A Kurdish pastor has been released from a Syrian prison after being detained for two weeks without an official charge. Pastor Nihad Hassan was visiting family in Afrin, Syria, when authorities arrested him on July 20. He was reportedly detained because the government deemed his comments about Islam on social media were offensive. Hassan has also been known for speaking out about the dangers to Kurds, an ethnic minority group in Syria. On August 3, he was released and sent back to Beirut, Lebanon, where his family and congregants met him with applause. “We’re encouraged, grateful for God’s intervention.