03.02.2024

India: Please pray for Ayatu Ram Podiyami and his family

Today we pray the hope and encouragement of this verse over a Christian family in India’s Chhattisgarh State. 

ChinaAid: 2023 Annual Report released

China Aid Association releases its Annual Persecution Report for 2023, charting the trends and major cases of Chinese Communist Party persecution of Christians. 

US: Knox Thames Launches Christians Against All Persecution Network

Two remain in critical condition following deadly YWAM bus accident

Two key mission leaders remain in critical condition following a tragic bus accident that claimed the lives of 11 Youth With A Mission or YWAM workers in Tanzania.

Building the Church in Iran is an “exciting harvest”

Bible translation builds up the Church in a Middle Eastern nation that is full of more gospel hope and good news than you might think.

Islamic Extremists in Indonesia Targeting Youth, Women

‘Active intolerant’ teenagers increasing, official says.

Israel: Hope fades as Rafah invasion looms

U.S. President Biden recently voiced his hope for a Gaza ceasefire deal by Monday, but one Israeli official tells The Washington Post, “There is no deal” while Hamas officials say gaps remain in the ceasefire proposal.

The Gospel: a revolutionary message in Yemen

Houthi attacks on cargo ships in the Red Sea have put Yemen in the crosshairs of Western forces.

Ominous New Decree 95 Confirms Vietnam’s Intent to Control Religion

Shutting down churches will be easier, raising and receiving funds much harder.

UN Sanctions Rebel Leaders in DRC as Violence Continues

The United Nations Security Council has sanctioned the leaders of five armed rebel groups, according to a statement made Tuesday by Ambassador Robert Wood, the deputy permanent representative of the United States to the UN.

Jailed Pakistani Believer Set Free after False Blasphemy Charge

Over the last two weeks, a case played out that, at first, might sound all too familiar to anyone following the struggle facing Christians in Pakistan. 

Terrorists Kill 23 in 3-Day String of Attacks in Nigeria

“There is tension now in my village. We are killed because of our faith in Jesus.”

Burmese Military Junta Begins Conscription Amid Military Woes

Burma’s military government announced this week that it would begin a national conscription amid high-profile losses in its war against the various ethnic militias resisting its authoritarian rule. 

Pakistan: Acquittal Gives Christian Hope for 2nd Blasphemy Case

Judge cites double jeopardy.

USCIRF News Digest - February 27, 2024

Ministry among the displaced in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

Conflicts in the city of Sake in the DRC’s North Kivu province have displaced 144,000 people since February 7. 

Iraq to close all IDP camps by July 30

Religious minorities voice concern as Iraq’s government threatens to close all of the Internally Displaced Persons or IDP camps by July 30, 2024.

No Country Is Safe: Life as a Somali Christian  

Often cited as the world's best example of a “failed state,” Somalia has for several decades suffered from lawlessness and deprivation. 

Pastor in Nepal Seeks to Change Prison Term into Fine

Order of incarceration issued more than a month ago.

Why Iran opposes Israel and wants to eradicate Christianity

As the conflict between nations and paramilitary groups in the Middle East continues to surge, we need to remember these hostilities are not new developments.

Stay or go? Palestinian Christians face a difficult choice

Nearly five months after Hamas attacked Israel, peace and security are still out of reach. And the small number of Christians across Israel and Palestine have fallen.

Christian Jailed in Pakistan Despite another’s Blasphemy Confession

Catholic father still incarcerated after six months on false charge, sources say.