A new dimension of Christian persecution in India
The politics of Hindu nationalism, which fuelled Christian persecution for over a decade in India, seems to be losing ground. With this comes the hope that India will never witness an incident like the massive flurry of attacks in Kandhamal district of eastern Orissa state in 2008 which killed around 100 Christians and displaced over 50,000 people. This wish is expected to come true, but the absence of mass violence may not ensure the safety of the Christian minority..
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Authorities, Islamists in Egypt stop church from re-opening
Hundreds of Muslims, angered by the prospect of a government-closed church re-opening in their neighborhood, protested outside the church yesterday, causing the provisional military authority to back away from its promise to allow Orthodox clergy to reopen it.
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Iran: eleven Christians walk free from court
Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) has learned that eleven members of an evangelical denomination, who were charged with 'action against the order of the country' and drinking alcohol, have been acquitted by an Iranian court. The charges referred to their involvement in a house church meeting and to taking communion wine.
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Pakistani Muslims kidnap Christian girl over brother's 'Affair
An influential Muslim family in a village near Sheikhupura is holding a 17-year-old Christian girl hostage because one of her brothers allegedly eloped with a woman from the Muslim family.
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Kidnappers allegedly called murdered Iraqi Christian's employer
A pastor in Kirkuk, Iraq told Compass that sources close to a Christian reportedly kidnapped, tortured and murdered by al Qaeda over the weekend said the kidnappers had pressured his employer to fire him because he was a Christian.
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European Burma network statement calls for end to attacks on civilians in Shan state
The European Burma Network (EBN) has released a statement on the humanitarian crisis in Burma's Shan State, calling for an end to military attacks on civilians, an increase in humanitarian aid and a concerted push for a tripartite dialogue between the ruling regime, the mainstream democracy movement and ethnic groups.
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Burmese dissident calls for people power to promote freedom
Prominent Burmese dissident Ludu Sein Win has sent a message to Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) in which he calls on people around the world to unite in the struggle for freedom and justice.
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International experts warn of rising violence against Christians in Egypt and inaccurate reporting
A group of experts, advocates and faith leaders with an interest in Egypt, religious freedom and human rights have released a statement expressing concern at the increasing frequency of attacks on Coptic Christians in Egypt, and the manner in which such attacks are being reported by international and local media.
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Muslim extremists burn church building, homes in Nigeria
Christians from a local Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) congregation in this Plateau state town have been displaced after Muslim extremists set their church building and some homes on fire last month.
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Post-election violence in Nigeria claimed 800 lives – rights group
Human Rights Watch (HRW) said in a report on Monday that the Nigerian government must move "promptly" to bring the perpetrators of the violence to justice.
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ACL: Australia must pressure Egyptian Government to protect Christians
The Australian Christian Lobby is calling on the Federal Government to apply diplomatic pressure to Egypt to ensure religious minorities, such as the Copts are safe and protected under the interim Government.
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Senior Australian of the Year heads out with Aussie Harvest
David Bussau AM – Senior Australian of the Year, 2008 will spend this week talking about his life and faith in pubs and clubs as he travels with the team from Aussie Harvest.