Iran Frees House Church Leader Qabitizade After 560 Days Detention
An Iranian house-church leader has been released after spending 560 days in prison “because of his Christian faith,” Iranian Christians told Worthy News.
Christian Persecution – Middle East
Detained, Beaten, Iranian Pastor Irani Hospitalized
There was mounting concern Tuesday, July 17, about the health situation of jailed and mistreated Iranian Pastor Behnam Irani after he became unconscious and was hospitalized, an official assisting him with advocacy said.
Ahmadinejad: Judaism and Christianity don’t exist
In his opening speech at an Islamic conference in Tehran Tuesday, the President of Iran said that God didn’t create Judaism, or Christianity.
Revolutionary Guards Close Church Properties
Both the Central Assembly of God Church in Tehran and its summer campsite have been closed by the Islamic authorities, according to the Farsi Christian News Network.
Condemned Iranian pastor may face new charges
It’s been almost three years since Iranian officials arrested Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani on charges of apostasy, but now Iranian judges may add crimes against national security and blasphemy, according to Christian Solidarity Worldwide.
Thousands Of Christians Fleeing Syria Amid Torture Allegations
Thousands of Christians have fled their homes in Syria where news emerged Tuesday, July 3, that intelligence agencies run dozens of torture centers where detainees are beaten with batons and cables, burned with acid, sexually assaulted, and have fingernails torn out.
Iranian Imams Fear Spread of House Churches
The rise of Christianity and the accompanying spread of its clandestine house churches in Iran is seen as a serious threat by the Islamic state’s senior clerics.
US-Backed Rebels Committing Christian Genocide in Syria
Christians are being targeted by Muslim rebels according to the Vatican and other sources amongst besieged Syrian Christian communities.
Iran Closing Down Tehran Evangelical Church
Evangelical Christians in Iran’s capital Tehran were without a church building Sunday, June 10, after Iranian security forces closed it down as part of a wider crackdown, Iranian Christians and activists told Worthy News.
Saudis Contradictory on Why Ethiopian Christians Were Arrested
Saudi officials have been making conflicting statements as to why 35 Ethiopian Christians were arrested at a prayer service in a private home in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, last December.
Iranian Gov’t Demand Details on Christian Congregations
Iranian authorities recently told church leaders to submit the names and National ID numbers of their members, threatening the security of Christian converts.
Iran House Church Pastor Still Beaten In Prison
Prominent Iranian house church pastor Behnam Irani is still beaten in his prison but less frequently, an official assisting him with advocacy said Monday, just weeks after his family expressed concerns he may die.
Kuwaitis Pass Death Penalty for Blasphemy
Kuwait’s parliament recently passed a bill authorizing the death penalty for Muslims who curse God, the Qu’ran and its prophets, including the wives of the Prophet Mohammed.
Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani’s attorney to be jailed
Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani’s Iranian attorney has been convicted of defending the rights of religious prisoners in the Islamic state and may soon begin serving a lengthy sentence.
Five Christian Converts Interrogated in Shiraz
Following a February raid on a house church in Shiraz and the arrest of its Christian converts, the first of many interrogations for five detainees was finally held after they spent 80 days in Adel-Abad prison, according to Mohabat News.
Iranian Christians tried on Easter for Their Faith
Pastor Matthias Haghnejad and eleven members of his congregation were tried in Iran during Easter for their faith in Christ and are now awaiting the verdict.
Monuments destroyed to wipe out Iranian Christian heritage
Historic Christian monuments in Iran are being destroyed, or allowed to fall into disrepair in an attempt by the Islamic authorities to wipe out that country’s Christian heritage.
Sweden Plans Deportation Iranian Christians Despite Dangers
There was concern over the plight of several Iranian Christian asylum seekers in Sweden Tuesday, April 24, after Swedish authorities decided to deport them despite fears they may be jailed or even executed there, Christians said.
Kuwait’s Parliament Passes Death Penalty for Blasphemy
Kuwait’s parliament provisionally passed amendments to its penal code Thursday requiring the death penalty for anyone who curses Allah, the Prophet Mohammad, or his many wives.
12 Iranian Christians Stand Trial Easter Sunday
Twelve Christians are to stand trial in Iran on Easter Sunday on charges including “crimes against the order”, an activist assisting them with advocacy told Worthy News.