Protestant Churches Sustain Attacks
Muslim protestors have attacked at least five Protestant churches over the past three weeks in the regions of East Java, West Java and North Sumatra.
Christian Persecution
Islamic Law Enforcers Victimize Christian Women in Nigeria
Christian leaders in northern Nigeria report that enforcement of the Islamic legal code known as sharia is continuing despite protests and drastically impinges on the religious liberty of Christians and other non-Muslims in that part of the country.
Violence Against Christians Escalates in Sri Lanka
Christians suffered further violence in the Buddhist-majority country of Sri Lanka on January 20, when a Catholic church was attacked near the capital, Colombo, despite the presence of a heavily armed police guard.
Pakistani Police Arrest Karachi Bombing Suspect
Pakistani police arrested one suspect and seized a “huge” cache of powerful explosives in Karachi over the weekend, declaring both were linked to grenade and car bomb explosions at a local Bible Society shop on January 15.
Christian Activist Accused of Converting Hindu Sex Workers
Anson Thomas, a Christian activist who has rescued scores of minors working as prostitutes in Mumbai, India, was recently accused of “unlawfully converting” Hindu commercial sex workers. Owners of Jamuna Mansion, one of the largest brothels in Mumbai, made the accusations.
Tajikistan: Baptist Missionary Killed While Praying
Authorities have launched an investigation into the killing of a Baptist pastor and missionary in the northern Tajik town of Isfara, a region known for its devotion to Islam,
Turkish Christian Makes Slow Improvement Following Brutal Beating
After being beaten into a coma three months ago for alleged “missionary propaganda,” Turkish Christian Yakup Cindilli is slowly improving from a nearly helpless state at his home, where his family has given him constant care for the past month.
“Letter of Decision” Leads to Church Closures in Jakarta
Muslim groups are taking advantage of a document issued by the Indonesian government to close several existing churches and prevent the building of new churches in Jakarta. Letter of Decision No. 137, issued in 2002, allows for churches in the Jakarta area to be closed down — even if they have the required government permit — should people in the surrounding community object to their existence or location.
Vietnamese Government Sweeping Operation Captures Montagnard Degar Chris
Since the Cambodian government closed the refugee camps in Mondulkiri and Rattanakiri provinces of Cambodia, the Vietnamese government has increased repression in the Central Highlands, arresting, imprisoning and killing the Montagnard Degar people to halt the spread of grass roots Christianity.
American Missionary Dies in Nairobi After Being Ambushed by Bandits
Stan Westrom, a former US Marine who became a missionary in East Africa, has died in a Nairobi hospital where he had been taken after being ambushed by bandits last Sunday (January 4).
Churches Destroyed, Families Displaced by Religious Conflict in Nigeria
Leaders of the Christian community in the northern state of Jigawa, Nigeria, report that Muslim extremists burned down 10 churches and over 100 church-owned properties in November during unprovoked attacks against Christians in the town of Kazaure.
One Killed in Egypt Army Raid on Children Centre
One employee was killed and about eight others, including a nun, wounded when the Egyptian army attacked a Christian centre for mentally and physically handicapped children and orphans early Monday, January 5, a human rights watch-dogs said.
Protestant Pastor Assassinated in Pakistan
A Protestant pastor in Pakistan’s Punjab province was murdered in the early hours of January 5, just minutes after he left his home to catch a train to Lahore.
Indonesia: Missionaries Help Tsunami Survivors in Worst-Hit Country
Following the disaster of December 26, native missionaries of Indonesia have been helping survivors on the northern tip of Sumatra Island, the single region with the most casualties.
Bombs Target Iraq’s Christians, One Killed
Iraq’s beleaguered Christian minority has ushered in the New Year amid grief and fears, after several bombs exploded and at least one believer was killed on a marketplace,
Eritrea Steps Up Persecution of Evangelical Christians
Eritrean police arrested and jailed another Protestant evangelical pastor, taking him and seven of his church members to prison, according to a report from Compass Direct.
Muslim Extremists Mount Attacks in Northern Nigeria
Police and military units in the northeastern state of Yobe, Nigeria, ended a violent attempt by Muslim militants to carve out an Islamic Republic there.
Chinese House Churches Agonize Over Registration
Registration is still a hot issue for China’s long-suffering house churches. The government insists on registration as the only means of legal existence for Protestant and Catholic churches. In practice, registration means subjection to the Communist Party’s Religious Affairs Bureau and other party organs, all of which are controlled by atheists.
Christians in Iran Encounter “Miracle Rescues”
BAM, IRAN (ANS) — Praying Iranian Christians and believers from around the world continued humanitarian efforts in Bam Saturday, January 3, as relief workers reported “miracle rescues” more than eighth days after an earth quake reduced this city to ruins.
Indian Government Denies Constitutional Rights to Dalit Christians
The government of India has rejected a demand that social benefits be extended to Dalit Christians and Muslims, compounding the problems faced by the most downtrodden social class in India.