LOS ANGELES (Morning Star News) – A small church in Central Java, Indonesia that has struggled for more than a decade to keep its worship facility celebrated a re-opening last month, only to see it shut before Christmas due to protests from hard-line Islamists. The 41 Christians of the rural church in Pepanthan Dermolo village, Jepara […]
Beleagured Church in Indonesia Forced Out of its Building
Threat of violence from Islamic extremist group leads to closure of newly opened facility.
January 18, 2014 By -
Death Penalty Order Deepens Hard-line Islamist Trend in Pakistan, Critics Say
Ruling could broaden powers of Federal Shariat Court, they fear.
December 30, 2013 By -
LAHORE, Pakistan (Morning Star News) – Compliance with an order that only the death sentence can be given to those convicted of insulting Islam’s prophet will further endanger Christians and increase the powers of the Islamic court that issued it, critics said. While Christians fear that government compliance with the Federal Shariat Court’s (FSC) Dec. 4 […]
Pastors in West Java, Indonesia Struggle with Church Closures
A quiet Christmas for two congregations.
December 29, 2013 By -
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, […]
Verdict for Moroccan Convert from Islam Sentenced for ‘Proselytism’ Expected Feb. 6
Hastily convicted Mohamed El Baladi received 30-month prison term.
December 27, 2013 By -
TIZI OZOU, Algeria (Morning Star News) – A Moroccan appeals court on Thursday (Dec. 26) heard arguments for a Christian convert from Islam hastily sentenced to prison for alleged “proselytizing,” sources said. The Court of Appeal in Fez is expected to deliver a ruling on Feb. 6. Mohamed El Baladi was sentenced to 30 months in prison […]
Terrorist Influence on Herdsmen Seen in Killing of 12 Christians in Nigeria
Ethnic Fulanis kill more children as they sleep.
December 21, 2013 By -
JOS, Nigeria (Morning Star News) – As violence against Christians hit in central Nigeria again this week, there are indications that Muslim Fulani herdsmen are working with Islamic extremist groups made up in part of foreigners. The Rev. Yiman Orkwar, archbishop of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Makurdi in Benue state, told Morning Star News that […]
Colombian Guerrilla Group Bans Worship Services, Threatens Pastors
An estimated 150 churches closed since July.
December 18, 2013 By -
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) […]
At least 205 Christians Killed by Fulani Herdsmen in Benue State, Nigeria
Thousands displaced, church services halted.
December 17, 2013 By -
JOS, Nigeria (Morning Star News) – Reports of Christians attacked in central and northern Nigeria draw more attention, but in more southerly Benue state Islamic extremists killed at least 205 Christians in the last six months alone, sources said. In the southeastern part of Nigeria’s middle belt, Benue state’s Agatu Local Government Area saw deadly attacks […]
School Principal Attacked as New Education Policy Takes Effect in Osun, Nigeria
Christian leaders say government trying to Islamicize schools.
December 13, 2013 By -
JOS, Nigeria (Morning Star News) – Educational reforms in Nigeria’s Osun state have created religious tensions in schools, resulting in Islamist youths beating a Christian principal unconscious last month, Christian leaders said. The state in southwestern Nigeria reclassified schools in September, thus merging those originally founded by Christian missionaries with other schools. The mergers, including the […]
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 […]
Islamic Extremists Kill at Least 71 Christians in Nigeria
Suspected Fulani herdsmen slaughter 37 in Plateau state; Boko Haram attacks in Borno.
November 26, 2013 By -
JOS, Nigeria (Morning Star News) – Suspected Muslim herdsmen slaughtered 37 Christians in coordinated attacks on four Plateau state villages early this morning after Boko Haram terrorists killed at least 34 Christians in Borno state earlier this month, sources said. In attacks on the four predominantly Christian villages that started at 1 a.m. in the Barkin […]