UZBEKISTAN: Holiday Singing, Bible Reading officially prohibited
This month in Uzbekistan, a dozen Bostanlyk policemen raided a gathering of 80 Protestants on holiday together at the Phoenix resort near the capital.
Christian
Fatwa threatens Iraqi Christians
A Muslim cleric has issued a fatwa threatening Iraqi Christians unless they convert to Islam, but the country’s prime minister urged them to stay.
Pakistani-American Author charged with Blasphemy in Islamabad
In Islamabad Sunday, a man accused his own uncle of disrespecting the Prophet Muhammad, prompting local authorities to register the case under Pakistan’s notorious blasphemy laws as determined by the legal personnel at Police Station I-9.
Eritrea, Africa’s ‘North Korea’
Because of its repressive policies, Eritrea has been dubbed the “North Korea of Africa”: currently more than 2,000 Christians are believed to be imprisoned there for their faith.
Syrian Christians Face Starvation, Deadly Attacks
Minority Christians in Syria’s largest city Aleppo said they face starvation after dozens of believers already died in targeted attacks rocking Christian areas of the war-torn country.
Detained Uzbek Pastor Freed, Flown To Safety
A Protestant pastor who faced deportation from Kazakhstan to his native Uzbekistan and up to 15 years imprisonment for leading an unregistered house church has been flown to safety, his supporters confirmed.
Belarus Not To Evict Massive Evangelical Church
One of the largest evangelical congregations in Belarus confirmed that authorities at the last moment decided not to evict them from their building, following years of judicial wrangling.
62-year-old Missionary Shot in Pakistan
A Protestant missionary remains in critical condition in Jinnah Hospital, Lahore, after she was shot by gunmen multiple times Tuesday.
Pakistan: Kidnapping, Conversion of Christian Girl Condemned
On a Monday afternoon in October, Timar Shahzadi was returning from school with her friends when she was kidnapped by Muslims, but when her Christian family reported it to the Koral police station in Islamabad, they did nothing, according to the Pakistan Christian Post.
Kazakhstan Adopts Oppressive Religious Law
An oppressive religious law adopted by Kazakhstan last year has reduced the number of officially recognized religions from 46 to 17, according to Eurasianet.
Church fire under investigation in Turkmenistan
Some churches in Turkmenistan have literally come under fire after the Baptist House of Prayer in Turkmenbashi was recently razed, according to Slavic Gospel Association spokesman Joel Griffith.
Live War Blog: Operation Pillar of Defense
Worthy News’ up to date blog covering Operation Pillar of Defense with detailed accounts, pictures, and videos.
Christian Girl Acquitted of Blasphemy
A Pakistani court has dismissed blasphemy charges against a Christian girl for allegedly burning pages of the Qu’ran.
Pakistani Pastor denied Bail for Blasphemy
A Pakistani Pastor arrested for blasphemy in Sanghla Hill, Punjab Province, was denied bail Tuesday, according to the Pakistan Christian Post.
Pastor, Church Ministers Sentenced to Total of Four Years
Arrested just before last Christmas, four Christian converts recently received a total of four years in prison at the Revolutionary Court in Ahwaz according to Christian news agency, Mohabat News.
Pakistan’s High Court forces Christian to remain with Muslim kidnapper
A Christian girl who had been abducted from Sukkur in Sindh was recently remanded to her alleged kidnapper husband by the Sindh High Court after rejecting all appeals by her lawyer to send her home with her father.
Al Shabaab converts Christians into jihadists
The militant Islamist group al Shabaab is targeting converts from Christianity to Islam to wage jihad in Kenya.
Crackdown On Evangelicals In Central Asian States
Authorities in three Central Asian nations have launched a crackdown on evangelical Protestant churches and several believers are reportedly mistreated, fined and detained.
Iran Releasing House Church Mother On Bail; Others Detained
An Iranian court has ordered the temporary release of a jailed devoted house church Christian and mother of two children, after her teenage son suffered a seizure, local Christians following the case.
Uzbek Math: 2 Bibles = 5 years
In Uzbekistan, having more than one Bible can make you a missionary, and being a missionary in Uzbekistan can get you five years in jail.