News

Church massacre shatters Central African capital’s tranquility

  May 3, 2018 Central African Republic Anti-balaka, Bangui, Central African Republic, Dieudonné Nzapalainga, Faustin-Archange Touadéra, Oumar Kobine Layama, PK5, Seleka

At least 24 people are feared killed and more than a hundred injured following a fresh outbreak of violence in Bangui, the capital of the Central African Republic, on Tuesday, 1 May. Until recent weeks, the capital had been considered a safe haven in the war-torn country – the only . . . Read More

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

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

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

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