Release International

Three Christian women have been freed unexpectedly from jail in Eritrea – as Release urges the church to pray for greater religious freedom there.

The women – identified only as Aatifa, Samara and Zula – were detained arbitrarily for six months in a notorious prison camp 150km west of Asmara for belonging to a 'banned' Christian group. But, in a surprise move, prison officials released them, on condition that they should 'stop preaching the gospel and not tell anyone about their stay in the camp'.

The women told the camp leader that, as committed Christians, they could not stop preaching the gospel – but insisted that they were not trying to undermine the regime. The camp leader decided to let them go. The women believe their release was 'the work of God'. 'To keep the peace, they let us go, without conditions,' the women said later.

The women were detained after sharing their Christian faith openly in a mainly Muslim village. All three were raised as Muslims but later became Christians.

Release welcomes the news that these women have been freed – but remains extremely concerned over the appalling religious rights record of Eritrea as a whole. It is calling on Christians worldwide to unite in a day of prayer for Eritrea on Sunday, May 24, and to sign its petition calling on the Eritrean authorities to allow greater religious liberty.

(Sources: BosNewsLife, CNN, Open Doors)

Act: please encourage your church to get involved in Release’s day of prayer for Eritrea on Sunday, May 24. Our 31-day prayer special (included in the current Prayer Shield or available from our office) has lots of prayer ideas. Please also email this link www.releaseinternational.org/current to friends who can sign our petition online and download a paper copy to collect signatures at church.

Pray: Pray for the thousands of Eritrean Christians imprisoned for their faith – often in inhumane conditions. Pray that the Eritrean authorities will respond positively to international calls for them to respect citizens’ religious rights.

Join us: Release is supporting a joint protest vigil outside the Eritrean Embassy in London on Thursday, May 28. The aim of the vigil (organised by Christian Solidarity Worldwide, Release Eritrea! and Church in Chains) is to highlight the continuing persecution of Christians in Eritrea. Please come and join us as we stand together in support of our brothers and sisters. Meet at the Eritrean Embassy, White Lion Street (near Angel Tube Station) from 2.45pm. (Vigil lasts from 3pm to 4pm.)
 

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