WASHINGTON — The annual International Religious Freedom Report released by the U.S. Department of State on Wednesday finds that in 2014, the greatest persecutors of Christians and other groups worldwide were Islamic terror groups like ISIS and Boko Haram, but also cites that local governments often failed to provide adequate protection to dissenters. The report, which is […]
ACEH SINGKIL, Indonesia (Christian Solidarity Worldwide) — Violent clashes broke out after a demonstration on October 6th by an Islamic youth group demanding that the local government tear down a number of churches that they claimed had been built illegally without permits. They threatened to tear down the churches themselves if their demands were not met. […]
NAIROBI, Kenya (Morning Star News) – Islamists upset by a Christian-Muslim debate are suspected in the killing of a long-time evangelist in eastern Uganda who led many Muslims to Christ, sources said. The mutilated body of Samson Nfunyeku was found close to his home in Kalampete village, Kibuku District early on Sept. 23, after the latest […]
Indonesia (ODM/MNN) — Muslim extremists in Aceh province made good on a threat against Christians on Tuesday, 13 October. Open Doors USA President and CEO David Curry explains, “The Indonesian Christian Church (HKI) was burned down. Their pastor and the congregation have been greatly affected by this. We’re asking people to know what’s happening in […]
DHAKA, Bangladesh (Morning Star News) – Two of the three suspected Muslim extremists who tried to cut the throat of a pastor in northwestern Bangladesh last week met with him in mid-September and feigned interest in converting, the church leader told Morning Star News. Luke Sarker, the 52-year-old pastor of Faith Bible Church in Ishwardi, Pabna […]
(Radio Free Asia) — Ethnic Montagnards who have fled Vietnam for Cambodia say they are forced to leave after enduring relentless persecution by authorities in their home country, but regularly face difficulties when they apply for asylum across the border. About 200 Montagnards have entered Cambodia illegally from Vietnam’s Central Highlands since late last year, […]
DHAKA, Bangladesh (AP) — A Bangladeshi pastor survived an attempt on his life by three men who came to his home pretending to want to learn about Christianity, police and the victim said Tuesday. The attempt follows two killings of foreigners last week in the predominantly Muslim country grappling with violence claimed by hard-line Islamic […]
Syria (Christian Aid Mission/Mission Network News) — The Islamic State’s use of brutality as a way to force Christians to renounce their faith is only escalating. But besides physical danger, there is another issue threatening the work of faithful Christians in Syria: trauma. *Aafa, a missionary supported by Christian Aid Mission, recently learned of the torture and murder of 11 indigenous missionaries […]
ISTANBUL, Turkey (Morning Star News) – The terrorist group Islamic State (IS) late last month killed three Assyrians, presumably in Syria, and threatens to execute more according to a video released Wednesday. In the video, the group threatened to kill some 200 other Christians and Catholics in Syria unless it receives a ransom of $50,000 each […]
Chuzhou, Anhui (China Aid) — The pastor of a house church in China’s eastern Anhui province spoke with China Aid on Tuesday following a 15-day administrative detention. Lü Jiangyang of Quiotou House Church in Anhui province was taken by authorities on Sept. 20 and released Monday. He told China Aid’s reporter Qiao Nong that the […]