Tag: Proselytism

On trial in Iran for celebrating Christmas

May 28, 2015 Iran Assyrians, Christmas, Evin Prison, Iran, Proselytism, Tehran, Victor Bet-Tamraz

An Iranian pastor is expected to stand trial in Iran soon, five months after his arrest by security forces for “participating in an illegal gathering” as he celebrated Christmas. Victor Bet-Tamraz led the Tehran Pentecostal Assyrian Church before it was shut down by Iran’s Ministry of Interior in March 2009. . . . Read More

Indian church burning compared to Nazis

February 11, 2015 India Constitution, Delhi, India, Proselytism, Religious freedom

The Archbishop of Mumbai has asked whether India’s constitutional guarantee for people to freely ‘profess, practise and propagate religion’ actually applies to the Christian community in light of the treatment of those protesting in Delhi on 5 February against the fifth attack on the city’s churches in recent weeks. On . . . Read More

Indian bureaucrat convert to challenge preaching ban

February 3, 2015 India Bangalore, Chennai, Converts, Ghar Wapsi, Hindu Munnani, Hindu nationalism, India, Proselytism, Tamil Nadu, Uttarakhand

Chellakani Umashankar, an elite Indian bureaucrat in southern Tamil Nadu state, has decided to challenge the order by the government of southern Tamil Nadu state that asked him to stop preaching and cancel his evangelical conventions. “This is nonsense. I am going to challenge it in the court” 51-year-old Umashankar, . . . Read More

Imprisoned Bhutanese pastors freed early

January 16, 2015 Bhutan Bhutan, Buddhist nationalism, Proselytism

Two Bhutanese pastors charged with improper fundraising have been released from prison after serving reduced sentences and paying fines. Tandin Wangyal was released in January 2015 after paying a fine equivalent to about US $1,500. He had been sentenced to nearly four years in prison. Mon Thapa was released in . . . Read More

10 arrested for insulting Hinduism

December 29, 2014 India India, Madhya Pradesh, Proselytism

When police in the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh determined there was nothing to support accusations that 10 Christians had tried to bribe a Hindu into conversion, the Christians were then accused of insulting Hinduism. The Indian Express reported that police arrested the Christians — five men and five . . . Read More

Evangelism charges dropped against Moroccan convert

February 11, 2014 Morocco Aïn Aïcha, Fes, Greek Orthodox, King Mohammed VI, Mohamed el Baldi, Proselytism

New Life Church in Fes, Morocco.World Watch Monitor The case of a Moroccan convert to Christianity sentenced to 30 months in jail for evangelism is expected to be officially dismissed on Feb. 13 when the judge provides his final ruling, after the charges against him were concluded to have . . . Read More

Iran: Pastor’s wife released early

January 30, 2014 Iran Ahwaz, Assemblies of God, Converts, Iran, Khuzestan, Proselytism

The wife of an Iranian pastor has been released from prison three months before the end of her sentence. Shahnaz Jayzan, wife of Farhad Sabokrouh, was released on Tuesday (Jan. 28) after serving nine months in jail. She has been released on the condition that neither she nor her husband . . . Read More

Iranians released two weeks early

December 9, 2013 Iran Ahwaz, Apostasy, Converts, Iran, Proselytism

Two Iranian Christians have been released from jail two weeks before the end of their sentences. Farhad Sabokrouh, pastor of the Assemblies of God Church in Ahwaz, and Naser Zamen-Dezfuli, were released on December 4, seven months after their incarceration for converting from Islam to Christianity, proselytising Muslims, and propagating . . . Read More

Court hearing for Moroccan delayed

October 17, 2013 Morocco Mohamed el Baldi, Morocco, Proselytism

A court hearing for Mohamed el Baldi, a Moroccan Christian accused of ‘shaking the faith of a Muslim’, has been postponed to Dec. 31. Arrested Aug. 28, Mohamed was sentenced shortly thereafter to 30 months. He was conditionally released following a Sept. 26 court appearance, and an appeal hearing initially . . . Read More

‘Surprise’ release of Moroccan jailed for 30 months for evangelism

October 3, 2013 Morocco Aïn Aïcha, King Mohammed VI, Mohamed el Baldi, Morocco, Proselytism

New Life Church in Fes, Morocco.World Watch Monitor A Moroccan Christian man jailed for evangelism has been temporarily released after serving one month. Mohamed el Baldi, 34, from the town of Aïn Aïcha, near Fes, was given two-and-a-half years in prison, and ordered to pay 5000 dirhams ($600) for . . . Read More

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