Pakistan Mob Forces Disabled Christian To Accept Islam; Threaten Family
Islamic hardliners are threatening the family of a mentally disabled Christian man in Pakistan who was forced to “convert” to Islam, Christians say.
Christian Persecution – Asia
Karen Christians in Myanmar persecuted by Burmese army; “please pray”
Rights groups report that Karen Christians in Myanmar are suffering under attacks and massive displacement by the Tatmadaw Burmese military which wrested control of the civilian government in February, and which carries out violent campaigns against ethnic and religious minorities in the country, International Christian Concern has reported. Prayer has been requested for the Karen Christians and all those oppressed in Myanmar.
Pakistan “Blasphemy” Youngster Freed; Other Christian Remains Jailed
A young Christian man who was falsely accused of blasphemy was released on bail after four years of solitary confinement in a Pakistan jail. Still, another Christian faced prosecution for blasphemy, activists told Worthy News.
Laos Frees Pastor Jailed For Church Services
A pastor who was jailed in Laos for more than a year after refusing to end his church services has been released, supporters confirmed Thursday.
Pakistan persecution: Another Christian nurse accused of blasphemy
In the third such incident this year, a Christian nurse has been hounded and threatened into hiding by Muslim colleagues who accused her of blaspheming against Islam last week, Morning Star News reports. Pakistan ranks 5th on the US Open Doors Watch List of countries where Christians are persecuted.
Indian Christians suffering greatly in COVID-19 wave; “Please Pray for India”
The International Christian Concern organization has called on the global Church to pray for Christians in India who are suffering greatly, fighting to survive amid a devastating wave of COVID-19 that is tearing through the country. “As members of the global Church, we must bear this burden as our own. Please join ICC in praying for India and all those suffering due to the current COVID-19 crisis,” ICC said in a report.
Philippines Christian school leader arrested and detained in government crackdown on human rights
Police in the Philippines has arrested and detained the administrator of a Christian school in Bicol region, in what rights advocates have described as a spate of “questionable operations” designed to crack down on human rights in the island nation, International Christian Concern reports.
Christian man tortured by police in Pakistan, held in custody
A Christian man in Pakistan was tortured by police into confessing to a false allegation of blasphemy, and then illegally held in custody for two months before being presented to a judge, Morning Star News reports. Salamat Mansha Masih was arrested, tortured, and detained in Lahore after Muslims heard him reading the Bible in a park on February 13.
Nepal: Hindu extremists use false document to discredit Christianity
As part of a campaign to discredit Christianity, Hindu extremists in Nepal forged a document they falsely attributed to the Nepal Christian Society (NCS) and the National Churches Fellowship of Nepal (NCFPN), in which they presumed to show these charities want to create an ethnic division for evangelistic purposes, Morning Star News reports.
Laos pastor released after a year in prison
Authorities in Laos have released a Christian pastor who was imprisoned for a year for holding church services without a permit, Mission Network News reports. Laos currently ranks 22 on the Open Doors Watch List of countries that persecute Christians.
Papua Churches Urge UN To Help End Attacks
The West Papua Council of Churches urges the United Nations to help end a “humanitarian tragedy” in Indonesia’s Papua region where it says Indonesia’s military kills Christian leaders.
Christian Missionaries Die Of COVID In India
Christian missionaries and church leaders already suffering persecution in several areas are among those dying of severe symptoms of COVID-19 raging in India, aid workers say.
Myanmar Christians fear for their lives following coup
Afraid for their lives in the wake of the February coup, some Myanmar Christians have fled their homes to hide and live in the jungle, Christian Today reports. The Myanmar military junta has now taken to raiding churches, as well as homes, offices, and businesses.
India persecution: Christian family confined to home after tribal animists attack
A Christian family is confined to their home after being attacked and harassed by tribal animists in India’s Jharkhand state, Morning Star News reports. India now ranks 10th on the US Open Doors Watch List of countries where Christians are persecuted: the country ranked 31st in 2013, just before Hindu nationalists Prime Minister Narendra Modi came to power in May 2014.
Laos authorities release Pastor jailed for holding worship services
Authorities in Laos have released a pastor who was jailed early last year for refusing to halt worship services at the church he founded in the southeast Asian country, International Christian Concern reports. Pastor Sithon Thippavong was freed on April 9 after just over a year in prison.
Pakistan persecution: Christian nurses jailed for violating blasphemy law
Two Christian nurses in Pakistan have been jailed for violating blasphemy laws by following a hospital supervisor’s instructions to clean up an area covered with old hangings and stickers, including a half-torn old sticker with a verse from the Koran on it, International Christian Concern reports. Rights groups have said Pakistan’s harsh blasphemy laws are frequently abused; Pakistan ranks 5th on the Open Doors Watch List of countries where Christians are persecuted.
Christians Hiding In Myanmar Jungles After Army Attacks; Many Killed
Tens of thousands of mainly Christian ethnic Karen people were hiding in the jungles of Myanmar on Sunday, after fresh attacks by the military that took power in a coup, aid workers told Worthy News.
Malaysian government urged to release report on disappearance of Pastor Raymond Koh
The Citizens Against Enforced Disappearances (CAGED) organization is calling on the Malaysian government to release the results of a public inquiry into the disappearance of Pastor Raymond Koh, who was abducted in broad daylight in February 2017, International Christian Concern reports. It is believed the pastor was disappeared for involvement in matters against Islam.
Kidnapped Christian Girl Forced To Marry, Convert in Pakistan
A Christian girl abducted in Pakistan more than six weeks ago was forcefully converted to Islam and married to her kidnapper, Christian activists told Worthy News.
Vietnam Urged To Free Jailed Pastor and Rights Activists
Christian rights activists and other advocates urged Vietnam Tuesday to release four prisoners of conscience in Vietnam, including pastors, amid concerns about their health.