Egypt vows probe into Sunday’s deadly clashes
Egypt’s prime minister chaired an emergency meeting Monday after clashes involving soldiers and Coptic protesters left at least 25 dead and hundreds wounded.
Christian Persecution
Muslims shut down Protestant church
Muslims of the Islamic Defender Front aided by local officials recently shut down a Protestant church in Jatinangor on rumors that the church was a haven for newly baptised Christians.
Police close Pentecostal churches as “Reign of Terror” continues against Christians in Karnataka
Following complaints from radical Hindu groups, police recently closed Pentecostal churches in the districts of Hassan and Bangalore.
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.
Egyptian Muslims Attack Copts
Mobs of Muslims torched a church in Upper Egypt and then looted and burned nearby Coptic homes and businesses.
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.
Iran Pastor Refuses To ‘Abandon’ Christ; Execution Perhaps “Thursday”
A young pastor of Iran’s largest house church movement has told an Iranian court he will not “recant” his faith in Christ despite facing execution as early as Thursday, September 29, for abandoning Islam, church sources said.
Iran Court Tells Pastor ‘Recant Faith Or Face Execution’
An Iranian court has asked the pastor of one of Iran’s largest house church movements to abandon his faith in Christ and return to Islam if he wants to avoid execution, a church official told Worthy News Sunday, September 25.
Suicide Attack At Indonesia Church Kills 1, Injures 20
A suicide bomber attacked a Protestant church packed with worshippers in Indonesia’s Central Java province on Sunday, September 25, killing himself while injuring over 20 others, police and officials said.
100 Christians Killed In Nigeria Violence
The Christian community in Nigeria’s central Plateau state are anxiously awaiting the arrival of some 1,300 additional riot police following weeks of sectarian violence that reportedly killed as many as 100 Christians.
China Frees Prominent House Church Leader; Others Detained
China has unexpectedly released a prominent house church leader from prison amid international concerns about his health, his family and rights activists confirmed Monday, September 19.
Kazakhstan Lawmakers Adopt “Repressive” Religion Law
Lawmakers in Kazakhstan have voted for controversial legislation that Christians and rights activists say will further limit religious freedom in the mainly Muslim Central Asian state.
Christian accused of Blasphemy dies in Pakistani Jail
A Christian accused of blasphemy died in a Pakistan prison from a treatable disease after he was denied medical care.
Mexico Evangelicals Leave Village Amid Crucifixion Threats
At least 70 evangelical Christians in Mexico’s east-central region were homeless Saturday, September 17, after being expelled by local authorities from their village where traditional Catholics reportedly threatened to “crucify or lynch” them.
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.
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.
Somali Christian Covert Kidnapped, Beheaded
The body of a kidnapped Christian convert from Islam was found decapitated near Hudur City on Sept. 2.