In Afghanistan, a ‘holy army’ of well-armed, religious men known as the Taliban now control three-quarters of the country, having emerged as a military organisation barely two years ago.

They took the capital Kabul in September and imposed strict Islamic law; even forbidding women from working. Violent, public punishments have been handed out to law-breakers, including many women.

Fighting continues between three factions as the UN calls for a negotiated settlement. 

Pakistan

On 4 November, Benazir Bhutto, the Prime Minister of Pakistan, was dismissed by the President along with her Cabinet amid allegations of corruption. Bhutto’s government was relatively liberal in its attitude towards non-Muslims; the election called for February 3 may lead to more persecution. 

Turkey

In Turkey, in July, Necmettin Erbakan, the leader of Turkey’s Islamist Welfare party, Refah, became Prime Minister in a coalition goverment with Tansu Ciller’s True Path party. Christians fear that discrimination may worsen under the new regime, in this country where 99% of the population are Muslims.

'Soul-Giver' murdered

Pastor's tortured body found hanging from tree

Mohammed Bagher Yusefi was murdered on 28 September. An Iranian Assemblies of God pastor, he left his home in Sari early in the morning to visit Christians in the nothern Iranian town of Ghaem-Shahr. Later that evening his family were contacted by the local authorities with the news that his tortured body had been found hanging from a tree.

Teenage convert from Islam

The 34 year old pastor (otherwise known as Ravanbakhsh = ‘Soul-giver’) had converted from Islam to Christianity as a teenager. He had studied theology under Haik Hovsepian Mehr, one of three Iranian pastors who were murdered in mysterious circumstances in 1994. After completing his studies he was appointed to pastor three Assemlies of God churches in the province of Mazandaran.

Under surveillance

It is believed that he had been under surveillance by local security police for some time, and questioned on a number of occasions.

According to strict Islamic law Muslims who change their religion should be killed. Mohammed Bagher Yusefi is the 7th Christian leader to be killed in Iran since the 1979 revolution.

Preaching to continue

Though grieving, the leaders of the Iranian church are determined to continue the work of preaching the gospel. Let us remember them and Ravanbakhsh’s family in our prayers and let their example motivate us to preach here.