ISTANBUL (Morning Star News) – An Iranian-American pastor imprisoned for planting house churches in Iran years ago writes that he is undergoing torture, death threats, and pressure to renounce his faith from prison officials and inmates. Saeed Abedini, 32, described his ordeal in a letter to family members that was released by his U.S.-based attorneys. […]
Iranian-American Pastor Abedini Writes of Torture, Pressure to Renounce Faith
Letter from Evin Prison in Iran reveals abuse by officials, inmates.
February 25, 2013 By -
More Arrests in Libya after Detention of Foreign Christians
Egyptian accused of distributing Christian books allegedly tortured.
February 23, 2013 By -
CAIRO, Egypt (Morning Star News) – Arrests continue of Christians accused of proselytizing in Libya, with a total of seven now known to be in custody including one reported to have been tortured, sources said. Four expatriate Christians in the eastern coastal town of Benghazi were arrested on Feb. 10, accused of proselytizing. Libya’s Preventative […]
Christians in Syria Targeted for Kidnapping
Criminal gangs collude with Islamic extremist mercenaries, refugees say.
February 19, 2013 By -
ISTANBUL (Morning Star News) – In a poor gypsy neighborhood of Istanbul, a Syrian Orthodox refugee from Syria says he worked as a dentist in Aleppo as long as he could after fighting broke out in 2011; he finally fled when lack of food, electricity, water, and constant fear of sniper-fire and kidnapping of Christians made […]
Muslim Villagers in Egypt Attack Church
Second assault on Christian properties in province in less than five weeks.
February 17, 2013 By -
CAIRO, Egypt (Morning Star News) – Muslim villagers in Egypt’s Fayoum Province attacked a church this weekend – pelting four Christians with rocks, setting parts of the church building on fire and tearing down a cross atop the structure, witnesses said. The second assault on property of the province’s Coptic Christians in a little over […]
Algeria Upholds Conviction of Convert from Islam
Christian’s one-year prison term for alleged proselytizing revoked, but fine doubled.
February 13, 2013 By -
TIZI OUZOU, Algeria, February 13, 2013 (Morning Star News) – An Algerian judge under pressure from Islamists to uphold a Christian’s conviction for alleged proselytizing rescinded his one-year prison term today but doubled his fine, an attorney said. Mohamed Ibaouene, 36, was shocked to learn on Dec. 11 that he had been convicted in […]
Anti-Christian Hostility Heats Up amid Unrest in Egypt
Two children to be tried for insulting Islam; family imprisoned for reconverting.
February 3, 2013 By -
JERUSALEM (Morning Star News) – Among files on arrested converts from Islam, kidnapped Christian girls and beaten monks piling up on the desk of a noted lawyer in Egypt, on top is the case of two boys about to be tried for allegedly showing contempt of Islam. Attorney Karam Gabriel said anti-Christian hostilities in the […]
Vietnam’s New Religion Decree Termed a Step Backward
Legal recognition will now take at least 23 years; decree aims to end house churches.
January 24, 2013 By -
HO CHI MINH CITY, Vietnam (Morning Star News) – Protestant Christians and leaders of other faiths in Vietnam are criticizing a new decree on religion that went into effect this year as a significant step backward, with one Christian activist saying it could put an end to the house-church movement. In a Jan. 18 […]
Christian Girl in Pakistan Allegedly Forced to Convert, Marry
Official’s aide, accused of running prostitution ring, kidnapped 15-year-old, mother says.
January 22, 2013 By -
KARACHI, Pakistan (Morning Star News) – A powerful Pakistani official’s aide who is allegedly running a prostitution ring here has taken a Christian girl from her home and forced her to convert to Islam and marry him, according to the girl’s family. Khursheed Bibi, a midwife and mother of 15-year-old Asma Masih, told Morning Star News […]
Plot to Assassinate Pastor in Turkey Thwarted
Two of 14 suspects became regulars at church.
January 18, 2013 By -
ISTANBUL (Morning Star News) – Police in Turkey arrested 14 people for planning to assassinate a pastor in Izmit, 62 miles (100 kilometers) east of Istanbul, during an evangelistic event this week. Of the 14 suspects, two attended the church for a year claiming to be Christians, said the target of the plot, pastor Emre […]
Prospects Appear Dim for Religious Freedom in Cuba
Increased abuses range from arrests to enticing Christian leaders into immorality.
January 15, 2013 By -
HAVANA (Morning Star News) – The Rev. Carlos Lamelas knows first-hand the diabolical nature of attempts by Cuban authorities to cripple Christianity on the Communist isle. Refusing to allow government interference in the internal affairs of his congregation, Lamelas was charged with “human trafficking” (allegedly helping Christians to flee the island). He spent four […]