Pope Prays For Iraq’s Persecuted Christians
Pope Francis has visited Iraq to reassure the nation’s dwindling Christian community of his prayers after years of Islamic attacks and persecution.
Islam
Iran will “raze Tel Aviv and Haifa to the ground” if Israel attacks nuclear program
Responding to Israel’s recent announcement that it will strike Iran’s nuclear program on its own if the world does nothing, Iranian Defense Minister Amir Hatami said Sunday that his country would “raze Tel Aviv and Haifa to the ground” if Israel should attack, the Times of Israel reports.
Indonesia appoints evangelical Christian as national police chief
Indonesia has appointed an evangelical Christian as its new national police chief, thwarting opposition from Islamic groups in the predominantly Muslim country, the Christian Post reports. Commissioner General Listyo Sigit Prabowo was sworn in on January 27. and is the first Christian to hold this post in 50 years.
Pope Prays Amid Ruins of Iraqi Churches Destroyed by IS
Pope Francis was in northern Iraq Sunday where he prayed in the ruins of churches destroyed by the Islamic state and celebrated an open-air Mass.
Algeria Jails Pastor and Assistant For Evangelism
Algerian Christians have urged prayers for a pastor and his assistant who were jailed and fined for evangelizing in Algeria, an Islamic nation, Worthy News learned.
Islamic Militants Free Nigerian Pastor On Execution Day
Islamic militants have released a Nigerian pastor who they threatened to kill unless their demands were met, security sources said. Bulus Yikura of the Church of the Brethren in Nigeria (EYN) was held captive since December 24, 2020.
FBI chief says US Capitol riot was domestic terrorism, defends handling of intel
FBI Director Chris Wray condemned the January riot at the US Capitol as “domestic terrorism” Tuesday as he defended the bureau’s handling of intelligence indicating the prospect for violence.
Nigeria Pastor Facing Death As Terror Ultimatum Passes
A kidnapped pastor in Nigeria faced imminent death Wednesday amid fears that authorities had ignored an ultimatum by Islamist militants to save his life.
Nigeria: Pastor abducted by Islamic State terrorists to be executed March 3 unless ransom is paid; “Please pray for me”
Pleading for his life, a pastor abducted by Islamic terrorists in northeastern Nigeria on December 24 last year has said on video that his captors will execute him on Wednesday, March 3 if their ransom demands are not met, Morning Star News reports. Pastor Bulus Yikura of the Church of the Brethren in Nigeria was (EYN) was abducted during an attack by Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) on Pemi village in Borno state; 11 other people were slaughtered during that attack.
Hundreds of Abducted Schoolgirls Freed in Nigeria
The governor of Nigeria’s Zamfara state says 279 girls taken from a school are “now safe,” but concerns remain about 38 others.
Pakistan’s Christian Widows and Children Facing Starvation
Hundreds of Pakistani Christian widows and their children rely on monthly food parcels in impoverished Pakistan amid Christian persecution and an ongoing coronavirus pandemic, aid workers told Worthy News Sunday.
Reported attack on youth leader highlights continued vulnerability of Christians in Sudan
Earlier this month a Christian youth leader in Sudan was reportedly detained and beaten by suspected national security forces because he spoke out against the January 3 burning of a church building, Morning Star News reports. The case highlights the continued vulnerability of Christians at a time of national transition from the brutal regime of Islamic dictator Omar al-Bashir (who was ousted in 2019) toward a government that seeks to root out long-term corruption and end religious intolerance in the country.
Pakistani Christians Face Death Penalty For Blasphemy
Two Christians could face execution in Pakistan after being summoned by police for evangelizing among Muslims, Christians confirmed.
Khamenei: If we wanted nukes, nobody, including ‘Zionist clown,’ could stop us
Iranian Supreme Leader Ayotallah Ali Khamenei claimed Monday that his country has no interest in a nuclear weapon, but said that if it wanted one, no one — including Israel — could prevent it.
Pakistan: Persecution against Christians included murder and forced marriage in second half of 2020
Murder and forced marriage are included in at least 38 documented incidents of persecution against Pakistan’s Christian population in the second half of 2020, International Christian Concern (ICC) reports.
Leading Rights Activist Faith McDonell Advocacy Director At GKI Global Amid Massive Persecution (Worthy News Focus)
Leading Christian rights activist, broadcaster, and author Faith McDonnell, has become director of advocacy at the U.S.-based Katartismos Global (KGI Global) charity. The group says it “exists to equip the Church for mission and ministry” by supporting persecuted Christians and other believers in need.
Thousands Flee Islamist Attacks In Mozambique (Worthy News In-depth)
Hundreds of thousands of people, including Christians, have fled ongoing deadly Islamist attacks shaking parts of Mozambique, and many face starvation, Christian aid workers, told Worthy News.
Biden walks back Trump’s restoration of UN sanctions on Iran
The Biden administration on Thursday rescinded former US President Donald Trump’s restoration of UN sanctions on Iran, an announcement that could help Washington move toward rejoining the 2015 nuclear agreement aimed at reining in the Islamic Republic’s nuclear program.
Jailed Iranian Christian Firouzi To Be Released’
Iranian Christian Ebrahim Firouzi who spent years in prison after abandoning Islam and was recently jailed, could be released this weekend, Christians told Worthy News.
Eritrea Releases Scores of Christians but 150 Still Jailed
At least 150 Christians remained jailed in Eritrea on Thursday after scores of more believers were unexpectedly released since late January, Worthy News learned.