Five Iranian Christians were recently sentenced to a combined 55 years in prison. All of them have been imprisoned because of their Christian faith. Although the sentences were issued on October 21st, the believers only learned of them within the past two weeks.
Important Update: A recently released report has provided further information regarding the death of Pastor Kamran Salamat. Authorities have since filed charges against the church leader's wife, Salmina, along with a Muslim man named Najam Ul Saqib, for apparently conspiring together to kill Pastor Kamran. Najam has also been accused of hiring contract killers to carry out the assassination. While the motives behind this tragic incident appear to have changed, one fact remains: a devoted servant of God has been killed, and all those who knew and loved him continue to need prayer.
Pastor Kamran Salamat was widely respected for his ministry work and commitment to promoting interfaith peace. He served as pastor of a church in Islamabad, where he ministered faithfully and advocated for the rights of Christians in Pakistan. As a result of his ministry activities, Pastor Kamran was violently attacked in September and shot in the leg, leaving him seriously injured.
Christians in Nicaragua have been subjected to various forms of oppression and violence by the Sandinista government. In the summer of 2024, many religious leaders were arrested or deported, and numerous faith-based organizations were forcibly shut down. (To review previously published reports addressing the challenges believers are facing in this Central American nation, visit this page.)
In mid-December, a report was released raising concerns about Bill C-9, which is currently being deliberated by members of the Canadian Parliament. (Read more details.) In a recently published audio podcast, VOMC's Greg Musselman interviews CEO Floyd Brobbel to discuss how this bill may affect faith communities across the country. To listen to this informative Closer to the Fire episode, and access other available podcasts, go to BluBrry.com/CTTF.
