Violent Incidents Embody Pakistan’s Growing Intolerance of Christians

Violent Incidents Embody Pakistan’s Growing Intolerance of Christians

(International Christian Concern) – In August, two Christian families became the victims of Pakistan’s ever-growing religious intolerance. In both incidents, the families were subjected to extreme violence due to the low social standing Christians are afforded in Pakistan’s Muslim-dominated society. Anti-Christian discrimination is widespread in Pakistan. Christians are often viewed as the lowest of the […]

Kidnapped Christian Teenager Leah Sharibu Calls on Nigerian President for Help in Audio Recording

Kidnapped Christian Teenager Leah Sharibu Calls on Nigerian President for Help in Audio Recording

(World Watch Monitor) — Leah Sharibu, the Christian teenager abducted by an Islamist group in February, has asked Nigeria’s president to intervene and help facilitate her release. In a 35 seconds-long audio recording, obtained by Ahmad Salkida for the Nigerian newspaper The Cable, she asks for help for her family and herself. “I also plead […]

Amnesty International Launches Writing Campaign for Release of Four Iranian Christians

Amnesty International Launches Writing Campaign for Release of Four Iranian Christians

(World Watch Monitor) — Amnesty International (AI) has launched an Urgent Action calling for the release of four Iranians sentenced to a combined total of 45 years in prison “solely for practicing their Christian faith.” Its report calls for urgent action from the Iranian government to “quash the convictions and sentences of Victor Bet-Tamraz, Shamiram […]

Chinese Pastor Summoned for Questioning During Church Intrusion

Chinese Pastor Summoned for Questioning During Church Intrusion

GUANGZHOU, Guangdong (China Aid) — A repeatedly persecuted house church in China’s southern Guangdong province was holding a service Sunday morning when more than 10 law enforcement officers broke into it without permission and ordered the pastor, Huang Xiaoning, to stop preaching. In reply, Huang asked that they show respect rather than cut off his […]

Mexican Pastor Survives Assassination Attempt

Mexican Pastor Survives Assassination Attempt

(World Watch Monitor) — A Mexican pastor who survived an assassination attempt in the notorious border city of Juarez in June says he was targeted because his church’s work is seen to negatively impact upon the efforts of drug cartels. A hitman entered the pastor’s home on 12 June, making him kneel down on the […]

Nepal Implements Anti-Conversion Law

Nepal Implements Anti-Conversion Law

Nepal (Mission Network News) — Anti-conversion laws are going into effect this month in Nepal. According to David Curry of Open Doors USA, it’s part of a bigger push by India to “Hinduize” their neighbors. “[India is] trying to ‘Hinduize’ their country, and Nepal has been under great pressure from India to strengthen their Hindu […]

‘I Bless Those Who Have Persecuted Me’: Iranian Christian in Prison for Establishing House Churches Pens Open Letter

‘I Bless Those Who Have Persecuted Me’: Iranian Christian in Prison for Establishing House Churches Pens Open Letter

(World Watch Monitor) — An Iranian convert to Christianity serving ten years in prison for “missionary activities” has written an open letter to the Iranian authorities, asking how his Christian activities could be perceived as anti-state. “Would it even be possible for a committed Christian – who was born and raised in Iran and whose […]

For God or Party? Chinese Christians Face Test of Faith

For God or Party? Chinese Christians Face Test of Faith

NANYANG, China (Associated Press) — The 62-year-old Chinese shopkeeper had waited nearly his entire adult life to see his dream of building a church come true — a brick house with a sunny courtyard and spacious hall with room for 200 believers. But in March, about a dozen police officers and local officials suddenly showed […]