Priority NewsMap reflects the 30 most recent Persecution Reports. Click HERE for the Map Legend.ICC Calls on U.S. Congress to Protect Christians in SyriaFriday, August 17th, 2012Congressman Gus Bilirakis introduced a resolution on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives on August 2 that would protect Christians and other minorities in Syria. The Christian community, caught in the middle of a showdown between opposition forces and the Syrian army, is under attack by Islamist rebel groups and fears that the persecution of religious minorities will increase if President Bashar al-Assad is overthrown. Tunisia’s Islamists Propose Prison Sentence for Insulting MohammadThursday, August 16th, 2012The Islamist party Ennahda introduced a new bill on August 1 that would warrant imprisonment for insulting Islam, thus threatening religious freedom and free speech in Tunisia. Islamist President becomes ‘Democratically Elected Dictator’ of EgyptTuesday, August 14th, 2012Egypt’s President Mohammed Morsi of the Muslim Brotherhood forced two commanding military generals from power on Sunday in a sudden maneuver that grants him full executive and legislative authority over the country. The move is viewed by some as a victory for Egypt’s transition to civilian rule. But for Egyptian Christians, who regarded the military’s grip on power as their remaining defense against the political rise of Islamists, the generals’ dismissal is a frightening reality that sets the stage for the Islamization of the country. Church Attacked, Looted by Armed Mob in KenyaFriday, August 10th, 2012Evangelical Victory Church of Game-Loitiki, a village located 7 kilometers outside of Isiolo, Kenya, was attacked and looted on July 7 by an armed mob believed to be sympathizers of the al Qaeda-linked Somali terrorist network al-Shabab. Church Attack Raises Concerns that Radical Islam is on the Rise in KenyaWednesday, August 8th, 2012An evangelical church was attacked by Islamic militants in central Kenya last month. The attack came only a week after gunmen hurled grenades at two churches in Garissa, eastern Kenya, killing 15 worshippers. Christians are concerned that Islamic extremism, linked to the Somalia militant group al-Shabab, is on the rise in Kenya. Egypt’s Christians Criticize Islamist CabinetTuesday, August 7th, 2012Attacks Against Christians on the Rise, Says Bishop Christians Face Ongoing Battle to Legalize Churches in AlgeriaThursday, August 2nd, 2012Christians approaching a Protestant worship service near Freha, Algeria last week were told to return home by an armed mob of disgruntled neighbors. The mob had assembled outside the service and demanded the church’s immediate closure. The congregation, which meets in an unregistered house-church, is the latest group of Christians to be threatened and harassed because of their inability to quickly obtain legal status. Christians Protest Islamic Constitution in EgyptMonday, July 30th, 2012Hundreds of Christians will protest outside Egypt’s constitutional court today, demanding the dissolution of an Islamist-dominated assembly tasked with writing the country’s new constitution. The assembly, appointed by a parliament that was dissolved by the military on June 14, has proposed a constitution that will adhere to the “principles of Islamic Sharia [as] the main source for legislation.” Armed Mob Forces Church to Close in Northern AlgeriaThursday, July 26th, 2012An armed mob prevented Christians from attending a Protestant worship service in northern Algeria on Friday and demanded the church’s immediate closure. Despite government approval to officially register Protestant churches, congregations throughout the country continue to be threatened and harassed because of their inability to quickly obtain legal status. Syria’s Threatened ChristiansThursday, July 19th, 2012A mass exodus of Christians, including a group evacuated from the besieged city of Homs last week, are fleeing Syrian cities for safety. Caught in the middle of a showdown between opposition forces and the Syrian army, many Christians fear the prospect of an Islamist-led government if President Bashar al-Assad is deposed. Sen. Jim Webb to Single-Handedly Kill Legislation Protecting Christians in the Middle EastWednesday, July 18th, 2012Sen. Jim Webb (D-VA) is blocking legislation that will create a special envoy to protect the freedoms of religious minorities, including Christians, in the Near East and South Central Asia. Rep. Frank Wolf (R-VA), the co-author of the legislation, has demanded that the hold be lifted—despite strong opposition by the State Department—before the “Middle East [is] emptied of ancient faith communities.” Egypt’s Power Struggle and the Fate of ChristiansFriday, July 13th, 2012In defiance of Egypt’s top generals and highest court, Muslim Brotherhood presidential-elect Mohammed Morsi reopened parliament on Tuesday. In only his third week in office, Morsi’s rapid-fire pursuit to broaden the Brotherhood’s power openly challenges the country’s ruling military council. Egypt’s Coptic Christian minority fears that the restoration of parliament, which will grant greater powers to Islamists, will be used to institute Sharia law and stifle religious freedoms. What Next for Christians in Egypt?Thursday, June 28th, 2012Christians uncertain about future in Egypt. Muslim Brotherhood Takes Presidency in EgyptMonday, June 25th, 2012Christians Fear Islamic State Islamists Declare Presidential Victory Following Dissolution of Egyptian ParliamentMonday, June 18th, 2012All Bets are off in Possible Military Coup Death Sentence for Insulting Islam Awaits Final Ruling in KuwaitThursday, June 7th, 2012Algeria’s Christians Hopeful that Election will bring ChangeThursday, May 10th, 2012Alone among its neighbors in North Africa, Algeria has largely been untouched by the uprisings which last year ousted leaders in Tunisia, Egypt, and Libya. Like the recent elections in other Arab states following the uprisings, however, Algeria’s parliamentary elections, which kick off today, could give greater power to Islamists. Kuwaitis Face Death for Insulting Islam under New LawWednesday, May 9th, 2012Kuwait's parliament approved the death sentence for Muslims who insult Allah, the Qu’ran, Muslim prophets, or Muhammad’s wives on Thursday. Christians and other non-Muslim minorities will be given a minimum prison sentence of ten years for the same offense. Egypt’s Lost Daughters; the Abduction of Christian GirlsTuesday, May 8th, 2012The abduction and forces conversions of Christian girls in Egypt. Actor Sentenced to Jail for ‘Offending Islam’ in EgyptWednesday, April 25th, 2012An Egyptian court upheld the three-month prison sentence of one of the Arab world’s most famous comedians on Tuesday for insulting Islam in his films. Christian Boy Given Jail Term for Insulting Islam in EgyptThursday, April 5th, 2012Islamists Stifling Freedom of Speech Muslim Brotherhood Monopolizing Power in EgyptWednesday, April 4th, 2012Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood has named a contender for the presidency despite previous assurances to not field a candidate in the presidential elections next month. The announcement follows the Brotherhood’s appointment of an Islamist-majority assembly tasked with drafting Egypt’s new constitution. Turkey Added to List of Worst Religious Freedom Offenders for Mistreatment of Christian MinorityMonday, March 26th, 2012An annual U.S. government report added Turkey for the first time to a list of worst violators of religious freedoms, alongside countries such as Iran and North Korea. Egypt’s Christians Mourn Loss of Spiritual and Political Leader in Pope’s DeathWednesday, March 21st, 2012The death of Pope Shenouda III, the spiritual leader of the Coptic Church, has left many Egyptian Christians fearful that persecution and discrimination will increase as Islamist parties gain political power. Iran Admits to Pastor’s Imprisonment for Christian FaithThursday, March 15th, 2012For the first time since the arrest of Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani in October 2009, the Iranian government publically acknowledged that the prison sentence was issued for no other reason than the pastor’s Christian faith and religious activities. Muslim Brotherhood Consolidates Power in Egypt’s Parliament; Is the Presidency next?Monday, March 12th, 2012The Muslim Brotherhood further solidified its power last week by securing the position of speaker in Egypt’s upper house of parliament. The appointment consolidates the Brotherhood's control over the country's legislature leading up to presidential elections in May. Already the dominate player in Egypt’s political landscape, liberals fear that the Brotherhood may now be emboldened to field a contender for the presidency despite the Brotherhood’s previous assurances to not back a candidate. Arab Spring Brings the Decline of Secularism in TunisiaWednesday, February 29th, 2012Throughout the Middle East, long-standing dictators just ousted in the Arab Spring are being replaced by more oppressive forms of governance, even in the Arab world's most liberal country, Tunisia. Islamists Solidify Control over Egypt’s ParliamentWednesday, February 29th, 2012Christians Fear Enactment of Sharia Law Iranian Pastor Sentenced to DeathFriday, February 24th, 2012An Iranian pastor received a court order to be executed by hanging earlier this week for leaving Islam and converting to Christianity. Iran: Christian Arrests Indicate Renewed Crackdown is UnderwayMonday, February 20th, 2012Religious freedom violations committed against Iranian Christians began in 2012 in the same manner that ended 2011 – with mass arrests, lengthy prison terms, and potential executions. In February alone, eleven Christians were arrested; their health and circumstances unknown. Another Christian, Leila Mohammadi, was issued a two-year prison sentence for “deceiving citizens by forming house churches,” among other charges. The recent wave of arrests, beginning with a raid on the Assembly of God Church in Ahwaz in late-December, signifies that a renewed crackdown on Christians may be underway. |
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