Iranian Imams Fear Spread of House Churches
The rise of Christianity and the accompanying spread of its clandestine house churches in Iran is seen as a serious threat by the Islamic state’s senior clerics.
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Kazakhstan Acquits Pastor; Azerbaijan Church Threatened With Closure
Kazakhstan’s Supreme Court has acquitted an evangelical pastor on charges of “severe damage to health due to negligence” after praying for an ill man, but devoted Christians in another former Soviet republic, Azerbaijan, were awaiting whether a high court would ban their church.
Defense of Human Rights Becoming Risky Business in Pakistan
The Center for Human Rights Education expressed deep concern about the numerous threats to the lives of human rights defenders in Pakistan.
Sweden Plans Deportation Iranian Christians Despite Dangers
There was concern over the plight of several Iranian Christian asylum seekers in Sweden Tuesday, April 24, after Swedish authorities decided to deport them despite fears they may be jailed or even executed there, Christians said.
Pakistani Playwright Presents Play on Blasphemy Law
A Pakistani Christian playwright will present “295-C”: a play concerning his nation’s notorious blasphemy law.
Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan Crackdown On Evangelical Churches
Authorities in Azerbaijan continued preparations Tuesday, March 13, to close down an evangelical church in the first such reported incident since the former Soviet republic introduced harsh religious legislation in 2009, rights activists said.
Another Christian Convert arrested in Esfahan
Yet another convert and member of a house church was arrested along with many other Christians in Esfahan, according to the Iranian Christian news agency, Mohabat News.
BREAKING: Iran Again ‘Orders Execution’ Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani (Worthy News In-Depth)
Iran again ordered the death penalty for jailed Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani for refusing to recant his faith in Christ and return to Islam raising fears his execution is imminent, a well-informed church official told Worthy News and its news partner BosNewsLife Tuesday, February 21.
Baptist Church Raided in Uzbekistan
Secret police officers and other officials raided the Sunday worship service of an unregistered ethnic Korean Baptist Church in the town of Chirchik in Tashkent Region on Feb. 5.
Russian Mission Group Warns Of Crackdown On Evangelicals; Anti-Putin Protesters Gather
As protesters demanding more freedom and fair elections prepared to demonstrate in freezing temperatures in Moscow Saturday, February 4, a major Russian mission group warned of more difficulties for evangelical Christians and other, religious, minorities in Russia and other former Soviet Union nations.
Syrian and Iranian Christians continue to face increasing persecution
Syrian and Iranian Christians are being targeted for further persecution, according to Christian news reports.
Iran Security Forces Raid Christmas Celebrations; Pastor, Wife Detained
A senior evangelical pastor and his wife are spending Christmas behind bars in southern Iran after security forces raided their Assemblies of God-affiliated church, detaining everyone in the building, including children attending Sunday School, a friend of the couple told Worthy News.
Suspect in Ortiz Bombing Fit To Stand Trial
The “Jewish terrorist” who tried to murder members of an Israeli Messianic family on account of their faith has been declared fit to stand trial.
Uzbekistan Churches Banned from Evangelism, Youth Worship
Authorities in eastern Uzbekistan have warned local churches not to allow youngsters and children to attend their worship services and not to carry out missionary activities or “proselytism”, the word for evangelism, local Christians and activists said.
Muslim Convert To Christianity Missing After Arrest
A believer of Muslim Background, Fariborz Arazm, has gone missing since his arrest last week by plain clothes security officers.
Shar’ia Advances as Sudan’s Constitution is Rewritten
Sudanese leader Omer Hassan Al-Bashir is rewriting his country’s constitution in order to implement shar’ia (Islamic) law.
Iran Pastor’s Execution Verdict Expected Monday; Ruling Delayed
Iranian Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani learns early next week whether he will be executed for refusing to recant his faith in Jesus Christ and return to Islam, as the court needs more time to consult with the country’s leadership, trial observers told Worthy News Thursday, October 6.
Iran Threatens To Kill Evangelical Christians Unless They “Repent”, Christians say
Militants with suspected ties to Iranian security forces have threatened to kill nearly a dozen evangelical Christians who fled Iran unless they “repent” and return to Islam, well-informed sources told Worthy News early Sunday, October 2.
Iran Says Pastor Nadarkhani Must Be Executed For Being “Zionist”
Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani faced tense hours early Saturday, October 1, after a government official said he should be executed for being a traitorous “Zionist” and committing “security crimes.”
Somali Christian Covert Kidnapped, Beheaded
The body of a kidnapped Christian convert from Islam was found decapitated near Hudur City on Sept. 2.