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.
Worthy News
Kazakhstan: Unregistered Churches, Mosques Forced to Close
Churches and mosques in Kazakhstan are being forced to close as that nation’s deadline for mandatory re-registration expires, but many religious communities have complained that the procedures for their closures were both arbitrary and flawed.
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.
Public Meeting Prayer Battles Wage Nationwide
Before many towns meetings begin, local lawmakers often lead a short prayer prior to the start of official business, but some citizens are taking issue with those prayers: at least five lawsuits nationwide, from Florida to California, are currently challenging pre-meeting prayers.
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.
Uzbekistan: Refugee Pastor Facing Up to 15 Years
Uzbekistan is seeking to extradite refugee Makset Djabbarbergenov from Kazakhstan on charges that carry a maximum 15-year jail term.
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.