Said Musa, an Afghan who was imprisoned and facing execution, has been released from prison following months of prayer, negotiations and international diplomacy on his behalf.

A 15-year employee of the International Committee of the Red Cross in Kabul, Said was arrested in May last year after a TV station broadcast footage showing Afghan Christians being baptised and participating in prayer gatherings. The broadcast triggered protests and calls to execute Christians – including from a deputy leader in parliament.

Converting from Islam is a capital offense in Afghanistan and Said, who became a Christian eight years earlier, was a convenient scapegoat. While in prison, he wrote a series of letters to the international community saying that he had been beaten, forcibly deprived of sleep, and abused by prisoners.

In February 2011, Said was told he would be hanged if he did not renounce his faith in Christ and reconvert to Islam.

I laughed and replied, ‘I can’t deny my Saviour’s name. Because my life is just service to Jesus Christ and my death is going to heaven [where] Jesus Christ is. I am a hundred percent ready to die.’ ...It’s a great [privilege] to me to be called Jesus Christ’s disciple...’ They pushed me much and much. I refused their demands.

Family and friends continued to pray and on 21 February, Said was released. Said and his family have fled the country for their safety.

•    Praise God that Said was released!
•    Pray that the Lord will strengthen Said and his family as they adjust to a new way of life.
•    Pray for other Afghan Christians being persecuted for their faith.

Source: Release International