AZERBAIJAN

Azeri Officials Deprive Christian Baby of Name – Compass Direct
Three-month-old Ilya Eyvazov has no official name. Local authorities in the town of Aliabad at first refused to issue a birth certificate when they saw the baby's name was the Russian form of Elijah. After a month, Novruz Eyvazov, the baby's father, succeeded only in securing a birth certificate that left his son's name blank. Considered part of a "foreign" religious sect, the three Baptist congregations in Aliabad face ongoing harassment from the local government, which has refused them official church registration for the past 13 years. Pray the Holy Spirit will move in power to overcome the spiritual darkness in Azerbaijan and bring unity among the people. Ezekiel 22:30

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"The conversion of the entire population to Islam and the extinction of every form of dissent is the ideal of the Muslim State - This is Islamic Peace"

A moderate Moslem is one who sends others blow themselves up.

Arrested Baptist Pastor to Face Three Years in Prison - Forum 18 News
Police have told members of the Baptist church in the remote village of Aliabad in north-western Azerbaijan that their pastor, Zau Balaev, is to face a criminal charge of "resisting government representatives," which carries a maximum three-year prison term. The authorities claim the pastor set a dog onto police who raided the church's Sunday service on May 20, 2007. According to Ilya Zenchenko, the head of the Baptist Union, the region around Aliabad is the worst in Azerbaijan for Baptists. "It is a place where officials insult our believers, won't allow them to gain legal status and deny birth certificates to their children," Zenchenko said. Pray for this pastor and his family. Ask God to protect them and other Christians in Azerbaijan. Pray God uses their testimony to draw non-believers into fellowship with Him. Psalm 32: 7, Psalm 91: 7-10

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"The conversion of the entire population to Islam and the extinction of every form of dissent is the ideal of the Muslim State - This is Islamic Peace"

A moderate Moslem is one who sends others blow themselves up.

UPDATE: AZERBAIJAN – Arrested Pastor Develops Heart Problems in Prison – VOM Sources
Imprisoned Baptist pastor, Zau Balaev, has been transferred to the prison infirmary because of serious heart problems. According to The Voice of the Martyrs’ contacts, Balaev’s health has been affected by the heat and poor prison conditions. “He has serious health problems. His wife has traveled several times to see him and take him some food,” the contacts said. Pray for Pastor Balaev’s release. Ask God to heal his heart condition. Pray for financial blessings for this family while the pastor is in prison. Romans 8: 11, 1 Peter 2:24
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"The conversion of the entire population to Islam and the extinction of every form of dissent is the ideal of the Muslim State - This is Islamic Peace"

A moderate Moslem is one who sends others blow themselves up.

Pastor's Trial to Begin this Month – VOM Sources
Pastor Zaur Balaev's trial is set to begin later this month. He faces a criminal charge of "resisting government representatives," which carries a maximum three-year prison term. The authorities claim the pastor set a dog onto the police who raided the church's Sunday service on May 20, 2007. Pray for this pastor and his family. Ask God to protect them and other Christians in Azerbaijan. Pray God uses their testimony to draw non-believers into fellowship with Him. Philippians 4:13, Hebrews 4:14-16

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"The conversion of the entire population to Islam and the extinction of every form of dissent is the ideal of the Muslim State - This is Islamic Peace"

A moderate Moslem is one who sends others blow themselves up.

Two-Year Imprisonment for Baptist Pastor – Forum 18 News
UPDATE: On August 8, Baptist Pastor Zaur Balaev was sentenced to two years in prison by a court in the Northwestern Regional Center of Zakatala, Azerbaijan. According to Forum 18 News Service, Balaev was convicted of using violence against a state representative. He was accused of holding "illegal meetings under the guise of religious activity without concrete authority and registration." Forum 18 News reported, "He also was accused of attracting young people to worship services and playing loud music at services. Azerbaijan's authorities have changed their accusations since Balaev has been held. Police initially claimed Balaev set a dog on police during a raid on a Sunday worship service. After more than 50 people signed a written statement testifying to Balaev's innocence, the references to the dog disappeared from the authorities' claims. Instead, Balaev was accused of attacking five policemen and damaging a police car door." He was convicted under Article 315, Part 1 of the Criminal Code, which punishes the application of or threat of application of violence, including to a state representative when he or she is carrying out official duties. It carries a maximum sentence of three years. Pray for Pastor Balaev and his family while he is in prison. Ask God to encourage believers in Azerbaijan and for the Holy Spirit to convict the authorities that brought these charges. Psalm 27:1, Isaiah 54:17

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"The conversion of the entire population to Islam and the extinction of every form of dissent is the ideal of the Muslim State - This is Islamic Peace"

A moderate Moslem is one who sends others blow themselves up.

Imprisoned Pastor's Appeal Resumes - Forum 18 News
UPDATE: On September 6, the lawyer for imprisoned Baptist Pastor Zaur Balaev expressed optimism as the appeals process began in Sheki Appeal Court in Azerbaijan. According to Forum 18 News service, Gazalfar Rzaev said, "Of course I am optimistic." Illya Zenchenko, head of Azerbaijan's Baptist Union, was also hopeful Balaev's two-year sentence, on charges he assaulted five police officers, would be overturned. However, Zenchenko does fear Balaev might not be fully exonerated. He told Forum 18 News, "This is a dilemma for the court. Clearing Balaev would mean incriminating the police officers who falsely testified against him." On August 8, Balaev was convicted under Article 315, Part 1 of the Criminal Code, which punishes the application or threat of application of violence against a state representative when he or she is carrying out official duties. Balaev was sentenced to two years in prison. Pray for Pastor Balaev and his family while he is in prison awaiting the outcome of his appeal. Ask God to encourage believers in Azerbaijan. Isaiah 54:7, 2 Timothy 1:7

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"The conversion of the entire population to Islam and the extinction of every form of dissent is the ideal of the Muslim State - This is Islamic Peace"

A moderate Moslem is one who sends others blow themselves up.

UPDATE: Imprisoned Baptist Pastor's Appeal Rejected - Forum 18 News
On October 3, the Sheki Appeal Court in Azerbaijan rejected Pastor Zaur Baleav's appeal to have his two-year prison sentence overturned. According to Forum 18 News Service, the head of the Baptist Union, Ilya Zenchenko, said, "We are stunned at the result the court handed down. We don't know what to do. It is a tragedy for his wife and children. It was all over in two minutes. Zaur's son is distressed, complaining that there is no hope and no law in Azerbaijan. He is very young, but his emotional reaction is understandable." Pray the Holy Spirit encourages Pastor Balaev, his family and believers in Azerbaijan. Ask God to use his testimony to draw non-believers into fellowship with Him. Hebrews 13:5,6; Isaiah 54:17

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"The conversion of the entire population to Islam and the extinction of every form of dissent is the ideal of the Muslim State - This is Islamic Peace"

A moderate Moslem is one who sends others blow themselves up.

Imprisoned Pastor Required to Pay for Necessities in Prison - VOM Sources / Forum 18 News
Pastor Zaur Balaev's friends and family are said to be "shocked" by the financial demands he is facing in prison. According to VOM sources, Pastor Balaev is required to pay for hot water to wash or do laundry and cook his food. His family is allowed to visit him only after paying "a considerable amount." Zaur's wife was allowed to stay with him for three days for his birthday, but as she was leaving the prison, she said, "I am shocked by the conditions and the sum spent, because I was forced to pay for everything." According to Forum 18 News, officials deny payment was demanded. "The state pays for everything, including food," said Mehman Sadykov, spokesperson for the Justice Ministry. "Such reports don't correspond with reality." Pray for strength for Balaev and his family during this time. Pray their appeal will be successful. Pray that Balaev will be a testimony to other prisoners, demonstrating the love and power of Christ. Philippians 4:19; 3 John 2
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"The conversion of the entire population to Islam and the extinction of every form of dissent is the ideal of the Muslim State - This is Islamic Peace"

A moderate Moslem is one who sends others blow themselves up.