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Indian Christians faced almost as many attacks in first half of 2017 as all of 2016

  India , , , , , , , ,
Indian Christians faced almost as many attacks in first half of 2017 as all of 2016
In the first six months of 2017, Indian Christians were harassed, threatened or attacked for their faith in 410 reported incidents (248 in the first quarter) – almost as many as the total for the whole of 2016 (441). This is according to figures compiled by partners of Open Doors, . . . Read More

Coastal and north-east Kenyans have more to fear than most, as Al-Shabaab threatens elections

  Kenya , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
On June 15, 2014 twin attacks by suspected al-Shabaab militants on Mpeketoni and a nearby village of Poroko left 52 people dead. The attackers singled out all who could not recite Muslim prayers and killed them in plain site before destroying their homes.
Attacks by suspected Al-Shabaab militants in the Kenyan coastal region of Lamu are raising concerns that the Islamist group is attempting to disrupt the election tomorrow (8 August), as international observers warn of chaos if the result is perceived as rigged. The election, between current President Uhuru Kenyatta and his . . . Read More

Sudan demolishes another church, but MPs block school on Sundays

  Sudan , , , , , , , , ,
The Baptist Church in Omdurman that was demolished this week. (Photo: Open Doors International)
The Sudanese government demolished another church on Wednesday (2 August), the day after Members of the Khartoum state parliament rejected an order by the Minister of Education for all Christian schools in the capital to open on a Sunday. The Baptist Church in Omdurman, across the Nile, just west from . . . Read More

Displaced by Boko Haram’s violence, Nigerians finally get food to prevent famine

  Nigeria , , , , , , ,
Food aid has reached 15,000 families in Northeast Nigeria who live in famine-like conditions. (Photo: Open Doors International)
The current crisis in northeast Nigeria has been called the “greatest crisis on the African continent“. More than five million Nigerians live in famine-like conditions in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states, the epicentre of the eight years-long Boko Haram insurgency. According to the World Food Programme, the ongoing insecurity has . . . Read More

Iranian Christian Maryam Naghash Zargaran released after four years in prison

  Iran , , , , , , ,
Maryam Naghash Zargaran
After four years’ imprisonment for “violating national security”, Iranian Christian Maryam Naghash Zargaran was released from Tehran’s Evin prison last night (1 August). She was due to be released four days earlier, on 28 July, but, as Mohabat News reported, this was delayed without explanation. Naghash Zargaran, 39, a convert . . . Read More

Archbishop of Canterbury speaks ‘strongly’ to Sudan President of religious freedom for Christians

  Sudan , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Archbishop of Canterbury in Sudan, 29 July, 2017 (Credit: Archbishop of Canterbury)
The advent of the world’s newest country, South Sudan, in 2011 has not been without its impact. Not only has it spawned a civil war and one of the world’s biggest current humanitarian crises, but also the need for a new Province in the global Anglican Communion. This weekend, the . . . Read More

Copts in Kom El-Loufy still have no church in their village, and they’re not alone

  Egypt , , , , , , , ,
After 12 years of fierce opposition Coptic Christians in Kom El-Loufy, Minya, will soon again have a church. (Photo: World Watch Monitor)
The more than 1,600 Copts in the village of Kom El-Loufy in Minya, Upper Egypt are still waiting for a new church building, seven years after their previous building was closed the same month it was opened. Ever since the Copts started looking for a new venue, they have experienced fierce . . . Read More

Bishop in C. African Republic wants more effective UN peacekeepers after ‘failure to protect’

  Central African Republic , , , , , , , , , ,
Bishop of Bangassou, (CAR), Juan José Aguirre Munoz (World Watch Monitor)
A bishop prevented by escalating violence from returning to his Central African Republic diocese has called for UN peacekeepers there to be replaced with a more effective defence force. Bishop Juan José Aguirre Munoz of Bangassou, who was speaking from the CAR capital, Bangui, also said the Moroccan troops are . . . Read More