Write a letter to encourage Taher
Please note: all names featured in this campaign have been changed for security reasons
Growing up in a strict Muslim environment in the Middle East, Taher always sensed he was missing something. It wasn’t until his youngest daughter, Farah, became severely ill that he realised the missing piece.
When the prayers of different Muslim leaders didn’t work, Taher and his wife, Donya, asked Christian friends to pray for their daughter. She was miraculously healed. Eventually, the whole family gave their lives to Jesus – but they did so knowing it carried enormous risk. Taher quietly engaged with church activities and even told others about Jesus, but was soon arrested.
During his interrogation, Taher was asked to provide names of other Christians, with threats made about his family unless he cooperated. But with remarkable bravery, Taher refused and was later released without charge, as long as he didn’t resume any evangelistic activities – otherwise his sentence would be death.
But Taher couldn’t stop telling others about Jesus. His family continued to be watched and they made the difficult decision to flee to Turkey. It was too dangerous to stay.
Life in their new home is extremely difficult. Work is hard to find and there’s a new language to learn. But despite all of this, the joy the family has in Christ still overflows from them.
Whilst in prison, Taher wrote small messages on his cell wall, to encourage other Christian prisoners. Will you do the same for Taher, Donya and daughters Farah and Arzoo, and write them a message to encourage them in their faith?
Guidelines
- We advise using greeting cards, artwork by children, and postcards. However, please do not send cards that picture animals as the main image as this is culturally inappropriate (animals as part of a landscape picture are accepted)
- Be encouraging and include one or two Bible verses (for security reasons, please do not use verses that refer to Israel, armies or war)
- Write in simple English. Keep your message brief and print clearly
- Show sensitivity. Please do not dwell on the recipient’s plight, or share about the blessings of life in your country.
For security
- Do not mention Open Doors
- Do not mention Islam
- Do not refer to Israel, even when using Scripture. Also, do not use images, flags or maps of Israel, or Hebrew signs
- Do not criticise the region's religion or religious extremists, its government, judicial system or political leaders
- Do not send money or make proposals to help
- You can disclose your name and country, but do not provide your full address
- Please send your messages in an envelope and do not write the Open Doors address on the postcard.
Send to us!
Send your drawings, cards or letters to us at:
PO Box 6,
Witney,
Oxon,
OX29 6WG
And we'll do the rest!
Please note this campaign ends 15 December 2021
