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.
Christian Persecution – Asia
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.
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.
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.
Tortured Bangladesh Christian Activist Hiding In Hong Kong
He was tortured for his Christian faith, but still wanted to “sing the songs of David.” He was naked, but “Jesus Christ” clothed him “with His Love.” Words of Christian rights activist William Nicholas Gomes, a former Muslim who fled rough police and Islamic extremists in his native Bangladesh.
India State Halts Church Construction After Hindu Pressure
Authorities backed by Hindu militants have halted the reconstruction of a Baptist church that was destroyed in deadly anti-Christian violence in India’s volatile state of Orissa, local Christians said.
Hindu Radicals Ransack Church and Beat Clergyman in Karnataka
For two consecutive Sundays, church service was disrupted in Karnataka while clergy were roughed-up and arrested on false forced conversion charges.
Orissa Government Officials Cancel Church Construction
Christians who were recently relocated to Nandagiri have been ordered to suspend construction of their small church to satisfy the region’s radical Hindus.
Indonesian Mayor Decides Churches Can’t Be Built on Streets with Islamic Names
Bogor’s mayor has a new reason not to allow the Yasmin church to open: the name of the street on which it is built bears an Islamic name.
Vietnamese Police beat Christian Worshippers
An attack against minority Christians living in the central highlands of Vietnam in July left 16 men and women severely injured with one man still under arrest, according to International Christian Concern.
Christians assaulted while watching ‘Jesus’ film near former Bin Laden Safe House
Christians watching a movie depicting the life of Christ were attacked by a mob of Muslims in a park near where Osama bin Laden was killed.
Indonesian Mayor again refuses to grant Church Permit
A mayor in West Java who disregarded a Supreme Court ruling to reinstate the building permit of a church in Bogor has also dismissed a recommendation by the National Ombudsman Institute to comply with the ruling.
Malaysian Muslims decry Proselytizers
Muslims in Malaysia have demanded that action be taken against those who proselytize Muslims to Christianity as 22 Islamic non-governmental organizations called for laws banning apostasy.
Malaysian Christians plot to proselytize to Muslims?
After a controversial church raid this week, two Malay newspapers alleged that Christian organizations were offering cash to convert poverty-stricken Muslim families.
Two Indonesian Churches Torched
Two house churches in Riau were burned down Tuesday, the latest of a series of attacks on minority religious groups in Indonesia.
Christian activist found dead in Kandhamal
After days of searching, the body of Christian activist Micael Digal was found near the village of Mdikia in Kandhamal; after an autopsy, police ruled the death as “accidental”.
Lao Authorities arrest Christians in separate incidents
It’s been a tough time to be a Christian in Laos.
In Luang Namtha Province, Pastor Seng Aroun of Kon church and three other Christians from Sounya village were arrested in July by provincial authorities and detained at Luang Namtha’s provincial prison. Although most were soon released, the authorities ordered all Christians in Sounya village to stop worshiping in private homes, according to Human Rights Watch for Lao Religious Freedom.
17-Year-Old Cease-Fire in Burma Broken; Thousands Flee
Last month, in June, the Burmese (Myanmar) military ended a 17-year ceasefire causing more than 20,000 civilians to flee their homes in Kachin state, Worthy News has learned.
Pentecostal Pastors Accused of Forced Proselytism
Police arrested three pastors of the Gospel Messengers Team along with the couple who hosted them in Bighapur on false charges of forcibly converting people of other religions.
Missionaries Face Severe Opposition in India
Several Gospel for Asia missionaries are encountering intense opposition, but persecution is not uncommon in this part of the world: entire families have been forced to leave their homes and villages because of the cause of Christ.