Asia

International clamour for Asia Bibi’s release grows

Originally published in National Catholic Register Amid the growing international campaign demanding release of Asia Bibi, a Christian mother of five sentenced by a trial court to death for blasphemy, a Church official in Pakistan says the local Church would prefer to maintain a solemn, prayerful vigil. “We understand the […]

Authorities order demolition of 20 churches in Indonesia

Originally published in Barnabasaid The authorities have ordered 20 churches in an Indonesian district to tear down their buildings; this follows the closure of 16 smaller Christian places of worship in the same district last month. Razali Abdul Rahman, the acting regent of Aceh Singkil in the semi-autonomous province of […]

China plans to eradicate house churches

By Sarah Page — Compass Direct News DUBLIN – China’s government is engaged in a three-phase campaign to eradicate Protestant house churches, according to a statement released Friday (April 20) by the China Aid Association (CAA). The government’s strategy was clearly outlined in a document released last September during a […]

Afghans say 41 child suicide bombers rescued

Originally published in Dawn.Com World KABUL: The Afghan government said on Monday that police had rescued 41 children from becoming suicide bombers as they were about to be smuggled across the mountains into Pakistan. Interior ministry spokesman Sediq Sediqqi told a news conference that the children aged six to 11 […]

Pakistan Christian jailed for accidently burning Quran

Originally published in Christian Post A Pakistian laborer was jailed for blasphemy last week in Qaziabad, Pakistan for a crime he didn’t know he was committing: the illiterate man burned pages of the Quran. Khurram Masih, 25, a mason by trade, was working with other Muslim laborers to lay marble […]