JOS, Nigeria (Morning Star News) – Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan defended his administration’s efforts to protect churches as he visited a worship service in Abuja last Sunday (Dec. 30), amid disputed reports of massacred Christians in Borno state. While the administration says it found press reports of a massacre of 15 Christians in Chibok, Borno […]
Nigerian President Defends Security amid Reports of Slaughters
One massacre confirmed while administration denies another.
January 5, 2013 By -
Ordinary Muslims in Indonesia Violating Rights, Study Finds
Most religious rights violations were directed at Christians in 2012.
January 4, 2013 By -
NEW DELHI (Morning Star News) – Concerns are growing over at least 50 cases of religious freedom violations against Christians in Indonesia last year, as not only extremists but ordinary Muslims were responsible for many of the acts of intolerance and violence, according to a recent study. “Cases of intolerance against Christians remained high in the […]
Iran Re-Arrests Pastor Nadarkhani on Christmas Day
Move termed a deliberate message of hostility toward Christians.
January 1, 2013 By -
Update: Youcef Nadarkhani was released on Jan. 7. See https://morningstarnews.org/other-press/ ISTANBUL (Morning Star News) – An Iranian pastor freed from prison in September after nearly three years of detainment was re-arrested on Christmas Day in a move that human rights groups consider intentional harassment for rejecting Islam. Youcef Nadarkhani, 35, had faced the death penalty […]
Sudan Arrests Coptic Priests for Baptizing Convert
Woman who left Islam reportedly tries to flee Islamist-run state.
December 28, 2012 By -
JUBA, South Sudan (Morning Star News) – Sudanese authorities have arrested two priests of the Coptic Orthodox Church in Sudan and accused them of baptizing a convert from Islam, sources said. As part of heightened persecution of Christians since South Sudan seceded from Sudan last year, Sudanese security forces on Dec. 16 arrested the Rev. […]
12 Christians Killed in Christmas Bloodshed in Nigeria
Gunmen attack two churches in Borno, Yobe states on Christmas Eve.
December 26, 2012 By -
JOS, Nigeria (Morning Star News) – Christmas Eve attacks by suspected Islamic extremists in northern Nigeria’s Borno state – already reeling from the slaughter of at least 10 Christians earlier this month – took the lives of six people at a Baptist church, as gunmen killed six others in Yobe state the same night. In […]
Christian Shot to Death in Somalia
Unknown gunmen kill father of five for leaving Islam.
December 14, 2012 By -
NAIROBI, Kenya (Morning Star News) – Gunmen in central Somalia on Saturday (Dec. 8) killed an underground Christian who had been receiving death threats for leaving Islam, area sources said. Two unidentified masked men shot Mursal Isse Siad, 55, outside his home in Beledweyne, 206 miles (332 kilometers) north of Mogadishu, for leaving Islam, Muslim […]
Buddhist Monks Lead Attack on Church in Sri Lanka
More than 50 cases of violence against Christians in nation that threatens to restrict churches.
December 11, 2012 By -
NEW DELHI (Morning Star News) – A mob of about 1,000 people in southern Sri Lanka, led by Buddhist monks, protested the presence of a church by overpowering police, vandalizing property and beating the pastor on Sunday (Dec. 9), Christian sources said. The Buddhist monks had given a day’s notice for the church to close […]
Iran Said to be Killing Imprisoned Pastor by Neglect
Denial of medical aid aimed at Behnam Irani succumbing to violence-related illness, sources say.
December 7, 2012 By -
ISTANBUL (Morning Star News) – The condition of an Iranian pastor languishing in prison on charges of “actions against the Islamic state” is deteriorating as authorities intend to kill him by denying him medical treatment, according to sources close to the prisoner. The sources say the health of pastor Behnam Irani, a married father of […]
Equal Rights for Christians in Bhutan Stalled
‘Anti-Conversion’ law quietly enacted while proposal for religious freedoms stymied.
December 6, 2012 By -
THIMPHU, Bhutan (Morning Star News) – While Bhutan’s government has quietly enacted an “anti-conversion” law that Christians fear will be used against them, a proposal to grant Christians the right to construct church buildings and form organizations remains stalled. The government of Prime Minister Jigmi Thinley – the first democracy after the Buddhist nation’s bloodless […]
Swedish Christian Worker Shot in Pakistan
70-year-old woman in critical condition.
December 3, 2012 By -
LAHORE, Pakistan (Morning Star News) – A 70-year-old Swedish Christian worker is in critical condition after unidentified gunmen shot her as she returned home from her office in Lahore today, sources said. Birgitta Almby, who has been serving as area director with Full Gospel Assemblies (FGA), was returning home for lunch from the FGA Bible […]