by CFI Field Staff on July 24, 2012
CFI has received reported of some of the latest persecution, which includes physical assaults, property seizures, and arson, against the Christian community in Egypt.
Last week, a Christian man, Hany Abdo Stephanos, was attacked by armed Muslims in the province of Giza. The men forced Stephanos and his family from their home, then seized their land and looted Stephanos’ store.
In another incident, a Christian lawyer, Magda Najib, was attacked by Muslim extremists, who destroyed her car and set her home on fire before attempting to murder her.
Several Christian… Read more
by CFI Field Staff on July 17, 2012
A CFI-supported church in Orissa, India continues to grow, despite the ongoing persecution and hardship suffered by its members. “By God’s grace, we arranged one more water baptism,” said CFI’s Orissa co-worker in a recent report. “Thank God day by day, the believers for His kingdom…are increasing. Of course, it’s hard and many problems rise up when we plan for and arrange for baptism programs, but thank God He is able and makes everything possible for His people. Keep praying for these new believers and newcomers to the Church.”
CFI’s… Read more
by CFI Field Staff on July 16, 2012
Christian Freedom International (CFI), a Michigan-based nonprofit organization that assists persecuted Christians around the world, is voicing concerns about the Melinda Gates Family Planning Summit that was recently held in London, England.
The summit, which was hosted by the UN Population Fund and the International Planned Parenthood Federation in addition to The Gates Foundation, was reportedly organized for the purpose of raising more than $4.3 billion for family planning services for women in Africa and Southeast Asia. But opponents of the summit, including pro-life organizations and the human rights group… Read more
by CFI Field Staff on July 11, 2012
Thoelay Tana is in trouble today.
This promising young Bible school student, one of CFI’s finest, has been checked into a hospital in Chiang Mai, after initially complaining of painful lumps in his neck. When doctors at a local clinic were unable to determine the source of the problem, Thoelay was simply given some aspirin for the pain and sent home. Since then, however, the lumps have continued to grow, and when the pain spread into his lower back and kidney area, Thoelay was finally checked into the hospital.
Tests… Read more
by CFI Field Staff on
Ghulam Abbas, a mentally unstable homeless man, was brutally murdered outside a police station in the Punjab Province in Pakistan last week, for allegedly committing blasphemy by burning the pages of the Quran.
After receiving a complaint about the incident, authorities arrested Abbas and brought him to the local police station to be detained. But when a few religious leaders announced over the station’s loudspeakers that a man had committed blasphemy, a mob began gathering outside the station and demanded that Abbas be handed over. The angry crowd of more… Read more
by CFI Field Staff on July 10, 2012
In 2010, a series of powerful protests spread like wildfire throughout the Middle East, in a movement that soon became known as the Arab Spring Revolution. Tragically, while the Revolution symbolized freedom and new opportunities for some, it also ushered in a new era of strife and religious persecution for others.
CFI has spent the past two years highlighting the growing injustice and discrimination against Christians in many Arab Spring nations — particularly Egypt, where followers of Christ are now routinely subject to intimidation, fear, harassment, and violence. In the… Read more
by CFI Field Staff on July 9, 2012
Christians in several neighborhoods in Karachi, Pakistan are facing a surge in persecution, where criminals are threatening to kidnap their family members if they fail to pay demanded extortion money. According to a CFI contact in Karachi, Pakistan, the criminals have also shot at the homes of those who have not paid the funds.
Local police are known to accept bribes from the extortionists that have been harassing these Christians; for that reason, many of these victims – even those who paid the extortion money – have been unable to… Read more
by CFI Field Staff on July 6, 2012
A cyclone has caused tremendous destruction in Orissa, India, where many Christians are suffering the loss of homes and personal property, as well as their beloved church building.
CFI’s co-worker in India has reported that the cyclone was responsible for severe damage to a church in one remote village in Orissa. Winds and heavy rain destroyed the building’s roof and flooded the interior, making it impossible for the congregation to hold its Sunday service. And because of the anti-Christian hostility of local Hindus, it will be difficult for the congregation… Read more
by CFI Field Staff on July 5, 2012
Tragically, more Christians have become the recent victims of kidnapping and violence in Egypt.
In Bulaq Dakrur, in the province of Giza, 23-year-old Basem Abdul Rahman, a Muslim man, abducted Marina Melk Fouad, a 14-year-old year old Christian girl.
In another incident, in the village of Sheikh Alam of the Sohag province, a Muslim mob attacked local Christians, killing 4-year-old Mehraúal Sameh Attia. According to CFI’s Egyptian co-worker, the violence has created a situation of panic and fear among the Christians in this village.
Coptic Christians continue to endure persecution… Read more
by CFI Field Staff on July 3, 2012
CFI recently reported on a difficult situation involving the wife of Bakar, our co-worker in Bangladesh. Bakar’s wife had been suffering from chicken pox, and was in danger of losing their unborn child because of her illness.
We are pleased to report that she has completely recovered from chicken pox; however, doctors cannot confirm whether her recent illness has caused any damage to the baby’s health. Right now, all they can do is wait for further developments, or until the child is born, to learn whether there are any severe… Read more
