Baghdad churches close as Iraq’s Christians continue to leave
Eight churches in Baghdad have closed their doors permanently due to the mass exodus of believers from Iraq.
Christian Persecution – Middle East
Radical Muslim embraces Jesus after Christians show him kindness in ISIS-torn Syria
A persecution watchdog group has shared the story of a Muslim extremist who upon witnessing a church service led by Christians in war-torn Syria decided to abandon his radical lifestyle and turn to Jesus Christ.
Iran: Four Christians Receive 10 Year Sentences
A judge in Iran has sentenced four Christians to 10 years imprisonment each for engaging in missionary activities and “conducting activities against national security.”
Evangelical Groups to Trump: Don’t Deport Iraqi Christians
A group of evangelical Christian organizations and others have sent a letter to the Trump administration in protest of the potential deportation of Iraqi Christians from the United States.
Swedish church to send Bible-dropping drones over ISIS caliphate
A Swedish church intends to use drones to drop thousands of digital Bibles into ISIS-controlled territory in Iraq, where Christians are among the terrorist organization’s main targets.
Revival Breaks Out in Iran
When we think of Iran, scenes of mobs shouting “death to America,” blindfolded hostages, and radical leaders demanding nuclear technology come to mind. But there’s another side of the country: Iranians who love America, Israel, and Jesus Christ.
Iran: Christian again denied medical leave extention
An Iranian court has again refused a Christian prisoner an extension of her medical leave despite a doctor’s advice that the treatments be continued.
Iran: Imprisoned Christian up for appeal
A convert from Islam who was sentenced to five years in prison for “disturbing the national security of Iran” is praying for an appeal after waiting more than a year for a hearing on his sentence.
Canada: Genocide declaration defeated by Parliament
The House of Commons in Canada recently voted against a motion declaring that the atrocities committed by the Islamic State against religious minorities in Syria and Iraq were actually acts of genocide.
Syria: Church leaders escape assassination attempt
Patriarch Ignatius Aphrem II and other senior leaders of the Syriac Orthodox Church survived an assassination attempt on June 19.
Iran: Christian prisoner has health issues
A Christian prisoner remains ill while Iranian officials refuse to transfer her to a hospital to receive the required medical care.
Iranian agents detain Christian leaders
Earlier this month, agents from Iran’s Ministry of Security raided the homes of Christian leaders in the city of Rasht.
IS crucifies man collaborating with “Crusaders”
A Syrian has been crucified by the Islamic State for collaborating with what it called a “Crusader coalition.”
Mosul: IS destroys iconic clock church
Last week, Islamic State jihadists employed explosives to destroy Iraq’s iconic Clock Church.
Syria: Damage, destruction to churches
After the April liberation of an ancient Syrian town from the Islamic State’s control, many of its churches and Christian buildings were found to have been destroyed, or badly damaged.
Iran: Christian prisoner encourages fellow believers
During an official crackdown on Iran’s house-church leadership, a Christian convert from Islam serving a sentence in Rajai Shahr Prison has secretly sent a message of encouragement to the Islamic Republic’s persecuted Christians.
Christian translators killed in Wycliffe office raid
Four Christian Bible translators were killed when Muslim gunmen raided the Wycliffe Associates office in the Middle East last week.
Iraq: IS burns Christian books
Last week the Islamic State posted an online video showing its jihadists throwing books bearing crosses on their covers into a bonfire in the city of Mosul, in northern Iraq.
Yemen: 16 Victims Shot Execution-Style
Gunmen who stormed a Catholic-run retirement home in Aden, Yemen, went from room to room handcuffing their victims before fatally shooting 16 staff members, including four nuns.
Only two Syrian Christian refugees admitted into U.S.
Out of a total of 281 refugees, the U.S. State Department has admitted only two Syrian Christians into the U.S. in the first two months of 2016.