Tag: Converts

Iranian and Afghan Christian converts face deportation from Germany after ‘clueless’ questioning

January 16, 2017 Afghanistan, Apostasy, Asylum seekers, Baptism, Berlin, Converts, Denmark, Germany, Iran, Islamic extremism, Pakistan, Protestants, Refugees, UK

An Iranian convert to Christianity attends a course in Berlin preparing him for baptism. Germany’s Ministry for Immigration and Refugees (BAMF) is rejecting many applications for asylum from Iranian and Afghan converts from Islam to Christianity, following “kangaroo court”-style hearings, according to a Berlin pastor. Rev. Gottfried Martens, who has . . . Read More

Sri Lankan church lives on, despite destroyed building and death threats from Buddhist monk

January 16, 2017 Sri Lanka Buddhist nationalism, Converts

The leader of a Sri Lankan church destroyed by a mob earlier this month has vowed that the church will continue to meet. Kamal Wasantha, leader of the Kithu Sevana prayer centre, told Asia News, “No attack can stop us. We shall continue to meet and pray under a tree”. . . . Read More

Another court hearing, but no end in sight for Iranian Christian converts

December 14, 2016 Iran Amir Saman Dashti, Apostasy, Converts, Islamic extremism, Maryam Naghash Zargaran, Mohammad Dehnavi, Mohammad Reza Omidi, Saheb Fadaie, Tehran, Victor Bet-Tamraz, Yasser Mossayebzadeh, Youcef Nadarkhani

Youcef Nadarkhani is greeted by his wife, Tina, after his release from prison in September 2012.The Nadarkhani family A second court hearing took place today (14 Dec.) for four Iranian converts to Christianity charged with “acting against national security”. Youcef Nadarkhani, Yasser Mossayebzadeh, Saheb Fadaie and Mohammad Reza Omidi . . . Read More

UPDATE First religious freedom case under new Nepal constitution: all charges dropped

December 6, 2016 Nepal Charikot, Converts, Hindu Morcha Nepal, Hindu nationalism, Kathmandu

The eight arrested Christians after their release on bail, Dolakha, Nepal 2016Vishal Arora UPDATE: A court in Nepal has dropped a case against eight Christians, the first case about freedom of religion since the country’s new constitution was implemented in 2015. The seven men and one woman, all counsellors, . . . Read More

Iraqi ambassador criticises country’s conversion law

December 2, 2016 Iraq Converts, Islamic extremism, Islamic State

Iraqi Ambassador to the United States Lukman Faily speaking at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace in July 2014 in Washington, DC. A “detrimental” law passed in the Iraqi parliament that forces children of parents who convert to Islam to automatically become Muslim will probably not be implemented, an Iraqi . . . Read More

Iranian rights groups decry treatment of Christians

November 30, 2016 Iran Apostasy, Converts, Human rights, Religious freedom, Youcef Nadarkhani

Iranian and European human rights and religious rights organisations have urged the international community to use new opportunities for trade with Iran to hold the government there to account over its treatment of Christian converts. Nineteen NGOs, including Middle East Concern, Article 18, Impact Iran and Justice for Iran, issued . . . Read More

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

‘So afraid I almost fainted’ – Iran Christian on brother’s arrest

November 11, 2016 Iran Converts, Evin Prison, Iran, Tehran

It was just another day at the office for accountant Sepideh*. The phone rang and Sepideh reached over her desk to answer it, not knowing that this call would be the start of years of worries. “Sepideh, quick!” The voice of her mother sounded nervous. “They arrested your brother and . . . Read More

Libyan Christian arrested for proselytising

November 8, 2016 Libya Benghazi, Blasphemy, Converts, Islamic extremism, Libya, Sharia

A Libyan man who converted to Christianity has been arrested in the eastern city of Benghazi, local sources have confirmed to World Watch Monitor. The man is accused of “proselytising on social media and denigrating Islam”. His arrest was announced on the Facebook page of a branch of Libya’s General . . . Read More

Iranian Christian back in prison again

September 19, 2016 Iran Apostasy, Converts, Iran, Islamic extremism, Maryam Naghash Zargaran, Prisons, Saeed Abedini

On 17 Sep., Maryam Naghash Zargaran was returned to prison after her medical treatment was again cut short. Her friends and family reported that she was again unable to receive adequate treatment during her time at home. Amnesty International has in its prisons. Amnesty mentioned Zargaran, an Iranian Christian who . . . Read More

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