Edward Ross

Religious Freedom Correspondent

Articles by Edward Ross

17 Dec, 2025 10:53 EST

Middle East Religious Freedom

Unwell convert, other Christians sentenced to prison in Iran

By Edward Ross

A Christian convert who recently fractured her spine after falling from a bunkbed in Iran’s notorious Evin Prison has been sentenced to 17 years in prison on charges related to practicing her faith, according to human rights groups.
5 Dec, 2025 11:55 EST

Asia Religious Freedom

Repression of religion in China more subtle and pervasive, report says

By Edward Ross

Religious repression in China is no longer limited to demolition and closures as the regime has undertaken more subtle and comprehensive means designed to gradually eradicate faith from the country, according to a new report by advocacy group Christian Solidarity Worldwide.
24 Nov, 2025 02:30 EST

Africa Religious Freedom

US congressional panel hears pleas amid growing violence in Nigeria

By Edward Ross

With the U.S. administration threatening to take military action and cut aid over violence against Christians in Nigeria, researchers and rights advocates on Thursday (Nov. 20) provided a U.S. congressional panel with insights on ways forward amid heightened tensions between the two countries.
5 Nov, 2025 14:31 EST

Asia Religious Freedom

Court rules authorities in Malaysia responsible for long missing pastor

By Edward Ross

Malaysia’s High Court ruled on Wednesday (Nov. 5) that the government and police abducted Pastor Raymond Koh, missing since 2017, with prior investigations concluding that authorities likely “disappeared” him as a threat to Islam.
1 Nov, 2025 04:20 EDT

Africa Religious Freedom

Prayer, advocacy heat up for persecuted Nigerian Christians – amid pushback

By Edward Ross

As prayer is focused on the persecuted church this Sunday (Nov. 2) for International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church (IDOP), Christians in Nigeria are being killed daily while pushback grows against assertions that they are suffering genocide.
13 Oct, 2025 09:34 EDT

Africa Religious Freedom

Jihadists in Mozambique kill Christians, burn homes and churches

By Edward Ross

Jihadists with the Islamic State Mozambique Province (ISMP) shot to death or beheaded at least 11 Christians and burned more than 130 homes in northern Mozambique in September, according to terrorism monitors.
3 Oct, 2025 09:16 EDT

Middle East Religious Freedom

Five Christians in Iran sentenced to prison on ‘propaganda’ charges

By Edward Ross

An appeals court in Iran has upheld the prison sentences of five Christian converts convicted of “propaganda” related to their Christian activities, according to organizations monitoring the country.
19 Sep, 2025 13:32 EDT

Asia Religious Freedom

New regulations in China target online religious content

By Edward Ross

China on Monday (Sept. 15) published regulations that forbid online religious content on unapproved platforms and use of the internet to instruct children or form youth groups, among other restrictions.
19 Aug, 2025 09:22 EDT

Africa Religious Freedom

Worldwide campaign set for seven imprisoned Eritrean church leaders

By Edward Ross

In the nearly 21 years since two Orthodox priests were arbitrarily imprisoned in Eritrea, their wives have died.
13 Aug, 2025 12:36 EDT

Asia Religious Freedom

Police disrupt Catholic home worship in northern Vietnam

By Edward Ross

Police in Vietnam on Monday (Aug. 11) cut electricity at a home where a Catholic Mass was underway and raided the service, advocacy group Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) reported.
11 Aug, 2025 12:53 EDT

Asia Religious Freedom

Officials in China intensify persecution of beleaguered church

By Edward Ross

A formerly 1,000-member house church that Chinese officials have ground down to a tiny remnant is facing even great persecution, according to religious rights outlet Bitter Winter.
28 Jul, 2025 12:53 EDT

Africa Religious Freedom

Rebels kill 38 Christians at church vigil in Democratic Republic of Congo

By Edward Ross

Islamic State-backed rebels killed 38 worshippers at a Catholic prayer vigil in northeastern Democratic Republic of Congo at about 1 a.m. on Sunday (June 27) and five other people at a nearby village, according to reports.

Edward Ross

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