Tag: Baptists

Uzbekistan releases jailed Christian convert after six years

November 23, 2016 Uzbekistan Baptists, Central Asia, Converts, Gulistan, Islamic extremism, Protestants, Soviet Union, Tohar Haydarov, Uzbekistan

Tohar Haydarov.International Council of Churches of Evangelical Christians and Baptists Uzbek authorities have released a Christian convert six years into his 10-year jail sentence. Tohar Haydarov, 33, was released on parole on 8 November after serving six years and 10 months of his prison term. A judge had ruled he . . . Read More

Myanmar’s new Speaker represents ethnic minorities

February 10, 2016 Myanmar Aung San Suu Kyi, Baptists, Kachin, Karen, Minorities, Myanmar

An ethnic Karen Christian has been selected as Speaker, a senior job in Myanmar’s Upper House that is seen as a reconciliation effort towards the country’s ethnic minorities, . Mahn Win Khaing Than was appointed by Aung San Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy party, which swept to power in Myanmar’s first . . . Read More

2 years’ labour for Kazakh Christian

January 6, 2016 Kazakhstan Astana, Baptists, Churches, Kazakhstan, Seventh-day Adventists, Yklas Kabduakasov

A Kazakh Christian has been sentenced to two years’ imprisonment at a labour camp, after an initial seven-year sentence of restricted freedom at home went to an appeal. Yklas Kabduakasov, 54, a Seventh-day Adventist, was convicted of inciting religious hatred while talking to others about his faith. He and his . . . Read More

After Aung San Suu Kyi’s election win, Myanmar’s displaced Kachin are hopeful they can go home for Christmas

December 16, 2015 Myanmar Aung San Suu Kyi, Baptists, Christmas, Churches, Elections, Kachin, Refugees

As democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi prepares to assume power in Myanmar, two Baptist leaders among the country’s ethnic Kachin refugees are cautiously expecting more freedom to live their Christian faith, perhaps as soon as this Christmas. More than 100,000 ethnic Kachin, displaced due to civil war that broke . . . Read More

Sudan finds woman innocent of indecent dress

August 17, 2015 Sudan Baptists, Islamic extremism, Nuba Mountains, Sudan, Women

A Christian woman, Seema Ali Osman, was found innocent of indecent or immoral dress under Article 152 of the Sudanese Criminal Code on 16 August, reports CSW. Osman’s was the final verdict in a series of trials following the arrest in June of a group of Christian women for wearing trousers . . . Read More

Sudan: Christian women fined for ‘indecency’

August 13, 2015 Sudan Baptists, Islamic extremism, Khartoum, Nuba Mountains, Sudan, Women

Three Christian women were found guilty of indecency yesterday at Sudan’s Public Order Court following their arrest in June for wearing trousers and skirts, reports CSW. Nasra Omer Kakoum, Wegdan Aba Alla Salih and Uthan Omer Eljaily were fined 500 Sudanese pounds for indecent or immoral dress under Article 152 . . . Read More

Niger churches ‘abandoned’ after Charlie Hebdo destruction

July 23, 2015 Niger Baptists, Boko Haram, Charlie Hebdo, Churches, Islamic extremism, Mahamadou Issoufou, Niamey, Niger, Prophet Muhammad, Protestants, Trauma, West Africa, Zinder

In the aftermath of the Charlie Hebdo attacks in Paris, the churches in the predominantly Muslim West African nation of Niger experienced the worst attacks in their history. On the weekend of 16-17 January, hundreds of angry Islamists attacked and ransacked dozens of properties and churches, shouting “Allahu Akbar” (“Allah . . . Read More

Tuareg Islamists refuse to sign peace deal

May 18, 2015 Mali Baptists, Islamic extremism, Mali, MNLA, Tuareg

The boycotting of a peace deal by Mali’s main Tuareg rebel group leaves in doubt the likelihood of bringing security to the country after years of chaos and violence. The Algerian foreign minister who helped mediate the deal, said on Friday that Mali’s government, allied armed groups and two groups . . . Read More

Kachin rebels snub Myanmar ceasefire deal after women’s murders

February 13, 2015 Myanmar Aung San Suu Kyi, Baptists, Converts, Kachin, Karen, Marriage, Minorities, Myanmar, Panglong, Rape, Shan, Women

What most people know about Myanmar is that Aung San Suu Kyi has been prevented from becoming its leader, despite her overwhelming popularity. That may finally change in elections later this year. Myanmar is made up of eight major ethnic groups, who all hoped for autonomy after gaining independence after . . . Read More

Azerbaijani Baptists win appeal

May 3, 2013 Azerbaijan Azerbaijan, Baptists, Zakatala

Two Baptists in Azerbaijan’s north-eastern Zakatala district, Pastor Zaur Balaev and Hinayat Shabanova, have had fines for participating in unregistered religious meetings overturned on appeal.

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