Spike in Arrests of Christians in Iran Especially Severe this Christmas Season, Sources Say
Arrests of Christians in Iran usually spike as Christmas approaches, but this year has been especially severe, sources said.
Christian Persecution – Middle East
U.S. Makes Great Strides to Help Iraqi Christians, More Remains to Be Done
Over the past year, the United States has taken steps to aid Christians driven from their homes in Iraq after ISIS swept through the region. Nevertheless, much remains to be done to rebuild the communities of Christians, Yazidis, and other religious minorities.
Iran said to arrest over 100 Christians in crackdown on conversions
Iranian authorities have reportedly arrested over 100 Christians in the past few days, as they seek to crack down on conversions and what they claim is proselytizing by evangelicals.
Iran Sentences 4 Christians to 45 Years in Prison for Believing in Jesus Christ
Iran’s hardline government has sentenced four Christians to harsh prison terms for putting their faith in Jesus Christ.
House-Church Members in Iran Reportedly Sentenced to Year in Prison
A convert from Islam in Iran said he and 11 other Christians were sentenced to a year in prison for ‘inclination to the land of Christianity’ among other charges, according to Mohabat News.
Iranian pastor taken to Evin Prison after violent raid on home
Iranian pastor Youcef Nadarkhani has been taken to Evin Prison in the capital, Tehran, after a violent raid on his home in the northern city of Rasht on Sunday (22 July).
4 Christians Serving 10-Year Prison Sentence in Iran Lose Appeal
Four Christians found guilty of acting against Iran’s national security have lost an appeal against their prison sentence.
Syrian Christians Hunted by Radical Jihadists
Many Christians – all of them former Muslims – feared a genocide as they saw radical Islamic groups on their way to the Syrian city of Afrin. CBN News Middle East Bureau Chief Chris Mitchell talked with one humanitarian aid worker who helped these Christians find a safe haven.
Syrian Christians Fear Persecution Under Turkish Rule
A city in Northern Syria, once a refuge for those fleeing the fighting all around them, is now the scene of suffering and death. Afrin is a Kurdish city, but it has welcomed Christian and Yazidi refugees fleeing the Syrian civil war and ISIS militants.
Christian Family Stabbed at Home by Armed Group in Baghdad
International Christian Concern (ICC) has learned that on March 9, 2018, a Christian family of three living in Baghdad was found dead in their home. An investigation showed that they had been stabbed to death the previous day by an armed group and their valuables were stolen. The victims are Dr. Hisham Shafiq al-Maskuni, his wife Shaza Malik, and his elderly mother Khairiya Dawood.
UN Demands Iran’s Islamic Regime Give Christians a Fair Trial
Four U.N. human rights experts have issued a joint statement, urging Iran to ensure ‘a fair and transparent final hearing’ at the country’s Revolutionary Court for three Iranian Christians who have been sentenced for ‘conducting evangelism’ and ‘illegal house church activities,’ among other charges.
Trump Designates $55 Million to Help Christians, Religious Minorities Rebuild in Iraq
In the wake of Vice President Mike Pence’s announcement last October that the United States government would provide direct aid to persecuted Iraqi Christians struggling to rebuild following the liberation of the Nineveh Plains, the Trump administration has taken concrete steps to follow through on its promises.
Iranian Christian Receive Eight Year Sentences
Two Iranian Christians were sentenced to a total of eight years in prison by a revolutionary court in December 2017, after being convicted of national security-related crimes.
Through a War, God Brings Revival to Syria
For years, Syrian Christians had been praying for a revival. ‘But never did we imagine it would come because of war,’ said one church leader. Seven years of civil war has left Syria in ruins. Many of those who came from Christian families left early on in the war, a cause of great despair as church leaders watched their congregants slowly disappear.
Iran: Christian convert loses appeal against 10-year sentence for ‘missionary activities’
An Iranian convert to Christianity has had his 10-year prison sentence upheld after losing his appeal.
Is a Door Opening for Christianity in Saudi Arabia?
Stunning political developments in Saudi Arabia have some wondering if the strict Muslim-ruled Kingdom could become more tolerant of Christianity.
Only 1.5 Percent of Syrian Christians Fleeing ISIS Given Refugee Status in US, UK
The United Nations has ‘failed miserably’ when it comes to protecting Christians from genocide, a charity has said, noting that a mere 1.5 percent of Syrian refugees accepted by Western nations in 2016 were followers of Christ.
Iran: The Situation of Arrested Christian Couple Is Still Unclear
The situation of a newly converted Christian couple who were summoned to the intelligence office of the Revolutionary Guards Corps in Tehran on September 11 and arrested after interrogation is still unclear.
New Bishop for Syrian Christians Brings Hope Following Genocide, Over 330,000 Deaths
Syriac Orthodox Christians in the northeastern city of Hasakeh celebrated on Saturday the inauguration of Archbishop Maurice Amseeh, giving the community a bishop for the first time in four years, since the last one left the country.
Christian Convert Released from Prison in Iran after 4 Years
A Christian convert from Islam has been released from prison in Iran where she had been held for four years.