Pastors in West Java, Indonesia Struggle with Church Closures

A quiet Christmas for two congregations.

WEST JAVA, Indonesia (Morning Star News) – Two days before Christmas, the Rev. Titus, a pastor in Cimahi, West Java who goes by a single name, was initially too upset to discuss the events that led to the closure of his church. The usually jovial and open pastor of Isa Almasih Church (Gereja Isa Almasih, […]

Colombian Guerrilla Group Bans Worship Services, Threatens Pastors

An estimated 150 churches closed since July.

COCHABAMBA, Bolivia (Morning Star News) – Christians in southern Colombia are living in constant danger from a guerrilla army that has banned worship services in rural areas under its control. An estimated 150 churches have been forced to close since July, when the 32nd Front of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia-People’s Army (FARC-EP in Spanish) […]

Noted Convert in Egypt Arrested, Likely Tortured

Mohammed Hegazy, now with new name, jailed for allegedly inciting ‘sectarian strife.’

CAIRO, Egypt (Morning Star News) – Egyptian authorities this week arrested a Christian who is arguably the nation’s most well-known convert from Islam and are investigating him for several activities, including allegedly inciting “sectarian strife.” Bishoy Armia Boulous, 31, formally known by his Muslim name, Mohammed Hegazy, was arrested Wednesday morning (Dec. 4) at a cafe […]

After Retaking of Delga, Christians Terrorized in Other Towns in Egypt

Islamic extremists, criminals reappear after lull.

CAIRO, Egypt (Morning Star News) – Three months after the Egyptian Army liberated Delga from militant Muslims, Islamists and criminals are terrorizing Christians in other towns across Egypt, human rights activists said. Islamists in the towns are again charging Jizya, a Koranic fine on non-Muslims also known as the “submission” or “humiliation” tax, after a lull […]

Convert from Islam Flees Iranian Authorities’ Torture, Threats

Christian goes into hiding after secret police learn of his activities.

ISTANBUL (Morning Star News) – The young woman in Tehran, Iran who introduced her boyfriend to Jesus hasn’t seen him since he fled the city, but his dreams give her hope that he is well. The Iranian woman has heard that since Armin Davoodi fled authorities who threatened him with death for proclaiming Christ earlier this […]

Christian Shot Dead in Mogadishu, Somalia

Muslim neighbor says gunmen sought him for spreading ‘wrong religion.’

NAIROBI, Kenya (Morning Star News) – Gunmen who said they intended to kill a Christian in Mogadishu, Somalia for spreading his faith shot him to death last month, the victim’s neighbor said. Two men armed with pistols shot Abdikhani Hassan seven times as he approached his home after closing his pharmacy in Dharkenley District on Oct. […]

Traumatized Survivors of Wedding Attack in Egypt Look to God

Wounded relatives mourn horrific loss of loved ones.

CAIRO, Egypt (Morning Star News) – The wounded mother of a 12-year-old girl killed at a church wedding on Oct. 20 in suburban Cairo lay in a hospital bed on Thursday (Oct. 24), lost in anguish. Howida Refaat Azer, 30, had spent days slipping in and out of consciousness following operations on her right leg, and […]

Police in India Rebuke, Threaten Pastor for Reporting Vicious Beating

Hindu extremists knock Bible student unconscious three times.

NEW DELHI (Morning Star News) – Police in Chhattisgarh state last week chastised and threatened a pastor when he reported that Hindu extremists beat a Bible student unconscious, area Christians said. After drunken Hindu extremists beat 23-year-old Shyam Sunder unconscious with a plow head three times – twice reviving him with water and continuing the beating […]

Military Help Sought to Check Islamist Rebel Violence in Central African Republic

Up to 80 percent of insurgent troops said to be mercenaries from Sudan, Chad.

WASHINGTON (Morning Star News) – With Islamist rebels in the Central African Republic (CAR) continuing to commit atrocities unchecked, including violence against Christians, U.N. and rights officials are calling for outside military help to establish rule of law. Up to 80 percent of those in the rebel group known as Seleka are foreign combatants from Chad […]

Two Egyptian Christians Slain in Libya

Orthodox Copts refused Muslims’ demand to convert to Islam, relatives say.

CAIRO, Egypt (Morning Star News) – A group of Muslims robbed two Egyptian Christians living in Libya, then tied up and shot them to death after the two Copts refused their demand to convert to Islam, relatives said. On a rural road in Derna District in northeastern Libya on Wednesday (Sept. 25), a group of Muslims […]