided a Christian festival and detained four believers in the town of Kusar, Azerbaijan on October 31. Approximately 80 members of a Baptist church were gathered in a believer's home for a celebration thanking God for the harvest when police arrived and began to interfere with the activities. The officials turned off the gas and electricity in order to prevent the believers from preparing their meal. They also photographed and videotaped the service and recorded the names of those present.

  Four men -- Ilgar Mamedov (the homeowner), Zalib Ibrahimov, Rauf Gurbanov and Akif Babaev -- were forced to leave with the officers. Seven hours later, the four believers were secretly taken to a local court where they were tried with charges of "insulting people." In a closed hearing, they were each given five-day prison terms. The following morning, a church member who went to the police station to check on the men was told that another trial would be held in five days' time. He also learned that authorities were threatening to give Zalib a 12-year prison sentence.

  Ask God to equip these four men through His grace to stand firm in their faith as they suffer. Pray that they will be released and without further legal penalty. Pray that officials will repent of their unjust actions. Pray that a spirit of joy and trust will govern the hearts of Azeri Christians as they serve the Lord amid opposition.

  To learn more about the persecuted Church in Azerbaijan, visit theAzerbaijan Country Report.

• Update: Religious communities face registration deadline

  

  Many religious communities in Azerbaijan and Tajikistan have not yet re-registered with authorities, as required by restrictive religion laws that were passed in both countries earlier this year (for more information, click here and here). If religious communities fail to register by January 1, 2010, they will be considered illegal.

  As of December 16, only about 100 of the 534 religious communities in Azerbaijan that previously had registration statuses have re-registered. Amendments to the Religion Law will require communities to provide an increased range of information when applying for registration and to obtain approval to build or rebuild worship places. Additional amendments include a ban on the sale of religious literature in unapproved locations and on religious activity outside registered addresses.

  In Tajikistan, fewer than half of the religious communities in the country have been re-registered. The highly restrictive Religion Law imposes state censorship on all religious literature, bans state officials from being among the founders of a religious community, requires state approval to invite foreigners for religious visits or to travel abroad for religious events, and restricts children's religious activity and education. (Source: Forum18)

  Pray that authorities in Azerbaijan and Tajikistan will respect freedom of religion. Pray that Christians in former Soviet republics will echo Peter's sentiment and be determined to obey God regardless of what man says (Acts 5:29).

  To find out more about the hardships Christians face in Azerbaijan and Tajikistan, go to theAzerbaijan Country Report and theTajikistan Country Report.