Archive for May, 2012|Monthly archive pageMap reflects the 30 most recent Persecution Reports. Click HERE for the Map Legend.200 Police Storm Chinese House Church, Arrest 50 ChristiansThursday, May 31st, 2012Of the eight believers who remain in custody, two were transferred first to the Ye county detention center, and the six others followed later. Among them is a woman who has hepatitis. Currently, five believers are in custody in the Ye county detention center and the three others are in the Pingdingshan municipal detention center. China: Female Christian Petitioner Raped By Government-Hired Security PersonnelThursday, May 31st, 2012"Zhu Guiqin is a Christian. Early in 2004, she was unlawfully sentenced to three years’ education in labor camp because she went to Beijing to petition for her rights and interests. She was sent to MasanjiaLabor Camp which is notorious for torturing and persecuting Falungong practitioners. She endured indescribable torture and persecutions during her time there. After she was released, she constantly went to Beijing to petition to relevant government agencies, which offended the local government. So the local government hired illegal security guards to take revenge on her." Blog | No Rest for EgyptThursday, May 31st, 2012Anti-Christian Group’s Influence Growing in East AfricaThursday, May 31st, 2012The influence of the Somali radical Islamic group,al-Shabaab, has grown in countires such as Kenya.The Islamist group has repeatedly said that it wants to eradicate Christians from Somalia. The group is reponsible for killing several Somali Christian converts from Islam. Zanzibar Islamists Burn ChurchesThursday, May 31st, 2012Islamic radicals burned down churches in the Muslim dominated island of Zanzibar. The group also clashed with the police. Christian minorities have repeatedly come under attacks from radical Muslims in Zanzibar. Nuns, Monks Freed. Reason for Arrest Seems SuspectThursday, May 31st, 2012Nuns and Monks arrested for tax evasion and money laundering have been freed. Their passports, however, have been confiscated leaving them stranded and unable to travel home. The arrests and raids feel a little sketchy. As one Bishop put it: "Police took away our archive, all Synodal minutes and other writings, all with a religious content only. We are afraid that they might destroy our register books. If they are persecuting us because of alleged money laundering, what it has to do with the register books, Synodal minutes and alike documents?” We are wondering the same and will keep our eye on this. Police in India Don’t Seem to Take Assaults SeriouslyThursday, May 31st, 2012While this article does not relate directly to the persecution of Christians, it does deal with groups that do. Hindus are demanding that the police take action against everyone involved in a recent assault. The police aren’t, however. It’s this type of inaction that perpetuates and permits the persecution of Christians and other religious minorities. Groups like PFI and KFD need to be kept on a tighter reign and held accountable for their actions. Iraq Church is apostolic because it is a martyr Church, says Kirkuk archbishopThursday, May 31st, 2012“For us, Christians of Iraq, as a minority that is constantly facing difficulties and sacrifices, we know what it means to be persecuted, kidnapped and killed. We know how it feels to be powerless. We are aware of the dangers, but our faith gives us the courage to continue to hope and love,” said Archbishop Louis Sako at a prayer meeting organized by Aid to the Church in Need. Egyptian Christians fearful that violence will continue under new presidentThursday, May 31st, 2012In the midst of presidential elections, Egyptian Christians wait to see if the next government will protect them or if attacks against their community will continue unabated. House Churches In China Attacked By PoliceWednesday, May 30th, 2012Today, China Aid reported two separate incidents in China where local authorities raided underground church services and ordered the churches to cease activities. These raids are a part of a wider ongoing crackdown on churches across China that are not a part of the government regulated Three Self Church. State High Court Rejects Government Order. Instead Supports DiscriminationWednesday, May 30th, 2012Despite the central government of India requiring all states to reserve a specific quota of jobs for members of “Other Backward Class” (not to be confused with the Caste system). This class is comprised mostly of religious minorities. The High Court of Andhra Pradesh has said: “No thanks” and rejected the central governments mandate. The President of the Global Council of Indian Christians says, "This is just more discrimination against Christian and Muslim Dalits." We think so too. Christian Club Escapes Hostile Merger PlanWednesday, May 30th, 2012“Instead of encouraging students to celebrate their differences, the principal was asking students to fit into a particular group with government-approved beliefs,” says Sharp. “That’s a frightening thing.” Cuban Religious Leaders Beg for HelpWednesday, May 30th, 2012Christians in Cuba are crying out for the US to increase the level of attention given to them, and want to be added as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) as far as religious freedom goes. One pastor says: “It is my responsibility to speak out about the repressive and unscrupulous manipulations of this decaying regime.” The plight of Christians in Cuba needs to be under greater scrutiny. Portrait of Persecution: ICC is on Instagram!Wednesday, May 30th, 2012“The family of 17-year-old Shenouda Aldey, who was killed by Egyptian military or protesting the destruction of a church in March 2011.” See more. UK Christian Health Worker Sues Over Dismissal for Pro-life ViewsWednesday, May 30th, 2012Margaret Forrester was suspended from her work because of her oppposition to abortion. Before losing her job at UK's National Health Service, Margaret expressed her views that women receiving abortion were not given proper education on the negative effects of abortion. Anti-Christian Violence Continues in NigeriaWednesday, May 30th, 2012Muslim extremists have killed more than officials know, Christian leaders say. Pakistan judges pressured to use blasphemy lawWednesday, May 30th, 2012“Pakistani judges are often pressured to convict people accused under the country's blasphemy laws that call for the death penalty for anyone insulting Islam,” Fox News reports. Former Revolutionary Guard member describes the crackdown on Christians in IranWednesday, May 30th, 2012Former member of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards, Reza Kahlili, said the regime has ordered Iranian intelligence to infiltrate church groups in major Iranian cities because “Iran's ayatollahs are frustrated with the large number of Muslims who are now embracing Christianity,” CBN reports. Nigeria Extremists Cause Widespread AlarmTuesday, May 29th, 2012Sudan Talks to Resume, Tensions Remain HighTuesday, May 29th, 2012"There's talk about cleansing the North of the stain of Christianity. Some official statements refer to Southern Sudanese as insects, a plague that needs to be eradicated from Sudan." Persecuted Indonesian Churches Hold Services In Front Of Presidential PalaceTuesday, May 29th, 2012The lack of a place of worship for the Yasmin Church and Hkbp Filadelfia shows that extremist groups are more powerful than the religious minorities, and that the radical movements have the support of local authorities, who do not apply the law, but follow the directives of Islamic fundamentalists. 1500 Member House Church In China Asked To Halt ActivitiesTuesday, May 29th, 2012“The authorities have asked us to end our family church congregations, calling our gatherings ‘illegal,” said Pastor Li, leader of the 1,500-member house church based in the Qili township of Sichuan’s Langzhong city. Blog | Do you think the U.S. church is persecuted?Tuesday, May 29th, 2012Check out our latest blog post to hear more about the church in the U.S. Bangladesh Blocks Website of Christian DissidentTuesday, May 29th, 2012“Bangladesh has reportedly blocked the website of leading Christian rights activist, author and journalist William Nicholas Gomes, who now lives in exile amid fears of repercussions,” Bos News Life reports. Islamists in Egypt Blame Christians for VotingTuesday, May 29th, 2012Egyptian Christians are being accused of being "traitors" and "anti-revolutionary" for voting for a leader from Mubarak’s regime rather than an Islamist as president. Christians fear that an Islamist in power will further restrict their religious freedoms and that attacks against churches will go unpunished. Saudis Demand Punishment for McDonald’s Toy They Say “Insults Muhammed”Tuesday, May 29th, 2012“According to a report appearing today (5/27/12) on the Arabic news website, Kermalkom.com, the McDonald's fast food restaurant ‘abused the Prophet Muhammad by placing his name at the base of a toy that is being distributed as part of the Happy Meal, a toy which steps on the name Muhammad.’” Gatestone Institute reports. Sri Lanka: Bishop falsely accused of stirring religious tensionTuesday, May 29th, 2012Protestors rally behind bishop accused of “stirring the Tamil population… against Muslims,” Asia News reports. Mali Rebels Merge, Plan to Create Islamic StateMonday, May 28th, 2012The formation of Islamic state in northern Mali is a bad news for Christians in the region. The Islamist rebels have forced Christians to leave northern Mali and even killed at least one Christian. Church Leader: Nigeria’s Anti-Christian Group can’t be StoppedMonday, May 28th, 2012"We have ignored the truth. Boko Haram must be seen in the right context. It is a continuation of the past. Shun all political claims that Boko Haram is not against Christianity. It is. It has been going on since 1966. They are committed to Jihad. You can't stop them." Does Canada Still See Religious Freedom As A Human Right?Monday, May 28th, 2012Christians now “face particular persecution in countries around the world,” he said, citing persecution in Iran, attacks on Coptic Christians in Egypt, among other examples. He pointed to a program to resettle Christian and other minority refugees from Iraq as an example of Canadian action. |
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