Asia

Pakistan promises no change to blasphemy laws in deal with hardline Islamists

Originally published in Christian Today Pakistan’s infamous blasphemy laws will not be changed after a deal between government and hardline Islamists on Wednesday afternoon. The settlement promised that prisoners convicted of blasphemy, which carries the death penalty in Pakistan, will be shown no leniency. The negotiation marked the end of […]

Franklin Graham and Russian Orthodox Church holding international summit on persecuted church in Moscow

The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association is hosting an international summit on religious persecution in Moscow in collaboration with the Russian Orthodox Church. The summit, called ‘The World Summit in Defense of Persecuted Christians,’ will be taking place from October 28 to 30, 2016. Franklin Graham announced on his Facebook page […]

Pakistan hangs bodyguard who killed ex-governor

Originally published in Fox News Pakistan on Monday (February 29, 2016) hanged the convicted killer of a former governor, shot in 2011 by his bodyguard who accused him of blasphemy, officials said. The execution triggered protests in several cities denouncing the hanging after some religious and political leaders, as well […]

Pastor of China’s largest church jailed for opposing removal of crosses

The Christian Post The pastor of China’s largest official Protestant church has been detained amid an ongoing government initiative to remove and destroy crosses on religious establishments. Pastor Gu Yuese, the leader of China’s Chongyi Church, was reportedly jailed as part of the government’s cross removal campaign. However, rights groups […]

N Korea sentences Canadian pastor to life imprisonment for ‘crimes against the state’

Originally published in Christian Examiner North Korea’s highest court sentenced 60-year-old Canadian pastor Hyeon Soo Lim to a life term of hard labor today for committing “crimes against the state.” Although the pastor has South Korean origins, he lives in Toronto and has traveled to North Korea on humanitarian missions for […]

Chinese Christians in China targeted as members of ‘evil cults’

Originally published in The Gospel Herald Chinese authorities are increasingly targeting Chinese Christians in their hunt for “evil” cults. The growing number of Christians in China claimed that authorities are just using the crackdown on dangerous cults as an excuse, and in reality, curtailing momentous growth in their number.  China […]