Archive for April, 2012|Monthly archive pageMap reflects the 30 most recent Persecution Reports. Click HERE for the Map Legend.One Killed, 16 Hurt In Grenade Attack At Kenyan ChurchMonday, April 30th, 2012"One person has been confirmed dead and sixteen others including the presiding pastor were injured. The motive of the attack has not yet been established," police spokesman Eric Kiraithe said in a statement. Attack On Nigerian Church Kills About 20Monday, April 30th, 2012“They threw in explosives and fired shots, causing a stampede among worshippers. They now pursued them, shooting them with guns... They also attacked another service at the sporting complex.” Extremists Teach Children To Pray Against Bible Clubs In IndiaMonday, April 30th, 2012"The objective is to make the children militantly anti-Christian. The clubs are called 'swadhyay' classes--'swadhyay' means study. They are taught to recite mantras to Hindu idols, and they're taught to resist Christian teachings." Bangladesh: Ex-Imam Convert To Christianity Almost KilledMonday, April 30th, 2012Islam in the state religion in Bangladesh but the constitution does not recognise Sharia and guarantees freedom of worship. This makes it one of the most open Muslim states, where conversions can occur in an atmosphere of general tolerance. However, Islam's social and cultural ascendancy is such that in many communities all sorts of pressure is put on people. In some cases, notaries refuse to sign papers testifying to conversions. In other cases, like that of the former imam, people resort to physical and psychological violence. Chinese Catholics Growing Amid Vatican Fears Of Unrecognized BishopsMonday, April 30th, 2012A statement, released both in English and Chinese on April 26, noted the "particular difficulties" that pastors face when trying to preach under the requirement of complying with standards imposed by the Communist regime. The commission urged believers to continue their fight and not to sacrifice "essential elements of the Catholic faith and discipline," CatholicCulture.org reported. Vietnam: Disturbing Details Emerge In Attack On Father BinhMonday, April 30th, 2012"I was beaten with force on my ears, eyes, stomach and hips. Eventually, a more violent blow on the left ear threw me to the ground. There two young people kicked me on the left and left side of my back. I was left unconscious. " Iranian Christian convert released after 180 days in Evin prisonMonday, April 30th, 2012“Fariborz Arazm, a Christian convert, was conditionally released after six months imprisonment [on April 11],” Mohabat News reports. Egyptian Panel Drops Maspero Massacre Case for ‘Lack of Evidence’Monday, April 30th, 2012“On April 24 the panel of judges appointed by the Egyptian minister of justice to investigate the Maspero massacre of October 9, 2011 which claimed the lives of 27 Christians and injured 329, closed the case,” the Assyrian International News Agency reports. Christian’s Six-Year Sentence Upheld in EgyptMonday, April 30th, 2012"Copt wrongly convicted of ‘blasphemy,’ inciting sectarian strife," Compass Direct News reports. Christians Tried on Easter in Iran for Their FaithMonday, April 30th, 2012“There are new reports that another Christian Pastor, Reverend Matthias Haghnejad, has been tried in Iran for his faith. Even worse, eleven members of his Christian congregation, including his wife, were also tried and are now awaiting a verdict,” the American Center for Law and Justice reports. Put Religious Freedom Before Harmony In Indonesia, Activist UrgesSunday, April 29th, 2012He pointed out that while largely mute on the Yasmin case, the Religious Affairs Ministry has been drumming up support for its draft of the Interfaith Harmony Bill, which many activists believed as detrimental to religious freedom. U.S Air Force Bows To Atheists In Multiple Anti-Christian MovesSunday, April 29th, 2012“Under Secretary Donley, the Air Force has become an easy target for atheists, because they know he and the Air Force will cave to their anti-religious, anti-Christian demands without a fight,” says Tim Wildmon, president of the AFA. Will UK Force Churches to Perform Gay Marriage?Sunday, April 29th, 2012UK churches fear that they could be forced to perform gay marriages. Christians in the West are coming under increased pressure due to the growing influence of secularists. Kidnapped Swiss Christian Freed Amid Mali’s UnrestSunday, April 29th, 2012Rebels release Beatrice Stockly as country forms transitional government. Christian released from prison in Iran, but others remain behind barsSunday, April 29th, 2012“Fariborz Azram, a believer from a Muslim background, was released on 11th April after six months in detention on account of his faith,” Middle East Concern reports. However, more than 20 Christians remain in prison in Iran and request our prayers. Hindu Villagers Attack Christian Mourners in IndiaSunday, April 29th, 2012"Assailants in Chhattisgarh state try to prevent burial of Christian," Compass Direct News reports. Amidst Persecution, India Christians Graduate from Bible College and Pledge to “Die for Christ”Sunday, April 29th, 2012“Hundreds of future missionaries have graduated at a Bible college in India's northern state of Rajasthan and pledged to ‘die for Christ’ if necessary amid expected persecution,” BosNewsLife reports. Islam at war with Christians?Sunday, April 29th, 2012The Islamic world is waging a war on Christianity, Mission Network News reports. Peace rally to mark 3rd anniversary of Asia Bibi’s imprisonment in PakistanSunday, April 29th, 2012“A peace rally and concert is to be held outside the Pakistani embassy in London to mark the third anniversary of the imprisonment of Asia Bibi,” Christian Today reports. “Pivotal Moment” For U.S Administrations Commitment To Human Rights In ChinaSaturday, April 28th, 2012"This is a pivotal moment for US human rights diplomacy,” said Bob Fu, ChinaAid President. "Because of Chen's wide popularity, the Obama Administration must stand firmly with him or risk losing credibility as a defender of freedom and the rule of law. If there is a reason why Chinese dissidents revere the US, it is for a moment like this." Blind Chinese Activist Chen Guangcheng Escapes House ArrestSaturday, April 28th, 2012ChinaAid’s founder and president Bob Fu was in touch with Chen’s friends and family and was told by a source who brought Chen to Beijing that he is not in any danger and is “100% safe.” There is speculation that Chen is in the U.S. Embassy in Beijing. Court Upholds Ban on Christian Radio AdvertSaturday, April 28th, 2012“The decision represents a direct threat to the democratic right to freedom of speech and we intend to continue the fight through the appeal process." U.S. Churches Join International Protests Over Attacks On Christians In SudanSaturday, April 28th, 2012"We urge Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to join the international community in insisting that the government of Sudan respect freedom of religion and protect Christians and all religious minorities in Sudan." Martyrdom and the Coptic ChurchSaturday, April 28th, 2012"A long history of honouring martyrs has helped the Coptic Church survive despite persecution and tribulations," Ahram Online reports. Tunisia’s Religious PersecutionSaturday, April 28th, 2012More Tunisians have been given prison terms for offending Islam, Gatestone Institute reports. Muslim Persecution of Christians: March, 2012Saturday, April 28th, 2012Raymond Ibrahim writes for the Gatestone Institute that, “Saudi Arabia's highest Islamic legal authority decreed that churches in the region must be destroyed… American teachers in the Middle East were murdered for being Christian or talking about Christianity; churches were banned or bombed, and nuns terrorized by knife-wielding Muslim mobs.” Ibrahim’s series, titled ‘Muslim Persecution of Christians,’ is published each month to document cases of persecution – whether it be general discrimination, arrests, or murder – committed by Muslims in majority Islamic countries, Asia and the West. Update on Asia Bibi, a Christian mother of five, sentenced to death for blasphemy in PakistanSaturday, April 28th, 2012“Asia Bibi, a Christian mother of five, sentenced to death on accusation of blasphemy… is scared in her high security jail cell,” the Pakistan Christian Post reports. Sri Lanka called to safeguard religious pluralismSaturday, April 28th, 2012Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) is urging the Sri Lankan government to protect against the threat posed by Sinhala Buddhist nationalists and safeguard Sri Lanka’s religious pluralism. China: House Churches In Multiple Provinces Attacked By Local GovernmentFriday, April 27th, 2012At the end of March, a house church in Daqing, Heilongjiang province held a Bible training session that was raided by Domestic Security Protection agents and officials from the Bureau of Religious. More than 150 church leaders were apprehended, including 10 foreigners (nationalities unknown). The local government has imposed a strict news blackout and threatened family members to keep quiet, so efforts to find out how many people remained in custody have yielded no updates. Patriotic Association Takes Control At Ordination Of Chinese BishopFriday, April 27th, 2012Pope Benedict XVI has written that Catholics cannot accept the authority of the Patriotic Association, since it directly challenges the jurisdiction of the Holy See. Chinese bishops who have participated in ordinations without the approval of the Holy See are subject to excommunication, unless they acted under duress |
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