Resources
Assyrian family properties in Syria threatened by illegal seizures
Author: Ahmed Read Jamus
Publication Date: 21/7/2022
Source: Al Monitor
Robbing the property of displaced Syrians has become a systematic action for some influential groups backed by the de facto authorities in northeastern Syria, especially with the spread of corruption within the judicial system of each of the parties to the Syrian conflict.
Regime and opposition trade blame over attack on 'Syrian Hagia Sophia'
Author: William Christou
Publication Date: 26/7/2022
Source: The New Arab
Syrian opposition and regime figures traded accusations over a Sunday attack on a church in Hama, where suicide drones exploded, killing two and injuring 12 attending the church's inauguration day.
Iranian Christian convert fined for “house church” activities
Publication Date: 15/7/2022
Source: Barnabas Aid
An Iranian Christian convert has been fined and received deprivation of social rights for five years for his involvement in setting up “house churches”.
In its verdict announced on 21 May the Civil Court of Bandar Anzali, Gilan Province, northern Iran, ruled that Rahmat Rostamipour, 49, had engaged in “propaganda” by “messaging others about Christianity” and “teaching the religion of Christianity”.
Russia strikes Christian-majority villages in Syria, kills 7
Publication Date: 22/7/2022
Source: Middle East Monitor
Seven civilians, including five children, were killed and 13 others injured when Russian air strikes hit Christian-majority villages in the west of Syria's Idlib province in the early hours of today, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.
Iran’s media campaign against religious minorities continues, U.S. commission says
Author: Mark A. Kellner
Publication Date: 25/7/2022
Source: Washington Times
Iran‘s government is continuing its misinformation campaign against minority religions, the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom said in a new report Monday.
The commission, a nonpartisan body tasked by Congress with reporting on freedom of religion or belief issues abroad, says Iran‘s rulers seek to paint religious minorities as threats to national security rather than engage in theological debates.
Iran Cracks Down on House Churches
Publication Date: 20/7/2022
Source: Persecution - International Christian Concern
In the Muslim-dominated state of Iran, courts have recently targeted four more Christians for house-church activities. One Christian victim is Rahmat Rostamipour. Authorities arrested him in April. During his initial arrest, government agents seized his family’s phones, ID cards, tablets used for school, and other personal belongings. They also interrogated his wife for hours the next day.
Pope Francis discusses ‘survival of Christians in the Middle East’ with Melkite bishops
Author: Courtney Mares
Publication Date: 20/6/2022
Source: Catholic News Agency
Pope Francis discussed the "survival of Christians in the Middle East" with Catholic bishops from Syria and Lebanon at the Vatican on Monday.
The pope met with Patriarch Youssef Absi of Antioch and other representatives of the Melkite Greek Catholic Church as the Eastern church began its synod of bishops, which is taking place in Rome June 20-25.
Lebanon relocates Syrian refugees
Publication Date: 11/7/2022
Source: Mission Network News
Lebanon solidifies plans to rehome thousands of Syrian refugees. Within weeks, officials say they’ll start moving 15,000 refugees back to Syria each month.
The good news is some refugees will bring Jesus back with them. Heart for Lebanon co-founder Tom Atema says, “We’ve been privileged to take five different people groups off the unreached people group list.”
