ISTANBUL, Turkey (Morning Star News) – One Christian is dead, several others have been wounded and a fire gutted a church building after Muslims across Egypt waged a weekend of violence against Copts. In Tahana El-Gabal village in Minya Governorate, on Sunday night (July 17) Fam Mary Khalaf, 27, was overpowered by a group of Muslims […]
One Dead, Several Injured in Islamist Attacks on Copts in Egypt
Weekend of violence abetted by impunity.
July 19, 2016 By - 1 Comment
Imprisoned Christian in Iran Hopes for Appeal; Inmate Returns after Medical Leave
Separately, incarcerated woman on hunger strike wins medical furlough.
July 7, 2016 By - Leave a Comment
ISTANBUL, Turkey (Morning Star News) – A convert from Islam sentenced to five years in prison on a concocted charge of “disturbing the national security of Iran” is expected to be granted an appeal this month after waiting more than a year for a hearing. Although there is no evidence that any action will be taken […]
Copt Stabbed to Death in Egypt Less than Week after Islamic State Kills Priest
Islamic month of Ramadan marked by violence.
July 6, 2016 By - Leave a Comment
ISTANBUL, Turkey (Morning Star News) – A Coptic pharmacist was stabbed to death and then beheaded by a group of Salafi Muslims in Egypt’s Delta region Monday (July 4), the latest in a string of attacks against Copts during the Islamic month of Ramadan. Family members found the body of Magdy Attia, 33, in an apartment […]
Jailed Advocate for Christians’ Religious Rights in Egypt Released on Bail
Accusations remain against activist working against persecution.
June 22, 2016 By - Leave a Comment
ISTANBUL, Turkey (Morning Star News) – A noted Coptic human rights activist arrested in May and accused of belonging to a terrorist organization was released from prison Tuesday (June 21) after posting bail. A judge in the Al-Wayly Court of Appeals on Saturday (June 18) set a 10,000 Egyptian pound (US$1,125) bail for Mina Thabet, 26, […]
Government in Egypt Fights Efforts to Repeal Controversial ‘Blasphemy Law’
Justice Ministry says any change would be ‘unconstitutional.
June 20, 2016 By - Leave a Comment
ISTANBUL, Turkey (Morning Star News) – Parliamentary efforts in Egypt to repeal the country’s equivalent of a “blasphemy law” are facing stiff opposition from the Ministry of Justice. The ministry’s representative to parliament, Chancellor Ayman Rafah, this month told the People’s Assembly that the administration opposed efforts to eliminate the constitution’s Article 98F, which criminalizes any […]
Christian Prisoner in Iran Begins Hunger Strike over Denial of Medical Treatment
Woman with heart condition incarcerated for role in house-church movement.
June 1, 2016 By - 2 Comments
ISTANBUL, Turkey (Morning Star News) – A convert to Christianity imprisoned for her involvement in the Iranian house-church movement has gone on a hunger strike to protest denial of needed medical treatment, religious freedom advocates said. Maryam Naghash Zargaran, 36, started her hunger strike on Friday (May 27) because a prosecutor has repeatedly denied permission to […]
Egyptian Crack-Down on Human Rights Defenders Reaches Key Christian Activist
Threatened three times before arrest, he faces life in prison.
May 31, 2016 By - Leave a Comment
ISTANBUL, Turkey (Morning Star News) – A Coptic human rights activist arrested this month by Egyptian security officials faces the possibility of life in prison on concocted charges because of his efforts to expose persecution of Christians, human rights activists said. Mina Thabet, 26, director of the Minority and Religious Groups Department at the Egyptian Commission […]
Detained U.S. Evangelist in Turkey Released, Ordered To Be Deported
David Byle is declared a ‘danger to public order.’
April 15, 2016 By - 1 Comment
ISTANBUL, Turkey (Morning Star News) – Turkish authorities have released a U.S. evangelist who was detained last week and ordered to be deported, sources said. Declaring David Byle “a danger to public order,” authorities in Turkey took him into custody on April 6 after asking him to report to the immigration office in Istanbul regarding his […]
Amid Crackdown, Prisoner in Iran Encourages Faithful to Stand Strong
Christian sneaks out message to flocks increasingly without pastors.
April 1, 2016 By - 1 Comment
ISTANBUL, Turkey (Morning Star News) – In the face of a crackdown that has crippled Iran’s house-church leadership, an imprisoned convert from Islam has managed to sneak a message of encouragement to Iran’s Christians. With Iran’s house churches mushrooming even as the government has imprisoned or harassed most pastors into exile, a Christian held in Rajai […]
Anti-Christian Hatred Seen in Attack on Church Building in Samsun, Turkey
Police release suspects caught on video.
March 3, 2016 By - 2 Comments
ISTANBUL, Turkey (Morning Star News) – Four men detained by police for attacking a church building in the Black Sea region of Turkey last week shouted jihadist slogans when released from jail, a marked departure from past harassment, church leaders said. Shortly after 11:30 p.m. on Feb. 25, the four Muslims went to a building rented […]