Christians on Trial for Insulting Turkishness

29 November 2006 0 minutes read

^{Hakan Tastan and Turan Topal
Picture from}^{Compass Direct}

Two Christians in Turkey are on trial on charges of "insulting Turkishness" and inciting hatred against Islam by allegedly trying to convert other Turks to Christianity. The two men, Hakan Tastan and Turan Topal, were charged on October 12 and the trial began on November 23. Both are accused of calling Islam a "primitive and fabricated" religion and saying that Turks will remain "barbarians" as long as they continue to practice Islam. Tastan and Topal deny these allegations. After the November 23 hearing, Tastan told the press, "We are being accused because we are Christians and because we have done missionary work."

Pray that these men will rely on the Lord to give them the words to say when they stand before accusing authorities (Matthew 10:19). Ask that the charges against them will be dropped and that they will be released. Thank the Lord for their boldness of faith and pray that their passion for Christ will draw nonbelievers to Him.

For more information on the challenges facing Christians in Turkey, click here.

Turkey

Current Ministry Project
VOMC helps to equip Christians by providing biblical and discipleship resources.

Project Funds: Equipping the Saints
Country Information
Population
83,593,483 (2023 est.)

Ethnicity (%)
Turkish (70-75), Kurdish (19), other minorities (7-12)

Religion (%)
Islam (99.8), other (0.2)

Leader
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (2014)

Government type
Parliamentary republic

Legal system
Civil law system derived from various European continental legal systems

Sources: CIA World Factbook
Pray for Turkey
Prayerfully uphold those who have had their churches and places of worship taken over by a government that does not represent their beliefs, values or ordinances. Ask the Lord to oversee the mediation process as church officials and government representatives endeavour to work out a solution that is both honouring to Him and fair to all the members of the various churches. Despite the challenges experienced by the believers of this country, may they have a sense of God's reassuring presence and peace, knowing that one day He will reign supremely and justly over the entire earth.