Muslim Villagers in Egypt Attack Church

Second assault on Christian properties in province in less than five weeks.

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.

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News) – An Algerian judge under pressure from Islamists to uphold a Christian’s conviction for alleged proselytizing rescinded his one-year prison term today but doubled his fine, an attorney said.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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 […]

Attacked Christians in India Fear Returning Home

After assault on church, more than 100 tribal people in Maharashtra state flee.

MUMBAI, India  (Morning Star News) – After Hindu nationalists in Maharashtra state attacked Christians two weeks ago because they refused to honor a tribal deity – violence that led many to flee their homes – the extremists yesterday assaulted remaining Christians as they met for worship, sources said.   As police stood by watching, about […]

Sudan Cracks Down on South Sudanese Christians

Church building demolished; student imprisoned.

JUBA, South Sudan (Morning Star News) – Sudanese authorities rang in the new year by bulldozing a church building outside Khartoum because it belonged to Christians of South Sudanese origin and lacked a permit, a source said.   South Sudanese have been ordered to leave the country following the new republic’s secession from Sudan in July […]

Sudan Bombings Kill More Nuba Christians Around Christmas

Several children dead after aerial attacks.

JUBA, South Sudan (Morning Star News) – Non-Arab Christians in Sudan’s Nuba Mountains said they feel forgotten after Sudanese air forces killed at least 11 of the faithful in bombings before and after Christmas, according to area sources.   Following bombings of non-Arab civilians in Christian villages in Sudan’s South Kordofan state from Dec. 18 to […]