Nigeria Christian Persecution Crisis: Almost 1500 Christians slaughtered, 2200 abducted, by Islamic Jihadists in first third of 2021

The large-scale, years-long onslaught of killing and kidnapping of Christians in Nigeria by Muslim extremists continues unabated and under-reported: a further 1470 Christians were murdered, and 2200 abducted, by Islamic Jihadists in the first four months of 2021 alone, the Intersociety for Civil Liberty and Rule of Law has attested in a new report. This time last year, the Nigerian Voice reported that Islamic militants had butchered 32,000 Christians since 2009; that number is now much higher.

Iran Christians attend meetings to prepare for prosecution

Christian converts and evangelists in Iran attend ‘persecution preparedness’ meetings to share practical and psychological ways of coping with the threat of government raids on underground churches and the prospect of being jailed in notoriously appalling prisons on the grounds of ‘national security,’ Open Doors UK reports.

Nigeria: Gunmen abduct Pastor during church Bible study, demand ransom

Suspected Muslim Fulani militants in Nigeria have demanded a ransom of 30 million nairas (US$73,600) for the release of Pastor Otamayomi Ogedengbe of Deeper Life Bible Church, whom they abducted at gunpoint from a Bible study at his church building in Akure, Ondo state on May 10, Morning Star News reports.

Pakistan: Mob of 200 Muslims attack Christian community in Punjab province

On May 15, a mob of over 200 Muslims attacked a Christian community in the Chak 5 village of Pakistan’s Punjab province, ransacking homes and seriously injuring eight people, International Christian Concern reports. Pakistan ranks 5 on the US Open Doors watch list of countries that persecute Christians; the persecution level in the country has been rated as “extreme.”

Four Christians beheaded in Indonesia; “please pray”

Four Christian men were beheaded in Indonesia earlier this month, in what is believed to have been an attack by East Indonesia Mujahidin (MIT) Islamic terrorists, Christian Today reports. The horrifying attack was carried out just six months after four Christians were murdered at a Salvation Army outpost in Sigi, Central Sulawesi.

Uganda: Christian leader beheaded, tongue cut out by Islamic extremists

Right after leading six Muslims to Christ during a public debate on May 3, a pastor in eastern Uganda was followed home and murdered by Islamic extremists who cut out his tongue and beheaded him, Morning Star News. The killing was the latest murder of Christians by Islamists in Uganda.

State Dept. releases International Religious Freedom report

The US State Department has published its International Religious Freedom (IRF) Report for 2020, providing an overview of religious freedom and persecution around the world, International Christian Concern reports. This year’s IRF condemned countries including Saudi Arabia, Nigeria, and China for their abuses of religious freedom, and stated that the US would continue to address the issue.

Karen Christians in Myanmar persecuted by Burmese army; “please pray”

Rights groups report that Karen Christians in Myanmar are suffering under attacks and massive displacement by the Tatmadaw Burmese military which wrested control of the civilian government in February, and which carries out violent campaigns against ethnic and religious minorities in the country, International Christian Concern has reported. Prayer has been requested for the Karen Christians and all those oppressed in Myanmar.

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