General

Autopsy raises questions whether Christian’s death was suicide

May 2, 2014 Pakistan Lahore, Punjab, Sweepers

Haroon HaidarWorld Watch Monitor The autopsy report on a Pakistani Christian killed by gunshots raises questions whether the death was a suicide, as the owner of the weapon has claimed. The Punjab state medical examiner’s report on the April 16 death of Haroon Haidar potentially indicates he suffered two . . . Read More

What would Sharia mean for non-Muslims in Brunei?

May 1, 2014 Brunei Brunei, Hijab, Human rights, Sharia, Southeast Asia, Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, UN

The Sultan of Brunei has announced a controversial new law based on Islamic criminal punishments criticised by UN human rights officials and other human rights groups. “I place my faith in and am grateful to God the Almighty to announce that Thursday May 1, 2014, will see the enforcement of . . . Read More

Nigeria’s kidnapped teens feared to be abroad

April 30, 2014 Nigeria Boko Haram, Cameroon, Chad, Chibok girls, Goodluck Jonathan

Sources say that some of the 230 school girls abducted from Nigeria’s North-Eastern town of Chibok more than two weeks ago have been transferred to neighboring Cameroon and Chad. Some villagers near the Nigeria-Cameroon border indicate that they have seen girls on board buses heading to Cameroon. Other reports given . . . Read More

Sanjiang church demolished

April 28, 2014 China Sanjiang, Three-Self Patriotic Movement

Nigeria churches urge global prayer for 187 missing girls

April 28, 2014 Nigeria Boko Haram, Borno, Chibok girls, Goodluck Jonathan, Samuel Dali

Nigeria’s largest church network, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has called for prayer and fasting for the safe release of 230 teenage school girls abducted last week. ”The CAN leadership, especially our President, has called that all Christians pray and fast [on Friday, 25th April] because of the security . . . Read More

How does Boko Haram justify kidnap of 230 Nigerian teenage girls?

April 25, 2014 Nigeria Boko Haram, Islamic extremism, Nigeria, Trauma

As the world vacillates between outrage and numb impotence in the face of Boko Haram’s recent kidnapping of about 230 teenage girls from the mainly Christian enclave of Chibok, northern Nigeria, the questions “Why these girls?” and “How much longer?” beg yet again for answers. But from whom? A timely . . . Read More

Church standoff a study in China’s complexity

April 25, 2014 China Churches, Sanjiang, Three-Self Patriotic Movement

Crowds on the steps of Sanjiang Church. Government demolition equipment was poised nearby.Photo anonymously provided to World Watch Monitor It had all the appearances of a brutal government crackdown. Bulldozers were stationed at the perimeter of the Sanjiang Church in Wenzhou, China. Hundreds of church members formed a protective . . . Read More

Easter killings in CAR

April 24, 2014 Central African Republic Anti-balaka, Bossangoa, Central African Republic, Paoua, Seleka, UN

On April 8 radical Muslims set fire to the Baptist Church in Dombia, CAR. The chapel that can hold about 1,000 members was still burning the next day.World Watch Monitor For many Christians in the Central African Republic, Easter was synonymous with tragedy, adding to their already difficult circumstances. . . . Read More

Christianity and genocide?

April 20, 2014 Global News -- No Particular Country Angela Merkel, David Cameron, Genocide, Islamic extremism, Lord Alton, Shahbaz Bhatti, Syria, UN

In the lead-up to Easter, UK Prime Minister David Cameron committed his government to fighting the persecution of Christians abroad, saying no group is under more pressure for its faith. Cameron is not alone in making the claim. In February, US Congressman Chris Smith said “The global persecution of Christians . . . Read More

Exile

April 18, 2014 Mexico Catholics, Chiapas, Converts, Exile, Mexico, Protestants

The document is signed. All parties have agreed that Fidencio Jiménez, his wife, Petrona Díaz, and their children can return to their home. The couple expects a cool welcome. Just the same, they said they will return to Santa Rosalía, and resume living the way that provoked neighbours to chase . . . Read More

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