Originally published in Charisma News Iranian Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani was back in court over the weekend. Many believed he was going to receive additional charges. But, Voice of the Martyrs’ Todd Nettleton reports a dramtic turn in the persecuted pastor’s favor. “The court withdrew the guilty verdicts for apostasy and […]
Middle East
Bahrain’s monarch grants land for new church in surprise move
Originally published in barnabasaid Bahrain’s monarch has granted a plot of land for the building of a new church in a bold move that goes against a recent Saudi fatwa calling for the destruction of all churches in the Arabian Peninsula. A senior church leader thanked King Hamad bin Isa […]
Egyptian Islamists consolidate power, threathen Christians
By INcontext: A World In Motion In less than a week, the Muslim Brotherhood has made great strides towards consolidating its power in Egypt. Last Wednesday, newly elected president Mohammed Morsi fired his intelligence chief and other top security officials, using the killing of 16 soldiers in the Sinai Peninsula […]
Ruling Islamists in Tunisia introduce blasphemy bill
Originally published in barnabasaid The ruling Islamist party in Tunisia has introduced a bill that would outlaw insulting Islam, a move criticised by human rights’ advocates as threatening freedom of speech and religion. Ennahda introduced the draft law to criminalise offences against “sacred values” in the National Constituent Assembly on […]
Two men to stand trial over conversion of Saudi woman
Originally published in barnabasaid Two men, one Lebanese and one Saudi, will stand trial next month accused of helping a Saudi woman convert to Christianity and flee the strict Islamic country. The young woman’s father filed a police complaint against the two men, with whom his daughter worked in Al-Khobar, […]
Egypt’s Islamist president reneges on promise of inclusive government
Originally published in barnabasaid Church leaders in Egypt have criticised Islamist President Mohammed Morsi’s new government, saying that is fails to fairly represent the country’s sizeable Christian minority. Following his election in June, Morsi had promised an inclusive administration, saying that his ministers would represent a cross-section of society. He […]
ACDP outraged by forced conversions of Christians to Islam in Gaza Strip
African Christian Democatic Party (ACDP) Member of Parliament and party spokesperson on International Relations, Cheryllyn Dudley today said the party is outraged by forced conversions of Christians in the Gaza Strip by the ruling Hamas regime. In a press statement she says: “The ACDP is outraged by the situation facing […]
Libyan election results buck trend of post Arab-Spring Islamist success
Originally published in barnabasaid An alliance of parties considered broadly liberal and secular has stemmed the tide of success for Islamists in post-Arab Spring politics by winning the most seats in the Libyan election. The National Forces Alliance (NFA), a coalition of more than 40 smaller parties headed by ex-interim […]
Israel blames Iran for deadly attack on Israeli tourist bus in Bulgaria
Originally published in CNN A deadly explosion on a bus carrying Israeli tourists outside an airport in Bulgaria was “clearly a terrorist attack,” Israeli Defence Minister Ehud Barak said yesterday (Wednesday). Key Israeli politicians pointed to Iran as the likely instigator, but Israel’s US ambassador acknowledged they had no proof. […]
What will Islamic Brotherhood election victory in Egypt mean for Israel, Christianity in region?
[notice]The election of Mohammed Morsi to the Egyptian presidency may usher in a new era for the Middle East, says INcontext Ministries in its latest World In Motion newsletter.[/notice] Early last week Israeli warplanes carried out three raids on the Gaza Strip following rocket attacks on Israel by Palestinian militants. […]