Iran: Former prisoner pardoned Iranian Christians are pleased that a two-year term of internal exile, which was part of sentences issued in 2017, has been dropped for Christian convert Zaman (Saheb) Fadaei. Saheb was arrested along with pastor Yousef Nadarkhani and three other Christian converts in May 2016. In June 2017, four of those arrested, including Saheb and Yousef, were … Read More

Hard-line Muslims attack church leader in eastern Uganda. By Our East Africa Correspondent NAIROBI, Kenya, August 1, 2023 (Morning Star News) – Hard-line Muslims threw stones at a pastor in eastern Uganda and beat him unconscious as he spoke at a funeral using both the Bible and the Koran, he said from his hospital bed. Pastor Davidson Okirori, 39, said he … Read More

Mother of three slain the same day she receives Christ.   By Our East Africa Correspondent NAIROBI, Kenya, July 27, 2023 (Morning Star News) – A Muslim in eastern Uganda on July 9 killed his wife for converting to Christianity that morning, a relative said. Amina Nanfuka, 31, had returned from a medical check-up in Kampala and a visit to a … Read More

Israel: Extremist attitudes and actions threaten Christian communities Members of the Christian community request prayer in response to growing concerns about opposition from ultra-nationalist elements in Israel. Two weeks ago Israeli president Herzog acknowledged attacks against Christians are on the rise in Israel. Referring to these actions as “evil” and a “disgrace,” he promised to “put an end to this … Read More

Move is ‘illegal and illogical,’ attorney says. By Our Pakistan Correspondent LAHORE, Pakistan, July 24, 2023 (Morning Star News) – A judge is allowing a Catholic to be charged with blasphemy under Pakistan’s anti-terrorism law, which his attorney said is “illegal and illogical.” Attorney Rana Abdul Hameed said Lahore Anti-Terrorism Judge Abher Gul Khan on July 6 rejected his application seeking … Read More

Massacres over three weeks continue recent trend in state. By Our Nigeria Correspondent ABUJA, Nigeria, July 21, 2023 (Morning Star News) – Fulani herdsmen and other terrorists on Sunday (July 16) killed six Christians in Benue state, Nigeria, the latest of 37 Christians slain the past three weeks in the state, sources said. The assailants arrived on motorcycles at the predominantly … Read More

Algeria: Convert released from prison Algerian Christians rejoice in the release of Hamid Soudad, a believer from a Muslim background, previously convicted of blasphemy, who received a presidential pardon on 5 July. Married with four children (ages 8, 6, 5 and 3 years-old), 45-year-old Hamid has been a believer since 2001. In 2018 he shared a caricature of the Prophet … Read More

Third case in less than a month in the same area creates panic. By Our Pakistan Correspondent LAHORE, Pakistan, July 20, 2023 (Morning Star News) – A third accusation of blasphemy in less than a month compelled Christians fearful of Islamic retribution to flee their homes in an eastern city in Pakistan this week, sources said. Muslim crowds including members of … Read More

Presence of Christian service in Muslim-majority area questioned. By Our Indonesia Correspondent SURABAYA, Indonesia, July 17, 2023 (Morning Star News) – As police looked on, a group of Muslims in North Sumatra Province, Indonesia, on July 2 asked why a church should be present in a Muslim-majority area as they broke up its worship service, a video shows. The disruption was the second in … Read More

Police, hard-line Muslims connive in baseless blasphemy case, sources say. By Our Pakistan Correspondent LAHORE, Pakistan, July 14, 2023 (Morning Star News) – Police in Pakistan on Tuesday (July 11) kept a Christian charged with blasphemy from appearing at his bail hearing, compelling a judge to bow to pressure from a crowd of slogan-shouting Muslims and deny his release, sources said. … Read More