Malaysian Convert Receives Death Threats, Goes into Hiding
Lina Joy, a Malaysian convert to Christianity, has gone into hiding after extremists issued death threats against her and the lawyers supporting her cause.
Christian Persecution – Asia
Two Christians arrested in Savannakhet province in southern Laos
Two Protestant Christians have been arrested in southern Laos to stop them from pursuing their evangelization work, according to the Lao Human Rights Movement (LHRM), which is critical of Vientiane’s Communist regime.
Indonesia Christians Receive “Indefinite” Stay of Execution
There was uncertainty Saturday, August 26, about the fate of three Catholics sentenced to death for their alleged role in massacring Muslims after reports that they received an “indefinite” stay of execution from Indonesian authorities.
Town in India Plans Ban on Preaching Non-Hindu Faiths
The Congress Party-led government of the southern state of Andhra Pradesh has decided to enact a law banning preaching of any religion other than Hinduism in Tirupati, a “temple town” in large measure under the administration of its shrines.
India Army “Attacks” Church, One Killed, Five Injured
Tensions remained high Thursday in India’s northeastern state of Manipur after a pastor was killed and five others injured when Indian security forces reportedly opened at a Baptist church.
Four Christians Attacked Arrested After Service
Hindu extremists on Sunday (August 20) beat four Christians, including a pastor, who were later arrested on charges of ‘forced conversion’ in Madhya Pradesh state.
Vietnam Releases Internet Users After BosNewsLife Story, Ending Nine Months Detention
Three computer users jailed for comments they made on an Internet forum and website dedicated to religious freedom in Vietnam have been released by Vietnamese authorities after a story by Christian news agency BosNewsLife sparked international protests, fellow activists confirmed, Friday, August 18.
Pakistan Muslim Militants Attack Christian Villagers; Three Injured, One Missing
Christians in a village near Lahore, Pakistan’s second largest city, continued rebuilding their shattered lives Friday, August 18, after Muslim militants attacked believers, including women and children, and threw hand grenades at the local church during a worship service, investigators said.
Ailing Evangelist Abused In Indonesia Prison, Group Says
An ailing Christian evangelist serving a four-year prison sentence in Indonesia’s West Java province for allegedly defaming Islam has been abused in jail by Muslim militants, Christian investigators said Thursday, August 17.
Native Missionaries Fear More Violence in India Amid Controversial Laws
Native Christian missionaries in India say recently passed anti-conversion laws in several states have added to an atmosphere of hatred against them and will makes it more difficult to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ, BosNewsLife learned Thursday, August 17.
Vietnam Security Forces Attack Christian Tribes; Kill Prisoner
Missionaries on Wednesday, August 16, said Vietnamese authorities have stepped up attacks against predominantly Christian tribes in remote areas of the Communist-run country shortly after a Christian prisoner was allegedly killed by police.
Pastor in Jabalpur, India Arrested for ‘Forcible Conversion’
A group of 45 to 50 Dharma Raksha Sena Hindu extremists on Monday (August 14) mobbed Pastor Vinod Karsal, 50, as he was praying for the healing of another pastor in Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh.
Hindu Extremists Attack Jailed Christian
A group of about 15 Hindu extremists in the southern state of Karnataka on August 4 entered a jail and attacked a Christian businessman accused of compelling his wife to commit suicide.
Pakistan Christians Report Rapes and Attacks Against Workers
Christian rights investigators have urged the Pakistani government to help end growing violence against the country’s minority Christians, which include rape and attacks against workers, BosNewsLife monitored Monday, August 14.
Indonesia Postpones Execution Christians
Amid international pressure, Indonesia postponed on Saturday, August 12, the execution of three Christians found guilty in 2001 of violence against Muslims in the province of Central Sulawesi, apparently minutes before they were to be shot by a firing squad.
Widespread Attacks Against India Christians Amid Tougher Laws
Christians in several states of India braced themselves Sunday, August 13, for a period of more violence amid fresh reports of attacks by Hindu militants and the adoption of tougher anti-conversion laws aimed at halting the spread of Christianity in the world’s largest Hindu nation of over one billion people.
Gospel for Asia Moves to Aid Flood Victims
Gospel for Asia (GFA) native mission leaders in India are moving quickly to bring aid and hope to victims of what is reported to be the country’s worst flooding in 200 years.
India Evangelicals Resume Mission Operations Amid Terrorist Threats
One of India’s largest evangelical mission groups continued operations Friday, July 11, after legal victories, but there were fresh terrorist threats by Muslim militants against areas where it has been active, including Mumbai.
Sri Lankan Buddhist Extremists Attack Church-Run Children’s Home, and Threaten Death
A mob of 200 people, accompanied by three Buddhist monks, attacked a children’s home run by the Dutch Reformed Church in central Sri Lanka on Sunday, and planted a Buddhist flag on the roof.
Indonesia Officials And Militants Close Baptist Church
About 30 local officials backed by Muslim militants closed down a Baptist church in Bandung, the capital of the tense Indonesian province of West Java, investigators confirmed Thursday, August 10.