
Seven arrested in Indonesia for terrorist threats against pope
Counter-terrorism forces in Indonesia arrested seven suspects on terrorism charges before and during Pope Francis’ visit to the country Sept. 3-6, local media outlets reported.

Counter-terrorism forces in Indonesia arrested seven suspects on terrorism charges before and during Pope Francis’ visit to the country Sept. 3-6, local media outlets reported.
Nigeria's socio-religious conflicts have a long and complex history, with numerous factors influencing the current violence. Whatever the cause, it cannot be denied that Christians are being disproportionately affected by the brutal violence that continues to result.
Accused of orchestrating or tolerating attacks on Christians, top representatives of India's RSS went mute. A video of the scene went viral. For India to fulfill its promise in this century, its most influential non-governmental organization must lead by example in transparency, accountability and permitting space for freedom of religion.
Sudan's civil war continues to rage after three years of devastating conflict and Sudan's two million Christians face particular peril. Yet this conflict is largely overlooked compared to other conflict zones. It seems to be a crisis too complex, too distant, and too African to hold the Western gaze. God sees, however, so let us pray for peace in Sudan and protection especially for Jesus' followers among the Sudanese.
Hungarians celebrating a change in government last week reminds us that freedom can be recovered through democratic means and that illiberal systems are reversible and autocratic leaders are removable. Yet for followers of Jesus our hope is not in political change. Freedom is an inner reality that we must cultivate.

A Muslim in Pakistan has abducted and forcibly converted and married a 12-year-old Christian girl after police delayed efforts to recover her, family members said.

Two Christian brothers in Pakistan were arrested and charged with blasphemy on Tuesday (Aug. 27) after they were accused of desecrating pages of the Quran, sources said.

After destroying lands and burning the church building of Protestant Christians in a village in Mexico’s Oaxaca state earlier this month, local tribal leaders notified the government that they will expel them, according to the state secretary of government.

Muslim extremists with swords in eastern Uganda on Monday (Aug. 19) killed a Christian for leading Muslims to Christ, sources said.

Islamist death threats compelled the Supreme Court of Pakistan on Thursday (Aug. 22) to remove part of a ruling recognizing an Ahmadi’s religious freedom, a move that will lead to more persecution of religious minorities, sources said.

A Christian dance group in Barbados remains disqualified for its biblically based performance on gender identity despite an arbiter rescinding his decision to uphold the ban, according to reports.