News

Egypt: brothers shot dead ahead of Coptic Christmas

  January 2, 2018 Egypt Cairo, Christmas, Copts, Giza, Helwan, Islamic State

Two brothers helping a Coptic Christian shop owner were shot dead on New Year’s Day in Giza, Greater Cairo. The men, who owned a car-parts shop next door, had been helping to stock the shop with alcohol, reported Al Arabiya. The Christian brothers were killed when a gunman pulled up . . . Read More

A Nigerian Christmas: no will or means to celebrate

  January 1, 2018 Nigeria Christmas, Fulani herdsmen, Nigeria, Plateau

How do Christians under pressure for their faith celebrate Christmas? In the ninth installment of our series, we hear from Nigerians in central Plateau State affected by violence. While the Islamist group Boko Haram has gained notoriety for its attacks on civil, military and Christian targets, a second source of . . . Read More

Cuban Christmas: Silent night – because walls have ears

  December 31, 2017 Cuba Christmas, Communism, Cuba

How do Christians under pressure for their faith celebrate Christmas? In the eighth in our series we hear from a Cuban church leader. Christmas in communist Cuba is a quiet affair; you won’t hear carols in the streets or on television, except for during one concert involving the Churches that . . . Read More

Christmas for refugees in Lebanon: far from home and reduced to handouts

  December 30, 2017 Lebanon Beirut, Iraq, Islamic State, Lebanon, Refugees, Syria

How do Christians under pressure for their faith celebrate Christmas? In the seventh in our series we hear from a Lebanese Catholic who helps look after Iraqi and Syrian refugees in Beirut. Lebanon has absorbed more than a million refugees from conflicts in nearby Syria and Iraq, where Christians either . . . Read More

Machine-gun ambush kills Christians leaving church near Cairo

  December 29, 2017 Egypt Bishop Angaelos, Cairo, Copts, Egypt, Helwan, Islamic State

This version contains updated information about the details of the attack, and comments from witnesses contacted by World Watch Monitor. Several Christians were gunned down as they left church services on the morning of 29 December near the Egyptian capital, Cairo, the Coptic Church and various government authorities reported. At . . . Read More

The Syrian refugee’s Christmas: free from danger but not from worry

  December 29, 2017 Syria Al-Nusra Front, Catholics, Civil War, Refugees, Syria

How do Christians under pressure for their faith celebrate Christmas? In the sixth of our series we hear from a Syrian Catholic who has come to Britain as a refugee. “Back in Damascus we would have a big meal with our extended family on Christmas Eve – anything from three to . . . Read More

Indian Christmas: fear and Western ways

  December 28, 2017 India Christmas, Hindu nationalism, India, Kandhamal, Madhya Pradesh

How will Christians under pressure for their faith celebrate Christmas? In the fifth of our series we hear from India. “Where is the joy? There is so much of fear now,” said AC Michael, a prominent Christian leader, when asked about the mood among Christians as they prepare for Christmas . . . Read More

Iranian Christmas: Inconspicuous decorations … then celebrating behind bars

  December 27, 2017 Iran Christmas, House churches, Iran, Prisons, Shiraz

How do Christians under pressure for their faith celebrate Christmas? In the fourth of our series we hear from an Iranian Christian who spent three years – and three Christmases – in prison. Because converting away from Islam is illegal in Iran, house churches meet in secret and Christmas is . . . Read More

Christmas in North Korea: an inner celebration

  December 26, 2017 North Korea Christmas, Kim Jong-Un, North Korea, South Korea

How will Christians under pressure for their faith celebrate Christmas? The third instalment in our series focuses on North Korea. North Korea is the most difficult country in which to live as a Christian, according to the advocacy charity Open Doors, which has ranked it no. 1 in its World . . . Read More

A merry Saudi Christmas and the flight from Egypt

  December 25, 2017 Christmas, Egypt, El-Arish, India, Migrants, Saudi Arabia

How will Christians under pressure for their faith celebrate Christmas? In the second of our series we hear from Saudi Arabia and Egypt. Saudi Arabia: Migrant workers challenged to live Christmas every day No, really – although building churches, displaying crosses or meeting for Christian worship is outlawed in the . . . Read More