Musicians to Mark Third Anniversary of Christian’s Arrest in Pakistan
The third anniversary of Asia Bibi’s illegal imprisonment will be marked by a rally and concert outside Pakistan’s London embassy June 14.
Worthy News
Kuwait’s Parliament Passes Death Penalty for Blasphemy
Kuwait’s parliament provisionally passed amendments to its penal code Thursday requiring the death penalty for anyone who curses Allah, the Prophet Mohammad, or his many wives.
Azerbaijan Judge to “liquidate” church?
A court in Baku will decide next week whether Greater Grace Protestant Church – which has been registered with the state for 19 years – should be liquidated, according to Forum 18 News Service.
Pakistani Parliament Passes New Guidelines
Pakistan’s parliament unanimously approved new guidelines Thursday to govern the nation’s relations with the United States.
12 Iranian Christians Stand Trial Easter Sunday
Twelve Christians are to stand trial in Iran on Easter Sunday on charges including “crimes against the order”, an activist assisting them with advocacy told Worthy News.
Sudan Bombs Churches and Schools
After earlier denying that it had bombed civilians, last week Sudanese aerial strikes targeted church buildings and schools in Kauda, South Kordofan state.
Iranian Pastor Nadarkhani ‘Still Alive’, Awaiting Verdict
Iranian pastor Youcef Nadarkhani who faces execution for refusing to abandon his faith in Christ and embrace Islam was still alive, “through the power of Jesus Christ and prayers”, an official assisting him told Worthy News.
Pakistani Playwright Presents Play on Blasphemy Law
A Pakistani Christian playwright will present “295-C”: a play concerning his nation’s notorious blasphemy law.
Iran Threatens Church with Bombing
Another church in Tehran was ordered to cease holding services in Farsi, the Iranian national language, otherwise it could be “bombed”.
‘Ethnic Cleansing of Christians’ in Syria; 50,000 Flee
Islamic militants with ties to terror group al-Qaida have launched the “ethnic cleansing of minority Christians” in Syria, forcing tens of thousands of people to flee the embattled Syrian city of Homs and other areas, aid workers confirmed Tuesday, March 27.
Pakistan Among World’s Worst Violators of Religious Freedoms
The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom recommended that the Secretary of State name Pakistan as a Country of Particular Concern in its 2012 Annual Report.
Another Pakistani Woman is Charged with Blasphemy
A registered society that provides legal assistance to persecuted Christians in Pakistan is calling for prayer for yet another Pakistani woman arrested under that nation’s notorious blasphemy laws.
Iran Detains Dozen Christians In Major City
At least a dozen devoted Christians from Iran’s third largest city remained in jail Saturday, March 17, as part of an attempt by authorities to discourage Muslims and Christian converts to attend church services, Iranian Christians said.
Saudi Grand Mufti calls for the destruction of all churches
Sheikh Abdul Aziz bin Abdullah, the Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia, recently declared that it is “necessary to destroy all the churches of the region.”
Baptist Church in Bethlehem Declared Illegitimate By Palestinian Authority
Only a week after Prime Minister Salam Fayyad told a conference of evangelical Protestants that his government respected the rights of Christian minorities, his fellow Palestinian officials told Pastor Naim Khoury that his church could no longer operate as a religious institution under the Palestinian Authority.
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.
Syria’s Christians caught between Iraq and a hard dictator
Although President Bashar al-Assad’s counter-insurgency has already claimed the lives of at least 7,000 of his own people, his state represented a diverse society in which minorities and women enjoyed freedoms alien to other Arab nations.
Syria: Relief reaches Homs
Barnabas Aid is sending emergency relief to Christians trapped in Homs after the withdrawal of anti-government forces from the Baba Amr district.
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.
Pennsylvania: After Muslim assaults atheist dressed as “Zombie Muhammad,” Muslim judge dismisses charges
While participating in a Halloween parade dressed as “Zombie Muhammad,” the Pennsylvania State Director of American Atheists was assaulted by a Muslim male. Although the attack was videotaped and witnessed by police, the charges were dismissed by Judge Mark Martin.