Christians face increased persecution in Islamic world

Christians face increased persecution in Islamic world
ICC Note:
When you read our news feed regularly it’s not too long before you recognize that Christians in the Islamic world, especially those in Egypt, Pakistan and Nigeria, are facing increased levels of persecution. Bombings, wrongful imprisonment, mob violence and religious freedom denied are just the tip of the iceberg. This article touches on these countries, along with a few others, and the persecution they have been facing recently.
1/3/2013 Middle East (Christian Today)– Release International has warned that Christians face a growing risk of persecution this year in parts of the Islamic world.
Areas of special concern are Egypt, Pakistan, and northern and central Nigeria.
Release partners in Egypt estimate that around 100,000 Christians have left the country since 2011.
Coptic Christians boycotted the recent referendum on the constitution because they felt it represented only the Islamists who drafted it.
They fear that the constitution will further restrict the rights of religious minorities.
There are particular concerns for Christian converts from a Muslim background, who have in the past been detained and tortured by security forces.
“Persecution of Christians in Egypt is increasing, along with Islamisation. Fundamentalists are taking advantage of Muslim-Christian conflicts,” said a Release partner in the countr.
Release chief executive Paul Robinson said: “Please pray for Christians in Egypt at this time of change.
“Pray for unity and a growing boldness in their witness.”
In Pakistan, a local partner there says persecution is increasing “by leaps and bounds”.
In Nigeria, militant Islamist group Boko Haram has carried out a series of deadly attacks on churches and Christian buildings.
Boko Haram has declared its intention to rid northern Nigeria of Christians and implement strict Sharia law.
There have also been reports of increased persecution against Christians in North Korea.
Release says North Korea is one of the worst places in the world to be a Christian.
The country’s new leader Kim Jong-Un is said to regard the underground church as a possible source of resistance to his untested leadership.
“So he has sought to repress Christians even more severely than his father, Kim Jong-il,” reports Release partner Helping Hands Korea.
Another Release partner says North Koreans who are working as missionaries in China are being kidnapped by undercover security agents working for North Korea.
“They are taken back, tortured and killed,” the partner said.
Another source of concern is Eritrea where the government has banned many Christian denominations and detained at least 1,500 Christians without trial.
It reports that many have been tortured and some have died in custody.
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