The People's High Court of the Xinjiang in Urumqi, China, recently upheld the 15-year prison sentence of Alimujiang Yimiti, an imprisoned Uyghur house-church leader (see www.persecution.net/cn-2011-02-03.htm for information). Alim, a convert from Islam to Christianity, has been detained since January 2008 and convicted of "instigating separatism and revealing state secrets to foreigners." Those close to the case have insisted on his complete innocence. In 2009, a United Nations Working Group declared that Alim was detained "solely on account of his faith." His case was accepted for review in November 2010, raising hopes that the injustice of his case might finally be revealed. In mid-February, however, he received a notice informing him that his sentenced was being upheld--a sentence which is reportedly the harshest given to a Christian in a decade. The news comes as a blow to his wife and children, who have had little contact with him since his detention.

Pray for true justice to be upheld in Alim's case. Pray he will be released. Pray his family will look to the Lord as their ever-constant source of comfort and guidance. Pray that, even in chains, Alim will continue to rejoice in the love of the Father, who hears the cries of His children and serves as their strength and shield (Psalm 28:6-7).

Source: Voice of the Martyrs March 10th, 2011