The Persecution Times » Archive
Algerian Prosecutor Demands 2 Year Sentence for Converts from Islam
Compass Direct News reports that: A state prosecutor in western Algeria demanded two-year jail sentences and large fines for six Muslim converts to Christianity yesterday in one of two trials against Christians that have caught the north African nation’s attention in the past week. The same court in Tiaret city yesterday delayed the verdict of a Christian woman facing three years in prison for “practicing non-Muslim religious rites without a license.” Under intense scrutiny from Algerian and international observers, the Tiaret judge delayed Habiba Kouider’s ruling to ask for further investigation. The case gained notoriety last week when Algerian newspapers reported that court officials in the agricultural town mocked the Christian for her conversion and pressured her to return to Islam. Read more at Compass Direct News. … Read entire article »
Filed under: Algeria, Christian, Compass Direct, Islam, Persecution
Algeria – Churches Under Attack
SANTA ANA, CA – Christian churches in Algeria are under massive attack. Over the last six months, Algerian authorities have closed half of the Protestant churches in the country. If the trend continues, the Algerian Protestant church will be non-existent by the end of 2008. Algerian officials have closed 26 Algerian churches by either written order or verbal warning since November 2007. Ranging in size from several dozen to more than 1,000 members, 32 congregations in Algeria belong to the Protestant Church of Algeria, while another 20 small fellowships exist independently. Algeria, a country of 33 million in northern Africa, is home to at least 10,000 Protestants. Religious Affairs Minister Bu’Abdallah Ghoulamullah has called on Christian groups in Algeria to re-register according to Algerian associations’ law. But Algerian Christians have claimed that the … Read entire article »
Filed under: Algeria, Christian, Muslim, Persecution
New Christians Face Ultimatum
JHARKHAND, INDIA – A Christian family in Jharkhand, India, is facing an ultimatum from the people of their village. On May 25, Boykin Raj and his family were told to either leave Christ or leave their village. Boykin and his family, which includes his parents and sister, are part of a church where Gospel for Asia missionary Kijor Bune ministers. They are the only Christians in their community and just recently chose to follow Jesus. But things have not been easy for them since their decision. “Since the time they came to faith, they have been threatened constantly by their relatives as well as the villagers,” GFA’s field correspondent wrote. When the villagers gathered together on May 25 to decide what to do with the Christians, Boykin and his family chose to trust … Read entire article »
Filed under: Christian, Gospel for Asia, India, Persecution
30 Christian preachers attacked by Hindu radicals at Andhra Pradesh, India
By James Varghese Special to ASSIST News Service ANDHRA PRADESH, INDIA (ANS) — In yet another savage attack on Christians in India, news has just come out that some thirty Christian preachers were beaten by Hindu activists belonging to Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) at Bainsa town in the Adilabad district of Andhra Pradesh. According to a story issued by the Global Council of Indian Christians (GCIC) on their website www.persecution.in, the group of preachers belonging to the Brethren Church went to Bainsa to preach the Gospel on May 23, 2008. On learning of their presence, the RSS activists first attacked their vehicles and then beat them up, resulting in serious injuries to many of them. Incredibly, the preachers were later taken by the attackers to the police station at Bainsa so they could file … Read entire article »
Filed under: Christian, HIndu, India, Persecution
Central Government gives major funds to Ministry of Public Security to dismantle House Churches across China
By Michael Ireland Chief Correspondent, ASSIST News Service BEIJING, CHINA – Two independent sources report that the Ministry of Public Security has received funding from the Chinese Central Government to increase their campaign of eradicating House Churches throughout China. While the amount of funds allocated for this campaign is unknown, the steady increase of persecution against house churches continues to rise substantially across China, says the China Aid Association (CAA). CAA says that on Sunday May 25, the Beijing Gospel Church, home to more than 1,000 members was raided by PSB Officials. Pastor Gao Zhen was detained and interrogated before being released at 6:00pm. In a separate incident, a house church Seminary in Weifang City, Shandong Province was also raided by more than 30 PSB and RAB Officials. The seminary is occupied by 48 students … Read entire article »
Filed under: Assist News Service, China, Christian, Persecution
