Today’s Headlines:

RELIGIOUS FREEDOM NEWS REPORTER DEPORTED FROM UZBEKISTAN

JAILED IRANIAN CHRISTIAN PRESSURED TO RETURN TO ISLAM

BELIEVERS IN DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO FEAR ELECTION VIOLENCE

CONTROVERSY LINGERS AFTER RUSSIA CLOSES CHRISTIAN CHILDREN’S HOME

RAPPING GRANDMA SPREADS GOD’S WORD WITH RHYTHM

Today’s Top Stories:

RELIGIOUS FREEDOM NEWS REPORTER DEPORTED FROM UZBEKISTAN

The Uzbekistan government has officially deported Igor Rotar, Central Asia correspondent for the Forum 18 News Service which reports on religious persecution in the region. A Forum 18 news release said that officials initially tried to force Rotar to buy his own ticket after he was detained at the Tashkent airport on Thursday, Aug. 11. However, he refused due to his “principled strong objections to this tactic,” resulting in his official deportation. Rotar’s detention was reportedly ordered “for political reasons at the highest levels,” and it was carried out on the instructions of the National Security Service secret police. Rotar, a Russian citizen, was known as a “respected religious freedom reporter” and his deportation “raises many serious issues of freedom of religion, freedom of the press, freedom to defend human rights and the safety of journalists carrying out their legitimate work.” (Christian Solidarity Worldwide)

JAILED IRANIAN CHRISTIAN PRESSURED TO RETURN TO ISLAM

Eleven months after Iranian police arrested Hamid Pourmand for converting to Christianity, authorities at Tehran’s Evin Prison continue to pressure the former Muslim to return to Islam. He was acquitted of apostasy charges before an Islamic court in the southern port city of Bandar-i Bushehr in May but was handed a three-year sentence for “deceiving the Iranian armed forces” by allegedly concealing his conversion to Christianity 25 years ago. Iranian law forbids non-Muslims from holding positions as officers over Muslims in the armed forces. Pourmand has been allowed two official prison leaves since the end of June. “His family was very grateful for these days together,” said a source in touch with Pourmand’s family which has no regular source of income apart from the support of various Christians. (Compass)

* HCJB World Radio, in cooperation with FEBA Radio, broadcasts weekly Christian programs to Iran via shortwave in the Luri language. There are less than 100 known believers among the 4 million Luri speakers in Iran and Iraq.

BELIEVERS IN DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO FEAR ELECTION VIOLENCE

Christians in the Democratic Republic of Congo are expressing concerns about potential violence as the war-torn country prepares for its first national elections in 45 years. The vote will be the largest ever observed by the United Nations with an estimated electorate of 28 million people. Voter registration has begun nationwide for the elections which were initially expected to take place last June. They are still not scheduled but must take place by June 30, 2006. Some 16,700 U.N. peacekeeping troops are now in the country, but this number is expected to increase as the elections draw near. “The concern is that our missionaries have said that there could be renewed fighting, and some of these dissidents who are hiding in the forest could come out again,” said Sam Vinton of Grace Ministries International. Travel can be especially dangerous when visiting churches in rural areas. “I think we need to pray for that situation, especially now, as the people, after all these years of trouble, are beginning to sense that there’s peace, that they can move around, they can do things.” (Mission Network News/Reuters)

* HCJB World Radio works with local partners in the Democratic Republic of Congo to broadcast the gospel on FM stations in Boma, Bukavu and Kinshasa. Programs go out in English, French, Kikongo Fioti, Lingala, Luba and Swahili. Weekly programs in the Songe and Kikongo San Salvador languages also air from local FM stations in the country.

CONTROVERSY LINGERS AFTER RUSSIA CLOSES CHRISTIAN CHILDREN’S HOME

Officials in the traditionally Buddhist Russian republic of Tuva, which borders Mongolia, shut down a Christian children’s home last year because its staff insisted that the children “go to church and pray without the permission of their parents or guardians,” said Kambaa Biche-Ool, a local religious affairs official. Gentle Hands Children’s Home was closed approximately a year ago, but former resident Anna Mongush said the real reason for the closure was that the only non-Christian staff member at the home alleged that it was a “sect” after she was fired for theft. Mongush said the conditions at the home were excellent, and the residents were free to leave at will. “Nothing was forced upon us. It was heaven, like living in a family.” (Forum 18 News Service)

RAPPING GRANDMA SPREADS GOD’S WORD WITH RHYTHM

Carol Newby, a 59-year-old grandmother, is spreading God’s Word with a different beat. An amateur rapper from Granite City, Ill., she’s known as the “rapping grandma.” Newby recites verses from the Bible that she put together in a composition called, “Battle Cry of King’s Soldiers: Do You Have Jesus?” She started putting the 22-verse poem together in 1999 and finished it a few years later. She has a contemporary rap version that she delivers with background music. “I noticed young people were drawn to rap and rock,” said Newby. “God has given me rhythm and the ability to do both. . . . I don’t force myself on people. But I’ll admit that sometimes I’m bold to get the message out.” Newby has been performing at local churches for six years, and her popularity is growing. “People are surprised and curious because of my age,” Newby said. “Doing this gives me the chance to share the gospel with people who are down and out. I want to help them. I want to change their lives for the better.” Newby plans to continue using her talents as long as the Lord lets her, despite some health problems. “I’ll never stop doing this,” she said. “I’ve touched too many people. There’s more work to be done through the gospel.” (CharismaNow)