Case Against Sudanese Pastors Reopened Amidst Hopes For Democracy, Freedom of Religion
In a discouraging sign, 9 Sudanese pastors originally indicted under Islamist dictator Omar al-Bashir have been brought up on charges again.
Islam
Record number of Jews visit Temple Mount on Tisha B’Av, despite riots
Riots erupted on the Temple Mount on Sunday, as Muslims celebrating Eid al-Adha (‘Festival of Sacrifice’) attempted to prevent Jews from entering. Police ultimately pushed back against the protesters to allow a record-breaking number of Jews to visit the site.
2 million expected in Mecca for hajj pilgrimage, a pillar of Islam
The annual hajj pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia’s city of Mecca is one of five pillars of Islam that all Muslims who are able to are expected to complete at least once.
‘Defenseless’ Indonesian State Caves to Islamist Pressure as Pentecostal Church Shut Down
A controversial government decree on the construction of places of worship has led to the closure of a Pentecostal church in Indonesia.
2 Hamas Terror Cells Discovered in 2 Months in Israel, Netanyahu Praises ‘Long Arm’ of Israeli Security
A 22-year-old Palestinian university student was arrested in June for planning bombings against both Israeli and Palestinian Authority targets in the Gaza Strip.
Pakistan Downgrades Ties With India as Tensions Rise Over Kashmir
Pakistan says it is expelling India’s high commissioner to Islamabad, just hours after downgrading diplomatic and trade ties with New Dehli for stripping the disputed Kashmir region of its special status, as bilateral relations continue to deteriorate.
Palestinian leaders express outrage at Jewish calls to visit Temple Mount
The London-based Saudi daily Asharq Al-Awsat reported that the ‘extremist Jewish ‘Union of Temple Organizations’ called for Jews to storm the Aqsa Mosque on the occasion of Tisha Be’Av, which runs into the Islamic holiday of Eid al-Adha this year.
Iran said increasing Hamas funding to $30m per month, wants intel on Israel
Iran has agreed to massively increase its monthly payments to Palestinian terror group Hamas in exchange for intelligence on Israeli missile capabilities, an Israeli television network reported Monday.
Turkey to launch offensive in Kurdish-controlled area in northern Syria
Turkey will carry out a military operation in a Kurdish-controlled area east of the Euphrates in northern Syria, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said on Sunday, its third offensive to dislodge Kurdish militia fighters close to its border.
Iran says will take ‘third step’ to reduce nuclear deal commitments
Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif on Saturday announced that the Islamic Republic intends to take a ‘third step’ to reduce its commitments under the 2015 nuclear agreement, according to parliamentary news agency ICANA cited by Reuters.
IS Stepping Up Attacks in Iraq’s North
Islamic State (IS) militants killed four security officials late Wednesday near the northern city of Kirkuk, local officials said.
Report: Israel believes Hamas, Iran agreed on Gaza front in case of northern war
Israeli intelligence officials believe Hamas and Iran have come to an agreement for the Gaza-based terror group to open a war front against Israel from the southern coastal Strip in the event of conflict breaking out with Iran’s allies on the Jewish state’s northern border, according to a report Wednesday.
US imposes financial sanctions on Iran’s foreign minister
The United States on Wednesday imposed financial sanctions on Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, as part of its escalating campaign of pressure against the Islamic Republic.
CA Legislators Blame Religious People For High LGBT Suicide Rates
Legislators in California have discovered yet another way to make it clear that mainstream religions holding to the sexual teachings of their sacred texts have no business doing so in the Golden State. Why? Because these faiths, which billions of good people worldwide happily hold, do not embrace homosexuality. This includes the three largest: Christianity, Islam, and Judaism.
U.S. carries out airstrike on Islamic State in Somalia
The United States conducted an airstrike it said killed one member of the Islamic State in Somalia, military officials announced Sunday.
7 Iranian Christians Suffer Detention Without Legal Representation, 5 Others Accused of ‘Propaganda Against the Regime’
Seven of the Christians arrested by Iranian intelligence services on July 1st in the city of Bushehr are being held in solitary confinement with no access to lawyers, Middle East Concern reports.
House passes bill that calls to sanction Palestinian terror groups
The House of Representatives approved on Tuesday a bill that calls to sanction Hamas and other Palestinian terror groups.
Netanyahu: Israel Will Deliver ‘Crushing Blow’ in Any Future War With Hezbollah
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Thursday that if Israel was forced into another war with Hezbollah, ‘we will act with tremendous force and ensure our victory.’
Syrian Christians Targeted Again by Islamic State
A suicide attack claimed by Islamic State (IS) near a church in the northeastern Syrian city of Qamishli shows that Christians remain a major target of the terror group, local officials and experts say.
Christian Imprisoned for 5 years for Blasphemy in Pakistan Granted Release
A Christian accused of blasphemy in Pakistan, who spent 5 years in prison for allegedly insulting the prophet Lut, was released and acquitted of charges June 6th.