07.20.2024

China This Week: Church youth group raided

Earlier in July, officials raided a group of young people at Beijing Zion Church and took many to the police station after questioning everyone in attendance.

China: Praise the Lord for an early release from prison!

We've just heard an amazing testimony of early release from prison!

Uganda: Pastor Killed on Way Home From Church

Ugandan pastor Richard Malinga was attacked and killed on the evening of June 17th while travelling home from his church.

Nigeria: Church Minister Released After Month-Long Captivity

A church minister in southern Nigeria abducted by armed militants has been released after a month in captivity.

Nigeria: Church Minister Released After Two Weeks in Captivity

A church minister in Zamfara State, Nigeria, has regained his freedom two weeks after being captured by armed militants.

Pakistan: Christian Father of Four Shot Dead After Muslim Neighbors Break Into Home

A Christian father of four was shot dead in the early hours of July 10 after four men broke into his home in Lahore, in the Pakistani province of Punjab.

72 Christians Imprisoned or Missing in 4 Communist Countries

According to an International Christian Concern (ICC) analysis, at least 72 Christians are either imprisoned or missing in four of the world’s five communist countries. 

Pakistan: Young Christian Father Shot Dead in His Home by Enraged Islamic Neighbors, “Our Lives Do Not Matter”

A young Catholic father of four was murdered by his Islamist neighbors in Lahore, Pakistan last week after he objected to their harassment of Christians in the area, Morning Star News (MSN) reports.

Nigeria: Slaughter of Christians by Islamic Terrorists Continues, “The Government’s Failure to Punish Perpetrators Has Strengthened the Militants”

The slaughter of Nigerian Christians by Islamic terrorists continues unabated and, on July 7, three more Christians were murdered in Nigeria’s Plateau state, International Christian Concern (ICC) reports.

11 Christians Of US Group Still Jailed In Nicaragua After Evangelism

There was concern Wednesday about the plight of 11 Christian leaders sentenced to 12 or 15 years in prison and ordered to pay $880 million.

TikTok “blasphemy” leads to death sentence for Pakistani Christian

Another young Christian is sentenced to death under Pakistan’s notorious blasphemy laws.

ARMENIA: Conscientious objector "could be taken to jail at any time"

On 16 July, one week before his 21st birthday, Baptist conscientious
objector Davit Nazaretyan received the Cassation Court's rejection of his
final appeal against his two-year jail term. His application for
alternative service had been rejected. 

Türkiye incursion targets PKK, spares Iraqi Christians

Türkiye’s latest incursion in northern Iraq “neutralized” at least 11 members of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party or PKK.

How North Koreans find freedom, whether or not they escape

Last week was North Korean Freedom Week, recognizing the courage of escapees as well as millions of people who still suffer in the hermit nation.

Broadcasting hope as despair deepens in Iran

A recent article from Transform Iran shared the words of three house church leaders describing what life is like in Iran today. 

India: Son of Bihar Pastor Killed as He Slept at Home

In the middle of the night on July 7, Hindu extremists broke into the home of Pastor Sushil Kumar and killed his teenage son as he slept.

Malaysian Government Official Accused of Christian Evangelism

A former top police official has accused Malaysian Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh of evangelizing and wanting to turn Malaysia into a Christian nation.

USCIRF News Digest - July 16, 2024

Ethnic minority Christians face harsh prison sentences in Iran

Six Christians from a minority community in Iran just received sentences totaling 40 years behind bars.

A3 helps Nepal church leaders overcome challenges

The Body of Christ grows in a former Hindu kingdom. 

Christianity in Pakistan: heritage and future

Pakistan is layered in ancient history.

VIRTUAL Hearing - Deteriorating Religious Freedom Conditions in Nicaragua

Please join the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) for a virtual hearing on deteriorating religious freedom conditions in Nicaragua and suggested policy options for the U.S. government.

Has Technology Increased Persecution?

In the digital age, technology has become a double-edged sword, offering unprecedented opportunities for connection and growth and new avenues for persecution and control.

Nigeria: After 5 Months, Abducted Christian Girl Remains in Captivity

In February, Islamic extremists abducted two Christian siblings in Nigeria. Although they released the young boy after two weeks, his teenage sister remains in captivity.

Another Discriminatory Anti-Conversion Law Proposed in India

In an affidavit filed earlier this month before India’s Supreme Court, the northwestern state of Rajasthan indicated that it planned to introduce curbs on so-called forced conversions. 

Chinese Officials Propose Harsher Restrictions for Christians

In late June, Chinese authorities discussed placing major new restrictions on Christians and religion in general.

Christian Father, 29, Gunned Down by Muslims in Pakistan

Catholic was sole provider for family with four children.

Hindu Extremist Attack Shuts Down Church’s Services in India

Police inaction contributes to closure.