Orginally published in BCNN5.com Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan will lead more than 30,000 Christian pilgrims on an upcoming trip to Israel. While in Israel, President Jonathan, who is the first sitting Nigerian Christian president to visit Israel, is expected to sign a Bilateral Air Services Agreement between Nigeria and Israel, […]
Middle East
Four Iranian Christians jailed for attending a ‘house church’ have lost their judicial appeals
By World Watch Monitor Mojtaba Seyyed Alaedin Hossein, Mohammad-Reza Partoei, Vahid Hakkani and Homayoun Shokouhi were each sentenced in June to three years and eight months in prison. Shokouhi’s wife Fariba and son Nima both received suspended sentences of two years’ imprisonment at the appeals-court hearing, which took place in […]
Saudi ‘No women no drive’ video goes viral
Originally published in News 24 A Saudi video mocking the kingdom’s unique ban on female driving has gone viral, featuring a male performer singing “no woman, no drive”, an adaptation of Bob Marley’s famous song. Nearly 3.5 million people had seen the 4:15-minute video by Monday, two days after the […]
Iran gives Christians 80 lashes for communion wine as UN blasts human rights record
Originally published in Fox News Four Iranian Christians were reportedly sentenced to 80 lashes for drinking wine for communion, a shocking punishment meted out even as a new United Nations report blasted the Islamic republic for its systematic persecution of non-Muslims. The four men were sentenced Oct. 6 after being […]
Video of glory in the midst of Egyptian agony
Originally published in INcontext Ministries The members of a church in Minya, Egypt, have written a song of love and forgiveness after the church was attacked and burned down in an ongoing wave of anti-Christian attacks by Islamist supporters of ousted President Mohammed Morsi. Many Egyptian Christian leaders are reminding […]
Christians killed in attack on wedding in Egypt
Originally published in Christian Today Four Christians have been killed in an attack on a church as a wedding was taking place in the city of Giza in Egypt. Christian Solidarity Worldwide reports that the dead were all guests at the wedding and include the mother of the groom, Camilia […]
UN told of Iran’s continued abuse of Christians
Originally published in Christian Today Iran’s continued mistreatment of its Christian minority was raised at a recent meeting of the United Nations Human Rights Council. Attieh Fard, a lawyer specialising in human rights, urged President Hassan Rouhani to make good on his promises to the United Nations in New York […]
Two tales of despair from Iran: ‘Hanging on, hoping every day’
Originally published in OneNewsNow Today (Thursday, September 26) marks the one-year anniversary for an American pastor imprisoned in Iran. Saeed Abedini was imprisoned after returning to Iran for a visit and was sentenced to prison for eight years because of his faith. His wife, Naghmeh, has been seeking his relief. […]
Iranian prisoner releases spark hope and cynicism
In its most symbolic conciliatory gesture yet, the new Iranian regime released at least 11 political prisoners this week, including two renowned human rights advocates, according to government sources. The move, likely intended to signal a new, moderate approach from Tehran, comes just before new President Hassan Rowhani’s upcoming address […]
Islamists tell Egyptian Christians ‘Convert, go broke, or die’
…but people are still coming to Christ, says Open Doors CEO Originally published in Mission Network News Egypt is still upside-down and sideways. Nearly a month after a state of emergency was declared, the interim government extended the order by two months. This action gives security forces greater powers of […]