American evangelist leads rare prayer event of thousands in communist Vietnam, hoping to be considered ‘best citizens’
Despite sweeping economic reforms that made the country one of the fasting growing in the region, the ruling party maintains strict control over all aspects of society, from media to religions
More than 10,000 Vietnamese filled up a stadium in a rare Christian evangelistic event led by the Reverend Franklin Graham, who said he wants the communist government to consider Christians its best citizens.
Despite sweeping economic reforms over the past 30 years that made Vietnam one of the fasting growing countries in the region, the ruling Communist Party maintains strict control over all aspects of society, from media to religions. According to Human Rights Watch, more than 100 Vietnamese are in prison for peaceful religious and political activities.
Graham said the prayer rally in Hanoi on Friday was unprecedented in size for Vietnam and the government did not attach any conditions for the event, which took a year a organise. Authorities granted permission last week, he said.
“This is unprecedented really for us and for the government,” Graham said. “We don’t want to do anything that would embarrass the government or the people of Vietnam. Again we’re guests, the government has not told me what to say or not say. I’m going to talk about God we are not here to talk about politics.”
