I thought you might be interested in this information about two brothers in Christ who are being put on trial in ten days for sharing the Gospel. The following information comes from Frontline Missions International:
Two former Muslims, Turan Topal and Hakan Tastan, were charged in Silivri, west of Istanbul, on November 23, 2006, with attempting to convert young people to Christianity. Particularly troubling is the vague charge against them of violating Article 301 of the Turkish penal code which alleges that they were insulting “Turkish identity.” As they denied the charges, both men stated that they are not ashamed to be Christians and to be Turks. They share their faith with others, but they do not force anyone to become Christians. These believers could face up to three years in prison at their sentencing hearing on January 29, 2007.
Please pray for the charges to be dropped against these men. Also, please write to the Turkish Ambassador, requesting that freedom of speech and of religion be upheld in Turkey, and that these charges be dropped against Turan Topal and Hakan Tastan.
The Honorable Ambassador Nabi Sensoy
The Embassy of the Republic of Turkey
2525 Massachusetts Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20008
202-612-6744 (fax)