News

Three pastors among dead in Central African Republic

  December 13, 2013 Central African Republic Anti-balaka, Bangui, Michel Djotodia, Nicolas Guérékoyamé-Gbangou, Seleka, UN

More than 400 people died in three days of violence, according to the Red Cross.World Watch Monitor Three pastors were among those killed in the recent interfaith violence in Bangui, the capital of the Central African Republic. Pastors Raymond Doui, 46, Elisha Zama, 33, and Jean-Louis Makamba, 48, were killed . . . Read More

A postcard from ‘Little Baghdad’

  December 12, 2013 Assyrians, Egypt, Iraq, Lebanon, Refugees, Sweden, Syria, Syriacs, Turkey

Nuri Kino Södertälje, Sweden, is also known as Mesopotälje – “Little Baghdad”. One in four people in Södertälje is a Christian from Turkey, Lebanon, Syria, Iraq or Egypt. Most are Assyrian/Syriacs. The city was once home to more Iraqi refugees than the United States and Canada combined. Every week, 30 . . . Read More

Malaysia’s ‘Allah’ ruling widely criticised

  December 11, 2013 Malaysia 'Allah', Islamic extremism, Kuching, Lawrence Andrew, Najib Razak, 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   Malaysia’s escalating dispute over who has the right to use the word ‘Allah’ to describe God continues unabated. The country’s Court . . . Read More

Scores killed in Central African Republic

  December 11, 2013 Central African Republic Anti-balaka, Bangui, Bocaranga, Bossangoa, Bozoum, Michel Djotodia, Seleka, UN

Dozens of people are being treated in the corridors of overcrowded hospitals.World Watch Monitor Three days of sectarian violence have left hundreds dead in the Central African Republic capital. An offensive in Bangui by Christian-dominated anti-Balaka militias on Dec. 5 sparked fierce reprisals from mainly Muslim Séléka rebel forces. In . . . Read More

Report claims 30,000 Eritreans kidnapped in 5 years

  December 10, 2013 Eritrea Europe, Human rights, Kidnapping, Mussie Zerai

A report presented to the European Parliament shows that around 30,000 Eritreans have been kidnapped since 2007 and taken to the Sinai while ransom payments are demanded. The report, conducted by an Eritrean human rights activist and professors from a Dutch University, says that a total of around $600 million . . . Read More

Rumour of tryst triggers anti-Christian violence in Egypt village

  December 9, 2013 Egypt Copts, Minya

The way Christians in the Egyptian town of Nazlet El-Badraman describe it, the deadly rampage that engulfed their village grew out of an unfounded rumour. When it finally blew over, one person was dead, nine were wounded, nearly 20 houses had been burned, and a teen-aged girl had been hurled . . . Read More

Pakistan’s churches increase security after Peshawar blasts

  December 6, 2013 Pakistan All Saints Church, Barelvi, Lahore, Pashtun, Peshawar, PTI, Youhanabad

Christians guard the Full Gospel Assemblies Church in Bahar Colony in Lahore.World Watch Monitor   Security around churches in Pakistan has increased since the deadly suicide blasts in Peshawar in September and the death of a police guard outside a church last month. On September 22, two suicide bombers blew . . . Read More

UN endorses more military in Central African Republic

  December 5, 2013 Central African Republic African Union, Bossangoa, Dieudonné Nzapalainga, Nicolas Guérékoyamé-Gbangou, Oumar Kobine Layama, Seleka, UN

The United Nations Security Council has authorised the expansion of an African military force inside the Central African Republic to counter a rising spiral of sectarian violence. Against a backdrop of fresh deadly violence in the CAR capital of Bangui, Thursday’s unanimous vote of the 15-member council provides a mandate to the . . . Read More

UK Parliament is told Christianity is ‘most persecuted religion’

  December 4, 2013 Global News -- No Particular Country Baroness Warsi, China, Egypt, Eritrea, Human rights, Iraq, Kazakhstan, London, Maaloula, Malaysia, Morocco, Nigeria, North Korea, Pakistan, Sadad, Syria

The Bishop Moussa Coptic Church in Minya was destroyted by pro-Morsi supporters in Egypt, many of whom blamed Christians for his overthrow.David Degner, Getty Images   The plight of Christians around the world was discussed in a three-hour debate at the Houses of Parliament in London yesterday. Members of the . . . Read More

Nigeria’s Boko Haram strikes again in Cameroon

  December 4, 2013 Cameroon Ansaru, Boko Haram, Far North, Georges Vandenbeusch, Nigeria

In April last year, churches were targeted by suspected Boko Haram militants. Some victims had their throats cut, while others were beaten to death or burned alive. Here is one of the survivors, whose name is being withheld to protect his security.Cameroon Human Rights Monitoring   A missionary has been . . . Read More