Taliban calls latest US Religious Freedom Report ‘false’
The U.S. Department of State’s latest report on International Religious Freedom released in June has elicited an expected response from Afghanistan’s Taliban government. They have rejected the findings that religious minorities face tremendous pressure and persecution in the country.
A Taliban spokesperson claimed that “Sunnis, Shiites, Sikhs, and Hindus practice their religion freely [in Afghanistan].” He did not acknowledge the estimated 10,000-12,000 Christians who currently reside in the country and deserve to be treated equally among other minority religious groups.
Hana Nasri*, a partner in the region shares: “While it is well known, because of our authentic connection in country, that religious minorities live in fear of the strict Sharia law enforced by the Taliban, the extremist rulers want to project themselves as a more tolerant authority in the international worldview. In the light of this development, please pray for the Taliban leadership to be truly challenged by the Holy Spirit to not only be inclusive of minority religious groups in the country but to seek Him and be saved. We have seen miracles before.”
Please pray for safety for believers who have to live keeping their faith a secret. If their Christian faith is discovered, converts can face dire circumstances for choosing to follow Jesus. Beheadings and public executions were common practice during the Taliban rule earlier during 1996-2001. Believers live in fear of a similar situation taking place again.
On June 1, Children’s Day, our frontline partners went to the refugee camp to give small gifts to children. They also came with food, hygiene items, and medicines.
Praise God for the opportunity to minister to refugee children!
“Because the people are very poor, they do not have the opportunity to make presents for their children, so the children are very happy to have these gifts for the holiday,” shares Klaudia*, one of our local partners. . “Children are deprived of the opportunity to study, and our partners on the ground – members of various churches – visit refugee camps and provide all possible assistance from them such as food, medicines, clothing, and necessary household items. They pray with them and talk to them about God.”
The situation of Afghan refugees in the border territories is very deplorable. Their number is huge and continues to grow gradually, while the state practically does not officially recognize the presence of such a number of internally displaced persons. As a result, funding is not allocated for their proper provision.
Klaudia asks for prayer: “Please pray for more opportunities for Christians to work with refugees and serve them. Please pray that the refugees will receive more care from the governments where they currently reside, and please ask God to prevent the influence of the new TB regime on Central Asian countries.“
Please Pray
Its impossible to live openly as a Christian in Afghanistan. Pray the despite believers’ isolation, they would be strengthened and encouraged, and that God would make “seeing eyes blind” so that their faith would not be discovered. Also pray the God will soften the hearts of the community around our family. Pray there are gospel opportunities, and a safe community for them.
