Newsfeed
‘Now there is no one’: The lament of one of the last Christians in a Syrian city
Author: Hwaida Saad, Ben Hubbard
Publication Date: 24/1/2022
Source: New York Times
On Christmas Day, Michel Butros al-Jisri, one of the last Christians in the Syrian city of Idlib, didn’t attend services, because the Islamic rebels who control the area had long since locked up the church. Nor did he gather with friends and relatives to celebrate around a tree because nearly all of his fellow Christians have either died or fled during Syria’s 10-year civil war.
Iran Christian prisoners get rare 10-day holiday leave
Publication Date: 26/12/2021
Source: Al Arabiya News
The head of Iran's judiciary on Sunday granted Christian prisoners 10 days' liberty to spend the holidays with families, in a rare move towards the minority community.
Gholam Hossein Mohseni Ejei instructed authorities across the country to issue the dispensation, according to the judiciary's Mizan Online website.
Syria: Christians in Aleppo mobilizing for the poorest
Publication Date: 27/12/2021
Source: Vatican News
In many parishes in Aleppo, Christians of different denominations have organized themselves so that no one is left behind. The solidarity of Christian communities allows thousands of people to survive and regain some hope.
Syria’s IDPs Live Amidst Ancient Christian Sites
Publication Date: 30/12/2021
Source: Persecution - International Christian Concern
The historic Christian ruins of Sarjableh and Babisqa are now home to some of Syria’s internally displaced persons. There are some 2.8 million displaced people in northwest Syria, with only 1.7 million of them in sites for IDPs. Families who struggle to locate places to live utilize historic Christian sites, once attractions to locals and tourists, to set up their tents.
Christians pick up the pieces in war-torn Syria
Author: Ben Joseph
Publication Date: 18/1/2022
Source: UCA News
Christians in Syria have been enduring an 11-year war compounded by migration, misery, sanctions, blockades, death and indifference. Their churches have been damaged, looted or even bombed, but they are picking up the pieces to restart religious life in the war-torn Middle Eastern nation.
Islam, Christianity Alike in Essence: Iranian President
Publication Date: 25/12/2021
Source: Tasnim News Agency
There is no difference between the true core of Islam and Christianity, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi said, hoping that all Christians would grasp the opportunity to follow the teachings of Jesus Christ (PBUH).
Religious minorities in Iran worship freely
Publication Date: 16/1/2022
Source: Anadolu Agency
The narrow, winding lanes of the Jolfa neighborhood in Iran's central Isfahan province, along the southern bank of Zayandeh-Rud River, are still basking in the ambiance of Christmas and New Year’s celebrations.
From Iran, a glimmer of hope to start the year
Author: Ellis Heasley
Publication Date: 10/1/2022
Source: Sight Magazine
The festive season in Iran can often be a time of anxiety and caution for many of the country’s Christians, and especially for Christian converts. In recent years, the government has conducted annual raids, described ironically as a “Christmas present”, and has used the period as an opportunity to arrest, imprison or sentence Christians during a time of celebration.
Iran frees nine Christian convicted of anti-state activities
Publication Date: 11/01/2022
Source: Asia News
This is a positive sign even though Rev Matthias Abdulreza Ali Haghnejad and eight members of the Church of Iran still face a review of their trial. For religious advocacy group, the charges are unfounded; those involved simply exercised their right to freedom of worship. A number of Christian inmates enjoy a 10-day leave at Christmas.
Nine Iranian Christians released from jail
Author: Ben Zion Gad
Publication Date: 5/1/2022
Source: The Jerusalem Post
Pastor Matthias Abdulreza Ali Haghnejad from the Church of Iran was initially sentenced to five years in prison – along with eight other members of the church.
A church leader in Iran was among nine Christians released from Iranian prison within the last week. The release is pending a review of their sentences.
