[Today’s Prayer] 343 protesters arrested in Turkey… Protest over arrest of key opposition figures

Large-scale protests have been taking place in Turkey for several days against the arrest of key opposition figures.

The BBC reported on the 22nd (local time) that 343 people were arrested in Istanbul, Turkey as of the previous day. In Turkey, protests have been spreading since the arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, a key opposition figure, on the 19th.

Mayor İmamoğlu is suspected of corruption and terrorism financing. He is a political enemy of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and various suspicions are spreading as the time of his arrest was just a few days before he declared his candidacy for the 2028 presidential election.

He became the mayor of Istanbul in 2019 and emerged as a candidate for the next presidential election after defeating President Erdogan’s Justice and Development Party (AKP) candidate by a large margin in last year’s local elections. Some speculate that this political rise may have influenced his arrest.

According to reports, Mayor İmamoğlu was questioned by Turkish police after his arrest. The BBC reported that in addition to İmamoğlu, more than 100 politicians, journalists, and businessmen were detained in connection with his investigation.

Thousands of people gathered in Istanbul for the protests on the 21st, and police responded with rubber bullets and tear gas.

Regarding the large-scale protests, President Erdogan said, “We will not accept chaos in public order,” and foreshadowed continued hardline responses.

Source: News

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. ( John 14:27 )

We hear of political turmoil in Turkiye, with the arrest of an opposition leader and protests against him spreading across the country, and we also hear that the current mayor of Istanbul, Imamoğlu, and 100 other politicians, journalists, businessmen, and others have been detained in connection with the investigation.

Lord, you who knows all the circumstances in Turkiye, please guide them in Your good ways amidst the chaotic political situation in Turkiye. Please do not allow the friction between the protesters and the government to escalate. May the people of Turkiye n abide in Your peace.

Above all, may Jesus Christ be Lord of this land, and through the power of the Holy Spirit, may the gospel be proclaimed so that many souls may become members of the kingdom of God.

Let the local churches in Turkiey fulfill their role of light and salt in the midst of chaos and strive to lead the Turkiey people to the right path.

And may the land of the early church be revitalized once again, preparing the way for Your return and serving as a witness to the gospel to all nations!