Tags

Martyrdom

  • Legislator Issues Bounties on Evangelists' Lives

    Village homes are scattered across a forested hillside.
    A village in Maharashtra
    Photo: Wikimedia / Nikhil More (cc)

    A legislator in India's Maharashtra state has publicly announced the issuance of bounties on the lives of Christians who visit villages for the purpose of proselytization. In a speech that he made on June 17th, Gopichand Padalkar offered rewards ranging from 300,000 rupees (about $4,800 CAD) for assaulting a Gospel worker to over one million rupees (approximately $17,500 CAD) for killing a pastor. The legislator's remarks were made in retaliation, following the suicide of a young woman who had allegedly been pressured by her in-laws to pay a customary dowry and adhere to the family's belief in Christianity.

  • SPECIAL MEDIA PRESENTATION

    Rev. Joseph John Hayab is praying in a video preview.
    View this inspiring call to prayer.

    The Voice of the Martyrs Canada production team has filmed on location in Nigeria a special two-part "Persecution & Prayer Alert" video series. We invite you to view this presentation, and then join us in prayer for our persecuted Nigerian brothers and sisters in Christ who are – with God's empowerment and the prayers of His people – resiliently overcoming intense persecution in this beleaguered nation.

  • Evangelist Martyred for Sharing the Gospel

    Ibrahim Mohammed's face is pixelated to obscure his identity. He is standing in front of his home.
    Ibrahim Mohammed
    Photo: Steadfast Global

    Ibrahim Mohammed became a follower of Jesus in 2021 and immediately began sharing the "Good News" of the Gospel with others in his predominantly Muslim community. Within the span of one year, he led 80 people to Christ in the Oromia region of Ethiopia. Since then, the passionate evangelist has devoted himself to discipling these new believers. As a result of his Christian witness, Ibrahim began receiving death threats from local Islamic militants.

  • Young Boy Dies Following Tragic Bullying Incident

    A young boy is walking down a path surrounded by dense greenery. He is mostly silhouetted by the sunset shining between the trees.
     

    An eight-year-old boy, referred to as "KB" in Indonesia's local news reports, tragically died following a severe beating he received from a group of older male students at a school in Pangkalan Kasai, a village located within the province of Riau. According to various sources, the incident occurred because the boy was a Christian and belonged to a different ethnic group.

  • Ongoing Suffering of Nigerian Christians

    Church members are sitting outside.
    A church gathering in Nigeria.
    Photo: VOMC

    Attacks on Christian communities in Nigeria have continued unabated over the years, resulting in even more recently reported cases involving casualties and horrific trauma. Not only were these recent attacks the cause of death for several innocent victims, they have also been the source of physical wounding and emotional trauma for many survivors whose suffering has been further compounded by the devastating loss of loved ones and the destruction of community homes.

  • Christians Targeted in Easter Monday Attack

    Church members are seated on cinder blocks in a burned out church.
    A burned church from a previous attack.
    Photo: Flickr / Mike Blyth (cc)

    In a devastating attack on April 21st, six people were killed and as many as 30 injured when a truck rammed into a crowd of believers who had been taking part in an Easter procession along the streets of Billiri in Gombe state. Though initially reported as an unfortunate accident, a government-appointed committee has since determined that the incident was a deliberate attack on the Christians participating in this year's Easter celebrations.

  • Released Murderer Receives a Hero's Welcome

    An illustration of Graham Staines and his boys. All three are smiling.
    Graham Staines with sons Philip and Timothy.
    Photo: VOM USA

    On January 23rd, 1999, Australian missionary Graham Staines, along with his two young sons Philip and Timothy, were burned to death by Hindu nationalist militants. Initially, authorities denied that the assailants had any connection to the Hindu nationalist group, Bajrang Dal, though such ties were later substantiated. While 14 men had been arrested in connection with the incident, 12 of the perpetrators were acquitted due to lack of evidence. The other two men, Mahendra Hembram and Dara Singh, were convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment.

  • More Than 100 Christians Killed in Recent Attacks

    Buildings show significant damage.
    Believers in Nigeria face constant threats.
    Photo: VOMC

    In central Nigeria, Plateau State has been a hotspot for significant violence from militant groups during recent years. Over the past month, as many as 130 Christians have died in various attacks within the state. In each case, the violence has been attributed to groups of Fulani militants.

  • Guilty Verdict for Christian's Killer

    Farhan is sitting on some steps.
    Slain victim: Farhan Ul Qamar
    Photo: Morning Star News

    On November 9th, 2023, a follower of Jesus named Farhan Ul Qamar was killed in his family's home by a man who is well-known in the community for his hatred towards Christians and Jews. It is believed that the violence may have been instigated by a minor disagreement that took place the day before the attack. (For more details on the incident, see this report.)

  • Numerous Recent Atrocities in Chibok Area

    Men with covered faces are holding large firearms.
    Boko Haram terrorists.

    In the latest onslaught of violence by Boko Haram terrorists, Christian communities near Chibok, Borno State, were recently targeted by a string of coordinated attacks. The devastating raids resulted in several deaths, the destruction of dozens of homes, and the forced displacement of more than 4,000 followers of Jesus.