Afghani convert Musa released; another Christian still in prison
After intense diplomatic pressure last week, authorities released Afghani Christian Said Musa, who had been in prison for nearly nine months on charges of apostasy (leaving Islam), punishable by death under Islamic law. Another convert, however, remains in prison..
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Threat of prosecution remains for some Christians freed in Iran
Iranian authorities have released about half of the Christians arrested for their faith across the country in December and January, as well as one held in Shiraz since June, sources said.
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Women and children targeted in Plateau state village attack
An attack yesterday by armed Fulani and Hausi men on Bere Village, located 68 kilometres from Jos in Nigeria's Plateau State, left two men and 16 women and children dead, including a mother and her three children.
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Christian villagers driven from homes in Laos face starvation
A group of approximately 65 villagers, who were driven from their village at gunpoint for refusing to give up Christianity, are facing starvation as local authorities in Laos destroy crops and prevent food from reaching the group.
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CSW welcomes growing EU interest in religious freedom and calls for consistency and transparency
Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) welcomes yesterday's decision by the Foreign Affairs Council of the European Union to adopt Council Conclusions on "intolerance, discrimination and violence on the basis of religion or belief", which condemn "recent violence and acts of terrorism, in various countries, against Christians and their places of worship, Muslim pilgrims and other religious communities".
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Iranian government detains more Christians in another wave of arrests
On the evening of Sunday 13 February, an estimated 45 Christians were temporarily detained overnight by the Iranian authorities in various towns and cities, including at least five people who were held in Tehran's notorious Evin prison.
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Pastor in India Traumatized after Attack
A pastor in India's Rajasthan state who was stripped, beaten and wounded by Hindu extremists earlier this month is still traumatized, while police have yet to investigate due to family fears of further violence, security and hospital officials said.
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Political unrest in Egypt, Middle East, North Africa provide opportunities to share Gospel
Bible League with many volunteers and staff based in regions undergoing political unrest and religious tensions, encourages the Christian community to see this time as pivotal for the growth of Christianity in these areas.
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Christian killed by Muslim employer, relatives say
The Christian family of 24-year-old Imran Masih in Pakistan's Punjab Province was in anguish. The previous week, on Feb. 7, Masih was found dead at his Muslim employer's farmhouse.
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South Korea accused of targeting missions work in Islamic nations
Missionaries from South Korea believe they are the target of new regulations that would revoke passports from those who commit illegal activities abroad.
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Violence in Jos after altercation at terminus market
Chaos broke out in the heart of Jos in Nigeria's Plateau State on the afternoon of 15 February, when a mobile police officer was stabbed to death at the Terminus Market following an argument with a butcher. In the ensuing panic, at least six other people were killed and ten injured.
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Cuban church leader publishes letter denouncing persecution
A respected Baptist pastor in Cuba has published an open letter denouncing government persecution targeting him and his church. Pastor Homero Carbonell, long-time leader of La Trinidad First Baptist Church in Santa Clara, and a high-level denominational leader, says he has been forced to retire due to prolonged government pressure and threats made against his church.