Indonesia: 110 Churches Closed in Three Years
Islamic extremist groups and local governments in Indonesia closed 110 churches from 2004 to 2007, according to religious and human rights organizations.
Christian Persecution
“Wave of Persecution in China”; Group Smuggles Millions of Bibles
Government initiated attacks in China against Christians and their churches are "the worst in years" with a "wave of persecution" reported across the Communist nation, a well-informed group revealed Tuesday, April 1.
Algeria Continues Widespread Church Closures
Groups of devoted Christians in Algeria were without places to worship Saturday, March 29, after authorities closed down more than a dozen Protestant churches amid anger over alleged attempts by evangelical believers to convert Muslims.
India: Hindu Extremists Assault Christian Family
Hindu extremists in a village in Madhya Pradesh who have harassed and threatened local Christians beat the grandparents and aunt of a 15-year-old girl last weekend when the Christian family refused to allow the group to rape her.
Egypt: Ex-Muslims Blocked from Declaring Conversion
Christian-born converts to Islam in Egypt wishing to return to their former faith have found their way blocked by an appeal before the country’s Supreme Constitutional Court.
India: Rajasthan Passes New ‘Anti-Conversion’ Bill
The Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Rajasthan state on Thursday (March 20) passed a new "anti-conversion" bill with more stringent and arbitrary provisions than previous legislation stalled by objections from the former governor.
India: Intolerant Hindus Attack Easter Services
Hindutva (Hindu nationalist) extremists stormed two Easter Sunday services and beat at least 16 Christians, including two pastors, in the Karnataka state capital of Bangalore and in Shimoga district.
Sri Lanka: Attacks on Bible School Continue
A Provincial Council member brandishing a gun assaulted a security guard at a Bible college in Lunuwila, Puttlam district two weeks after an attack on 10 of the institution’s students seriously injured two of them.
Fourteen Indian Christian Evangelists Imprisoned In Bangladesh
Some fourteen Indian Christians remained detained in Bangladesh Saturday, March 22, weeks after completing a three-month sentence for unwittingly crossing the border while evangelizing, because India has not request their repatriation, news reports said.
Thousands Of Burma Buddhist Monks Embrace Christianity, Missionaries Say
Burma anticipated a nationwide boycott of upcoming Buddhist religious exams Thursday, March 20, amid reports that thousands of Buddhist monks have turned to Christianity.
Chinese Christian Evangelist Mistreated In Prison
A Chinese Christian who was sentenced to 18 months imprisonment last November for distributing Christian leaflets among Muslims is mistreated in a Muslim-majority prison, a Christian news agency reported Tuesday, March 18.
Ethiopia: Muslims Kill Worshipper in Church Attacks
Eight Muslims wielding razor-sharp machetes and knives broke into two village churches in southern Ethiopia earlier this month and began wounding worshipers, instantly killing one Christian.
Ethiopia: Attack on Church Leaves 4 Dead, 70 Injured
Last week, Christians gathering at local churches in a southern region in Ethiopia were enjoying singing and worship when, without warning, hundreds of men armed with machetes and clubs leapt through the open windows and indiscriminately began attacking everyone present. The attackers barricaded the doors to try to prevent people from escaping.
Laos Security Forces Raid Villages; 58 Christians Missing
At least 15 Christian families in Laos remained unaccounted for Sunday, March 16, after security forces raided their villages and Hmomg church leaders were sentenced to 15 years imprisonment, human rights investigators said.
India: Hindu Extremists Forcibly ‘Re-Convert’ Christians
Hindu extremists recently carried out a well-planned scheme to lure to a temple and forcibly convert scores of Christians from villages around this capital city of Himachal Pradesh state.
Laos: Officials Arrest 58 Christians; Church Leaders Sentenced
Laotian officials arrested 15 Hmong Christian families in Bokeo district on February 22, a day before a court sentenced nine area Hmong church leaders to 15 years in prison for conducting Christian ministry and meetings that had grown beyond acceptable levels for communist officials.
Sri Lanka Christians Face Massive Attacks, Investigators say
There was concern Wednesday, March 5, about the apparent escalation of violence against Christians in Sri Lanka amid fresh reports of attacks against churches and other Christian institutions.
Nigeria Church Looted And Demolished In Kano State
Christians in several areas of Nigeria’s Kano State remained anxious Tuesday, March 4, after a government-backed mob armed with machetes reportedly set fire to a church building, before looting and dismantling the property, while a bishop narrowly escaped death, rights watchers said.
China Arrests Dozens Of Christians, Including Children
A group of 70 Christians remained detained Tuesday, March 4, in China’s Henan Province, some two weeks after security forces raided a Bible training meeting, while some three children in Xinjiang Province were also arrested for their involvement in Christian activities, fellow believers said.
Algeria Expels American Protestant Pastor
An elderly American pastor and former chairman of the Protestant Church of Algeria was preparing Thursday, February 28, to launch an appeal against plans by authorities to deport him from the country.