Homes of Christians Fleeing Iraq Seized by Gangs
Gangs in Baghdad are seizing homes left vacant by Christian families who have been forced to flee from sectarian violence, according to Barnabas Aid.
Christian Persecution – Middle East
Abedini: God has chosen us for this ordeal
The wife of an American pastor serving eight years in Iran for his Christian faith said God had chosen their family for this ordeal to reach people in despair.
Syrian Islamists Kill 80 Christians, Displace Thousands More
Eighty Christians were killed and thousands more displaced after Islamic militants attacked the strategic Syrian town of Kessab near the Turkish border on March 21, according to Barnabas Aid.
Rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran
During a press conference in Geneva this month, the UN Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran released his latest report, according to Barnabas Aid.
Christians Warned Not to Support Assad
Using the Twitter social networking site, Lebanon’s March 14 General Secretariat Coordinator warned Christians that backing President Bashar al-Assad would backfire on their own communities, according to NOW news.
Twenty-two Christians killed in Nigeria
International Christian Concern has reported that 22 Christians were killed in an assault on a worship service in northeastern Nigeria Sunday morning.
Call to Protect Syria’s Christians
The World Evangelical Alliance has called for the protection of Syria’s Christian population ahead of the upcoming peace conference in Geneva, according to International Christian Concern.
Lebanon: Historic Christian-owned library torched
A blasphemy allegation may have led to an arson attack on an historic library owned by a church leader in Lebanon this month, according to Barnabas Aid.
Israel deports Messianic Jew
An immigration judge has ordered the deportation of a Messianic Jew arrested last week while participating in an evangelistic event in Israel, according to Morning Star News.
Pastor’s transfer to Iran’s Rajai Shahr Prison a “Death Sentence”
International Christian Concern has just learned of the abrupt transfer of American Pastor Saeed Abedini from Iran’s Evin Prison to a single cell with five death row inmates in Rajai Shahr Prison.
Iran: 80 Lashes for Communion Wine
This month an Iranian court in Rasht sentenced four members from the Church of Iran to 80 lashes each.
Saudi Mufti again calls for destruction of all churches in Arabia
The Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia has once again called for the destruction of all churches on the Arabian Peninsula.
Iran: Christian Women Among Political Prisoners Freed
Two Christian women were among the nearly 100 political prisoners released from Iranian jails before that nation’s newly elected president addressed the UN General Assembly in New York City Tuesday, according to Barnabas Aid.
Syria: Christian village now a ‘ghost town’
Homes have been vandalized and plundered while the bodies of Christians lie along the roads of a small Christian village north of Damascus after it was invaded by Islamist insurgents last Thursday.
Jihadist rebels, Assad loyalists fight for control of Syrian countryside
In the battle for Syria between forces loyal to President Bashar al-Assad and rebel jihadist factions, violent contests for the control of small Christian villages are often under-reported by the mainstream media.
Iran: Convert from Islam jailed for 10 years
A convert from Islam has been sentenced to ten years in jail for distributing 12,000 pocket-sized Gospels in the Islamic Republic of Iran, according to BarnabasAid.
More Christian Clergy Missing in Syria
Last week’s disappearance of an Italian Jesuit priest in Syria suggested foul play following the kidnappings of two other clergy in April, according to Morning Star News.
Syrian Rebels to Assyrian Christian refugees: ‘If you want to come back, convert to Islam, or you will be killed’
According to the Assyrian International News Agency, Assyrian Christians who have fled from an area of Syria called al-Thawrah (also known as al-Tabqah), have been told by rebels, “If you want to come back, convert to Islam, or you will be killed.”
Another Christian Convert Tried in Iran
A Christian convert was tried in July by Branch 2 of the Revolutionary Court in Robat Karim.
Eight converts sentenced in Iran for ‘National Security’ violations
Eight Iranian Christians received long sentences Tuesday after being convicted of “action against the national security,” a bogus charge often used against Muslim converts to Christianity, according to Morning Star News.