Burmese military cracking down on religious groups in Yangon


A candlelight vigil in Yangon
Photo from AsiaNews

The Burmese military has prohibited Christian and Muslim groups in the city of Yangon from holding prayer meetings in private homes, according to a January 13 report from AsiaNews. The property owners of buildings rented by believers for their worship services were recently handed an order by officials of the Rangoon division Religious Affairs Department, demanding they prohibit these meetings or face the confiscation or closure of their property. Since the government rarely permits religious groups from owning or constructing places of worship, local Christians estimate that the majority of churches will be affected.

Pray for Christ's peace and grace to fill the hearts of Christians affected by these new restrictions. Pray that the bold faith of Christians in Burma will be a light that draws others to Jesus (Matthew 5:14-16).

For more information on the persecution of Christians in Burma, go to the Burma Country Report.

  • Current Ministry Projects

    VOMC partners with a seminary in Myanmar which is committed to teaching foundational Biblical truths and practical ministry opportunities to ensuring that students are well-equipped and prepared for Christian ministry.

    Project Funds: Relief and Development, Equipping the Saints

  • Country Information

    Population
    57,970,293 (2023 est.)

    Ethnicity (%)
    Burman (68), Shan (9), Karen (7), Rakhine (4), Chinese (3), Indian (2), Mon (2), Other (5)

    Religion (%)
    Buddhism (87.9), Christianity (6.2), Islam (4.3), other (1.6)

    Leader
    Prime Minister Min Aund Hlaing (2021)

    Government type
    Military regime

    Legal system
    Mixed legal system of English common law

    Source: CIA World Factbook

  • Pray for Myanmar

    Pray that the newly elected civilian government will respect the religious freedoms of all its citizens – including the followers of Jesus. Ask God to prove Himself victorious over the longstanding abuses in Burma, and to demonstrate His transforming power by bringing many more to salvation. May He bless and multiply the evangelistic efforts of the seminary students and graduates, granting them divine appointments with people who are silently yearning for the truth of the Gospel.

Select a Region

Myanmar News

  • Church Leader Released
    Rev. Dr. Samson
    Reverend Dr. Samson
    Photo: VOMC Contacts
     

    In 2023, Reverend Dr. Hkalam Samson was sentenced to six years in prison under the country's anti-terrorism laws. See this page for an earlier report on the charges against this prominent Christian leader. Although Dr. Samson was released under a general amnesty on April 17th of this year, later that evening, the authorities came to his home and detained him again, allegedly for questioning.

    Read more...

  • Baptist Pastor Killed by Unknown Assailants
    Pastor Nammye Hkun Jaw Li
    Pastor Nammye Hkun Jaw Li
    Photo: Radio Free Asia

    On March 18th, three armed men entered a computer shop run by Pastor Nammye Hkun Jaw Li from his home in Magaung township. There, the men shot the pastor twice in the stomach and, when he did not immediately die, they also shot him in the head. At the time of publishing this report, the identities of the gunmen and the reason for the assassination are not completely evident. The pastor leaves behind a grieving wife and three children.

    Read more...

  • Alleged War Crimes Against Christians
    Senior General Min Aung Hlaing
    Min Aung Hlaing
    Photo: Wikipedia / Mil.ru (cc)
     

    Five Christians, who have been victims of persecution as a result of Myanmar's military dictatorship, recently filed a war crimes complaint in a Philippines court. Although these believers were originally from Chin state, they have emigrated to Australia, Britain, Canada and India. The alleged victims argue that a 2009 Philippine law obligates the country to prosecute war crimes committed elsewhere under the principle of universal jurisdiction.

    Read more...

  • Terrorism Charges Filed Against Detained Church Leader
    Dr. Samson speaking publicly.
    Rev. Dr. Samson
    Photo: VOMC Contacts

    On December 5th, a prominent Christian leader of the Kachin Baptist Convention, Dr. Hkalam Samson, was arbitrarily arrested at the airport as he was boarding a flight to Bangkok for medical treatment. (For details on Dr. Samson's arrest, go to this page.) In the weeks that followed, his concerned family members were forbidden visitation. They were also not allowed to provide the 65-year-old Christian man any food or medication, raising more concerns about his ongoing health needs.

    Read more...

View All

Myanmar Videos

 
Myanmar: Christians Tortured, Oppressed and Attacked
/component/allvideoshare/category/myanmar.htm
 
Myanmar: Wife of Arrested Pastor Talks About Her Ordeal
/component/allvideoshare/category/myanmar.htm
 
Myanmar: Stephen's Story
/component/allvideoshare/category/myanmar.htm