Egypt Removes Adopted Baby From Christians
Christians have launched a campaign for a 5-year-old Egyptian Coptic boy who was reportedly taken away from his adoptive parents by Egyptian authorities at age four and forced to become a Muslim.
Christian Persecution
Indonesia: Church allowed to reopen after local Muslims shut it down
In a remarkable piece of good news for persecuted Indonesian Christians, a church in Bandar Lampung has been allowed to reopen after local Muslim village authorities and residents interrupted a worship service and forced it to close down last month, International Christian Concern (ICC) reports. The Kemah Daud Christian Church had been in the middle of a Sunday service on February 19 when the disruption and subsequent closure occurred.
India: Pastor and his wife arrested/imprisoned under Uttar Pradesh anti-conversion laws
A pastor and his wife in India’s Uttar Pradesh state have been criminally charged and imprisoned under harsh local anti-conversion laws for allegedly luring Hindus into becoming Christians, Scroll reports. Ruled by the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party since 2014, India ranks 11th on the US Open Doors World Watch List 2023 of the top 50 countries where Christians are persecuted.
China: Church releases statement detailing torture of imprisoned leaders
An evangelical church in China has released a statement detailing torture and maltreatment inflicted on three of the congregation’s leaders who have been in detention since August last year, Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) reports. China ranks 16th on the US Open Doors World Watch List 2023 of the top 50 countries where Christians are persecuted.
Uganda: Evangelist attacked after leading 37 Muslims to Christ
An evangelist in eastern Uganda is recovering after being hospitalized by Islamist extremists enraged that he ostensibly led 37 Muslims to Christ during an extended public debate on Islam and Christianity last month, Morning Star News (MSN) reports. While Christianity is legal in Uganda, followers of Christ – especially former Muslims – have come under intense violent attack by Islamic extremists who seek to prevent the Gospel from being shared in the country.
Iran Releases Church Leader Nadarkhani After Years Behind Bars
An Iranian pastor, who spent most of his time in prison since 2016, has been released as part of a national amnesty issued by Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei to commemorate the anniversary of the 1979 Islamic Revolution, Worthy News learned Wednesday.
Ancient Biblical city of Antioch was devastated in Turkey earthquake
The ancient Turkish city of Antioch, where the Bible says followers of Jesus were first called Christians, has been devastated by the catastrophic 7.8-magnitude earthquake which hit Turkey and Syria on February 6 and killed 42,000 people, the Christian Post (CP) reports.
Uganda: Forty Christian children rescued after abduction by Islamist, “we thank God”
Forty Christian children in Uganda have been rescued after being kidnapped by Islamists who may have planned to sell them to a militant group in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Morning Star News (MSN) reports. The children’s abduction is one of many documented examples of the intense persecution of Christians in Uganda.
Mozambique: Christians increasingly vulnerable to Islamic State terror
Christians in Mozambique are in increased mortal danger as the ISIS-Mozambique (IS-M) Islamic terror group wreaks extreme violence and havoc in the troubled country, International Christian Concern (ICC) reports.
Iran: Two Christians pardoned and released from prison
In a rare act of goodwill toward Iran’s Christian community, the Iranian Islamic regime pardoned and released two Christians imprisoned for “acting against national security by organizing house churches and promoting ‘Zionist’ Christianity,” International Christian Concern (ICC) reports. The Christians’ release was part of the government’s annual tradition of pardoning prisoners commemorating Iran’s 1979 Islamic Revolution.
Nigeria Christians Face Cash Crisis Ahead Of Elections (Worthy News In-Depth)
Devoted Christians already suffering from Islamist attacks in several parts of Nigeria faced more difficulties Thursday as the government changed the nation’s currency design causing shortages and wreaking social havoc.
Nicaragua Removes Citizenship Church Leaders And Many Others
Nicaragua has stripped more than 90 people of their Nicaraguan citizenship, including the bishop of Managua and a Catholic priest, as part of a crackdown on opponents of the country’s autocratic President Daniel Ortega.
Pakistan Christian Family Faces Deportation Despite Death Threats (Worthy News In-Depth)
A Christian family who fled Pakistan after angry Muslim crowds torched their home and one of them was nearly beaten to death, face forced deportation from Thailand, Worthy News established.
China: Government persecution of Christians worsened last year, report says
The US-based ChinaAid persecution watchdog organization attests in a new report that China’s ruling Communist Party intensified its notorious harassment and mistreatment of Christians in the country last year, the Christian Post reports.
Nigeria: Christian leaders mark 5th year in captivity of schoolgirl Leah Sharibu abducted by Boko Haram
Christian leaders gathered in Abuja, Nigeria on Sunday for a special prayer event that commemorated the fifth year in captivity of Leah Sharibu, a Christian school girl who was abducted by Boko Haram Islamic terrorists, and who remains in captivity because she refused to renounce her faith, Christian Persecution reports.
Mozambique: Imprisoned missionaries denied bail
A US missionary pilot and two South African missionary volunteers who have been imprisoned on suspicion of supporting insurgent activity in Mozambique have been denied bail by a local court, the Christian Post (CP) reports.
Six Egyptian Coptic Christians released by kidnappers in Libya
Egypt’s foreign ministry announced Friday that six Coptic Egyptian Christian men who were kidnapped by a criminal gang in Libya earlier this month have been released, the Christian Post (CP) reports.
Pakistan: Two Christian farmers murdered by Islamists, “there are almost constant attacks against individuals”
Two Christian farmers in Pakistan were recently murdered by Islamists who attacked them in separate incidents in January and February, respectively, Voice of the Martyrs (VOM) reports.
Iran Releases Another Jailed Christian Convert After Pressure
Iran has released another Christian convert from its notorious prison, just days after another jailed Christian was freed, Christians said Thursday.
India Police Stop Church Burning
Police in central India have detained three suspected Hindu militants to end the burning of several church buildings in the region, Christians said Thursday.