LAHORE, Pakistan (Christian Daily International–Morning Star News) – The Lahore High Court’s recent directive to strictly enforce anti-child marriage laws has raised hope among Pakistan’s Christians of some protection against their underage girls being forced to convert to Islam and wed their kidnappers, sources said. In a landmark interim order issued by Justice Anwar Ul Haq […]
Christians Fearing Forced Marriages in Pakistan Find Hope
Court order aims to halt kidnapped girls from being forced to convert, wed.
March 6, 2024 By - Leave a Comment
Christians in Jaranwala, Pakistan Acquitted of Blasphemy Charges
Investigation showed they were framed.
March 4, 2024 By - Leave a Comment
LAHORE, Pakistan (Christian Daily International–Morning Star News) – A judge in Pakistan on Friday (March 1) acquitted two Christian brothers of false blasphemy charges that had led to Muslims attacking Christian homes and businesses in Jaranwala last year, sources said. Faisalabad Anti-Terrorism Judge Muhammad Hussain ordered the acquittal of Umar Saleem, alias Rocky, and Umair Saleem, […]
Islamic Extremists in Indonesia Targeting Youth, Women
‘Active intolerant’ teenagers increasing, official says.
February 29, 2024 By - Leave a Comment
SURABAYA, Indonesia (Morning Star News) – The head of Indonesia’s counter-terrorism agency said officials are focussing on protecting teenaged children and women from Islamic radicalization as they have become the most targeted groups. Citing a report by the Setara Institute for Democracy and Peace, Rycko Amelza Dahniel of the National Counter-terrorism Agency (Badan Nasional Penanggulangan Terorisme, […]
Ominous New Decree 95 Confirms Vietnam’s Intent to Control Religion
Shutting down churches will be easier, raising and receiving funds much harder.
February 28, 2024 By - Leave a Comment
(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.
February 28, 2024 By - Leave a Comment
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.
February 27, 2024 By - Leave a Comment
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.
February 26, 2024 By - Leave a Comment
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.
February 23, 2024 By - Leave a Comment
(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.
February 19, 2024 By - Leave a Comment
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.
February 16, 2024 By - Leave a Comment
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 […]