(Morning Star News) – Since summer 2014, the Islamist terrorist group ISIS – a.k.a. Islamic State – has devastated the political, geographic and combat landscape of the Middle East. At the same time, along with its ominous black banners, it has raised worrisome questions about the true nature of Islam. For the Middle East’s ancient […]
The Islamic State: Hastening the Apocalypse?
Motives for unspeakable cruelty lie in Sunni 'End of Days’ teaching.
March 16, 2015 By - 2 Comments
Authorities in Iran Raid Christians’ Homes, Ask Them to Leave Country
Convert who received 80 lashes for drinking communion wine among those interrogated.
March 1, 2015 By - Leave a Comment
ISTANBUL, Turkey (Morning Star News) – A Christian in Iran who received 80 lashes for drinking communion wine has been asked to leave the country, human right activists said. Agents from the Iranian intelligence service, known as VEVAK, on Feb. 16 raided the home of Mehdi Reza Omidi and two other members of house churches in Rasht, […]
Morning Star News’ Top 10 Persecution Stories of 2014
For once, good news – miraculous righting of horrific injustice in Sudan – tops list.
January 9, 2015 By - 1 Comment
(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 – […]
Behnam Irani, Two Others Sentenced to Six Years in Prison for Christian Activities in Iran
House-church leaders to serve sentences in remote, harsh prisons.
October 23, 2014 By - 1 Comment
ISTANBUL, Turkey (Morning Star News) – In what was termed a “serious blow” to house-church leader Behnam Irani, Iran has sentenced him and two other Christian leaders to six years in prison for their involvement in house churches, human rights groups learned this week. Irani, Abdolreza Ali-Haghnejad and Reza Rabbani, all leaders in the Church of […]
Pastors in Iran Could Face Death Penalty
Christians flee unprecedented crackdown.
September 16, 2014 By - Leave a Comment
ISTANBUL, Turkey (Morning Star News) – Three pastors in Iran are facing charges that could lead to the death penalty for activities in the house-church movement in an unprecedented crackdown on converts from Islam, according to human rights groups. Iranian authorities recently filed charges against Silas Rabbani, assistant pastor in a Church of Iran group in […]
Iran Steps Up Campaign of Terror against House Churches
Saeed Abedini tortured, beaten.
May 30, 2014 By - 1 Comment
ISTANBUL, Turkey (Morning Star News) – Iran’s secret police and Revolutionary Guard are subjecting Christians to a continuing wave of arrests, and increased torture and brutal beatings, in an effort to crush the house-church movement, activists said. Human rights activists confirmed that there has been a noticeable increase this month in the number of reported assaults […]
Christian Prisoner in Iran Protests Harsh Treatment with Hunger Strike
Convert from Islam, others imprisoned for practicing their faith.
April 2, 2014 By - 1 Comment
ISTANBUL, Turkey (Morning Star News) – A convert from Islam in Iran sentenced to serve almost four years in prison for Christian activities has gone on a hunger strike to protest the government’s refusal to grant his request for release, religious freedom advocates said. Vahid Hakkani began his hunger strike on March 20 after authorities denied […]
Anti-Christian Violence Detailed in Hearing Calling for Filling of Religious Freedom Post
Author calls Orissa violence worst pogrom against Christians of 21st century.
February 11, 2014 By - Leave a Comment
LOS ANGELES, February 11, 2014 (Morning Star News) – The worst anti-Christian pogrom of the 21st century has come not from Islamic extremists but from Hindu nationalists in India, an expert told a hearing in which U.S. President Barack Obama was challenged to quickly fill a key religious freedom post. John L. Allen, Jr., author […]
Iran’s Mix of ‘Token Gestures’ and Arrests May Indicate Internal Disputes
Crackdown continues even as other Christian prisoners are released.
February 3, 2014 By - Leave a Comment
CAIRO, Egypt (Morning Star News) – Iran’s goodwill gestures and the release from prison of some Christians even as authorities make new arrests could indicate infighting between the new president and Islamist hard-liners, analysts said. Hassan Rouhani began duties as president of Iran last August on a platform of pragmatic moderation. At Christmas, frequently a season […]
Morning Star News’ Top 10 Persecution Stories of 2013
In Nigeria, terrorists weren’t the only ones terrorizing Christians.
January 10, 2014 By - Leave a Comment
(Morning Star News) – Last year Egypt saw its greatest level of attacks on Christians; more Christians were killed in Syria’s civil war than anywhere else; and an Islamist rebel take-over in the Central African Republic brought new atrocities to the historically unstable country. But where political instability and civil war were not contributing factors, […]