Results for "Islam"

Palace of Justice, Putrajaya, Malaysia KUCHING, Sarawak, Malaysia – The recent refusal of the Malaysian Federal Court to hear the appeals of four Christian converts to have their Christian names and religion on their government IDs left the world wondering what the plaintiffs would do. As it turns out, they may on have to wait… Continue reading [Update] The Malaysian State of Sarawak to Amend Conversion Laws

CAIRO – Egyptian government officials recently granted a “first block” of licenses for 53 churches that had been awaiting approval. Some sources praised the progress of the government in addressing the licensing procedure that was drafted into law in August 2016. Others, primarily representatives of rural churches, decried the government’s lack of acceptable progress. The… Continue reading 53 Egyptian Churches Receive Full Legal Certification

Syrian Christians are part of one of the oldest churches in the world. They used to be one of the major political forces in Syria , until ISIS started coming after Christians because they believe in an all Islamic state, also known as a Caliphate. BBC explains, “The founder of the Baath Party, which has ruled… Continue reading Syrian Christians Displaced But Helping Others in Need

KUCHING, Sarawak, Malaysia – The Malaysian Federal Court failed to rule on an appeal by four Christians who have requested their names and religious faith be changed on their national identification documents. (See “4 Christian Converts in Landmark Case in Malaysia’s Federal Court.”) According to those official IDs, they are “still Muslims on paper.” Malaysia… Continue reading [Update] Malaysia High Court Dismisses Christians’ Appeal

PUTRAJAYA, Malaysia – The lawyer for four Christian converts will plead their case to be allowed to be Christians under Malaysian law. The case will be heard in Federal Court in Putrajaya on Monday, February 26th. The outcome of this case could become precedent for Malaysians wishing to convert out of Islam in a country… Continue reading 4 Christian Converts in Landmark Case in Malaysia’s Federal Court

On Sunday, members of a Russian Orthodox church were celebrating the start of Lent when a gunman opened fire on the congregation. Fox News reports, “The shooting unfolded outside a church in Kizlyar, a town of about 50,000 people on the border with Chechnya. The Russian news agency TASS cited Svetlana Petrenko of the Investigative… Continue reading 5 Women Killed in Russian Church Shooting

CALCUTTA – A crowd of an estimated 70,000 attended an anti-terrorism, pro-Israel rally in Calcutta on February 15th. Speakers discussed a range of topics that centered on the problem of recent Iranian terrorism against Israel, citing is as an indication of things to come as Islamic terrorists are increasing acts of aggression in India, especially… Continue reading Anti-Terror, Pro-Israel Rally in India Attracts 70,000

PAKISTAN – Earlier this month officials in Abbottabad closed six unregistered house churches within the district for security reasons. Abbottabad is located about 75 miles north of Islamabad, the district captured the attention of Americans when it was discovered that Osama bin Laden had been residing there. The district is home to the Pakistan Military… Continue reading Officials May Close All House Churches in Pakistan

Police in the aftermath of the attack. (Source: BBC, EPA) CAIRO (MENAFN – Jordan Times) – Egypt will extend its nationwide state of emergency for three months from January 13th to help tackle ‘the dangers and funding of terrorism,’ state news agency MENA said on Tuesday. Egypt first imposed the current state of emergency last… Continue reading UPDATE: Egypt Extends State of Emergency after Coptic Church Attack

Quetta, Pakistan – “We heard a big bang. Then there was shooting. The prayer hall’s door broke and fell on us.” Kal Alaxander and his family were attending a worship service with about 400 others at the Bethel Memorial Methodist Church in Quetta when at least two suicide bombers attempted to destroy the building and… Continue reading Nine Dead, 50 Injured in Pakistani Church Bombing

On Nov. 12, the deadliest earthquake of 2017, reaching a magnitude of 7.3, hit the border of Iran and Iraq. The death toll has topped 530, while 8,000 more people have been injured. “On Tuesday, Iranian officials called off rescue operations on the grounds there was little chance of finding more survivors from the quake,”… Continue reading The Deadliest Earthquake of 2017 Hits Iran, Iraq

Photo by  James McCauley   Iraq’s Christians and Yazidis have tried to come back to their homes, only to find them taken by Kurds. Fox News reports, “‘For months we’ve been receiving numerous reports from Assyrian Christians and Yazidis that Kurdish forces are using the fog of war to seize land that rightfully belongs to… Continue reading Kurds Refusing Christians and Yazidis Coming Back

Photo by aflaanta std In March, there was an attack on a boat holding Somali refugees. At least 46 people were killed and 39 were injured. CNN reported, “At least 42 people died and 39 were injured in the Friday incident, the United Nations’ refugee agency said. Some 160 people reportedly were on board, according… Continue reading Somali Refugee Boat Shot

Photo by Tasnim News In February, Iraqi troops were working to clean Mosul of ISIS so refugees could return home. Per CNN, “The commander of Iraq’s Federal Police has said ISIS militant in Western Mosul are looking to cut and run from their defense of the group’s last remaining stronghold in the country.” Their goal… Continue reading Iraqi Troops Fighting to Take Back Mosul

Photo by Andrew A. Shenouda One man in one of two Coptic Church bombings on Palm Sunday turned himself in. Per Fox News, “A man suspected in one of the two Palm Sunday bombings of Coptic Christian churches in northern Egypt has turned himself in to authorities.” The police got a tip off of where Mahmoud… Continue reading Egyptian Church Bomber Turns Himself In

Photo by Kadra2016 In February, a new Somali president was elected. His name is Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo. He was a former prime minister and U.S. dual citizen. Per The Washington Post, “Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo, a former prime minister and U.S. dual citizen, won Somalia’s long-postponed presidential election Wednesday. Voting took place at the international airport… Continue reading New Somali President Brings Hopes for the Future

Photo by someone10x On Palm Sunday, Islamic Extremists attacked to churches in two separate cities during services. At least 45 were found dead. Per CNN, “The Sunday strikes, which targeted Egypt’s persecuted and vulnerable Christian minority on the first day of the faith’s Holy Week leading up to Easter, left at least 45 dead, Egypt’s… Continue reading Egypt Church Bombings on Palm Sunday

Photo by currybet Recently, it was uncovered that Qatar, a Middle Eastern country, has ties to Hamas. Hamas is a Palestinian terrorist group, which seeks to eradicate the Israeli state. Qatar provides funding for Hamas. Per CNN, “‘Qatar is quite important for Hamas,’ said H.A. Hellyer, a senior non-resident fellow at the Atlantic Council. ‘Qatar… Continue reading Qatar Supports Hamas

Photo by scorpious18 Martial law was passed on May 23 in the Philippines, due to a group with ISIS connections attacking the Muslim city of Marawi. Per Fox News, “Duterte declared martial law on May 23 following a bloody siege of the southern city of Marawi by Islamic State group-aligned militants, the most serious security… Continue reading Philippines President Duterte asks Congress to Extend Martial Law

Photo by Paolobon140 Over 240 people were taken hostage by ISIS soldiers in the Philippines at the end of May. One priest appealed President Duterte to stop fighting against Islamic extremists. Fox News reports, “A Catholic priest who claims he’s been kidnapped alongside more than 240 hostages by fighters linked to the Islamic State in… Continue reading ISIS Attack on the Philippines

At the end of last July, an ISIS soldier came to a Roman Catholic Church in France. There he murdered a priest by stabbing him and then slitting his throat. One of the French nuns fled the scene after seeing the priest was about to be murdered. Per CNN, “Before she fled, she witnessed the… Continue reading French Priest Murdered by ISIS

Photo by PH1 R. ORIEZ There has been a Civil War raging in Somalia between the Somali military and a terrorist group, known as Al-Shabaab. In June, Al-Shabaab attacked two restaurants in a car bombing and sniper attack. Per Fox News, “Al-Shabab, a Somalia-based extremist group that often targets popular areas in the country’s capital,… Continue reading Terrorist Group Attacks Restaurants

Photo by By Davidetorino at Italian Wikipedia It was New Years Eve of 2016. People were waiting for the New Year to come at midnight in Istanbul, Turkey. The clock hit midnight and all the sudden people heard a banging noise. They thought it was a fight, but it ended up being a terrorist shooting… Continue reading Shooting Goes Off in Nightclub at Midnight on New Years

CC BY-SA 2.5 US backed rebels in Syria have captured a key city of ISIS in May. Per CNN, “US-backed rebels said they ‘liberated’ the strategic Syrian city of Tabqa and a nearby dam from ISIS.” The United States provided weapons for Syrian rebels. This was a controversial move. Turkey said the US was guilty… Continue reading Syria Army Provided with Weapons to Face ISIS from US

Photo by CEphoto, Uwe Aranas Last November, a terrorist in Indonesia bombed a church. This was not the first time he had done terrorist activities. In this case, the terrorist threw a Molotov cocktail at the church. Per Time Magazine, “A man formerly convicted of terrorist offenses has been arrested for allegedly throwing a Molotov… Continue reading Indonesian Church Bombing

  Photo by Wojtek71 On May 22, people were enjoying an Ariana Grande concert when all the sudden a bomb went off, which killed at least 22 people. Islamic State took responsibility for the bomb. Fox News reports, “The Islamic State claimed responsibility for a bombing attack that killed at least 22 people and injured… Continue reading ISIS Attacks Concert in Manchester

Photo by David Williams On June 2, a group of terrorists did a violent attack on the people of London. They went on London Bridge and started attacking pedestrians by ramming them with a car and them knifing people. Fox News reports, “The terror network reportedly claimed a ‘detachment’ of its fighters crashed a rented… Continue reading Terrorists Attack on London Bridge

Photo by Eddy bf Gov. Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, a Christian and Chinese ethnic minority in Indonesia has been accused of blasphemy against the Quran. At first the protests were peaceful, but them violence started. According to the BBC, “One elderly man died, the Associated Press reports, citing police. Several other people, including police officers, have… Continue reading Christian Indonesian Governor accused of blasphemy

Photo by James (Jim) Gordon   At the end of last October, Iraqi forces were advancing to fight ISIS in an Iraqi village, known as Mosul. According to CNN, “Kurdish Peshmerga forces are within five miles (eight kilometers) of Mosul, commanders said Sunday, after days of fighting and sweeping territorial gains in the operation to free… Continue reading Iraqi Forces work to reclaim Christian village

Photo by Christiaan Briggs Iraqi refugees have returned to their homes in the Nineveh region. Yet, what they discovered deeply grieved them. According to Fox News, “There were gasps, followed by tears at a small church in northern Iraq as a group of Christians returned to their parish Sunday to find that everything had been… Continue reading Iraqi refugees return home

  Photo by Medina Dauda One of 200 girls abducted by Boko Haram along with their baby returned to Chibok. According to NewsWeek, “One of more than 200 schoolgirls abducted by jihadist group Boko Haram from their school in northeast Nigeria’s Chibok in 2014 has been found by soldiers, a Nigerian army spokesman said on… Continue reading Chibok girl and baby released from Boko Haram

  Image by Kareem mamduh Ismail The Coptic Church in Egypt is in trouble. ISIS has vowed to eradicate the Church in Egypt. Per Fox News, “ISIS recently released a video in which they call for ‘fellow jihadists’ to murder the Coptic Christians of Al Arish which they refer to as their ‘favorite prey.’” ISIS… Continue reading Egyptian Christians in Trouble

  By Athanasius 77 In December, just a few weeks before Christmas, a Coptic Church in Cairo was bombed. At first, the authorities had no idea who was responsible for the attacks. According to Fox News, “The Islamic State [ISIS] claimed responsibility for the suicide bombing that killed 25 people. They also alleged that the… Continue reading St. Mark’s Coptic Church Bombed

On January 11, there was an abortion ban headed by the Russian Orthodox Church. According to LifeSite, “The Russian Orthodox Church diocese in the city of Yaroslavl declared 11 January a ‘day of silence without abortions’, and said it had the support of the region’s health department. Abortion is legal in Russia and the cost… Continue reading Russia’s abortion bans to remember Biblical ‘slaughter of the innocents’ for one day

In mid-October of 2016, 21 Chibok schoolgirls who were kidnapped were returned to their hometown by Boko Haram. CNN reports, “The 21 Chibok schoolgirls kidnapped and released by terrorist group Boko Haram were reunited with their families amid tearful scenes on Sunday.” It was a joyous celebration for many of the parents, yet it was… Continue reading Twenty-one kidnapped Chibok girls returned home

In the midst of chaos and destruction caused by ISIS in Syria, Iraq and elsewhere, reports of Christian conversion among ISIS fighters are emerging thanks to the distribution of Bibles by Open Doors. One pastor reports about an angry man coming to his door and threatening to behead him. The pastor remembered the words of… Continue reading ISIS recruits hearing about Christ, coming to faith

After a wave of gruesome violence that included hacking victims to death, the Bangladesh government has arrested more than 11,000 people. Among those arrested were 150 members of Jama’atul Mujahedin Bangladesh, an Islamist group that the country had previously banned. The targeted victims include Hindus, Christians, Sufi Muslims, activists and foreigners. The group’s actions have… Continue reading Bangladesh government cracks down on terrorism

As coalition forces back Iraqi military efforts to regain ISIS-controlled cities, the resulting victories in Fallujah and elsewhere leave cause for concern, according to FBI Director James Comey. Comey believes the defeated ISIS militants in Iraq will take their fight to Western Europe and the United States. Minorities, particularly Christians, in Muslim-majority Iraq believe that… Continue reading ISIS’ defeat won’t guarantee safety for Iraqi Christians

More than 84,000 Iraqis left their possessions, businesses and schools to live without shelter in 115-degree desert heat and sandstorms as ISIS assaulted Fallujah. ISIS forces controlling Fallujah defended their siege with bullets, bombs and children as coalition backed Iraqi forces fought to regain the city. The Islamic extremists used the estimated 20,000 Iraqi children… Continue reading Iraqis flee Fallujah to escape ISIS battles with government forces

Let the games begin, whether the host country is ready or not. As Rio de Janeiro awaits an estimated 7.5 million international guests for the 2016 Summer Olympics, questions remain about Brazil’s preparedness. Some venues are still not completed, the Zika virus that apparently originated there now threatens all of the Americas, their president is… Continue reading World Anxious About Upcoming Rio Olympics

With the backing of a U.S.-led coalition, Iraq’s military has battled back the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) in Mosul, that nation’s second largest city, in an initiative called “Operation Conquest.” Mosul had been a major victory for ISIS in June 2014 as they captured the city of more than 2 million people… Continue reading Iraq forces taking back Mosul

An estimated 500 African refugees drowned off the coast of Italy when smugglers recently forced too many people into one boat, according to the United Nations. This incident occurred about one year after the worst refugee drowning incident in April 2015, when 800 people died on their journey from Libya to Europe. Reports of the… Continue reading Refugee smuggling, 500 drowning in Mediterranean Sea

Threats by Islamic terrorists in Yemen to crucify Father Tom Uzhunnalil on Good Friday were apparently averted as Catholic bishops in Southern Arabia and India now report that he is alive. Father Tom, a native of Bangalore, India, survived an attack March 4 at a nursing home founded and run in Aden, Yemen, by Mother… Continue reading Indian Catholic priest feared crucified on Good Friday is now reported alive