Tomorrow, the government of Uzbekistan is holding a criminal trial for Baptist leader Nikolai Zulfikarov. Here’s the brief:

‘A Baptist who hosts worship in his home will be tried on criminal charges tomorrow (13 November), Forum 18 News Service has learnt. Nikolai Zulfikarov is being prosecuted under the Criminal Code for “teaching religious doctrines without special religious education and without permission from a central organ of administration of a religious organisation, as well as teaching religion privately”. Punishments range from fines of fifty times the minimum monthly wage to three years’ imprisonment. Local Baptists, who preferred not to be identified, have complained about continuing harassment. “The authorities have repeatedly visited worship services, drawn up official records [of alleged offences] and confiscated Bibles, concordances, hymnbooks and other Christian brochures and leaflets.” They called for the case against Zulfikarov to be closed, for confiscated literature to be returned and for the congregation’s worship not to be impeded. Repression of religious communities of all faiths is taking place in Uzbekistan’.

Please remember to pray for Nikolai Zulfikarov, for his brethren in Christ, and for their enemies.

More information here, here and here.

Rescue me from my enemies, O my God, protect me from those who assail me. Deliver me from those who do evil, and save me from the bloodthirsty. All day long they twist my words; they are always plotting to harm me. They conspire, they lurk, they watch my steps, eager to take my life. Hear my prayer, O God; listen to the words of my mouth. Strangers are attacking me; ruthless men seek my life – men without regard for God. Surely God is my help; the Lord is the one who sustains me. (A selection from the psalms)