Iraq Christians Kidnapped Amid Heightened Security Concerns
Security forces on Wednesday, September 28, still searched for three Iraqi Christians, a week after they were reportedly kidnapped by suspected militants in Iraq’s northern city of Kirkuk.
Month: September 2011
Iran Pastor Refuses To ‘Abandon’ Christ; Execution Perhaps “Thursday”
A young pastor of Iran’s largest house church movement has told an Iranian court he will not “recant” his faith in Christ despite facing execution as early as Thursday, September 29, for abandoning Islam, church sources said.
Iran Court Tells Pastor ‘Recant Faith Or Face Execution’
An Iranian court has asked the pastor of one of Iran’s largest house church movements to abandon his faith in Christ and return to Islam if he wants to avoid execution, a church official told Worthy News Sunday, September 25.
Suicide Attack At Indonesia Church Kills 1, Injures 20
A suicide bomber attacked a Protestant church packed with worshippers in Indonesia’s Central Java province on Sunday, September 25, killing himself while injuring over 20 others, police and officials said.
100 Christians Killed In Nigeria Violence
The Christian community in Nigeria’s central Plateau state are anxiously awaiting the arrival of some 1,300 additional riot police following weeks of sectarian violence that reportedly killed as many as 100 Christians.
China Frees Prominent House Church Leader; Others Detained
China has unexpectedly released a prominent house church leader from prison amid international concerns about his health, his family and rights activists confirmed Monday, September 19.
Kazakhstan Lawmakers Adopt “Repressive” Religion Law
Lawmakers in Kazakhstan have voted for controversial legislation that Christians and rights activists say will further limit religious freedom in the mainly Muslim Central Asian state.
Christian accused of Blasphemy dies in Pakistani Jail
A Christian accused of blasphemy died in a Pakistan prison from a treatable disease after he was denied medical care.
Mexico Evangelicals Leave Village Amid Crucifixion Threats
At least 70 evangelical Christians in Mexico’s east-central region were homeless Saturday, September 17, after being expelled by local authorities from their village where traditional Catholics reportedly threatened to “crucify or lynch” them.
India: Pentecostal pastors accused of “forced conversion”
Four Pentecostal pastors in Madhya Pradesh were recently beaten and arrested on charges of forced conversion, spending a night in jail before making bail.
Three dead, 60 wounded in clashes between Christians and Muslims
The toll from recent clashes between Christians and Muslims in Ambon, capital of the Moluccas, is three dead and 60 wounded.
Somali Christian Covert Kidnapped, Beheaded
The body of a kidnapped Christian convert from Islam was found decapitated near Hudur City on Sept. 2.
Freedom for two Christians in Iran @ $20,000 each
Two Azeri converts from Islam were both released temporarily on $40,000 bail after appearing before two separate court hearings.
India: Karanataka Boys Beaten, Arrested for Converting to Christ
Christians are regularly attacked in Karnataka by Hindu nationalists, while the authorities “turn a blind eye,” according to Sajan K. George, president of the Global Council of Indian Christians, concerning yet another case of abuse against so called forced conversions.
America Remembers September 11 Amid Controversy
Christians around the world were among those remembering the 10th anniversary of the September 11 attacks on the United States, but pastors expressed concerns that in New York no clergy-led prayer was included in a ceremony near where the World Trade Center towers collapsed.
Chinese Christians Suffer Supporting Shouwang Church
Last Sunday five members of a house church in Fangshan tried to worship with members of the embattled Beijing Shouwang house church in a public square in Beijing.
Burmese army accused of commandeering Kachin Church
Kachin Christians have accused Burma’s military of violating their religious rights after government troops seized control of a church in Kachin State, transforming it into a military outpost complete with fortifications, trenches and land mines.
Iran Orders 5 Christians To Report To Prison, Group Says
Iran on Tuesday, September 6, ordered five Iranian Christians, including a heavily pregnant woman, to report to prison on charges linked to their Christian activities, a mission group working in the region said.
Iran: Christian Pastor freed from prison to face trial
Arrested on charges of blasphemy against Islam, Pastor Matthias Haghnejad is now free on bail, according to ASSIST News Service.
Iran: Vahik Abrahamian Released
According to an unconfirmed report from the Farsi News Network, after almost one year in prison, Pastor Vahik Abrahamian was released Aug. 29 and has rejoined his family.