Priority NewsMap reflects the 30 most recent Persecution Reports. Click HERE for the Map Legend.Christian Teacher’s Arrest Highlights Egypt’s Oppressive Blasphemy LawFriday, May 17th, 2013A Christian schoolteacher detained for allegedly insulting Islam was released on bail by an Egyptian court on Tuesday. The case follows the arrests of dozens of Christians for blasphemy after Egypt’s 2011 revolution and adds to concerns that Islamists are using their newly gained power to stifle freedom of expression. Saudi Arabia Sentences Men to Prison, Lashings for Role in Woman’s Conversion to ChristianityTuesday, May 14th, 2013Two men accused of helping a young woman flee Saudi Arabia after her conversion to Christianity were sentenced to prison terms and lashes with a whip by a Saudi court on Sunday. Christian Tortured by Islamists in Egypt MosqueFriday, April 26th, 2013A mosque in suburban Cairo was used by Islamic hardliners to terrorize a Christian and anti-Islamist protestors in suburban Cairo in March, activists said. Christians and liberals are growing increasingly concerned with the Muslim Brotherhood’s failure to protect religious minorities. Islamic Council Proposes Death Penalty for Apostates in MoroccoWednesday, April 24th, 2013International Christian Concern (ICC) has learned that the Supreme Ulema Council in Morocco published a fatwa this week calling for the death penalty for Muslims who abandon their religion. Christians are concerned that the edict, which has sparked controversy in the country, will be used to “harass” and “harm” the church if approved. Expatriate Christians Accused of “Proselytizing” Released from Prison in LibyaFriday, April 19th, 2013International Christian Concern (ICC) has learned that seven expatriate Christians who were abducted in February by an Islamic militia group in Libya have been released and are now safe in their respective countries. The last Christian from the group landed in Cairo International Airport on Tuesday night. Police Watch while Christian Neighborhood is Ransacked by Muslim Mob in PakistanWednesday, April 10th, 2013A Muslim mob attacked Christian-owned shops and a church in the Francis Colony of Gujranwala, Pakistan on Wednesday following a dispute between Christian youth and a Muslim cleric a day earlier. The violence occurred only a few hours after Pakistan’s Supreme Court condemned police for not intervening in anti-Christian riots on March 9 that resulted in some 180 Christian homes being torched in the Joseph Colony of Lahore. The court’s admonishment, however, appeared to be disregarded by police who again failed to protect Christian property from being destroyed by a violent mob, advocates say. Christians Killed, Mourners Attacked by Muslim Rioters in EgyptMonday, April 8th, 2013One Christian was killed and at least 21 were injured by Muslim rioters during a violent assault on mourners attending a funeral at St. Mark's Coptic Cathedral in Cairo on Sunday. The attack was the third day of anti-Christian violence in Egypt which has claimed five Christian lives. Christian on Death Row for Blasphemy Acquitted by Pakistani CourtThursday, April 4th, 2013A Christian on death row was acquitted by the High Court in Lahore on Wednesday after being imprisoned for more than seven years for blaspheming Islam in Pakistan. The acquittal came months after an ICC advocacy tour on Capitol Hill prompting congressmen and the State Department to closely monitor the Christian's unjust treatment while also urging that he be given an impartial trial. Christian Homes Torched by Muslim Mob over Blasphemy in PakistanMonday, March 11th, 2013More than 100 Christian homes were torched on Saturday by an enraged Muslim mob, following reports that a Christian man had blasphemed Islam in Lahore, eastern Pakistan. Thousands of Christians demonstrated throughout the country the next day demanding justice and criticizing the police for failing to protect them. Muslim Association Pressures Pakistani Court to Uphold Christian’s Death SentenceSaturday, March 9th, 2013The High Court in Lahore, Pakistan is scheduled to announce whether it will uphold the death sentence of a Pakistani Christian condemned for blasphemy in the coming weeks. After more than seven years behind bars, advocates are hopeful that the Christian will soon be released, but they fear that outside pressure by extremists may alter the court's decision. Christian’s Blasphemy Trial Reconvenes in AlgeriaWednesday, November 21st, 201211/21/2012 Algeria (International Christian Concern) – An Algerian Christian accused of defaming Islam was re-summoned to court Monday in Oran following the trial’s nearly one-year adjournment so that new evidence could be presented. The case’s verdict will reveal the government’s commitment, or lack thereof, to religious freedom, rights advocates say. If convicted, the Christian could be sentenced to five years in prison. Christian Girl Acquitted of Blasphemy in PakistanTuesday, November 20th, 201211/20/2012 Washington D.C. – International Christian Concern (ICC) has learned that a Pakistani court dismissed blasphemy charges against a Christian girl on Tuesday who was jailed earlier this year for allegedly burning pages of the Quran. Advocates are concerned, however, that the girl’s life will still be at risk from extremists if she remains in Pakistan. Christians Fear Saudi-Style Theocracy amidst Islamist Demands for Sharia Constitution in EgyptThursday, November 15th, 201211/15/2012 Washington D.C. (International Christian Concern) – Thousands of protestors gathered in Cairo on Friday calling for the immediate implementation of Sharia law in what has become a widening dispute over Islam’s role in Egypt’s constitution. Despite appeals by liberals and Christians for a secular constitution enshrining democratic principles, a proposed draft of the document more closely resembles a Saudi-style theocracy that crushes the freedoms of non-Muslims. Christian Girl’s Freedom is a Far Cry from JusticeThursday, October 25th, 2012Pakistan’s Murderous Blasphemy Laws Ongoing Disappearances and Forced Conversions of Christian Women in PakistanTuesday, October 23rd, 2012Rebecca Masih, a young Christian health worker, was on her way to work when she was kidnapped by armed men in Sukkur, a city in Sindh province, on October 2. Rebecca's disappearance marked the third documented abduction of a Christian woman in Pakistan since August. Islamic-Centered Constitution Dissolves Hopes of Christians, Liberals in EgyptFriday, October 19th, 2012Washington, D.C. October 19 (International Christian Concern) – Violent demonstrations broke out in Cairo’s Tahrir Square on October 12 between Egypt’s secularists and Islamist supporters regarding a widening dispute over the country’s constitution. A proposed version of the document is grounded in Islamic jurisprudence, failing to protect the religious freedoms of minorities and the rights of women, while also granting judicial authority to Egypt’s Islamist president. Trial of Pakistani Christian Girl Accused of Blasphemy Postponed, Persecution Continues in RegionThursday, October 18th, 2012The juvenile court hearing of Rimsha Masih, a 14-year-old Christian girl who was arrested for blasphemy in mid-August and released on bail three weeks later, has been postponed under November 14, Asia News report. The ruling came after Rimsha’s lawyer filed a petition stating that the blasphemy charges are false and baseless. Meanwhile, persecution targeting Christians in Pakistan continued over the weekend with attacks on churches in Karachi and Faisalabad. Christian Boy Accused of Defaming Muhammad in PakistanSaturday, October 13th, 2012A Christian boy was accused by neighbors of blasphemy in Karachi, Pakistan for allegedly forwarding a text message that insulted Islam on Tuesday. The following day, a Muslim mob ransacked the boy's home and set fire to household furniture. The case follows the arrest of a Christian girl for allegedly burning pages of the Quran in August. Though the girl was released from prison in early September, she is scheduled to appear before a juvenile court on blasphemy charges later this month. Teenage Christian Girl Kidnapped, Raped by Young Muslim Men in PakistanFriday, September 28th, 2012A young Christian girl was raped by three Muslim men in Faisalabad, Pakistan last Thursday. The incident came just weeks after a 10-year-old Christian girl was raped by a 60-year-old man in the same city on August 25. The cases evidence escalating abuse toward children in Pakistan’s Punjab province, especially among Christians who are often victimized by the country’s social norms because of their religious minority status. Sudanese Bible School Raided, at Risk of being Seized by MosqueMonday, September 24th, 2012Six months after being attacked, a Bible school in Sudan remains vacant and may be turned over to a local mosque that has claimed ownership of the Christians’ land. Church Torched, Destroyed during Anti-Islam Film Protests in PakistanMonday, September 24th, 2012Thousands of angry protestors denouncing a film deemed offensive to Muslims burned and destroyed a church and several other Christian buildings in Mardan, Pakistan on Friday. The church’s destruction adds to fears that the Pakistani Christian minority may be the target of future attacks. Christians Endangered by Anti-Islam Film Riots in PakistanThursday, September 20th, 2012International Christian Concern (ICC) has learned that violent protestors denouncing a film that is derogatory of Muslims targeted Christian institutions in Hyderabad, Pakistan on Sunday. A statement condemning the film issued by local church leadership has failed to calm anti-Christian sentiment in the area. Christians fear being the targets of future attacks and have urged government officials to increase security efforts to protect religious minorities. Outrage over Anti-Islam Film Worries Christians in PakistanWednesday, September 19th, 2012Unidentified gunmen opened fire on a Catholic Cathedral in Hyderabad, Pakistan on Sunday, local activists told ICC. Violent protestors angered by an anti-Islamic film released in the US have killed at least 28 people throughout the region, including 14 foreigners in Kabul yesterday. Christians in Pakistan—often associated with the West because of their beliefs—fear being the targets of future attacks. PAKISTANI CHRISTIAN GIRL ACCUSED OF BLASPHEMY TO BE FREED FROM JAILFriday, September 7th, 2012International Christian Concern (ICC) has learned that a Christian girl arrested for blasphemy was granted bail by a Pakistani judge on Friday, days after a Muslim cleric was detained for allegedly planting evidence to frame her. The girl, however, may still stand trial after officials investigate accusations that she was blaspheming Islam, a ‘crime’ punishable by death in Pakistan. Somali Christians Fear Militant Islam at Home and AbroadFriday, September 7th, 2012Al Shabab, an Al Qaeda-linked terror group in Somalia, has sought to rid the region of Christians and is specifically targeting Christian converts from Islam. Many Somali Christians, having fled persecution in their homeland, have found little security in neighbouring East African countries. Even in the Christian-majority country of Kenya, radical Islam is steadily gaining numbers and influence. Christian Girl’s Release from Pakistani Prison to be Determined TomorrowThursday, September 6th, 2012The fate of a Christian girl arrested for blasphemy in mid-August may be determined tomorrow at a court hearing in Rawalpindi, Pakistan. Following the arrest of a Muslim cleric earlier this week who allegedly tried to frame the girl for blasphemy, Pakistani Christians and human rights activists are hopeful the girl will be released on bail. There is grave concern, however, that if released, the girl and her family will no longer be safe in Pakistan. Christian Girl Jailed for Blasphemy Determined to be 14 Years OldWednesday, August 29th, 2012Child "Suffering from Trauma" in Pakistani Prison Christian Family Threatened, Accused of Blasphemy in PakistanFriday, August 24th, 2012A Christian family in Kasur, Pakistan was threatened and harassed by local Muslims in early August following allegations that the family had “defamed Islam” by desecrating a banner with Allah’s name written on it. Pakistani Christian Child Jailed for Defiling QuranThursday, August 23rd, 2012Blasphemy Laws Continue to Persecute Christians Christian Child Jailed for Blasphemy, a ‘Crime’ Punishable by Death in PakistanTuesday, August 21st, 2012Homes Burned, Hundreds of Christians Flee Muslim Violence |
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