Egypt Ends Nationwide State Of Emergency
Egypt’s president says he will not extend the nationwide state of emergency imposed in April 2017 after church bombings and attacks on Coptic Christians killed more than 100 people.
Christian Persecution
Pakistan Detains Six Over Killing Of Christians
Pakistan’s police detained six suspects after armed Muslims opened fire on Christians killing two brothers and injuring others in a water dispute in Punjab province, Christians said Wednesday.
Couple Flees Syria After Threats For Converting To Christianity
A woman who left Islam for faith in Christ and her Christian husband have fled Syria after police violence and threats from Muslim family members, friends, confirmed to Worthy News.
80-year old US Pastor abducted by gang in Haiti; “I’ve come to plead”
An 80-year old American citizen and pastor Jean Pierre Ferrer Michel remains in captivity after being abducted by gunmen in Haiti on October 3, nearly two weeks before 16 American missionaries and a Canadian were kidnapped together by a Haitian gang on the island, the Miami Herald (MH) reports. Both the US Embassy and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) have reportedly been contacted about Pastor Michel’s situation on account of his US citizenship.
Cuban government seeking 10-year jail term for Pastor, “My children and I plead for help”
Authorities in Cuba are looking to impose a 10-year prison sentence on a pastor who participated in nationwide peaceful protests against the government on July 11, Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) reports. Currently held at the Boniato maximum security prison, Pastor Lorenzo Rosales Fajardo of the Monte de Sion Independent Church in Palma Soriano has been charged with ‘public disorder,’ and ‘disrespect’ among other offenses.
Morocco: New liberal government heralds greater freedom for Christians
Christians in Morocco are expected to enjoy greater religious freedom since the September 8 election of a new liberal government, International Christian Concern (ICC) reports. The recent election resulted in victory for the National Rally of Independents party, bringing the 10-year reign of the Islamist Justice and Development Party to an end.
Hindu radicals violently attack Christian congregation, women seriously injured
Hindu extremists last week violently attacked a home prayer meeting attended by 50 Christians in India’s Chhattisgarh state, severely injuring a number of women and making one of them eat cow dung, Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) reports. Persecution against Christians in India has intensified dramatically since the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party came to power in 2014.
Canada: Pastor spends second night in jail to stand for religious freedom
A pastor in Manitoba, Canada spent an additional night in prison last week after rejecting bail conditions that would have prevented him from preaching at his church, Fox News reports. Pastor Tobias Tissen who leads Manitoba’s Church of God Restoration was imprisoned for two days after violating a COVID-19 order which banned outdoor gatherings of more than five people.
Christians Fear Taliban Killings In Pakistan
Christians in Pakistan’s border area near Afghanistan fear more attacks from the Islamist Pakistan Taliban group, aid workers told Worthy News.
Myanmar Military Frees Pastors Jailed For Prayer Rally
Three Kachin Baptist pastors detained for organizing prayers for peace are among more than 5,000 inmates freed in Myanmar, also known as Burma, church sources say.
Christian Sanitation Workers Die In Pakistan Prompting Protests
Two Christian sanitation workers have died in Pakistan’s Punjab province while saving a Christian colleague tasked with clearing a poisonous sewer, rights activists said Thursday.
India State Investigates Christian Activities
The Hindu-led government of southern India’s Karnataka state has reportedly launched an investigation into Christian activities linked to alleged “forced conversions” to Christianity.
India Detains Pastors For Violating Anti-Conversion Law
Seven pastors have been detained in India’s northern state of Uttar Pradesh after allegedly violating the territory’s anti-conversion legislation, well-informed Christians say.
Three pastors freed from prison in Myanmar
Three ethnic Kachin pastors in Myanmar were among 5,000 prisoners freed by the Burmese Army (Tatmadaw) on Monday, International Christian Concern (ICC) reports. The Tatmadaw said in a statement they had released the prisoners “on humanitarian grounds,” but it is widely believed this was a strategic move by General Min Aung Hlaing to gain international acceptance as the legitimate leader of Myanmar.
Haiti gang leader threatens to kill kidnapped missionaries
Time is running out for the 17 Haiti missionaries who are being held hostage, according to the gang leader behind their abduction.
Chile: Two more churches destroyed in ongoing wave of arson attacks
In the latest of a wave of arson attacks on churches in Chile, two churches in the Biobio region were burned to the ground on October 12, Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) reports. The attacks on both Protestant and Catholic churches in Chile began in 2015.
India: Another church attacked by Hindu nationalists, congregants severely injured
Over 200 Hindu extremists, including middle-aged women, attacked a church in northern India on October 3, beating up worshippers, causing severe injuries, and looting church and personal property, Morning Star News (MSN).
Haiti Gang Demands $17 million For Kidnapped American Missionaries
Haiti’s government said Tuesday that a gang that abducted American and Canadian missionaries is asking for $17 million – or $1 million each – to release them.
Afghan Christian Girls Fear Being Abducted As Taliban Brides
Young Christian women and underaged girls in Afghanistan have appealed for help as they fear being abducted as brides for Islamist Taliban fighters, a Christian broadcaster announced Tuesday.
Nigeria: Boko Haram attack Christian community, murder two; “please pray”
Boko Haram Islamic terrorists murdered two Christians and set many homes on fire during an October 5 attack on a Christian community in Chibok in Nigeria’s Borno state, International Christian Concern (ICC) reports. Over 3,400 Christians in Nigeria have been murdered by Islamic militants this year.