The Persecution Times » Archive
Gujarat Enacts Anti-Conversion Law
Gospel for Asia missionaries in Gujarat, India, will now face up to three years in prison if they are accused of “forcibly converting” someone to Christianity. And believers across the state are concerned that the law will open doors for anti-Christian extremists to falsely accuse them of illegal practices. “Our missionaries are trusting that the Lord will take care of them in this difficult time,” said K.P. Yohannan, Gospel for Asia’s founder and president. “Several states in India have enacted these types of laws, but the love of Christ is still going out.” The state’s legislative assembly passed the “Gujarat Religious Freedom Act,” an anti-conversion law, in 2003. But it remained dormant until April 1, when they finally formalized the rules for its implementation. Now, if someone responds to the Gospel, the missionary … Read entire article »
Filed under: Christian, Gospel for Asia, HIndu, India, Persecution
Kazakhstan Considers Restrictive New Religion Law
By Jeremy Reynalds Correspondent for ASSIST News Service LOVES PARK, ILLINOIS (ANS) — The lower chamber of Kazakhstan’s parliament has passed new legislation that would impose tough new restrictions on foreign missionary activity and evangelical churches. Kazakhstan is located in Central Asia, northwest of China; a small portion west of the Ural River in eastern-most Europe. According to a news release from the Slavic Gospel Association (SGA), Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbaev would have to approve the legislation before it becomes law. The news release stated that according to Rev. Franz Tissen, president of the Kazakh Union of Evangelical Christians-Baptists, the bill contains a number of troubling provisions. It would establish quotas of missionaries allowed in Kazakhstan. It would also forbid unregistered missionary activity by foreign workers who are not representatives of religious organizations. Tissen said the bill … Read entire article »
Filed under: Assist News Service, Christian, Kazakhstan, Persecution
Islamic Extremists Kill another Christian in Somalia
By Jeremy Reynalds Correspondent for ASSIST News Service WASHINGTON, D.C. (ANS) — Islamic extremists have shot and killed a Muslim convert to Christianity. According to a news release from the Washington, D.C. based human rights group, International Christian Concern (ICC), the slaying occurred on April 22 in Baidawa, a town 149 miles from Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia. The 29-year-old victim’s name was David Abdulwahab Mohamed Ali. ICC filled in some of the horrifying details. On April 22, one of Ali’s cousins took two other members of the Islamic extremist group Al-Shabab to Ali and asked him if he was a Muslim or an infidel. He answered, “Neither.” They asked, “Then what are you?” He answered, “Waxaan ahay Masiixi,” which means, “I am a follower of the Messiah.” ICC said that at this point Ali’s cousin became both … Read entire article »
Filed under: Assist News Service, Christian, Persecution, Somalia
Pastors Attacked by Hindu Radicals in India.
By James Varghese Special to ASSIST News Service ANDHRA PRADESH, INDIA (ANS) — Two pastors were beaten up by Hindu radicals in India. The reported assault occurred in Kammanapalli village, Nizamabad district, Andhra Pradesh on April 24. According to a story on www.persecution.in, the ministers attacked were Pastor Anand and Pastor Raju. The report said when the pastors visited a lady church member named Sister Vijaya, they were suddenly beaten up by Hindu radicals and their Bibles burned to ashes. According to the story on the web site, the pastors were also threatened with dire consequences if they visit the lady again. The pastors were admitted to a hospital and treated for internal injuries and sprains. The name of the Hindu radical group is not known at this point. According to www.persecution.in, Miss.Vijaya had been suffering from kidney … Read entire article »
Filed under: Assist News Service, Christian, HIndu, India, Persecution
Former Muslim Tried for Converting to Christianity
Compass Direct News reports: On trial for converting from Islam to Christianity, a Jordanian man may lose legal custody of his children and have his marriage annulled if found guilty of “apostasy.” Mohammad Abbad, 40, fled Jordan last month after Muslims violently attacked him and his 10-year-old son in their home and his father sued him on charges of apostasy, or leaving Islam. “I can’t win this case as long as I insist that I converted from Islam to Christianity,” Abbad wrote from the safety of a nearby country. “The court will annul my marriage, I will be deprived of my kids, I will be with no ID or passport, and my properties will be confiscated,” said the father of two, referring to a previous Jordanian apostasy verdict. The full story is at Compass Direct … Read entire article »
Filed under: Christian, Compass Direct, Jordan, Muslim, Persecution
