Ominous New Decree 95 Confirms Vietnam’s Intent to Control Religion  

Shutting down churches will be easier, raising and receiving funds much harder.

(Morning Star News) – Two millennia ago, Jesus of Nazareth said, “Yes, what sorrow awaits you experts in religious law! For you crush people with unbearable religious demands, and you never lift a finger to ease their burden.” (Luke 11:46, NLT). What Jesus said about the religious zealots of His day could also be said […]

Acquittal Gives Christian Hope for 2nd Blasphemy Case

Judge cites double jeopardy.

LAHORE, Pakistan (Christian Daily International–Morning Star News) – A Christian sentenced to death in one blasphemy case in Pakistan was acquitted on Feb. 20 in another related to the same incident, with the judge citing double jeopardy, his attorney said. Police illegally charged Noman Masih, 24, twice for the same incident, but he remains on death […]

Pastor in Nepal Seeks to Change Prison Term into Fine

Order of incarceration issued more than a month ago.

NEW DELHI (Morning Star News) – More than a month after the Supreme Court of Nepal ordered Pastor Keshab Raj Acharya to serve one year in prison under a law against proselytizing, he seeks to convert the sentence into a fine. He won’t be able to seek the change until March, though, and the Supreme Court […]

Christian Jailed in Pakistan Despite another’s Blasphemy Confession

Catholic father still incarcerated after six months on false charge, sources say.

LAHORE, Pakistan (Christian Daily International–Morning Star News) – A Catholic has languished in jail for six months on a blasphemy charge even though a teenage boy has confessed and told police the 34-year-old father had no part in the acts, sources said. Zimran Asim’s family has been forced to leave their home after officials of the […]

Christian Refugee from Iran Faces Possible Expulsion from Turkey

Convert from Islam was persecuted for his faith in his country.

(Morning Star News) – An Iranian Christian convert faces possible expulsion from Turkey and a three-year prison sentence on a charge of spreading “propaganda against the Islamic Republic of Iran,” according to religious freedom advocates. The government of Turkish President Recept Tayyip Erdogan continued its crackdown on expatriate Christians with the Jan. 29 arrest of […]

Christian Sentenced to Life in Prison under Blasphemy Law

Judge refrains from issuing mandatory death sentence.

LAHORE, Pakistan (Christian Daily International–Morning Star News) – A judge sentenced a Christian to life in prison under Pakistan’s blasphemy statutes for a social media message that relatives say was posted using a phone stolen from him, sources said. Fanson Shahid, 56, had been beaten in his home in Lahore when arrested in March 2022 and […]

Christian Convert Couple Slain for their Faith

Parents of four young children came to faith two months prior.

NAIROBI, Kenya (Morning Star News) – A formerly Muslim couple in eastern Uganda, parents of four young children, were slashed to death on Feb. 2, two months after putting their faith in Christ, sources said. Twaha Namwoyo, 38, and his 27-year-old wife, Nadiimu Katooko, were slain for their faith outside their house in Bulalaka village, Saala […]

Christian in Pakistan Released after Accuser Admits False Blasphemy Allegation

Discharge two days after arrest a ‘miracle.’

LAHORE, Pakistan (Christian Daily International–Morning Star News) – In a rare move in Pakistan, police discharged a 72-year-old Christian from a blasphemy case after the complainant admitted she had falsely accused him, sources said. Younis Bhatti, known as Bhagat, had been arrested and charged with desecrating the Quran under Section 295-B of Pakistan’s blasphemy statutes, which […]

Christian Homes in Pakistan Hit with Gunshot, Fuel Bombs

Political opposition adds to religious tensions.

LAHORE, Pakistan (Christian Daily International–Morning Star News) – Muslims fired gunshots and threw fuel bombs at the homes of Christians in a village in Pakistan at 2 a.m. on Monday (Feb. 12) for supporting an opposing political party in last week’s elections, sources said. No one was hurt in the attacks in Chak 6/11-L village in […]

Elderly Christian Charged with Blasphemy in Pakistan

Church member claiming to have converted to Islam accuses him.

LAHORE, Pakistan (Christian Daily International–Morning Star News) – A 72-year-old Christian in Pakistan was arrested and charged with blasphemy on Saturday (Feb. 10) based on a false accusation filed in retaliation over a property dispute, sources said. Younis Bhatti, known as Bhagat, was charged with desecrating the Quran under Section 295-B of Pakistan’s blasphemy statutes, which […]