The inauguration of a place of worship and pilgrimage four years after the papal visit sends a message. Both Christians and Muslims worry about the pontiff's health. A country’s cultural lasting heritage is a treasure that supports the economy. For the patriarch, the secular nature of the state remains a key issue; in the meantime, he appeals for an end to wars and extremist ideologies.
Wanted in India for money laundering, he now can preach in public after a ban imposed five years ago for making incendiary sermons. Malaysian political leaders and human rights activists urge the government to reconsider the decision. His attacks against the believers of other religions risk undermining harmony and coexistence.
In a video that went viral in the state of Chhattisgarh, Aadesh Soni calls on thousands of Hindu nationalists to target Christian women and ‘erase all traces of their faith from the region’. The bishop of Raipur tells AsiaNews: ‘The local government is silent, if anything happens we will hold them responsible’.
The raid by plainclothes agents in the province of Mazandaran dates back to the beginning of the month but only came to light in recent days.
The al-Nuri mosque has been restored to its former glory thanks to the work financed by UNESCO together with the restoration of the Al-Tahera church. A project that lasted seven years, for a total value of over 100 million dollars. The Chaldean archbishop: ‘significant progress in education, healthcare and infrastructure’. The memory of the Pope's visit. For Christians, school and work are a priority.
A woman in Punjab spoke to AsiaNews about her journey and the hardships converts from Islam face. Since she chose to follow Christ, Naseem has endured isolation, death threats, and discrimination. Yet, despite economic obstacles and family objections, her unshakeable faith remains a source of hope. For activist Joseph Janssen, freedom of worship should be exercised without fear of persecution.
The local BJP government wants to implement the contested law that was approved in 1978, but that successive governments had since set aside. On 6 March the discussion in the Legislative Assembly in a state where Christians make up 30% of the population. The Arunachal Christian Forum protests: ‘This law is clearly against us, we demand its withdrawal’.
The authorities have imposed a 200,000 yuan fine on the prelate and threaten to demolish his "illegal” building for refusing to join official bodies and celebrating Mass with 200 worshippers. At Christmas he wrote to the faithful of the diocese inviting them to live the Jubilee of Hope in communion with the universal Church.
The report by Open Doors ranks the country among the top 50 in the world with the most cases of abuse, violence, targeted attacks and murders. The minority is the “most persecuted” and in the last year the phenomenon has increased. Protestant communities and historical groups such as Chaldeans, Armenians and Assyrians are in the crosshairs. The “Grey Wolves” in schools to convey clearly neo-Ottoman programmes.
After last November's knife attack on Fr Lee, Fr Cary Chan of the Holy Spirit Church was targeted this time. A 22-year-old young man with mental and physical problems attacked him and hit him in the face. The priest suffered a haematoma, but still wanted to celebrate Mass. The archdiocese: ‘Remain calm and refrain from speculation’.
Some 18 employees of Andhra Pradesh's main Hindu place of worship have been targeted for transfer to other government offices or voluntary retirement. The new state government is backing identity politics against the previous administration led by a Christian chief minister.
According to a report by HRW, China has imposed stricter travel restrictions on members of the Muslim minority, who can travel only to a limited number of countries. Contact and interaction with activists abroad is prohibited. To obtain an exit visa, it is necessary to provide a “guarantor” or family members are held “hostage” to ensure one’s return.
Archbishop Girelli's visit among the communities that were victims in 2008 of the most serious violence against Christians in India's recent history. "Happy and moved to find myself here praying before the memorial of the martyrs. Witnesses of peace, harmony, faith and love'. A letter to Pope Francis to include Fr Bernard Digal among the martyrs of the 21st century.
A post-earthquake reconstruction project threatens to cause a radical demographic change. The area is located in Hatay province and is the only one left following the forced displacement of residents from the Musa Dagh region in 1915. New housing and shopping centres are planned. New government clampdown on opponents and critics, İmamoğlu also in the crosshairs.
Saudi Arabia will allow foreign capital to invest in Islam’s two holiest cities. Foreigners will be able to buy shares (up to 49 per cent) but direct ownership of real estate is excluded. Jordanian scholar Al Sabaileh told AsiaNews that with Mohammed bin Salman, the country is experiencing a "total change" with the economy dictating foreign and domestic policy choices. Peace with Israel would be a “gigantic step”.
In Fujian, the auxiliary bishop who quit in 2020 over joining government-controlled bodies, celebrated the anniversary of his priestly ordination under residential segregation. Videos sent to AsiaNews by local sources show him meeting the faithful and administering communion through the bars of a gate while the chapel at his residence is sealed.
The ‘Personal Status Law’ approved without a parliamentary vote alarms activists and civil society. The fear of a ‘disintegration’ of the family and a step backwards in the role (and rights) of women. Iraqi scholar Saad Salloum: ‘Barter’ between the three main political forces Shiite, Sunni and Kurdish and linked to the interests of each'. Card. Sako: ‘Shocking’ norm that violates ‘freedom’.
Fr. Karakach reaches out to AsiaNews, sharing that the country still has ‘a long way to go’ to become a true ‘rule of law, stable and democratic state’. Among the positives are an open economy and conflict resolution with neighbours, concerns about ‘political freedom’ and an ‘Islamist’ matrix. Summary executions of at least 35 former Assad officials over the weekend.
A six-fold increase from 2023 amid a growing crackdown that has seen 96 worshippers sentenced. This is what emerges from a study published by activist groups and titled “The Tip of the Iceberg.” Because, in reality, violations of practise of worship are far more widespread than the published data. The role of services and the search for contacts or funds from abroad.
Bastar district village council's act of intolerance is upheld by the local high court following son's appeal for justice. He is not even allowed to bury him in his own land. Archbishop of Raipur: “Endorsement of such acts promotes lawlessness in the country.”
The Chapel of St Therese of the Child Jesus in the village of Chokragaon was set on fire, a few days after the ordination of two local priests. The authorities have opened an investigation. The bishop of Tezpur praises the "intense solidarity" and "unity" among Christians following the incident.
The attack in a settlement in the Bandarban area, south-eastern Bangladesh, while the inhabitants had gone to a Christmas celebration in a church in a nearby village. They had been victims of extortion demands in the past weeks. The incident is part of a long-standing pattern of oppression against the indigenous hill communities in the three hill districts.
The testimony to AsiaNews of Fr. Karakach, who speaks of a ‘very special’ celebration amid ‘reassurances’ from the new authorities and ‘massive security presence’. Compared to the past, there was no sign of celebrations on national TV. In some cities, ‘unpleasant’ episodes such as the burning of a Christmas tree, set up again with the help of Muslims. The Jubilee Year a source of courage.
Card. Sako speakes of Iraqi Christians' preparations for the festivities as they watch events unfold across teh border with trepidation. The threat of a new Isis, and teh need to be ‘prudent’ and evaluating ‘facts’ not speeches. they need for a Syrian state based ‘on citizenship’ and fight against ‘all sectarianism’. The Christmas wish for a document between the Pope and the Shiite leaders of Iran and Iraq on the example of ‘human brotherhood’.
Increasingly, to crush house churches, Protestant communities independent of government-controlled bodies, the authorities are turning to charges of financial wrongdoings over tithes. Christian pastors, lawyers and faithful issued an appeal on behalf of the Linfen community hit by arrests. In their view, giving one’s “money to serve God, supporting church needs and caring for the poor” does not violate any law.
In Damascus, threatening words against the Christian minority are spotted in a car. In Hama, someone using a Kalashnikov fired at the Greek Orthodox archbishopric. In a Christian village, a couple was killed during a "burglary" that ended with the man being beheaded. Source tells AsiaNews that Greek Orthodox are targeted because they are considered close to the Russians. Trappist nuns of A'zer note that in their area there is respect, but warn that releasing common criminals has created problems. Bishop Mourad: Beware of news on social media.
Seven Protestants accused of 'forced conversions' at a house celebration. The Bishop of Lucknow: 'Even obtaining bail is difficult. Nearly 700 incidents of violence against Christians already reported in 2024'. Fr Mathew: "In Chattisgarh, Christians evicted from their villages will spend Christmas Eve without a roof over their heads".
Aleppo's parish priests sits down with AsiaNews: in some cases women are asked to wear the veil or drivers to remove symbols such as the cross, but there are also examples of solidarity. And calls from Muslims to rebuild the nation ‘together’. The call for a ‘democratic and civil state’ in which all ‘citizens’ have equal ‘rights and duties’.
After lengthy debates, the Žogorku Keneš has approved at first reading a measure that, in the name of the fight against extremism, has aroused not a few perplexities within the religious communities. Among the new provisions is a ban on missionaries of any denomination going around preaching in homes according to their own inspiration. And in religious training institutes, students who have not completed 11 classes of compulsory schooling may not be accepted.
In an exclusive sit down with AsiaNews, Prof. Saad Salloum draws a parallel between the overthrow of the Rais in Iraq and the flight of the Syrian dictator. In both cases it took 13 years for their ouster to ‘drain’ the resources around the leader. Baghdad must ‘take tangible measures to ensure the recovery of the new Syria’ starting with the fight against drugs. Limit the role of Turkey and Iran, set up a reconstruction fund.
