Muslim Kidnappers Ransom Christians
Hundreds of kidnapped Arab Christians have been ransomed last year by Islamist terror groups trying to raise funds by spreading terror across the Middle East, according to The Christian Post.
Christian Persecution – Middle East
Syria: IS Abducts Dozens of Christians
Islamic State jihadists have captured several Christian families after seizing Qaryatain, a town in the Syrian province of Homs.
Iraqi Christian Martyrs Commemorated
The Assyrian community commemorated the 1933 massacre of an estimated 3,000 Christian martyrs in the town of Semele in Iraq’s Mosul district on Aug. 7.
Iran: Religious minorities executed for “enmity against God”
A human rights group recently reported that the Islamic Republic of Iran had executed members of religious minorities who were convicted of “enmity against God,” according to The Christian Post.
U.K. Denies Refuge to Christians Fleeing Islamic State
With the rise of the Islamic State, we are seeing what may become a “genocide” of Christians in the Middle East, yet the U.K. has closed its doors to them, according to Barnabas Fund International Director Patrick Sookhdeo.
Iran: Two Christians Recalled to Jail
Two Iranian Christians have been sent to serve the prison sentences they received in 2013.
No Visas for Christians Facing Muslim Persecution
Despite persecution from Islamic terrorists, Christians in Iraq will not receive any support from the United States government.
Mosul Cathedral to become ‘Mosque of the Mujahedeen’
The Islamic State has announced that the Syriac Orthodox Cathedral Church of St. Ephrem in Mosul will become known as the “Mosque of the Mujahedeen” in honor of the “holy warriors” of Islam who wage jihad in Allah’s name.
Christians: Is ISIS Influencing Muslims in Territories, Israel?
Muslims in both the Territories and Israel are becoming much more aggressive towards Palestinian Christians.
Iran: Appeals Court upholds Fathi’s Sentence
Last month an Appeals Court in Iran increased the prison sentence handed down to Pastor Farshid Fathi.
Iran sentences 18 to prison over faith
Iran’s revolutionary court imposed harsh prison sentences last week on 18 Christian converts for charges including evangelism, propaganda against the regime, and creating house churches to practice their faith, according to sources with knowledge of the Islamic Republic’s secretive judicial system, Fox News reported.
Syria: Monk Abducted from Monastery
A Syrian Catholic monk of the Mar Elian Monastery has been abducted by armed jihadists.
Iran Threatens Imprisoned Pastor
Iranian authorities have been threatening to hold an imprisoned American-Iranian pastor in prison indefinitely, according to Morning Star News.
Syrian Christians killed, wounded in Aleppo
Armenians in Aleppo — the largest city in Syria — have been under siege since Holy Week from rocket attacks that have killed 30 and injured almost 60.
ISIS Demands $30 Million to Free Christian Hostages
Islamic State militants are demanding up to $30 million in ransom to release the hundreds of Christian hostages in Syria, according to an officer within the Assyrian leadership.
“Iran Must Know Where We Stand”
Naghmeh Abedini said the world was waiting to see if America’s leaders would protect religious freedom while her husband, Pastor Saeed Abedini, remained imprisoned for his faith in Iran, according to CBN News.
Iranian Christian Still Imprisoned After Sentence Ends
An Iranian convert to Christ who should have been released after completing his sentence on Jan. 13 continues to be held in Rajaei-Shahr prison in Karaj, according to Barnabas Aid.
Syrian Christian sends Desperate Letter from Aleppo
A Christian doctor in Aleppo has recently updated Barnabas Fund about the desperate conditions in Syria after almost four years of continuous civil war.
House Church Leader’s Whereabouts Unknown
Pastor Ebrahim Hossin-Zadeh was arrested last month in Shiraz, Iran, by officers from the Ministry of Information, according to Barnabas Aid.
Convictions Overturned, Two Iranian Christians Freed
An Iranian court has overturned the six-year sentences handed down to three converts to Christ for being members of a church, according to International Christian Concern.