Iran Detains House Church Christians
Iranian security forces have raided a house church and detained 10 members who gathered for a prayer service as part of a winder crackdown, Iranian Christians told Worthy News.
Christian Persecution – Middle East
Ethiopian Christians To Be Deported From Saudi Arabia
Approximately 35 Christians in Saudi Arabia face deportation on the charge of “illicit mingling,” according to a report by the global rights body Human Rights Watch (HRW).
Iran: Christian Convert Sentenced to Two Years in Prison
A Christian convert has been sentenced to two years in prison by a Revolutionary Court in Tehran.
Syrian and Iranian Christians continue to face increasing persecution
Syrian and Iranian Christians are being targeted for further persecution, according to Christian news reports.
‘Santa Claus’ Kills Christian Leader in Israel
A leader of Israel’s Christian minority has been stabbed to death by a man dressed as Santa Claus, prompting the arrest of six locals in connection with the murder, church and police officials said Saturday, January 7.
Iran Frees Jailed Christian Executive After 287 Days
A Christian woman who was detained as part of Iran’s crackdown on devoted Christian converts has been released after more than nine months imprisonment, but concerns remain over other jailed believers, Worthy News learned January 1.
Iran Security Forces Raid Christmas Celebrations; Pastor, Wife Detained
A senior evangelical pastor and his wife are spending Christmas behind bars in southern Iran after security forces raided their Assemblies of God-affiliated church, detaining everyone in the building, including children attending Sunday School, a friend of the couple told Worthy News.
Ethiopian Christians Arrested in Saudi Arabia
Saudi police arrested 42 Ethiopian Christians attending a prayer meeting in Jeddah Thursday.
Iran Jails Pastor Extra Year Before Feared Execution
Iranian pastor Youcef Nadarkhani has to serve at least one more year in prison before he may be executed for refusing to abandon his faith in Christ and return to Islam, an official assisting him told Worthy News Thursday, December 14.
Suspect in Ortiz Bombing Fit To Stand Trial
The “Jewish terrorist” who tried to murder members of an Israeli Messianic family on account of their faith has been declared fit to stand trial.
Iran Orders Pastors to Serve Prison Terms
Iran has ordered three evangelical house church pastors to report to prison within a month and serve lengthy jail terms on charges linked to their Christian activities, a well-informed source told Worthy News late Tuesday, November 29.
New U.S. Security Measures Leave Iraqi Christian Refugees in Limbo
The immigration status of thousands of Christians fleeing from persecution in Iraq are now in limbo thanks to new security measures.
Iranian Officials Pressure Imprisoned Pastor to Return to Islam
Iranian officials are trying to convince an imprisoned pastor to return to Islam while he awaits word from Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on whether he should be executed for converting to Christianity.
Muslim Convert To Christianity Missing After Arrest
A believer of Muslim Background, Fariborz Arazm, has gone missing since his arrest last week by plain clothes security officers.
Syrian Believers in Need of Prayer
Christians in Syria need prayer during that country’s current civil turmoil; at least 2,700 people have been killed and thousands more arrested in an effort to overthrow Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
Iran Pastor’s Execution Verdict Expected Monday; Ruling Delayed
Iranian Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani learns early next week whether he will be executed for refusing to recant his faith in Jesus Christ and return to Islam, as the court needs more time to consult with the country’s leadership, trial observers told Worthy News Thursday, October 6.
Four People Kidnapped in Iraq
Four people, three Christians and one of Turkish origin, were kidnapped on Sept. 21 according to Middle East Concern. They were returning from a hunting trip when their vehicle was stopped by armed men. The vehicle was found a short time later after it had been burned, with the bodies of the dogs inside.
Iran Threatens To Kill Evangelical Christians Unless They “Repent”, Christians say
Militants with suspected ties to Iranian security forces have threatened to kill nearly a dozen evangelical Christians who fled Iran unless they “repent” and return to Islam, well-informed sources told Worthy News early Sunday, October 2.
Iran Says Pastor Nadarkhani Must Be Executed For Being “Zionist”
Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani faced tense hours early Saturday, October 1, after a government official said he should be executed for being a traitorous “Zionist” and committing “security crimes.”
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.