07.31.2021

July Update:­ Boldly Speaking Out For Religious Freedom & Liberty

Thank you to everyone who prayed for Wang and Wu over the last few months as they've experienced horrendous persecution from the Chinese Communist Party.

Christians beware: Africa becoming next Islamic State “hot spot”

New reports outline the latest “hot spot” for terrorism: Africa.

Persecution forces some Iranian Christians to flee

Many Christians have to leave Iran, forced from their homeland by severe persecution.

Five Chinese Christians Detained for Attending a Christian Conference in Malaysia

Tunisia Faces Turmoil Threatening its Young Democracy

Tunisia ignited the “Arab Spring” a decade ago when public outcries against its government erupted and ended the regime of its autocratic leader.

Iran implements persecution laws, looks to add more

Pressure builds in Iran as the regime implements severe new restrictions and looks to add more.

Please continue to pray for Cuba

‘Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up…’

Mixed Messages in Vietnam amid COVID-19

Following prior anti-church hype, communist government reacts responsibly to outbreak at Bible school.

DONBAS: Luhansk: More Christian texts "extremist", Catholic priests banned

After officials in the self-declared Luhansk People's Republic apparently seized Christian literature from local Baptists, Sverdlovsk court declared
four Protestant books "extremist".

Fulani Herdsmen Kill Pastor in North-Central Nigeria

Cleric kidnapped along with sons and nephew.

32 Christian Students Released from Captivity

In the early hours of July 5, 2021, gunmen invaded Bethel Baptist High School, Damishi, in Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State, Nigeria, and kidnapped an estimated 153 students.

Pastor Brutally Tortured by Police in Northern India

According to Morning Star News, police in India’s Uttarakhand state arrested and tortured a Christian pastor last month.

Chinese Authorities Interrupt Virtual Church Service

Last week, Chinese Communist Party (CCP) officials reportedly interrupted a church service held virtually over zoom.

Supreme Court of Pakistan Rejects Petition on Forced Conversion and Forced Marriage

According to Morning Star News, the Supreme Court of Pakistan has rejected a constitutional petition to protect Christian girls from forced conversion and forced marriage.

Launching a global IRF movement of young leaders

China’s latest persecution trend targets Christian kids

What if going to college meant you had to stop going to church?

Change moves slowly in Sudan; persecution remains

The United States recently praised Sudan’s transitional government for its financial transparency.

Pakistani Christians caught between Islam and the West

Persecution against Christians in Pakistan has increased over the past 20 years.

CHINA | Church Leaders Facing Security Charges

The leader of an unregistered Protestant church in China was formally arrested on charges of "unlawfully possessing items that advocate terrorism or extremism," in possibly the first such case involving a church leader in the country.

CUBA | Pastors Released After Weeks in Detention

Barnabas Fund a Major Sponsor of First International Religious Freedom Summit

Barnabas Fund was a major sponsor of the first International Religious Freedom Summit (IRF) held in Washington DC from 13 July to 15 July.

Anti-Christian Violence in India Stems From “Environment of Targeted Hate”

There were 145 recorded incidents of religious persecution against Christians in Hindu-majority India in the first half of 2021, including murders of pastors and attacks on churches, according to the Evangelical Fellowship of India (EFI).

Chhattisgarh Police Directive Demonstrates the False Narratives Used Against Indian Christians

A police directive to keep “consistent watch” on Christians issued by a police superintendent in the state of Chhattisgarh, India, demonstrates the “false narratives” used against Christians by radical Hindutva nationalist groups.

Christians in Iraqi Kurdistan Forced to Abandon Homes Due to Turkish Bombardment

Christians in Iraqi Kurdistan have been forced to abandon homes and farmland due to Turkish bombardment in the region as part of “Operation Claw-Lightning”.

Kidnappers Release 28 Nigerian Students Abducted From Christian Boarding School

Twenty-eight students kidnapped from a Christian boarding school in Kaduna State, Nigeria, almost three weeks ago were reunited with their families on Sunday, 25 July, after being released by their abductors.

Egypt Approves Registration of 76 More Churches

The Egyptian Cabinet-affiliated committee responsible for the licensing of churches approved 76 more registrations on Sunday 25 July.

University of Iowa Engaged in “Viewpoint Discrimination” When De-Registering Christian Union

A federal appeals court has ruled that the University of Iowa violated the free-speech rights of InterVarsity Christian Fellowship (IVCF) by de-registering the Christian organisation.