Imprisoned Kazakh Pastor Released
Pastor Bakhytzhan Kashkumbayev was released yesterday on three years’ probation following a bizarre trial and nine months of imprisonment, according to International Christian Concern.
Christian
Call to Protect Syria’s Christians
The World Evangelical Alliance has called for the protection of Syria’s Christian population ahead of the upcoming peace conference in Geneva, according to International Christian Concern.
Charges Dropped, but Pastor Remains in Prison
Although charges of “propagating extremism” leveled against a 67-year-old Presbyterian pastor were dropped Wednesday by a court in Kazakhstan’s capital of Astana, the minister still remains in prison, according to International Christian Concern.
Lebanon: Historic Christian-owned library torched
A blasphemy allegation may have led to an arson attack on an historic library owned by a church leader in Lebanon this month, according to Barnabas Aid.
Brit MPs debate persecution of Christians
The worldwide persecution of Christians was recently debated in the British House of Commons.
Pastor’s transfer to Iran’s Rajai Shahr Prison a “Death Sentence”
International Christian Concern has just learned of the abrupt transfer of American Pastor Saeed Abedini from Iran’s Evin Prison to a single cell with five death row inmates in Rajai Shahr Prison.
New Constitution to remove restrictions on churches in Egypt
A 50-member committee tasked with revamping Egypt’s current constitution has removed the document’s repressive restrictions on church construction, according to Barnabas Aid.
Eritrean Government Imprisons 150 Christians for Praying Together
Eritrean security forces recently raided yet another prayer meeting, arresting about 150 Christians in a suburb of Asmara, the African nation’s capital, according to Religion Today.
Iran: 80 Lashes for Communion Wine
This month an Iranian court in Rasht sentenced four members from the Church of Iran to 80 lashes each.
Kazakhstan re-arrests Pastor
International Christian Concern reports that a 67-year-old pastor was charged with religious extremism and imprisoned just hours after he had been released to house arrest for supposedly harming the health of his parishioners.
Saudi Mufti again calls for destruction of all churches in Arabia
The Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia has once again called for the destruction of all churches on the Arabian Peninsula.
Buddhist Extremists Force Churches in Sri Lanka to Close
Police asked several churches in Sri Lanka to close on some Sundays during September because of threats from Buddhist extremists, according to Barnabas Aid.
Pastor Kashkumbayev Mistreated by Kazakhstan Gov’t
After his arrest in May, International Christian Concern reported that Pastor Bakhytzhat Kashkumbayev has been severely mistreated by the Kazakhstan government while it continues to hide his whereabouts.
Syria: Christian village now a ‘ghost town’
Homes have been vandalized and plundered while the bodies of Christians lie along the roads of a small Christian village north of Damascus after it was invaded by Islamist insurgents last Thursday.
Christians in CAR threatened by Islamists
More than four months after Islamic rebels seized control of the Christian-majority Central African Republic (CAR), many non-Muslims are now faced with the prospect of being forced to live under Islamic law, according to Morning Star News.
Uzbekistan: Christian Children’s Camp Raided by Riot Police
Last month, a Christian children’s camp in Uzbekistan was raided by riot police; all the children were subjected to questioning and the homes of the camp’s organizers were searched, according to BarnabasAid.
Iran: Convert from Islam jailed for 10 years
A convert from Islam has been sentenced to ten years in jail for distributing 12,000 pocket-sized Gospels in the Islamic Republic of Iran, according to BarnabasAid.
More Christian Clergy Missing in Syria
Last week’s disappearance of an Italian Jesuit priest in Syria suggested foul play following the kidnappings of two other clergy in April, according to Morning Star News.
Algeria: Apostate faces prison for defaming Islam
For nearly nine months, an Algerian Christian convert from Islam still waits for a ruling on his appeal to the severe sentence handed him for allegedly proselytizing and defaming Islam and its prophet, according to Morning Star News.
Syrian Rebels to Assyrian Christian refugees: ‘If you want to come back, convert to Islam, or you will be killed’
According to the Assyrian International News Agency, Assyrian Christians who have fled from an area of Syria called al-Thawrah (also known as al-Tabqah), have been told by rebels, “If you want to come back, convert to Islam, or you will be killed.”