Taliban Hunting For Christians In Afghanistan
Christians in Afghanistan have reportedly turned off their phones and moved to undisclosed locations amid an ongoing crackdown by the ruling Islamist Taliban group.
Christian Persecution – Asia
Afghani Christians facing employment discrimination and dire economic conditions
As Afghanistan descends further into chronic economic and political catastrophe, the nation’s Christians are facing hunger and even more severe employment discrimination than they were before the US withdrawal and the Taliban takeover in August, International Christian Concern (ICC) reports. Afghanistan ranked two on the US Open Doors Watch List 2021 of top 50 countries where Christians are persecuted – even before the Taliban took power this summer.
India: District authorities in Madhya Pradesh state ban all Christian gatherings
As the suppression of Christianity in India continues, earlier this month local authorities in Madhya Pradesh state imposed a ban on Christian religious gatherings in the Jhabua district, effectively shutting down over 50 house churches, International Christian Concern (ICC) reports.
Pakistan Frees Christian After 10 Years On Death Row For Blasphemy
A Christian who faced the death penalty in Pakistan for “blasphemy against Islam” was acquitted and quietly released after nearly 10 years in prison, Christian sources say.
Pakistan Court Releases Two Christian Nurses
A court in Pakistan has released on bail two Christian nurses charged with “defiling the Koran,” deemed a holy book by Muslims, Christians confirmed.
India: Hindu nationalists attack congregants in Karnataka state
As Hindu nationalist persecution of Christians in India continues to intensify, on November 14 a mob of Hindu radicals stormed the Mercy Divine Church in Bangalor, Karnataka state, throwing stones and chairs at congregants, International Christian Concern (ICC) reports. Christian persecution in India has increased dramatically since the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party took power in 2014.
Indonesia: Islamic radicals attack Christian home believing it to be a church
It was only recently reported that Islamic radicals in East Java, Indonesia, attacked and extensively damaged the home of a Protestant Christian man at the end of last month, apparently believing the house to be a church, International Christian Concern (ICC) reports. Indonesia’s Ministry of Religious Affairs has reportedly launched an investigation into the attack.
Hundreds Turn To Christ Despite Myanmar Military Crackdown
At least hundreds of people have turned to faith in Christ since Myanmar’s military staged a coup and ousted elected leader Aung San Suu Kyi, an advocacy group said Thursday.
Pakistan Muslims Shoot Christians; Nine Injured
Christians in Pakistan’s Punjab province are recovering from injuries after Muslims opened fire, wounding at least nine people in a land dispute, Worthy News learned Wednesday.
India: Christians imprisoned in Uttar Pradesh after attack by Hindu radicals
Seven Christians in India’s Uttar Pradesh state were jailed last month after a mob of Hindu extremists violently attacked their church and accused them of forcing Hindus to convert to Christianity, International Christian Concern (ICC) reports. India ranks 10 on the 2021 US Open Doors Watch List of top 50 countries where Christians are persecuted.
India Hindu Militants Storm Prayer Hall Over Conversion Allegations
Hindu militants “detained” Christians gathering for a worship service in India’s Karnataka state and accused the pastor of carrying out “forced conversions,” Christians confirmed Wednesday.
India: Two pastors attacked by Hindu radicals
As persecution of Christians in India continues, Hindu radicals violently assaulted and threatened to kill two pastors in Chhattisgarh state earlier this month, International Christian Concern (ICC) reports. Chhattisgarh state has seen a spike in attacks on Christians following inciting hate speeches against believers made by Hindu nationalists at public rallies.
Christians tortured in North Korean prisons, new report reveals
A new report by rights group Korea Future details torture and other forms of violence that were perpertrated by prison guards against 91 Christians detained in North Korea between 1997 and 2018, Christian Today (CT) reports.
Vietnam: Pastors interrogated over false accusation they started COVID-19 outbreak
A pastoral couple and 11 members of their church have been interrogated by Vietnamese police officials in regard to false accusations that the Christians maliciously started a significant COVID-19 outbreak in Ho Chi Minh City in May, Morning Star News (MSN) reports. Local Christian leaders believe the interrogation and accusations are part of an effort to defame and shame Vietnamese evangelicals.
India: Two pastors attacked by Hindu radicals
As persecution of Christians in India continues, Hindu radicals violently assaulted and threatened to kill two pastors in Chhattisgarh state earlier this month, International Christian Concern (ICC) reports. Chhattisgarh state has seen a spike in attacks on Christians following inciting hate speeches against believers made by Hindu nationalists at public rallies.
Setback In Appeal For Jailed Pakistan Pastor
A Pakistani pastor languishing in prison for more than nine years on “blasphemy” charges faced more uncertainty Thursday after a judge delayed his appeal, Worthy News learned.
India Hindu Mob, Police Detain Christians
Christian leaders held emergency talks with authorities in central India where police detained scores of Christians instead of the Hindu nationalists who attacked them.
Myanmar Military Shells Churches, Orphanage
Myanmar’s military has shelled a town in the country’s Christian majority state, destroying at least three churches, an orphanage, and more than 160 homes and offices, aid workers say.
India: Evangelist pastor forced into hiding after Hindus attack and threaten to kill him
A pastor who was leading Hindus to Christ has taken his three children into hiding after Hindu radicals in India’s Bihar state attacked and threatened to kill him unless he shut down his church, Morning Star News (MSN) reports. Pastor Raj Masih, who lost his wife to COVID-19 earlier this year, had been holding services for at least 300 people prior to the attack on September 28.
India: Pastor arrested after Hindus storm his church
A local Christian pastor in India’s Karnataka state was charged with carrying out “malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings” last month, after Hindu militants stormed into his church and called on police to arrest him, Voice of the Martyrs (VOM) reports. Christians in India have been under increasing persecution since the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) took power in 2014.