News

Central African Republic conflict ‘political not religious’

  January 17, 2014 Central African Republic Anti-balaka, Michel Djotodia, Seleka

Nicolas Guerékoyamé-Gbangou says fighting between members of the disbanded Séléka rebel group and the anti-balaka self-defense militias is not a battle between Muslims and Christians.hdptcar / Flickr / Creative Commons The man chosen to lead what he says is 51% of the population of the Central African Republic (CAR), its . . . Read More

Bomb scare reignites Christian fear in northern Mali

  January 16, 2014 Mali Gao, Islamic extremism, Sharia, Tuareg

Christians in a city in northern Mali, already forced to hold services in a school classroom because their church was looted and not ready to host meetings, had a bomb scare on Sunday (Jan. 12). Military personnel patrolling the area in Gao on Sunday morning discovered explosives near the school. . . . Read More

Old wine, new skin?

  January 16, 2014 Egypt Constitution, Hosni Mubarak, Muslim Brotherhood

Vote counting in an Alexandria polling station.Imogen Anderson via Twitter (@Imo_Anderson)   Analysis by Markus Tozman For the second time in 13 months, Egyptians have approved a new constitution. Compared to the constitution they just tossed aside, the new charter promises Christians a stronger standing and better representation than ever . . . Read More

Anti-religion hostility rose worldwide in 2012, study says

  January 15, 2014 Global News -- No Particular Country

The world became generally more hostile to religious believers of all faiths, Christianity included, in 2012, according to a major annual report issued Jan. 14. Christians were harassed in more countries than followers of other faiths, though pressure on Muslims and Jews was widespread globally, according to the study, conducted . . . Read More

Algerian churches, NGOs wary as ‘restrictive’ law comes into force

  January 10, 2014 Algeria Abdelaziz Bouteflika, Algiers

A number of churches, as well as foreign NGOs, in Algeria have called for the abolishment of a new law, which they say will hamper their work. Under the law, which will come into effect on Sunday (January 12), NGOs may be dissolved or suspended if their business is deemed . . . Read More

Christian deaths double in 2014 World Watch List

  January 8, 2014 Global News -- No Particular Country Africa, Angola, Central African Republic, Churches, Egypt, India, Kidnapping, Niger, Nigeria, North Korea, Pakistan, Rape, Religious freedom, Syria

Nearly twice as many Christians died for their faith in the past year than in 2012, according to Open Doors International’s 2014 World Watch List. Open Doors International, a charity that supports Christians under pressure for their faith, said 2,123 Christians were reported to have been killed during the 12 . . . Read More

Pressure on Christians grew in 2013

  January 8, 2014 Global News -- No Particular Country Afghanistan, African Union, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, BJP, Buddhist nationalism, Central African Republic, Colombia, Eritrea, FARC, Hindu nationalism, India, Iraq, Islamic extremism, Kyrgyzstan, Middle East, Nigeria, North Africa, North Korea, Pakistan, Peshawar, Religious freedom, Sadad, Sharia, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Sub-Saharan Africa, Sudan, Syria, Uganda, UN, Yemen

More than ever, some of the hardest places for Christians to live are fragile or failed states where militant Islamist movements flourish, according to an annual report on Christian religious freedom. Pressure on Christians intensified worldwide in 2013, according to Open Doors International, a charity that provides support to Christians . . . Read More

Lebanese library torched after blasphemy accusation

  January 7, 2014 Lebanon Al-Saeh Library, Blasphemy, Greek Orthodox, Lebanon, Tripoli

Around two-thirds of the library’s estimated 80,000 books are thought to have been damaged.MTV Lebanon News / YouTube A huge library of books collected by a 72-year-old Greek Orthodox priest, but used by the whole community, was torched in Lebanon on Friday (January 3) after he was accused of insulting . . . Read More

Shot Copt dies on New Year’s Eve after hospital ‘negligence’

  January 4, 2014 Egypt Cairo, Copts, Maspero, Muslim Brotherhood

A Coptic Christian man died on New Year’s Eve from a gunshot wound to the head after three hospitals in Cairo are reported to have turned him away. Ihab Ghattas, 23, was shot outside Mar Girgis (St George’s) Church in the Ain Shams area of Cairo after celebrating mass. The . . . Read More

Islamic authorities’ raid on Malaysian Bible Society questioned by state government

  January 4, 2014 Malaysia 'Allah', Bibles, Constitution, JAIS, Sabah, Sarawak, Selangor, The Herald, UMNO

Christians in Sarawak attend Mass at St. Joseph’s Cathedral in Kuching. The service is held in the Malay language, which uses the word ‘Allah’ for God.The Malaysian Insider   The ruling that the use of the word ‘Allah’ for God is banned for non-Muslims in Malaysia hit global headlines in . . . Read More