General

Pakistani Christian accused of blasphemy after ripped Qur’an found outside home

January 6, 2017 Pakistan Asia Bibi, Blasphemy, Imran Khan, Islamic extremism, Lahore, Mumtaz Qadri, Salmaan Taseer, Shaan Taseer, Tehreek-e-Labaik Pakistan

A Pakistani Christian could face 10 years in jail or even the death sentence after torn pages from a copy of the Qur’an were found outside his home, with his name written on them. Babu Shahbaz Masih, 40, from the Kamahan district of Lahore, was arrested on 30 December after . . . Read More

UPDATE: Army recovers 24th Chibok kidnap victim

January 5, 2017 Nigeria Boko Haram, Borno, Chibok girls, Muhammadu Buhari, Nigeria, Trauma

The released 21 Chibok girls met President Buhari – seen here with Vice President Osinbajo – at his villa in Nigeria’s capital, Abuja, 19 Oct.The Office of the President Update 5 Jan. 2017: The Nigerian Army says it has discovered another woman who kidnapped nearly three years ago from . . . Read More

How women of the Central African Republic overcome trauma by trading

January 5, 2017 Central African Republic Bangui, Seleka, Trauma, Women

Women meeting at a self-help group, Bangui 2016.Open Doors The slogan painted on the rear bumper of a yellow taxi in Bangui caught our eye: “Le Saint-Esprit me conduit” (the Holy Spirit drives me). For a trip to this French-speaking part of Africa, it was an admirable sentiment that . . . Read More

Nigerian Human Rights Commission calls on President to stop ‘callous’ Kaduna killings

January 5, 2017 Nigeria Boko Haram, Fulani herdsmen, Kaduna, Kafanchan, Muhammadu Buhari

The Nigerian National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to put an end to the ongoing deadly attacks committed by suspected Fulani herdsmen in southern Kaduna.

Turkey rejects initial appeal to release jailed US pastor

January 4, 2017 Turkey Andrew Brunson, Coup, Fethullah Gülen, Izmir

Andrew Brunson has been held since early October.The Brunson family A Turkish court denied an initial appeal last week for the release of Rev. Andrew Brunson, an American Protestant pastor kept under arrest for the past three months over alleged links to a terrorist organisation. In the wake of . . . Read More

Sudanese pastor released, but others still face serious charges

January 3, 2017 Sudan Abdulmonem Abdumawla, Apostasy, Hassan Taour, Khartoum, Kuwa Shamal, NISS, Petr Jašek

UPDATE (3 Jan): One of four men detained in Sudan since December 2015 has been released, but three others continue to face charges which could lead to the death penalty or life imprisonment if found guilty. Kuwa Shamal, a Sudanese church leader, was released after a hearing in Khartoum yesterday . . . Read More

Iraqi clergy say Prince’s solidarity message needs political backing

December 22, 2016 Egypt, Iraq, London, Prince Charles, Shia, Sunni, Syria

Prince Charles speaking at London’s St Thomas Cathedral Syriac Orthodox Church, UK, October 2016The Prince of Wales Iraqi church leaders in Britain have welcomed a radio message by Prince Charles, the future King of England highlighting the persecution of religious minorities, but said that it must be followed by . . . Read More

Nepali church leaders found guilty of ‘witchcraft’ and ‘violence’ for helping mentally ill woman

December 22, 2016 Nepal Charikot, Hindu nationalism, Minorities, Nepal, Proselytism, Salyan, Trauma

A Nepali court has found four Christians guilty of ‘violence’ and ‘witchcraft’ against a severely mentally ill woman whom they sought to heal, even though she testified in court in their favour, saying she was now better. The four are sentenced to five years in prison. A fifth Christian, Rupa . . . Read More

Nigerian churches criticised for not helping persecuted north

December 21, 2016 Nigeria Agatu, Boko Haram, ECWA, Fulani herdsmen, Nigeria

Baroness Cox: there’s ‘a disconnect at every level’ between southern and northern Nigerian churchesBaptist Assembly 2009 Christians in the south of Nigeria are failing to help their persecuted compatriots in the north, according to a veteran humanitarian campaigner. British peer, Baroness Caroline Cox, who has made numerous aid missions . . . Read More

Manipur Christians warned off celebrating Christmas

December 20, 2016 India Christmas, Manipur, Naga

Christians in Manipur, north-east India, have been warned off celebrating Christmas, sources told World Watch Monitor. The threats were made after vandals attacked Manipur Baptist Church on 17 Dec. The men and women pelted the church with stones, broke windows and damaged a gate and the church sign. They then . . . Read More

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