Muslim suspects influence police, sources say.By Christian Daily International-Morning Star News LAHORE, Pakistan, March 8, 2024 (Christian Daily International–Morning Star News) – Police in Pakistan are pressuring a young Christian woman to withdraw charges against two Muslims who raped, blackmailed and tried to forcibly convert her to Islam, sources said. The 26-year-old woman, a resident of Islamabad whose name is withheld … Read More

Multi-pronged approach to religious intolerance needed, advocates say. By Christian Daily International-Morning Star News LAHORE, Pakistan, March 7, 2024 (Christian Daily International–Morning Star News) – With a soaring number of blasphemy allegations in Pakistan in 2023, rights activists are reiterating demands for legislation against blatant abuse of the country’s notorious blasphemy laws. At least 329 persons were accused of blasphemy under … Read More

Dozens kidnapped in area outside the city of Kaduna. By Christian Daily International-Morning Star News ABUJA, Nigeria, March 7, 2024 (Christian Daily International–Morning Star News) – Muslim terrorists killed two Christians and kidnapped dozens of others in an attack on the outskirts of the city of Kaduna in northern Nigeria, sources said. The assailants invaded Gonin Gora, a predominantly Christian village … Read More

Algeria: Appeal hearing soon Pastor Youssef Ourahmane, vice-president of the EPA, and the church in Algeria request prayer for his scheduled 26 March 2024 appeal of his prison sentence and fine. On 27 November, 2023, Pastor Youssef was sentenced to one year in prison and fined for 100.000 DZD (approx US$ 725). Pastor Ourahmane is a senior pastor overseeing a … Read More

Court order aims to halt kidnapped girls from being forced to convert, wed. By Christian Daily International-Morning Star News LAHORE, Pakistan, March 6, 2024 (Christian Daily International–Morning Star News) – The Lahore High Court’s recent directive to strictly enforce anti-child marriage laws has raised hope among Pakistan’s Christians of some protection against their underage girls being forced to convert to Islam … Read More

Investigation showed they were framed. By Our Pakistan Correspondent LAHORE, Pakistan, March 4, 2024 (Christian Daily International–Morning Star News) – A judge in Pakistan on Friday (March 1) acquitted two Christian brothers of false blasphemy charges that had led to Muslims attacking Christian homes and businesses in Jaranwala last year, sources said. Faisalabad Anti-Terrorism Judge Muhammad Hussain ordered the acquittal of … Read More

‘Active intolerant’ teenagers increasing, official says. By Our Indonesia Correspondent SURABAYA, Indonesia, February 29, 2024 (Morning Star News) – The head of Indonesia’s counter-terrorism agency said officials are focussing on protecting teenaged children and women from Islamic radicalization as they have become the most targeted groups. Citing a report by the Setara Institute for Democracy and Peace, Rycko Amelza Dahniel of … Read More

Shutting down churches will be easier, raising and receiving funds much harder. By Our Vietnam Correspondent February 28, 2024 (Morning Star News) – Two millennia ago, Jesus of Nazareth said, “Yes, what sorrow awaits you experts in religious law! For you crush people with unbearable religious demands, and you never lift a finger to ease their burden.” (Luke 11:46, NLT). What Jesus … Read More

Judge cites double jeopardy. By Christian Daily International-Morning Star News LAHORE, Pakistan, February 28, 2024 (Christian Daily International–Morning Star News) – A Christian sentenced to death in one blasphemy case in Pakistan was acquitted on Feb. 20 in another related to the same incident, with the judge citing double jeopardy, his attorney said. Police illegally charged Noman Masih, 24, twice for … Read More

Order of incarceration issued more than a month ago. By Our South Asia Correspondent NEW DELHI, February 27, 2024 (Morning Star News) – More than a month after the Supreme Court of Nepal ordered Pastor Keshab Raj Acharya to serve one year in prison under a law against proselytizing, he seeks to convert the sentence into a fine. He won’t … Read More