04.16.2022

India: Indian Authorities Arrest 36 Christians During Maundy Thursday Service

A congregation of 100 Christians celebrating a Maundy Thursday service in Uttar Pradesh’s Fathepur District were threatened by a radical Hindu mob who surrounded the church and subsequently locked the doors. 

USCIRF Calls for Permanent Release of Iranian Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani Following Furlough

The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today welcomed Iran’s temporary furlough of religious prisoner of conscience Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani and called on the government to permanently release him.

Head of Islamic School Burned, Fired for Becoming Christian

Muslim colleagues overhear him praying in Christ's name.

IRAN | Pastor Granted Temporary Furlough From Prison

Iranian church leader Yousef Nadarkhani was granted temporary furlough from prison and is at home with his family.

Gunmen murder two Pakistani Christians

On April 11, attackers broke into a house and murdered two Pakistani Christians.

Tigray Christians face ethnic tensions in Addis Ababa

As the Ethiopian civil war drags on, Tigray remains cut off from the rest of the world.

NIGERIA | Simultaneous Attacks Target Communities

At least 142 people were killed, 156 were injured and 70 were abducted on April 10 during simultaneous attacks on communities in the Kanam Local Government Area (LGA) of Plateau state, Nigeria by hundreds of armed assailants of Fulani origin.

SUDAN | Church Leader, Members Attacked During Service

A Sudanese Church of Christ (SCOC) leader and several members were attacked by an individual during a church service on April 10 in the Al Haj Abdalla Locality of Gezira State.

Breaking: Freedom In The USA For A Persecuted Christian Kyrgyz Family!Breaking: Freedom In The USA For A Persecuted Christian Kyrgyz Family!

Thank you for making this upcoming Easter an extra special one for a persecuted Christian family from Kyrgyzstan who can now rest safely in the United States!

USCIRF Applauds Permanent Reauthorization of Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act

The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) welcomes the permanent reauthorization of the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act, which was signed into lawby President Joseph R. Biden on April 8, 2022.

Catholic Church in Myanmar Raided by the Junta

International Christian Concern (ICC) has learned that on April 8, dozens of soldiers from the Burmese Army (Tatmadaw) raided a Catholic compound in Myanmar’s Mandalay in search of “hidden weapons.” 

Fulani Militants Kill 14 Christians in Nigeria

Fulani militants killed 14 Christians, including women and children, in Nigeria’s Benue State on Monday night.

Coptic Priest Fatally Stabbed on Egyptian Street

An Egyptian Coptic Orthodox priest of Alexandria was stabbed several times in the neck and died en route to the hospital on April 7.

Christian YouTuber in Indonesia Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison

 International Christian Concern (ICC) has learned that on April 6, an Indonesian Christian YouTuber was sentenced to 10 years in prison for a viral YouTube video that allegedly offended Muslims across Indonesia.

ICC Welcomes Passage of the BURMA Act by U.S. House

International Christian Concern (ICC) welcomes last night’s passage of the “Burma Unified through Rigorous Military Accountability Act of 2021,” or the BURMA Act, (H.R. 5947) by the U.S. House of Representatives.

Church Burned, Three Killed In Central Nigeria

Early Monday morning, April 4th, Fulani militants attacked Christians in central Nigeria’s Miango District.

Cuba: The truth is finally out - Pastor Lorenzo sentenced

The truth is finally out: Pastor Lorenzo has been sentenced to eight years in prison for peacefully protesting on 11 July 2021.

Editorial: “If They Persecuted Me, They Will Persecute You Also”

This week many Christians around the world will be remembering the final week of the Lord Jesus Christ’s earthly life.

Islamists “Mercilessly Killing Christians” in North-Eastern DRC

At least a dozen people have been killed in an attack by Islamists on the village of Masambo in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

Twelve Killed as Fulani Militants Invade Cultural Festival in Plateau State, Nigeria

Twelve people were killed as suspected Fulani Islamists invaded a cultural festival in Plateau State in Nigeria’s Middle Belt.

Church Minister Stabbed to Death in Alexandria, Egypt

An Egyptian church minister was stabbed to death by an unnamed assailant in Alexandria on the evening of April 7.

Muslim-Background Christian in Indonesia Handed Ten-Year Sentence for “Blasphemy”

A Muslim-background Christian in Indonesia was sentenced to ten years in prison after being found guilty of “blasphemy” and hate speech by a court in West Java Province.

BURMA | Archbishop Among Those Detained by Military

The Archbishop of Mandalay, his staff, and approximately 20 diocesan priests were placed under incommunicado house arrest April 8 after an estimated 40 soldiers from the Myanmar/Burma army forcibly occupied the Sacred Heart Cathedral where they were holding a Lenten prayer service.

China: Write an encouraging word to the persecuted this Easter

So many of our Chinese brothers and sisters in Christ will spend this Easter away from their families, friends, and churches due to standing boldly for the Gospel of Jesus Christ. 

EGYPT | Coptic Priest Fatally Stabbed

Release of USCIRF's 2022 Annual Report - April 25

Nigeria: Driven From Their Homes

 Attacks on Christian communities in Nigeria are an almost daily occurrence.

Sri Lankan government in disarray amid protests

In Sri Lanka, over 40 MPs have left President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s government. Plus, the new finance minister resigned after less than 24 hours.

CUBA | Religious Leader at Risk of Deportation

A prominent Cuban Baptist leader and his two sons were blocked from boarding a flight to Nicaragua on Feb. 27, leaving them in legal limbo in El Salvador.