Pakistan: Christian Mother Files Final Appeal
A Christian mother of five who was sentenced to death for blasphemy in Pakistan has filed an appeal to the country’s top court, according to Barnabas Aid.
Christian Persecution
Pastor Faces Death Sentence in Iran for “Spreading Corruption on the Earth”
An Iranian Christian pastor imprisoned for his faith now faces the death penalty after being officially charged with “spreading corruption on [the] Earth.”
Pastor Killed in Cameroon By Boko Haram
A church leader was among 25 people killed in Cameroon as Muslim militants unleashed a series of assaults at the end of July.
China Intensifying Persecution of Christians
Chinese authorities are escalating their attacks on churches since they perceive the growth of Christianity as a threat to their communist regime, according to The Washington Free Beacon.
Chinese Pastor Sentenced to 12 Years
Nanle County Church Pastor Shaojie Zhang was sentenced on July 4 to 12 years in prison in China, according to International Christian Concern.
Christian Pastor Arrested in Iran
Iranian security forces have arrested three Christians including a pastor, according to Christian Today.
Sudan Demolishes Yet Another Church
Sudanese authorities in North Khartoum demolished yet another church building Monday one day after giving its congregation verbal notice, according to Morning Star News.
Boko Haram Burns Churches, Kills More Than 30 people, Residents say
At least 30 Nigerians were killed Sunday in raids on four Christian villages in the northeastern state of Borno by suspected Boko Haram islamists, according to CNN.
Pope: More Persecuted Christians Today Than Ever Before
While celebrating a memorial Mass Monday for ancient Christians martyred by Nero, Pope Francis said there are more martyrs today than at any time in history, according to Breitbart.com.
US, Sudan Negotiates over Christian “Convert”
Officials in Khartoum are currently negotiating to allow a Sudanese woman who was just spared the death penalty to finally leave Sudan behind, according to Jihad Watch.
UN Human Rights Council Approves Inquiry into Eritrea
On Saturday the UN’s Human Rights Council created a commission of inquiry into Eritrea, one of the world’s most repressive states, according to International Christian Concern.
Iran: Pastor Irani Returned to Prison
Pastor Behnam Irani, who was assaulted by his own guards and transferred to a then unknown location on June 7, has been returned to Ghezal Hesar Prison, according to Christian Solidarity Worldwide.
Egyptian Christian Sentenced to Six Years for Blasphemy
A Christian in southern Egypt has been sentenced Tuesday to six years in prison and fined the equivalent of $840 on charges of blasphemy and contempt of Islam for simply “liking” a Facebook page, according to International Christian Concern.
ISIS Begins Imposing Poll Tax on Christians in Mosul
The High Commission for Human Rights in Iraq has confirmed that the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant has begun imposing the jizya or poll tax on Christians in Mosul, according to the Assyrian International News Agency.
Church Leaders Condemn Conditions in Eritrea
Four senior church leaders in Eritrea have published an open letter criticizing the African state as “truly shameful and unacceptable,” according to Barnabas Aid.
Mob Storms Christian Center in Vietnam Lead by Officials and Police
Last week a group of pastors and Bible students were beaten by a mob that stormed the building they were meeting in and then attacked them, according to Release International.
Egyptian Convert Sentenced to Five Years
Wednesday a judge in Egypt’s Minya Criminal Court sentenced the first Egyptian to legally challenge his official religious status to five years in prison and a fine, according to Morning Star News.
Chinese Gov’t Continues Anti-Christian Campaign
Only one week after Chinese Christians in Wenzhou City fought back against Communist attempts to remove the cross from the roof of their church, government authorities returned and destroyed the cross, according to International Christian Concern.
Hindu Nationalists Attack Christians in India
On Monday, Hindu nationalists beat about 150 members of a Pentecostal community in Sirisguda, India, with sticks, according to AsiaNews.
Chinese Christians Try to Stop Destruction of Cross
Without warning early Wednesday morning, hundreds of government agents armed with a crane but without any legal documents forced their way into the BaiXiang GuanTou Church with the intent of removing the cross from the building’s roof, according to International Christian Concern.