All NewsMap reflects the 30 most recent Persecution Reports. Click HERE for the Map Legend.Find a specific storyMacedonia Arrests 17 Monks, Nuns, And Believers In Crackdown On Orthodox ChurchWednesday, May 23rd, 2012The raid reportedly began early Monday, May 21, when police in the eastern Macedonian town of Stip "was looking to arrest Bishop Marko of Bregalnica" area but he was not present as he attended the spring session of the Serbian Orthodox Church Synod in Belgrade, Serbia, according to investigators. However a nun, identified as Pelagija, was said to have been detained in that raid. Chinese Catholics Urge Prayer For Church Facing SuppressionWednesday, May 23rd, 2012According to Church sources, the Catholic community in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region has faced a series of suppressive acts by authorities aimed at forcing “underground” clergy to join the government-sanctioned Catholic Patriotic Association. Terrorist Mastermind Of Indonesian Church Bombings Asks Christians For ForgivenessWednesday, May 23rd, 2012"I personally ask for Christians' forgiveness for what I have done to them," Umar Patek al Hisyam bin Ali Zein said. "I am sorry for my misdeed." Hindu Supports Christian for Presidential Candidate in IndiaTuesday, May 22nd, 2012Christians in Nepal Caught in the Middle of ViolenceTuesday, May 22nd, 2012The date is rapidly approaching when Nepal’s new constitution will come into play. Tribal groups want the country partitioned on ethnic lines, Hindu’s want it divided on religious lines, and Christians are praying that their rights as minorities will be represented in the implementation of the new constitution. The constitution comes into effect May 28th . The days leading up to this have been full of violence, based on ethnicity and religion, despite the plea for non-violence from Christian, Hindu and Muslim leaders. Iranian Government Tightens the Noose on ChristiansTuesday, May 22nd, 2012Christian converts in Iran are in even more danger now than they were before. With the government demanding their names and ID numbers, they will now be even easier to track and arrest or persecute later on bogus charges. This move is most likely an attempt at emptying church buildings, however, the Christians will end up going to house churches. The Church in Iran has shown that it will not be shut down, but instead grows stronger the more they are persecuted. If you would like to help us get Bibles to the Church in Iran click HERE. Christians in Syria Forced to Flee in One Day?Tuesday, May 22nd, 2012With many of their homes currently occupied by militants, and shops looted, many Christians have moved away. The remaining Christians fear they will be “expelled from the country in one day” if the current regime collapses because they are certain Islamic extremists will fill the vacancy. Perhaps, they are taking their cues from the current dilemma in Egypt. Obama Administration: Slaughter of Christians In Nigeria A MisunderstandingTuesday, May 22nd, 2012Despite constant attacks targeting church services and Christian worshipers, the Obama administration has initiated a 600 million dollar USAID project that dismisses the theological rationale for the conflict and instead will research the "true" causes of the violent outbreaks that have killed hundreds of Christians in the past year. Islamic Terrorist Bases Raided In Nigerian Cities Of Jos, KanoTuesday, May 22nd, 2012Following an intensive three-day search by Nigeria’s Special Military Task Force that found four Improvised Explosive Devices – along with one that detonated without casualties – the pastor of a church less than two kilometers away said God has vindicated area Christians. Human Rights Group Calls On Local Indonesian Government To Protect Filadelfia ChurchTuesday, May 22nd, 2012Wong summarized his concerns over the intimidation, threats and attacks against the HKBP Filadelfia church in Jejalen Raya village in Bekasi, on the outskirts of Jakarta. The most recent attack was on May 20, when several residents threw stones, bags of urine and rotten eggs at members of the church’s congregation. Reverend Palti Panjaitan from the church also reported a death threat made against him to the National Police. Religious Groups In Indonesia Criticize Government For Weak Support Of Religious FreedomTuesday, May 22nd, 2012“According to the Constitution, the government is obliged to provide security and protection,” Abdul Mufti, secretary of Muhammadiyah’s youth wing, said on Saturday. “If there is a citizen, whatever the religion is, who does not feel safe or cannot worship, including building houses of worship, the government should try harder to uphold the law in this nation.” Challenging Restrictions, Christian Church Dedicated In BelarusMonday, May 21st, 2012While the Soviet Union is no more, Rakhuba says Belarus is not an easy place to be a Christian. He says this celebration was marred by interference. "When we finished our dedication service, police called the pastor and were asking all kinds of questions -- 'Who was there? Why did you do this? We did not [permit] you to do this' -- although we didn't do anything wrong." Muslim Radicals Clash With Ethiopian Government Over IdeologyMonday, May 21st, 2012Last week, five men, including one Kenyan national, were arraigned in Addis Ababa's federal court on charges of operating an al-Qaida cell out of a mosque in Oromia. In another incident this month, Ethiopian authorities expelled two Arab men said to have been visiting from an unnamed Middle Eastern country. The two were detained after making what police called “inflammatory statements” and distributing materials at Addis Ababa's main Anwar mosque. First-Grader Allowed To Perform Christian Song After Idaho School Reverses BanMonday, May 21st, 2012The first-grade student decided to participate in her school's annual talent show by performing sign language to the song "We Fall Down" by Tomlin, according to ADF. Although an audition panel responded positively to her audition performance of the song, the school's principal later contacted the student's mother to let her know the song was "too religious" to be performed in the talent show. Muslim Radicals In Indonesia Throw Stones And Bags Of Urine At ChristiansMonday, May 21st, 2012Among the fundamentalist group there were not only men but also women and children. After the threats came blows. The crowd began to throw water, sewage, used oil, mud, rotten eggs, sticks and other blunt objects. A "brutal" attack aggravated by the presence of a swarm of "infiltrators" who has passed the cordon of officers and attacked the faithful of the Christian community the "from within". Who’s Really Persecuting Christians?Monday, May 21st, 2012This commentary about persecution of Christians is a worthwhile read. It addresses many of the attacks that we have previously reported on at ICC. Nun Appointed to Represent Minorities: First Christian to Hold PositionMonday, May 21st, 2012Christians are considered a minority in India; and for the first time a Christian has been appointed to the State Minorities Commission in Rajasthan. This brings hopes that the rights of Christians in that state may now have an advocate. Elections in Egypt: Little Bits of Hope Despite Unavoidable GloomMonday, May 21st, 2012Whether you are new to the election in Egypt or have been following it, this article is a must read. It gives a great summary to the issues at hand, as well as going into how the Church in Egypt, alive and well, is handling their uncertain future. Living in a country that is 90% Muslim, Christians now face discrimination that is even more open and direct. As the articles author states: Life Sentences for ‘Blasphemy’ in Pakistan OverturnedMonday, May 21st, 2012After their children fought with Muslim children, a Christian couple was accused of blasphemy and sentenced to life in prison. This article goes into more detail of what happened as well as to how the ruling was over-turned. While this is a definite win for this couple, there are countless cases like this that do not end well. Hope: Despite Continued Attacks, Slow Improvement Seen in PakistanSunday, May 20th, 2012Attacks against Christians increased in Pakistan after 9/11 and again after Osama bin Laden was killed. Despite this, some Christian leaders believe the situation is improving. We at ICC are not so sure. |
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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