Write Letters

A brother in China needs our support! Chinese bookstore owner Shi Weihan was re-arrested on March 19 for distributing Bibles and Christian literature. Send an email to Chinese Ambassador Zhou Whenzong, asking him to press for his immediate release.

Though Shi’s friends have affirmed that he is a peaceful and patriotic government supporter, he is being held at the Beijing Municipal Detention Center as a “dangerous religious element.” It is feared that he would cause a stir as the Beijing Olympics approach. Shi had been previously released on January 4 due to “insufficient evidence” after being imprisoned on November 28, 2007.

Shi has not been allowed any family visits, and his wife has been forbidden to bring him any food or clothing. Open Doors is concerned about his medical condition as he has diabetes and and his family has been unable to confirm whether or not he has recived the necessary medication. Shi’s attorney has only recently been allowed to visit, and revealed that Shi is in dire need of medical attention. Read More>>

Please write to Chinese Ambassador Zhou Whenzong, asking him to press for the immediate release of Shi Weihan, and to allow him immediate access to medical aid.

Thank you for your prayers and support for Shi Weihan!

Advocating with you,

Lindsay Vessey

Advocacy Program Manager

In September 2007 Chinese government officials closed Alimujiang Yimiti’s business and accused him of using it as a cover up for “preaching Christianity among people of Uyghur ethnicity.” He was later arrested in January 2008 and accused of “subversion of the national government and endangering national security,” a crime punishable by death. Alimujiang, a former Muslim, became a Christian more than 10 years ago and has been an active Christian in the growing Uyghur church. On May 27 Alimujiang’s case went to trial. His case was referred back to the Chinese Public Security Bureau’s prosecutors due to “insufficient evidence.”

Location: China

Arrested: January 2007

Released

Click here to write: Hua Huiqi today!

On January 26, 2007, Hua Huiqi, an active house-church member, and his 76-year-old mother were attacked and
wounded by seven police officers while walking near a 2008 Olympic hotel site in Beijing. According to China Aid
Association, Hua and his mother were kicked on the ground and later taken to the Olympic Police Station for
questioning. Hua is under criminal detention awaiting trial while his sick mother is in a medical center serving
two years on the charge of damaging public and private property.

We invite you to write a letter of encouragement to Hua Huiqi. We have experienced incredible results when
readers write to believers like Hua who have been imprisoned for their faith. The letters make a difference,
often resulting in shorter prison terms. Please send a letter of encouragement and let Hua know you are praying
for him and other believers in China. Also, write to the Chinese government requesting that Hua be released. Let
your friends know about suffering Christians in China and encourage them to pray and write to Hua.

Get involved! Pray and write to Hua Huiqi today.

In July 2007, 42-year-old Li Mei and nine house church leaders were arrested, when they were
discovered having a Sunday worship service. They were charged with singing Christian hymns to villagers,
showing the JESUS film in a nursing home and praying for healing for a disabled elderly man. The nine
were sentenced to re-education through labor for 12 to 18 months. Li Mei served part of her one-year
sentence in a hospital with both hands chained to her bed. Repeated beatings and torture caused her to
require a hysterectomy. She is currently serving the remainder of her sentence at home under house arrest.

We invite you to write a letter of encouragement to Li Mei. We have experienced great results when readers
write to believers who have been imprisoned for their faith. The letters make a difference, often resulting in
shorter prison terms. Please send a letter of encouragement and let Li Mei know you are praying for her. Also,
write to the Chinese government requesting that Li Mei be released. Let your friends know about suffering
believers in China and encourage them to write.

Get involved and write today.

On May 20, 2007, Pastor Zaur Balaev was arrested for “conducting an
illegal religious meeting” in his home village in Aliabad, Azerbaijan.
In August, he was sentenced to two years in prison under Article 315,
Part 1, for allegedly violently resisting the police during a raid.
The authorities first claimed that Pastor Balaev released a dog on
police, but have since claimed he attacked five policemen and damaged
a car door. During the trial, some witnesses reported that police had
pressured them into testifying against Pastor Balaev.

We invite you to write a letter of encouragement to Pastor Balaev.
We have experienced incredible results when readers write to believers
who have been imprisoned for their faith. The letters make a difference,
often resulting in shorter prison terms. Please send a letter of
encouragement and let Balaev know you are praying for him and other
believers in Azerbaijan. Also, write to the Azerbaijan government
requesting that Balaev be released. Let your friends know about
suffering Christians in Azerbaijan and encourage them to pray
and write to Balaev.

Get involved! Pray for and
write to Pastor Balaev today.

Arrested: May 2005

click here to write to: Evangelist Girmay Ambaye today!

On May 11, 2005 Evangelist Girmay Ambaye, was arrested by security police in Eritrea for witnessing about Christ to people on a city bus. It is the third time Ambaye has been imprisoned for his faith in the last few years.

Please send a letter of encouragement and let Evangelist Ambaye know that you are praying for him and other persecuted believers in Eritrea. Let your friends know about the suffering Christians in Eritrea and encourage them to pray and write to Ambaye.

Your letters make a difference sometimes resulting in shorter prison sentences. Write to Ambaye today and let him know you are praying for him.

Get involved and write a letter of encouragement, click here: write today.