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Discrimination

  • Church Services Restricted to Pastor's Family
    A woman is raising her hands in worship.
    Photo: VOMC 

    In July, a complaint against the Jesus Jeewamanai Revival Church in Polgahawela was issued by some villagers and Buddhist leaders who opposed the worship services that were taking place at the pastor's home. In response, police requested that the church restrict the number of people attending the gatherings, particularly by limiting participants who were visiting from outside of the community, until guidance was received from the authorities on how to handle the situation. For more information about this incident, go to this report.

  • Islamist Commander Confiscates Land of Christians
    A farmer is checking his tomato plants.
    A farmer in Syria.
    Photo: UN Development Programme (cc)

    The Syrian city of Ras al-Ein, which happens to be located along the country's border with Türkiye, is currently under the control of a coalition of Islamist militias associated with the Turkish-backed rebel group, the Syrian National Army (SNA). In June 2024, a SNA commander named Abdulaziz Al-Sawadi visited the St. Thomas Syriac Orthodox Church in Ras al-Ein and expressed his commitment to develop a positive relationship with the small number of Christians remaining in the area. During his visit, the commander also vowed to provide the believers protection.

  • Family of Deceased Pastor Forcibly Converted to Hinduism
    A group of people are standing in a cemetery.
     

    Pastor Manju, an outspoken leader and prominent advocate for Christian rights in India, pastored churches in two different villages within Chhattisgarh State. Sadly, Pastor Manju suffered a heart attack on August 28th and suddenly passed away, leaving his surviving wife, daughter and two sons grief-stricken and in a state of shock.

  • Thousands of Churches Face Closures
    President Kagame is standing at a podium.
    Rwandan President Paul Kagame
    Photo: World Travel & Tourism Council (cc)

    In 2018, the Rwandan government introduced legislation requiring churches to comply with new regulations. At the time, more than 7,000 churches were closed due to alleged health, safety and noise issues. Other restrictions banned pastors from encouraging long fasts, mandated increased financial disclosure, and required church leaders to hold a degree in theology. While thousands of churches were closed at the time, other congregations were given five years to comply with the demands.

  • Christians Face Expulsion and Extensive Property Loss
    People are holding a sign at a protest. The sign when translated reads, "Stop the persecution of the Christian church. Peace for evangelicals also to religious intolerance. A municipality without Evangelical persecution of San Juan Lalana Mexico from Christian persecution. Freedom for the Christian church of San Juan Lalana."
    Evangelicals protesting in Oaxaca.
    Photo: CSW
     

    In November 2023, community leaders of San Isidro Arenal, a town located within Oaxaca State, mandated that Roman Catholicism will be the only religion permitted in their community. Following this decision, 13 evangelical families began to experience threats and violence from those opposing them. A month later, three of the families were forcibly expelled and took refuge in the Playa Vicente Municipality of Veracruz State.

  • Church Building Pelted with Stones; Worshippers Restricted Access
    Christians are seated on floor mats as they pray together. Two women are in the foreground.
    A group of Christians praying together.
    Photo: VOMC
     

    The Jesus Jeewamanai Revival Church in the town of Polgahawela has been the target of attacks perpetrated by disgruntled members of the community who oppose their place of worship. On July 7th and 11th, stones were thrown at the church building. Then, on July 14th, before the Christians' Sunday services were scheduled to begin, villagers blocked the road leading to the building in order to prevent the congregants and their pastor from accessing the facility.

  • Church Buildings Demolished Without Warning
    A bulldozer is destroying a building.
    The demolition of a Council of Churches Baptist building.
    Photo: Baptist Council of Churches

    As the members of a Baptist church in the city of Urgench began to increase in numbers, they soon found themselves exceeding the capacity of their worship facility. To accommodate the growth, the congregation purchased a plot of land and began to construct a new church building. They had received all the necessary building permits to do so, and other developments were being built around them in various parts of the same vicinity.

  • Christians Await Justice One Year After Jaranwala Riots
    Furniture and possessions are strewn on a street. Some of them are burning.
    The riots in 2023.
    Photo: Morning Star News

    On August 16th, 2023, thousands of people stormed the streets of Jaranwala in Punjab, angered by allegations of blasphemy against two Christian brothers. Due to the frenzied nature of the mob's multiple attacks, numbers vary widely; but at least 26 church buildings were destroyed, along with hundreds of Christian homes. For more details, along with video footage of the destruction, go to this report.

  • Pastor John Cao Blocked from Leaving China
    John Cao is holding up a sign with Chinese lettering.
    Pastor John Cao holds a sign that reads: "I am a Chinese
    citizen, and I love my country, but I don't have an ID card." 
    Photo: ChinaAid

    After serving seven years in a Chinese prison, Pastor John Cao was finally released on March 4th of this year (see this page). Despite his release from custody, the Christian leader is not truly free, as the authorities are refusing to give him an ID card and passport. According to Todd Nettleton from the Voice of the Martyrs USA, an ID card is required for most transactions in China – whether it involves travel or making a doctor's appointment. "You can be arrested if the police ask you for an ID card and you don't have one," he explains.

  • Church Building Burned Down
    Believers are gathered in the shell of a burned out church.
    One of the many churches that have
    been destroyed by fire in Nigeria.
    Photo: VOMC

    During the early morning hours of August 10th, the building of the Redeemed Christian Church of God in Kontagora was burned to the ground. Residents in the area reported that they witnessed a group of men loot the church building before setting it on fire. This is the second time that the church facility has been destroyed and, on both occasions, militant Muslim activists are believed to have been responsible.