China: Christian suffers abuse in prison full of Muslims
Apr 01 2008
Postings >> China

A Christian jailed for distributing Christian tracts among Muslims is said to be suffering severe torment and abuse in a prison full of Muslims.

Liu Huiwen was said to be 'limping' and 'very thin' when his wife Miao Hui Lian visited him behind bars in Dongxiang, Gansu province, last month. Unable to speak openly, the 39-year-old told his wife that he was being 'bullied constantly'.

When his wife travelled to Beijing to report the abuse, she was warned to stay at home and make no further complaints. She is now under heavy police surveillance.

Liu was sentenced to 18 months' imprisonment in November after being arrested in April for distributing gospel leaflets entitled 'A letter to our Muslim friends' at a funeral. Villagers in the Muslim-majority area reported him to police and he was later charged with publishing literature that 'discriminated against and insulted people of ethnic minorities'.

In fact, his flyer simply spoke of Jesus Christ as 'the only person in this world who overcame sin and death' and appealed to Muslims to turn to Christ, says Compass Direct.

A Compass Direct source also reports that food and other items brought in for Liu by his relatives have been confiscated. Liu's wife and four-year-old son are said to be staying with Liu's parents as they have no means to support themselves while Liu is in jail.

* Ask God to protect and strengthen Liu Huiwen and his family during their ordeal.

* Thank God for Liu's boldness in handing out his Christian leaflets. Pray that the flyers will have an impact, even now.