Newsfeed
Algeria: Historic church building returned to the EPA
Publication Date: 26/5/2021
Source: Middle East Concern
Algerian Christians rejoice in the return of an appropriated church building in Mostaganem. They ask for continued prayer for the situation of the church in the country.
The church building is one of several historically recognised places of worship taken over by local authorities. The EPA, the umbrella organisation for Protestant Churches in Algeria (Église Protestante d’Algérie) has been requesting the return of these buildings for more than a decade. However, those using the buildings refuse to return them, leading to long-running court cases.
Syria: “A Ten-Year-Long Winter”
Author: Fr. Georges Aboud
Publication Date: 26/5/2021
Source: SSPX News
After 10 years of civil war in Syria, Christians represent only 2% of the population, less than half of those who were there at the start of the conflict. “Ten years ago, on March 15, 2011, the events began in Syria,” Dr. Nabil Antaki writes in the introduction in his Aleppo letter no. 41 of March 15, 2021, published on Facebook by the Aleppo Blue Marists.
An Unwelcome Minority: Threats Facing Christians in the Middle East, Part 2
Publication Date: 21/5/2021
Source: Persecution - International Christian Concern
Christianity in the Middle East in the Modern Day
What Contributes to the Drop in Numbers?
But what of the Christians today? The Christian presence in the Middle East, while long has never enjoyed a majority status, apart from in Lebanon it was once the majority. Even now, although their numbers are declining, they still make up a significant portion of the population and retain significant political power.
Egypt's Coptic Church exercises soft power in Jerusalem
Author: George Mikhail
Publication Date: 7/6/2021
Source: Al-Monitor
Egypt seeks to strengthen its religious influence in the city of Jerusalem through the properties and endowments of the Orthodox Church in Jerusalem, and also to preserve its ownership of the properties.
Egypt is trying to gain influence in Jerusalem through the properties and endowments owned by the Egyptian Coptic Orthodox Church in Jerusalem.
An Egyptian member of parliament recently called on the Egyptian state and Foreign Ministry to assist the Egyptian Coptic Orthodox Church in preserving and benefiting from its properties in Jerusalem. Freddy al-Bayadi told the media May 20 that it was important to support the Egyptian Orthodox Church in this respect.
“The Egyptian Orthodox Church is a national institution. Its ownership of endowments and monasteries in Jerusalem helps consolidate Egyptian influence when it comes to Jerusalem and the Palestinian cause,” he added.
Algeria: Appeal verdict postponed again
Publication Date: 31/5/2021
Source: Middle East Concern
Christians in Algeria request continued prayer for Pastor Rachid Seighir, and his bookshop assistant Nouh Hamami. as the decision in their appeal against proselytising charges has been postponed to 6 June.
After Shutting Down Protestant Churches, Algeria Now Persecuting Individual Christians
Author: Sarah Mae Saliong
Publication Date: 18/5/2021
Source: Persecution - International Christian Concern
Algerian government restrictions on Christians in 2018 began with the closure of 13 churches. Now, all Protestant churches remain closed and individual Christians are bearing the brunt of government persecution.
Three Christians Arrested Under Iran’s Amended Penal Code
Publication Date: 26/5/2021
Source: Persecution - International Christian Concern
Three Christian converts from Fardis were charged on May 5 under Article 500 of the Penal Code, and the first known Christians facing these charges since the amendments in February. Amin Khaki, Milad Goodarzi, and Alireza Nourmohammadi were charged with “engaging in propaganda that educates in a deviant way contrary to the holy religion of Islam”.
Restrictions persist for Moroccan Christians and Shiites
In its annual report on religious freedom in the world for the year 2020, the US State Department asserted that despite the perception of «positive change», Moroccans converted to Christianity and Shiites still faced with challenges and restrictions preventing them from exercising their religion in Morocco.
Syria’s Greek Orthodox celebrate Assad’s victory in presidential election
Publication Date: 28/5/2021
Source: Greek City Times
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad won a fourth term in office with 95.1% of the votes. Following Assad’s victory, Syria’s Greek Orthodox community went to the streets to celebrate.
Iranian Christian Priest: Converts Living a Half-Life in Iran
Author: Maryam Dehkordi
Publication Date: 25/5/2021
Source: IranWire
Reverend Behnam Irani describes himself as a member of the “Church of Iran”. As a Christian convert and ex-Muslim, he was arrested and threatened countless times and faced six years in prison for his peaceful work spreading the gospel inside Iran. Having since left for good in 2016, he told IranWire about the strife his fellow Christians suffer in the country for expressing their faith.
