Archive for January, 2012|Monthly archive pageMap reflects the 30 most recent Persecution Reports. Click HERE for the Map Legend.Crackdown On Hungary’s Churches Averted… For NowFriday, January 27th, 2012In June of last year the Parliament of Hungary passed what is considered one of the most oppressive religion laws in Europe. However, due to a violation of procedure, the law has been struck down, at least for now. Sign Our Petition for the Release of Imprisoned Ethiopian Christians in Saudi ArabiaFriday, January 27th, 2012We've been closely monitoring the imprisonment of a group of Christians in Saudi Arabia. The women were strip-searched and the men were brutally assaulted after holding a prayer meeting. We last talked to one of the prisoners today and he had this to say, "We want you to help us to get out of prison in every way you can, including prayer. Please tell your governments about our plight, contact human rights organizations and others and inform them about us." We can do something to help our fellow brothers and sisters facing this persecution. Their human rights have been violated and are being wrongly persecuted for practicing their faith. Please pray for them, for their health, and for a speedy release from their imprisonment. You can sign our petition to the Saudi Ambassador for the quick release of the prisoners. You can also call the Saudi Arabia Embassy in the United States at (+1) 202 342 3800. Thank you for your prayers and action. We will keep you posted with any further updates we receive. Click here to sign the petition. Unrest In Syria Claims The Life Of A Christian PriestFriday, January 27th, 2012...LCC said the priest was "martyred" during "a military campaign conducted by the regime's forces". Police In Uzbekistan To Christian: “I Don’t Care About The Law Or Your Rights”Friday, January 27th, 2012"Three members of the same Protestant church in Jarkurgan, a town north of Termez in Uzbekistan's southern Surkhandarya Region, are facing administrative charges to punish them for their religious activity" Nigeria’s Boko Haram Killed 935 People Since 2009Friday, January 27th, 2012The radical Islamic group fights to establish an Islamic state throughout Nigeria. Most of its targets are Christians and Nigeria's security officials. Indian Gov’t Official Criticized After Saying “Conversions Are Unconstitutional”Friday, January 27th, 2012Farooq Abdullah, the current Minister of Renewable Energy, has supported the verdict of expulsion against Christian missionaries, issued by an Islamic court of Kashmir. The Global Council of Indian Christians (GCIC) has sent an official letter to the Prime Minister to request his removal from the government cabinet. Indian Authorities Arrest A Pastor After Hindu Radicals Assaulted HimThursday, January 26th, 2012Keep these Indian Christians in your prayers as they're facing persecution from Indian ultra-nationalists. The ultra-nationalists beat a pastor and another believer, dragged them around the village, and tied the pastor to tree. The police came and arrested the two men and imprisoned them for 24 hours. The two men were accused of "forced conversions," common yet false accusations leveled against believers. There is fear of future persecution at the hands of the Hindu extremists. Click here for the full story. Freedom For Arrested Bishops and Priests Would Also Benefit ChinaThursday, January 26th, 2012The news of arrests, disappearances, detention in forced labour camps or house arrest of bishops or priests, is quite damaging for China. If these people have done something wrong, please send them to court, not to prison or isolation. This mode does not solve any problems and damages China’s international image. Burma’s New Day DawnsThursday, January 26th, 2012Hope. It shines from the faces of people on the streets. And it's infectious. The team is looking forward to new freedoms and what they might mean for Gospel outreach. "I think it will be a lot easier to travel. There won't be the restrictions that there had been. I think it will also be easier for the church in Burma to reach out to their own country."
Indonesian Believers Praise God Among PersecutionThursday, January 26th, 2012Be encouraged by this Indonesian church and their resilience to follow God, featured in the video below. They have been denied access to their building by a police blockade. Rather than fold under the pressure, they pray outside and face harassment by Muslim radicals. The supreme court of Indonesia ruled that this church has proper permits and should be allowed back in their building, but the mayor of the city refuses to comply with the ruling. Click here to watch the great video. Two Catholic Priests Kidnapped In SudanThursday, January 26th, 2012Islamic militias loyal to government forces attack Catholic church compound. Oxford Professor: Equality Trumping Religious FreedomThursday, January 26th, 2012“In recent years there has been a clear trend for courts in Europe and North America to prioritise equality and non-discrimination above religion, placing the right to religious freedom in danger.” Why Christians in Egypt Are Holding Their Breath, Part 1Thursday, January 26th, 2012The history of a Coptic Christian’s identity in Egypt. Iranian Christians tell of persecutionThursday, January 26th, 2012The Royal Gazette Online reports on Christian persecution in Iran and ways you can help. Christmas Under IslamThursday, January 26th, 2012Mosques, some of which breed radicalization and serve as terrorist bases, flourish in America, while churches are increasingly targeted and destroyed in the Muslim world, especially the Middle East, the cradle of Christianity,” FrontPageMag reports. Radio is helping Iranian believersThursday, January 26th, 2012“With the Arab Spring and the recent revolution, it is clear that younger Iranians are actively seeking alternatives to Islam. Muslims in Iran are more open to the Gospel than ever before,” Mission Network News reports. New Crossing the Bridge Blog PostedWednesday, January 25th, 2012Check out our new blog post for the week. It's a follow up to the picture we posted earlier today of a Ugandan pastor who was attacked with acid for his faith and ministry to Muslims. His perseverance through this persecution is an encouragement to all. Islamists Arrest A Muslim Father After His Sons Convert To ChristianityWednesday, January 25th, 2012Ugandan Pastor Attacked with Acid for Reaching MuslimsWednesday, January 25th, 2012"The persecution because of the name of the Lord is real and it is happening to different people around the world. Those who have their freedoms [should] be supporting [the persecuted] because people are persecuted for Christ. ...The enemy is very determined. The believers should also be determined to raise the flag and defend the name of the Lord," said Pastor Umar of Uganda after he was attacked with acid for his conversion from Islam to Christianity and success in reaching Muslims. Pray for him and pray that believers take his statement to heart. U.S. Hears About More Rights Violations In VietnamWednesday, January 25th, 2012“The Vietnamese government continues to be an egregious violator of a broad array of human rights,” said chairman US Representative Chris Smith. He added: “Vietnam continues to control religious communities, severely restrict and penalize independent religious practices, and brutally repress individuals and groups viewed as challenging its authority.” Muslim Students Attack Catholic Schools In Indonesia Over A Facebook PostWednesday, January 25th, 2012Someone going by the name of Rudi Yohanes, who claimed to be a student at the Pangudi Lujur 1 school, said on the social network that he was ‘anti-Islamic’. Fundamentalist groups reacted by attacking three Catholic schools, causing damages and the temporary closure of the facilities. In reality, the name and profile were fakes by an unknown user.
Indian Authorities Arrest A Pastor After Hindu Radicals Assaulted HimWednesday, January 25th, 2012Radical Hindus beat and drag a pastor in front of villagers in Karnataka. The police then arrested the pastor. Seven Christians Killed In Bauchi State, NigeriaWednesday, January 25th, 2012Many injured, church building destroyed. Christian canaries in an Arab coal mineWednesday, January 25th, 2012“Nearly 100,000 Copts have fled Egypt since the ouster of Hosni Mubarak, chased by a series of increasingly violent pogroms at the hands of fanatics while the military often looked the other way,” The Globe and Mail reports. Christians in Iran, Syria face rising persecutionWednesday, January 25th, 2012“There has been a wave of violence targeting Iranian and Syrian Christians over the past month,” The Jerusalem Post reports. Coptic Christians in Florida fear for persecuted EgyptiansWednesday, January 25th, 2012“It's not safe to be a Coptic Christian in Egypt,” Amira Salama, a Coptic Christian living in Florida, told Tampa Bay Online. Click here to watch a video on how Tampa-based Coptic Christians are providing clothes, shelter, and education to Egyptian Christian refugees who have been forced to flee their homes in Egypt's continued unrest. Keep them in your thoughts and prayers as they try to help those fleeing persecution. German Parliament Members Appealed for Iranian Pastor’s ReleaseWednesday, January 25th, 2012“A commission in the German Parliament gathered signatures from Parliament members on a petition for the release of Yousef Nadarkhani. In this petition Parliament members asked the Iranian Government to overturn Nadarkhani's death sentence,” Mohabat News reports. Saudi Arabian Officials Assault, Strip Search Christian PrisonersTuesday, January 24th, 2012ICC Urges Saudi Arabia To Release The Prisoners Indonesian Church Services Disrupted AgainTuesday, January 24th, 2012"We were conducting our worship at one member's home before people from Forkami and Garis came to our place," GKI Yasmin spokeswoman Dwiati Novita Rini told The Jakarta Post over the telephone on Sunday. The congregation resisted efforts by about 50 Public Order Agency (Satpol PP) officers to stop their service, Dwiati said.
Under International Pressure, China Releases Pastor Shi EnhaoTuesday, January 24th, 2012Arrested last March in Nanyang, Henan province, by officers from the Suqian Municipal Public Security Bureau and religious affairs bureau, Pastor Shi Enhao was sentenced for two years in a labor camp. Pastor Enhao was unexpectedly released on Friday, January 20th. |
ICC is constantly monitoring the state of Christian persecution in countries around the world and looking for ways that we can act as bridge between our supporters and the persecuted church. Beyond the projects you see above, we are working in many other areas to provide practical assistance to our brothers and sisters in Christ. View our other projects page to understand more of our work and keep up to date on our current projects.
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