Iran: arrests of five female Christian converts
Iranian Christians request prayer following the arrests of five female converts from Islam to Christianity. These include Roksari Kanbari, a 65-year old who was arrested and detained in Karaj, and forced to endure ten days of intensive interrogation. Early one...
Algeria: Authorities shut down church again
Christians in Algeria request prayer for a congregation in the Kayblie region, which faces ongoing pressure from the authorities. After officials sealed the church building in October 2018, the congregation continued to meet for worship in a tent erected in the church...
Turkey: Court of Cassation upholds verdict in Malatya Zirve case
The 16th Criminal Chamber of the Court of Cassation today upheld the verdict issued against the five perpetrators in the Malatya Zirve murder trial relating to the 2007 murder of three Christians. A demand from the Association of Protestant Churches in Turkey (TeK) to...
Iran: Annual Report on Rights Violations Released
Middle East Concern, in collaboration with Open Doors International, Article 18 and CSW has released the 2018 report on violations of the rights of Christians in Iran. During 2018, the Iranian Christian community, along with other religious minorities, continued to...
Iraq: Christians facing intimidation
Christians in Iraq request prayer following two shooting incidents outside churches in the villages of Bartella and Qaraqosh, in the first week of December 2018. On 1 December, several cars parked in front of the Syrian Catholic “St George” church in Bartella. They...
Algeria: Update on Christians acquitted of charges
Christians in Algeria ask for prayer for five Christians recently acquitted of proselytism and blasphemy charges. On 26 December 2018, MEC reported that four Christians from Muslim backgrounds, including three from the same family, were acquitted of proselytism...
Algeria: Christians acquitted on all charges
At the end of November MEC requested prayer for four Christians, including three from the same family, who were to appear in court on 25 December in Province of Bouira, in the Kabylie region. At that court hearing, all charges against the Christian defendants were...
Iran: Christian couple arrested in Mashhad
Iranian Christians request prayer for a Christian family following a raid on their home in Mashhad, north-east Iran. On 6 December 2018, several intelligence agents raided the home of Amir Taleipour (39) and his wife Mahnaz Harati (36). They proceeded to arrest Amir...
Iran: Four Christian Converts Detained
Iranian Christians request prayer for four Iranian Christian converts who have been detained in Ahvaz since 2 December. About thirteen plain-clothed Revolutionary Guards conducted raids on four homes on the morning of 2 December, arresting Shima Zanganeh (27),...
Algeria: Closed Bookshop Near Oran Reopened by Court Verdict
Algerian Christians are rejoicing after a court decision that allows a bookshop managed by a Christian to reopen. In November 2017, a church and bookshop in Ain Turk, near Oran, were closed by government authorities. In June 2018 the church was reopened but the...
Palestine: Travel permits refused for most Gazan Christians
Christians in Gaza request prayer that permits will be granted for them to travel to the West Bank to visit friends and relatives over the Christmas holidays. All inhabitants of Gaza, one of the most densely populated places on Earth, face severe travel restrictions...
Iran: Christian prisoner refused permission to see his mother before she died
Prayer is requested for Iranian Christian prisoner Ebrahim Firouzi, after authorities refused to allow him to visit his dying mother. Kobra Kamrani passed away yesterday (3 December). Ebrahim, a Christian convert, has been held in detention since 2013. He was...