Morning Star News’ Top 10 Persecution Stories of 2014

For once, good news – miraculous righting of horrific injustice in Sudan – tops list.

(Morning Star News) – In a year that saw a new level of cruelty unleashed upon Christians and other religious minorities across Syria, Iraq and Africa, one once obscure case of injustice in Sudan turned into a titanic battle that gripped the world’s attention. The battle appeared to be spiritual as much as legal. 1 – […]

Noted Convert from Islam in Egypt Wins Partial Appeal but Remains in Jail

Two of three charges dropped against Bishoy Armia Boulous, formerly Mohammed Hegazy.

ISTANBUL, Turkey (Morning Star News) – A noted convert in Egypt who was sentenced to five years in prison for documenting attacks on Christians has won a partial victory on appeal, but he remains in jail because of prior blasphemy charges. An appeals judge on Sunday (Dec. 28) found Bishoy Armia Boulous, 31, previously known as […]

Displaced Iraqi Christians Ponder an Iraq without Christians

Wait out the bloodbath and return home, or end the church’s historic presence?

ERBIL, Iraq (Morning Star News) – As he drove across the bridge, slowly following other cars, the scene unfolding around the pastor was complete chaos. In the distance he could hear mortar rounds hitting their targets as hundreds of other displaced people streamed by one side of his car with whatever they could carry on […]

Suspected Arsonist Sought in Fire at Bible Distribution Center in Istanbul, Turkey

Fire officials thought to have tried to downplay likelihood of arson.

ISTANBUL, Turkey (Morning Star News) – Turkish authorities are searching for a suspected arsonist in connection with a fire here that destroyed thousands of New Testaments and other Christian books. The fire started at approximately 7 p.m. on Dec. 7 at the offices of the Bible Correspondence Course in Turkey (BCC-Turkey), located in a multistory building […]

Gunmen Kill Christian Widow in Jos, Nigeria Bomb Blasts

Attack fulfills Boko Hara objectives of killing Christians and destabilizing government.

JOS, Nigeria (Morning Star News) – For Jummai Sunday, 63, Thursday (Dec. 11) began like any other for the Christian widow. After a morning devotional, she visited sick or bereaved families, and then returned home to gather items for sale at her market spot near the bus terminal area in Jos, Nigeria. She survived the twin […]

Christians Protest Violence as Church Burning Hits New Delhi, India

Government under increasing pressure as impunity for assailants continues.

(Morning Star News) – Christians in New Delhi, unaccustomed to religious hostilities more common in remote areas, erupted in protest as violence hit the capital last week. Church leaders wrote to national officials as the Advent season brought three disturbing incidents, including an apparent arson attempt. The interior of one of the larger church buildings in the […]

Police in Sudan Attack Worshipping Congregation, Arrest 38 Christians

Church members released after paying fine.

  NAIROBI, Kenya (Morning Star News) – Police in North Khartoum, Sudan yesterday beat, arrested and fined 38 Christians worshipping at Khartoum Bahri Evangelical Church, sources said. After nearly two weeks of raiding and demolishing church property, officers armed with guns and batons arrived at the church compound at 6:30 a.m. on two trucks accompanied […]

Al Shabaab Islamists Again Attack Non-Muslims near Mandera, Kenya, Killing 36

Most of those slain said to be Christians from outside the area.

NAIROBI, Kenya (Morning Star News) – Members of the Islamic extremist insurgent group Al Shabaab early this morning killed 36 non-Muslims, most of them Christian, in an attack in northern Kenya, sources said. Coming 10 days after the Somali insurgents’ assault in the same area that left 28 non-Muslims dead, including 19 Christians, today’s massacre triggered […]

Two Pastors in Bangladesh Face Charges for Proclaiming Christ to Muslims

Police arrest group after Islamist throng disrupts meeting.

DHAKA, Bangladesh (Morning Star News) – Two pastors in northwestern Bangladesh could face two years in prison if convicted for “hurting religious sentiments.” Police on Nov. 9 arrested the pastors and 41 people, including Muslims, who were listening to proclamation of Christ at a rented house in Nabinagar village in Lalmonirhat District, 300 kilometers (186 miles) northwest […]

Police Say Woman Slain in Pakistan Innocent of Blasphemy; Politicians ‘Protecting Killers’

Shama Masih was illiterate.

LAHORE, Pakistan (Morning Star News) – Police in Pakistan say a Christian couple tortured and slain this month over accusations that the wife desecrated the Koran were innocent, while relatives said politicians are trying to shield the killers from justice. Urged to act from mosque loudspeakers, a frenzied mob on Nov. 4 tore the clothes off […]