Tag: Islamic extremism

Bangladesh church stabbing ‘not’ Islamic extremism

March 16, 2017 Bangladesh Bangladesh, Islamic extremism

St. Rita’s Catholic Church of Mothurapur, 2014
Photo: ucanews

Police have brushed aside accusations that Islamic extremism is behind the stabbing of a church security guard in northern Bangladesh, saying the guard had a “personal feud” with his attackers, reports UCANews. Local Catholics, however, have refused to accept the police’s explanation for the incident at St Rita’s church in Mothurapur, . . . Read More

Pakistan’s blasphemy laws

March 14, 2017 Pakistan Blasphemy, Islamic extremism, Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq, Religious freedom

What the laws say Chapter XV of Pakistan’s Penal Code, titled “Of Offences Relating to Religion,” contains six sections. Four of them outlaw a number of acts, ranging from tresspassing on places of worship to “malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings,” with penalties ranging from one to 10 years . . . Read More

‘Secret’ church leader about witnessing his faith to people who might kill him

March 6, 2017 Converts, Islamic extremism, Refugees, Religious freedom

Hameedullah* works as a church leader in a country known for intense persecution of Christians. When he was young, he lived illegally as a refugee in a Muslim country that didn’t want him or his religion, whose people are always looking out for non-Islamic activity. He even faced scrutiny from . . . Read More

Muslims condemn killings of Copts, as more flee

February 28, 2017 Egypt Al-Nour Party, Copts, Egypt, El-Arish, Islamic extremism, Islamic State, Ismailia, Sinai, Suez

An ultra-conservative Islamic political party in Egypt, Al-Nour, has publicly condemned the killings of Copts in northern Sinai, saying they “go against the teaching of Islam”. The House of Fatwa, chaired by the Grand Mufti of Egypt, also condemned the murders, saying they are “sabotaging” national unity. Coptic families have . . . Read More

Trump travel ban dints Iraqi Christians’ support

February 23, 2017 Iraq Assyrians, Dohuk, Donald Trump, Iraq, Islamic extremism, Islamic State, Kurds, USA

Iraqi Christians who backed the candidacy of Donald Trump have become disillusioned with his presidency since his executive order barred Iraqis, along with citizens of six other Muslim-majority countries, from entering the US. Many Iraqi minorities supported Trump because of his anti-Islamic State rhetoric. The Assyrian Church of the East’s . . . Read More

Repression of Maldives Christians to intensify

February 17, 2017 Maldives Abdulla Yameen, Islamic extremism, Maldives

The President of the Maldives has vowed to enact a national programme to “promote Islamic unity and foster religious and national spirit”. President Abdulla Yameen, speaking earlier this week at this year’s official opening of parliament, said the programme would begin within three months. The Maldivian legal system has been . . . Read More

Another Copt killed ‘by Islamic State’ in Sinai

February 16, 2017 Egypt Ansar Beit al-Maqdis, Copts, Egypt, El-Arish, Islamic extremism, Islamic State, Sinai

A Coptic Christian teacher has been killed in the city of El-Arish in Egypt’s North Sinai province, four days after the murder of a Coptic vet. Gamal Tawfiq, 50, was gunned down on his way to school this morning (16 Feb), reports AP. His murder follows that of Bahgat Zakhar . . . Read More

Middle East faith & money toxic for Horn of Africa

February 15, 2017 Africa, Al-Shabaab, Arabian Peninsula, East Africa, Eritrea, Houthis, Islamic extremism, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sufi, United Arab Emirates, Wahhabism, Yemen

There’s a long-standing connection between the Horn of Africa and the Arabian Peninsula, shaped by trade and faith. Former BBC Africa Editor Martin Plaut explores this relationship, which has caused increased tensions between and within the countries in the Horn, and which has affected the Christians there badly. Over centuries, . . . Read More

‘I’d prefer if my leader is a Muslim’

February 13, 2017 Indonesia Ahok, Blasphemy, Indonesia, Islamic Defenders Front, Islamic extremism, Jakarta, Joko Widodo, Sharia

Tens of thousands of Muslims have taken to the streets of Jakarta in recent days in an attempt to persuade Indonesians not to re-elect the capital city’s Christian governor, who stands accused of blasphemy. Basuki Tjahaja Purnama (better known as “Ahok”) is accused of “misusing” a Qur’anic verse (which, some . . . Read More

Pakistan court bans Valentine’s Day celebrations

February 13, 2017 Pakistan Islamabad, Islamic extremism, Pakistan

Pakistan’s Islamabad High Court has prohibited St Valentine’s Day celebrations in public spaces and government offices across the country “with immediate effect,” reports Dawn. Print and electronic media have also been warned to stop Valentine’s Day promotions. The orders came after a petition was submitted by Abdul Waheed, a member . . . Read More

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