Iranian Christian woman pleads with UN to help family overturn “false and unjust” spy charges
World Watch Monitor An Iranian Christian woman pleaded with the UN’s Human Rights Council this week to urge Iran to overturn “false and baseless charges” imposed on her father, mother and brother. Dabrina Bet-Tamraz’s parents and brother are appealing against lengthy jail sentences they have received for church-related activities. The appeal by her father, Victor […]
Indian pastor beaten up, then detained, after 11 Hindus convert to Christianity
World Watch Monitor An Indian pastor was beaten up by Hindu nationalists, then arrested by police on 18th June for allegedly forcing some local families in Muzaffarnagar, a city in Uttar Pradesh state, to convert to Christianity, reports The Times of India. Dipender Prakash was reportedly attacked by members of Bajrang Dal, a militant Hindu nationalist […]
Tunisians protest against closure of cafes and restaurants during Ramadan
World Watch Monitor Non-Muslims in Tunisia have taken to the streets during this year’s Ramadan to protest the closure of many cafés and restaurants, saying they can’t be forced to fast, reports the New York Times. Around 100 protestors began Ramadan this year by drinking water and eating sandwiches in central Tunis in the middle of […]
RELIGIOUS CONVERSION: ACADEMIC DISMISSES ASSESSMENT OF RELIGIOUS CONVERSIONS AS GENUINE OR ASYLUM-MOTIVATED AS “NAÏVE”
World Watch Monitor speaks with academic Sara Afshari about cases in which asylum seekers claim conversion to Christianity as a way to stay in the West…
Convert in Sweden tells of ‘nightmares every night’ amid fears of deportation and Iranian jail
World Watch Monitor An asylum-seeker stuck in legal limbo in Sweden has said she has “nightmares every night” that police are following her in order to arrest her and deport her to Iran, where her conversion to Christianity could land her in prison. Aideen Strandsson, 37, who took a Swedish surname when she arrived in […]
Temporary release for one Iranian Christian, court hearings for others
World Watch Monitor An Iranian Christian imprisoned last year for actions against national security has been granted “a few days” leave of absence, according to London-based advocacy organisation Article 18. Sevada Aghaser, a choir leader in an Armenian Orthodox church in the capital Tehran, is serving a five-year sentence in the capital’s notorious Evin Prison following […]
Christian missionaries a ‘threat’ to India’s unity – MP
World Watch Monitor Christian missionaries are a threat to India’s unity, a Hindu-nationalist parliamentarian told reporters on Saturday. “Christian missionaries control the Congress,” said Bharat Singh, an MP for the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). “Sonia Gandhi, the mother of Congress president Rahul Gandhi, works on the directions of these missionaries. These missionaries are a threat for […]
Malaysian Federal Court refuses four people their right to affirm Christian identity
World Watch Monitor Malaysia’s highest court on Tuesday dismissed an appeal against four appellants who wanted to be formally recognised as Christians. The five judges of the Malaysian Federal Court ruled that in matters of conversion away from Islam, it was necessary for them to consult the Islamic Sharia courts. The president of the court, […]
Highest court in Malaysia to hear appeal of Christian converts from Islam
Morning Star News On Monday, the highest court in Malaysia is scheduled to hear the appeal of four people who wish to have their conversions from Islam to Christianity legally recognised. In a country where there is no legal way to leave Islam, the four people are asking the Federal Court to have their names […]
Iranian Christian convert detained since before Christmas
World Watch Monitor Ali Amini, also known as Philip. PICTURE: Article 18 An Iranian convert to Christianity arrested more than two months ago remains in prison in the conservative north-western city of Tabriz, according to rights group Article 18. Ali Amini, known by his friends as Philip, was arrested by revolutionary guards at his workshop in […]