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SermonWave World News

Thursday, November 12, 2026 Updated 5:56 PM Central Time 457 stories

Reported in العربية

Stories first published in العربية, summarized in your language.

Good news

Vatican Aid Reaches War-Torn Ukraine Through Charitable Mission

ACI MENA Ukraine

Archbishop Louis-Marie Martin, head of the Vatican charity department, delivered humanitarian aid to Ukraine in November 2026. Accompanied by Vatican officials, he visited twelve charitable institutions across Kyiv, Zaporizhzhia, Brovary, Poltava, and Vastiv. The mission provided winter supplies and food to displaced persons and those affected by the conflict. The team traveled approximately 2,800 kilometers to support communities, including distributing bread to thousands in Zaporizhzhia near the front lines. The effort followed a donation campaign that prepared 600 aid boxes, demonstrating the Pope's concern for the suffering population.

Translated from العربية

Persecuted church

King Abdullah II Emphasizes Water Security and Counter-Terrorism in Throne Speech

ammonnews.net Jordan

Jordanian King Abdullah II delivered his annual throne speech to parliament, highlighting national security priorities. He referenced a recent terrorist attack on a church in a village in Karak to underscore the ongoing threat of extremism. The King also identified Israeli expansionist policies as a major strategic risk to the region. A key focus was water security, with the monarch repeating the word 'water' three times to stress its critical importance for national stability. He urged the government and parliament to address these challenges through effective governance, infrastructure projects like the National Water Carrier, and internal unity to protect Jordan's future.

Translated from العربيةAlso reported by 1 other outlet

Persecuted church

Vandalism Targets Maronite Prayer Hall in Nahariya, Israel

ACI MENA Israel

Unknown assailants vandalized a Maronite prayer hall in Nahariya, Israel, on November 2, 2026. The Maronite Eparchy of Haifa and the Greek Catholic Eparchy of Haifa, Acre, Nazareth, and all of Galilee condemned the attack. They demanded immediate police investigation and justice for the perpetrators. The churches stated that targeting worship spaces violates religious freedom and human dignity. This incident follows recent attacks on Christians in the Holy Land, including damage to a church in Iqrit and violence in Tuba. The communities remain committed to continuing their prayers despite the threats.

Translated from العربية

Good news

Vatican official notes rise in young and lay candidates for sainthood

Vatican News (Arabic)

Father Boguslaw Torik, deputy secretary of the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints, told Vatican News that requests for beatification are increasing among young people, laypersons, and families. He stated this trend reflects a deeper awareness of the universal call to holiness. Significant activity is noted in Africa, Latin America, and Poland, where over one hundred causes are pending. Torik highlighted figures like Carlo Acutis and emphasized that sanctity is lived in daily life and work. He also addressed martyrdom, citing Italian judge Rosario Livatino, and affirmed that the Church's holiness is seen through its members' concrete choices.

Translated from العربية

Persecuted church

King Emphasizes Security Red Line After Church Attack

jo24.net Jordan

The King delivered a Throne Speech addressing the recent terrorist attack on a church in a southern city. The address aimed to reassure citizens and deter external threats by declaring national security a red line. The King condemned the perpetrators as outsiders, reinforcing social unity and rejecting extremist narratives. He pledged state accountability for the victims' families and urged the parliament to support the government during this crisis. The speech highlighted the nation's historical resilience and called for collective vigilance to prevent internal division, framing national unity as a key defense against terrorism.

Translated from العربية

Persecuted church

Jordanian King Condemns Church Attack and Rejects Terrorism

emaratalyoum.com Jordan

The King of Jordan addressed parliament, condemning a deadly attack on a church in a southern city that killed nine people. He stated that terrorists have no place in the nation and that the perpetrators betrayed the national family. The King vowed that the state will resist any attempt to undermine stability or threaten national security. He also linked regional peace to Palestinian rights and warned against expansionist ambitions in the area. The assault highlighted the need for unity against violence, as the government reaffirmed its commitment to protecting citizens and maintaining order amidst regional tensions.

Translated from العربيةAlso reported by 3 outlets

Persecuted church

Community in Austria Mourns Church Attack Victims in Jordan

ammonnews.net Jordan

Members of a Jordanian community in a city in Austria organized a mourning council to honor victims of a terrorist attack on a church in a village in northern Jordan. Participants stated the event expressed solidarity with the victims' families and the local community. The group emphasized that the attack contradicts long-standing traditions of coexistence and mutual respect between Muslims and Christians in that region. They described the violence as an intrusion by extremist ideas aimed at sowing discord, reaffirming their commitment to national unity and human dignity.

Translated from العربيةAlso reported by 1 other outlet

Persecuted church

Senator Vows National Unity After Church Attack

alanbatnews.net Jordan

A senior senator affirmed that the nation remains resilient against terrorism following a deadly attack on a church in a southern region. The incident killed nine people and targeted Muslim-Christian coexistence. The senator stated that the country's security and national unity are non-negotiable red lines, protected by the armed forces and security agencies. He emphasized that the attack failed to divide citizens, who remain united under royal leadership. Additionally, he highlighted ongoing parliamentary efforts to support political and economic reforms, ensure water security, and advance the Palestinian cause as essential for regional stability.

Translated from العربية

Persecuted church

Israeli forces withdraw from Hebron after ten-day military operation

alquds.com Palestinian Territories

The Hebron governor announced the complete withdrawal of Israeli troops from the West Bank city on Monday, ending a ten-day siege that began on October 23. The military campaign, launched in response to a shooting that killed two soldiers, resulted in widespread destruction of homes and infrastructure. Official figures indicate that over 3,300 residents were displaced or directly affected, with fifteen buildings demolished. Economic losses are estimated at approximately 3.8 million dollars daily due to halted commerce. Civil defense authorities have warned citizens about structural dangers in damaged buildings, while local groups assist displaced families with temporary housing. The withdrawal follows internal government deliberations, though officials warned of future operations.

Translated from العربية

Persecuted church

Jordanian Senator Says Kingdom Remains Resilient Against Attackers

maqar.com Jordan

A senior senator stated that the King’s speech emphasized the nation’s resilience against aggressors. He highlighted the loyalty of the military and security forces in protecting the country. The senator also addressed a terrorist attack on a church in a southern city, which killed nine people. He condemned the perpetrators linked to ISIS and affirmed that the attack failed to divide Muslims and Christians. The senator noted that the tragedy strengthened national unity and loyalty to the leadership, vowing to punish those who betrayed the country.

Translated from العربية

Persecuted church

Official and public response defeats terrorism after church attack

ammonnews.net Jordan

Following a terrorist attack on a church in a region of Jordan, the King visited victims and ordered a strategic review of counter-terrorism measures. The article by the president of the national news agency states that the swift official reaction and widespread public solidarity defeated the attackers' goal of causing division. Muslims and Christians united in mourning, demonstrating resilience and shared national identity. The author argues that this unity proves terrorism failed to incite hatred or revenge, urging a focus on ideological and educational countermeasures alongside security actions to protect civil peace.

Translated from العربيةAlso reported by 1 other outlet

Persecuted church

Kenyan cult leader sentenced to 200 years for starvation deaths

nile.eg Kenya

A Kenyan court has sentenced Paul McKenzie, founder of the International Gospel Church, to 200 years in prison for the deaths of 191 people, mostly children. The convictions stem from forced starvation and abuse in the Shakahola forest, where followers were isolated under the belief that the world would end in August 2023. According to CNN and local reports, McKenzie used religious teachings to compel fasting, prioritizing the deaths of children and women. Guards prevented escape, and digital evidence linked the leader to the victims before the tragedy occurred in Kenya.

Translated from العربيةAlso reported by 64 outlets

Persecuted church

Jordan King Addresses Church Attack and Israeli Threats in Throne Speech

alquds.co.uk Jordan

The King of Jordan delivered a throne speech to parliament, highlighting a recent terrorist attack at a church in a southern city. He called for a moment of silence for the victims and pledged that the state would stand against terrorism. The King also addressed Israel directly, describing its ambitions as illusions and emphasizing that regional stability requires fulfilling Palestinian rights. He reaffirmed Jordan's commitment to Arab identity and support for Gaza, while noting the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the region. The speech underscored the continuity of leadership from his father to the crown prince.

Translated from العربية

Persecuted church

Jordanian King's Visit Boosts National Unity After Church Attack

sarayanews.com Jordan

Following an attack on a church in a village in the Karak Governorate of Jordan, King Abdullah II visited the victims to promote national cohesion. The royal visit aimed to reassure believers and strengthen social unity in the wake of the violence. Digital analysis conducted by the monitoring outlet highlighted the significance of the monarch's intervention in supporting the local Christian community and fostering a sense of security among the affected families.

Translated from العربية

Persecuted church

Study links online hate speech to Jordan church attack

aljazeera.net Jordan

A report by a Jordanian policy institute analyzed global digital reactions to a recent church attack in a specific district of Jordan. The study identified over 10 million interactions across multiple languages, highlighting significant content from accounts claiming an Israeli location targeting Spanish-speaking audiences. Researchers noted efforts by right-wing groups to reframe the crime as anti-Muslim sentiment by replacing terms like 'armed men' with 'Muslims.' While some international outlets amplified unverified claims linking the attack to ISIS, Jordanian media focused on national unity. Experts criticized local media for lacking crisis management teams to counter misinformation effectively.

Translated from العربية

Persecuted church

Security Alert Raised in Lebanon After Church Attack Nearby

tayyar.org Lebanon

Security sources in Lebanon warn of potential sleeper cell activation following a church attack in a neighboring country ten days ago. In response, airstrikes were conducted in southern Syria against groups linked to the perpetrators. This has triggered high alert levels in Lebanon, particularly along the Syrian border. Authorities in a major northern city recently raided locations, seizing explosives, weapons, and a drone, arresting individuals linked to ISIS. Security agencies are conducting proactive operations to prevent attacks, citing the porous nature of the border and the fragile security situation in Syria as major concerns for regional stability.

Translated from العربية

Persecuted church

Lebanese Priest Summoned for Investigation Sparks Christian Outrage

ACI MENA Lebanon

Lebanese authorities summoned Father Najib Al-Amel, a priest in the southern border village of Ramish, for questioning in Sidon. The summons follows a dispute over a resident constructing a room, which local police ordered demolished. Father Al-Amel requested a delay to prevent conflict, but a judge interpreted his words as a threat involving Israel. This action has angered the local Christian community, who view the village as neglected and under siege. Residents gathered in solidarity with the priest, who has long advocated for security presence in the area. The incident highlights broader grievances regarding state treatment of border communities.

Translated from العربية

Persecuted church

Egypt faces criticism over unequal treatment of religious speech and press freedom

ACI MENA Egypt

Egypt faces criticism for perceived double standards in freedom of expression. An Islamic preacher made controversial remarks about other religions, prompting complaints from lawyers and a Coptic priest, while authorities took no action. Meanwhile, an independent journalist and editor was detained and fined for operating an unlicensed website. Over 130 international organizations condemned the ruling, citing unfair trial procedures. This disparity highlights concerns about equality before the law and press freedom in Egypt, where numerous journalists remain detained. The journalist, a recognized influential figure, faces additional charges, with a hearing scheduled for a future date.

Translated from العربية

Persecuted church

Dentist killed in church attack in Jordan

albayan.ae Jordan

A dentist in Jordan died after being shot during a funeral service at a church in a village in Karak province. The attack targeted mourners and injured the doctor, who later succumbed to his wounds. The incident highlights the tragedy of violence against a man known for treating the poor regardless of their faith. The outlet describes the event as an assault on the long history of coexistence between Muslims and Christians in the region, noting that extremists often use religion to justify killing innocent people.

Translated from العربية

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