(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, […]
Morning Star News’ Top 10 Persecution Stories of 2013
In Nigeria, terrorists weren’t the only ones terrorizing Christians.
January 10, 2014 By -
Christians Not Target of Baghdad Bombings, Iraqi Officials Say
Worshippers unhurt, and victims include Muslims and Christians, they say.
December 26, 2013 By -
LOS ANGELES (Morning Star News) – Government and church officials in Iraq refuted initial claims by police that bombs in southern Baghdad targeted Christians, saying no worshippers leaving a nearby church were hurt. A car bomb that went off near St. John Catholic Church in the Doura area of Baghdad on Dec. 25 as worshippers were […]
U.S.-Iran Relations and the Hope of Iranian Christians
Worldly might darkens the human rights landscape.
December 12, 2013 By -
(Morning Star News) – The lament that human rights was not on the agenda when the United States and Iran recently met in Geneva for historic talks was right and proper. It must be understood, however, that for Iran, the issue of religious liberty (as defined by the West) is simply not negotiable. The regime […]
Noted Convert in Egypt Arrested, Likely Tortured
Mohammed Hegazy, now with new name, jailed for allegedly inciting ‘sectarian strife.’
December 6, 2013 By -
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 […]
Hope Dims for Religious Rights in Iran with Sanctions Deal
Leverage could be lost, rights advocates say.
November 30, 2013 By -
CAIRO (Morning Star News) – As Western powers prepare to ease economic sanctions against Iran in support of a new nuclear non-proliferation treaty, human rights activists say leverage for winning freedom for prisoners of faith may about to be lost. A human rights advocate and researcher who monitors Iran for Christian Solidarity Worldwide said his colleagues […]
Israel Orders Deportation of Jews for Jesus Worker
Group says British volunteer their first ever to be arrested in country.
November 26, 2013 By -
CAIRO, Egypt (Morning Star News) – An Israeli immigration judge has ordered the deportation of a Messianic Jewish man from England who was arrested last week for taking part in an evangelistic event in southern Israel. Barry Barnett, 50, a worker with Jews for Jesus UK, was ordered on Sunday (Nov. 24) to leave the country […]
After Retaking of Delga, Christians Terrorized in Other Towns in Egypt
Islamic extremists, criminals reappear after lull.
November 25, 2013 By -
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.
November 22, 2013 By -
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 […]
Nuri Kino: Tax Money for Massacres in Syria?
Human rights journalist addresses conference on persecution in the Middle East.
November 8, 2013 By -
(Morning Star News) – Remarks today by award-winning Swedish-Assyrian journalist Nuri Kino at a conference on persecution of Christians in the Middle East in Brussels, sponsored by the Middle East Christian Committee, as reported by the Assyrian International News Agency: My name is Nuri Kino; I’m a researcher, an author, a filmmaker, a human rights […]
Christians in Syria Feel Forgotten as Mass Graves Found in Sadad
Archbishop calls Islamist rebel attack the war's largest massacre.
November 5, 2013 By -
(Morning Star News) – Syriac Orthodox Archbishop Selwanos Boutros Alnemeh called it “the most serious and biggest massacre of Christians in Syria in the past two years and a half.” The Oct. 21 Islamist rebel siege of Sadad, a small town of 15,000 mostly Syriac Orthodox Christians 160 kilometers (95 miles) north of Damascus, left 45 […]