Archive for December, 2012|Monthly archive pageMap reflects the 30 most recent Persecution Reports. Click HERE for the Map Legend.Syrian rebels beheaded Christian, fed his body to dogsMonday, December 31st, 2012A Christian man was beheaded by Syrian rebels in the northern town of Ras al-Ayn on Monday, nun told The Daily Mail. The war is becoming increasingly sectarian, the nun said, and Christians are being targeted as a result. Many Syrian Christians fear that persecution will escalate with the rise of Islamic extremism, especially if President Bashar al-Assad is overthrown. Muslim mob attacks Christian worshipers on Christmas Day in PakistanMonday, December 31st, 2012On Christmas day, more than 100 Muslims opened fire on Christian worshippers leaving a church in Islamabad, the Pakistan Christian Post reports. More than a dozen Christians were injured. ICC has not yet been able to verify the motives behind the attack. Fifty Christians Temporarily Arrested in IranMonday, December 31st, 2012On December 27, an estimated 50 Christians were arrested during a worship gathering in a home in Tehran, Mohabat News reports. It is common for Christians to be targeted for their faith during the Christmas season in Iran. ICC NEWS | Fifteen Christians Have Throats Slit by Boko Haram Extremists in Northern NigeriaMonday, December 31st, 2012ICC has learned that at least fifteen Christians were killed by suspected Boko Haram militants in northern Nigeria. Fourteen Catholic Activists Could Get Death Penalty in VietnamMonday, December 31st, 2012Throughout South-East Asia it is not uncommon to see Christian activists arrested for speaking out about violations of human rights and religious freedom. Many are often driven by their Biblical worldview and Christian values to speak out against oppressive systems of government, for which they face unrelenting persecution. The fourteen Catholic bloggers in this case are an example. American Christian Remains Detained in North KoreaMonday, December 31st, 2012North Korea continues to top nearly every list of the world's worst persecutor of Christians year after year. For a North Korean to even be discovered with a Bible can lead to the life imprisonment of themselves and up to three generations of their family. The American citizen currently detained may have been working as a secret missionary, but information is very scarce at this point. Priests Imprisoned in Sudan for BaptizingMonday, December 31st, 2012Nigeria’s President Claims Christians Were Safe Over Christmas HolidayMonday, December 31st, 2012Christians in Tanzania Call for an End to Religious ViolenceSunday, December 30th, 2012Christians Attacked by Boko Haram in NigeriaSunday, December 30th, 2012Fifteen Christians Have Throats Slit by Boko Haram Extremists in Northern NigeriaSunday, December 30th, 2012Egyptian Christians Face the Future Under New Islamist LawSunday, December 30th, 2012Christians in Egypt fear further persecution following the approval of a new constitution based on the principles of Sharia law. Christianity ‘close to extinction’ in Middle EastSunday, December 30th, 2012“Christianity faces being wiped out of the “biblical heartlands” in the Middle East because of mounting persecution of worshippers,” The Telegraph reports. Iranian Christian Marks Two Years Behind BarsSunday, December 30th, 2012Farshi Fathi, an Iranian Christian arrested on December 26, 2010, remains behind bars two years later while Christians around the world prepare to celebrate New Year’s. Mohabat News brings us a detailed report on Fathi’s plight in this article. Burmese Government Continues Military Offensive in Christian Kachin StateSaturday, December 29th, 2012Christian Clerks in Maine Face Impossible ChoiceSaturday, December 29th, 2012In another example of the cultural clash between traditional Christian values and new legislation in the United States, Christian clerks in Main are facing a dilemma as the state begins to conduct homosexual weddings. The governor of Maine says that Christian clerks at courthouses must choose to either marry homosexual couples or not conduct weddings at all. Christians in India Persecuted Over ChristmasSaturday, December 29th, 2012Northern Nigeria Remains Unsafe for ChristiansSaturday, December 29th, 2012Christian Teen Cleared of Blasphemy Appeals for Help for Christians in PrisonSaturday, December 29th, 2012Rimsha Masih, a 14-year-old Christian girl imprisoned for three weeks in August for allegedly burning the Quran, appealed to the West to help Christians in Pakistan, Assist News reports. Christian politician quits Egypt parliament as tensions persistSaturday, December 29th, 2012A Christian member of Egypt’s Islamist-dominated parliament quit on Thursday following the approval of an Islamist-backed constitution, raising concerns among Christians about their community is quickly losing representation in the Islamist majority government, Reuters reports. Iraqi Christians – Out of the Frying Pan into FireSaturday, December 29th, 2012Thousands of Iraqi Christians who escaped persecution in Iraq by going to Syria are now returning to Iraq – to escape persecution, World Net Daily reports. Church in Indonesia Reports Christmas Eve Service AttackFriday, December 28th, 2012This report by the Jakarta Globe details a second attack against the HKBP Church in Bekasi, Indonesia which occurred on Christmas Eve. This attack was worse than the one which followed the next day, and included excrement and bags of urine hurled at the Christians as they tried to hold service. Christianity at risk of being wiped-out in the Middle EastFriday, December 28th, 2012New freedoms gained by Islamic extremist groups combined with the political rise of Islamist movements and increased persecution following the Arab Spring has raised concerns that Christianity in the Middle East may soon be “wiped-out”, the Examiner reports. Christians are Deliberately Sidelined in PakistanFriday, December 28th, 2012Despite persecution, Christians continue to celebrate Christmas with “zeal and enthusiasm” in Pakistan. This Christmas, Protect the Lord’s Persecuted DaughtersFriday, December 28th, 2012Meet Adija. Christians in Nepal Continue to be Denied Full RightsFriday, December 28th, 2012Christian Leaders in Tanzania Call for Peace and JusticeFriday, December 28th, 2012Iran re-arrests Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani on Christmas DayThursday, December 27th, 2012Iranian pastor Youcef Nadarkhani was re-arrested on Christmas day to complete a three-year prison sentence after being released from prison on bail in September. Nadarkhani has roughly 45 days remaining on his sentence, Fox News reports. Christian girl shot dead in PakistanThursday, December 27th, 2012“A Christian girl was shot dead by unidentified persons in her house in the capital of Pakistan's southwestern Balochistan province on Wednesday,” NDTV reports. ICC has not been able to verify whether the incident was persecuted related. BLOG | Great Persecution of Christians in Modern Times: SudanThursday, December 27th, 2012Millions have to risk their lives on a daily basis to lead Christian lives. One of the worst places for Christian persecution is Sudan. |
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.
Copyright © 2013 persecution.org | Web Design: ESI Web Services | Web development:
