Year: 2018

North Korea: US citizens set for release ahead of Trump-Kim talks

May 3, 2018 North Korea Donald Trump, Hyeon Soo Lim, Kim Dong Chul, Kim Hak Song, Kim Jong Wook, Kim Jong-Un, Missionaries, North Korea, Otto Warmbier, Pyongyang, Pyongyang University of Science and Technology, Tony Kim, USA

The three Americans have been detained on charges ranging from committing "hostile acts" against the regime to spying for a foreign country. (Photo: World Watch Monitor)

Three American citizens detained in North Korea seem set to be released ahead of a meeting between the two countries’ leaders next month. The BBC reported that the three men had been “relocated to a Pyongyang hotel and are receiving good food and medical care”. US President Donald Trump tweeted . . . Read More

Tributes paid to Indian pastor beheaded by suspected Maoists

May 2, 2018 India India, Jharkhand, Maoists

The body of a pastor was found beheaded on the shore of a reservoir in eastern India this morning (2 May), hours after he was abducted by around 25 masked men whom police believe to be Maoists. Residents of Kubasal village, in the Tamar area of Jharkhand state, identified the . . . Read More

‘How can you accidentally shoot yourself in the back of the neck?’ ask Coptic soldier’s family

May 2, 2018 Egypt Asyut, Conscripts, Copts, Egypt, El-Arish, Giza

A Coptic Christian soldier reported to have died by accident ten days ago was in fact killed, his family say. The family of 22-year-old Mikhail Farhat Saad Tamer were called to collect his body from the police station in Al-Qusiyyah, Asyut Governorate, on 23 April. But when they arrived, they were . . . Read More

‘Avoid persecution-of-Christians label,’ says Syria expert

May 2, 2018 Syria Bashar al-Assad, Civil War, Education, IDPs, Iraq, Islamic extremism, Middle East, Migrants, Refugees, Sunni, Syria

As the conflict in Syria continues, freelance journalist Jayson Casper sat down with Miles Windsor, head of advocacy at Christian charity Middle East Concern, to discuss where Syrian Christians’ allegiance lies, whether those who fled the country may return, and how Christians in other countries can help. Jayson Casper: There . . . Read More

‘Indonesia’s most important extremist ideologue’ faces death over church bombing

May 2, 2018 Indonesia Aceh, Indonesia, Islamic extremism, Islamic State, JAD, Jakarta, Kalimantan, Samarinda, Terrorism, Trauma

Radical Islamic cleric Aman Abdurrahman tells the court that what happened in Samarinda "violates what I believe about how to behave towards Christians”. (Photo: Hayati Nupus/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images)

A Muslim cleric alleged to have inspired an attack on a church playground in Indonesia, in which one child was killed and three injured, has denied inciting hatred. Aman Abdurrahman, 46, is facing a possible life sentence or even the death penalty for allegedly masterminding a series of bombings, including . . . Read More

Egypt’s disappearing Coptic women and girls

May 1, 2018 Egypt Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, Beni Suef, Cairo, Children, Copts, Egypt, Giza, Kidnapping, Marriage, Minya, Qalyubia, Qena, Sharqia, Sohag, Women

At least seven Coptic Christian women and girls disappeared in Egypt last month, in what is becoming a recurring phenomenon. In each case, the family of the woman says she was abducted by a Muslim who wished to convert her to Islam and marry her. All of the disappearances have been . . . Read More

Trump tells Buhari: ‘We cannot allow Christians to be murdered’

May 1, 2018 Nigeria Benue, Dapchi, Donald Trump, Fulani herdsmen, Leah Sharibu, Muhammadu Buhari, Nigeria, Sahel, Sub-Saharan Africa, USA

US President Donald Trump decried the killings of Christians in Nigeria as he met with the country’s president, Muhammadu Buhari, in Washington yesterday (30 April). Nigeria has been plagued by violence attributed to Fulani herdsmen in the Middle Belt and northeast. Benue state has been particularly affected, with attacks happening . . . Read More

Ethiopian Evangelical who ‘outraged religious feeling’ given second chance to appeal

May 1, 2018 Ethiopia Arba Minch, Ethiopia, Ethiopian Orthodox Church, Protestants

Mezemir has been found guilty of insulting members of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church. (Photo: World Watch Monitor)

An Ethiopian court of cassation has said it will hear the appeal of an Evangelical Christian sentenced to seven months in prison for “causing outrage to religious peace and feeling”. The appeal hearing is scheduled for 9 May and follows the rejection of a previous appeal by a lower court. . . . Read More

Malaysian bishops: ‘We need leaders who truly care for the people’

April 30, 2018 Malaysia 'Allah', Catholics, Elections, Hudud, Islamic extremism, Johor, Kuala Lumpur, Malacca, Malaysia, Najib Razak, PAS, Proselytism, Religious freedom, Sharia, UMNO

For the first time in six decades, several high-profile Malaysian church leaders have publicly called for a change of government. On 24 April the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Malaysia issued a pastoral letter, saying: “We need to choose leaders who truly care for the rakyat [people], promote justice and equality, stand . . . Read More

Nigerian bishops call for Buhari to resign over church massacre

April 30, 2018 Nigeria Benue, Christian Association of Nigeria, Fulani herdsmen, Muhammadu Buhari, Nigeria

The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria has urged the country’s President to step down in the wake of a massacre at a church last week. Muhammadu Buhari is due to meet with US President Donald Trump in Washington today (30 April) and is expected to discuss strategies for fighting terrorism. . . . Read More

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