Steadfast Global, 15th March 2024
Algeria:
An appeal hearing has been set for 26 March in the case of Pastor Youssef Ourahmane who was sentenced to one year in prison and fined the equivalent of £580 on 27 November 2023, after being convicted of organising an unauthorised religious assembly and conducting worship in an unauthorised building.
Pakistan:
An accusation of blasphemy led to the arrest on 6 March of 18-year-old Christian student, Ashbeel Ghauri in Attock city, Punjab. Ashbeel, who is a devoted Christian, was accused by a former Muslim classmate of disrespecting Islam and Islamic teaching during a WhatsApp discussion two months ago. Prior to his arrest, Ashbeel told his parents that some Muslims in his class had been pressuring him to convert to Islam.
China:
Last week we had the good news of the release of Pastor John Cao after completing his seven-year prison sentence. Following his release, Pasto Cao spoke of his time in prison in an inspirational statement transcribed by China Aid. His story is prefaced by this remarkable testimony of God’s love and grace:
“I have been separated from you all for seven years, but these seven years have been filled with joy, filled with God’s grace, and everyday God’s special presence has been with me. Truly, even though I walked through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for we know that the Lord Jesus is with us, and brothers and sisters are with me too!”