Jordanian authorities have referred suspects involved in an attack on an Orthodox church in a region of Jordan to the National Security Court. The prosecutor general announced that investigations into the incident at a church in a village are complete. The case includes charges of collaborative terrorism resulting in death, use of weapons, and conspiracy. Armed men opened fire on attendees at a funeral ceremony. The prosecution states that evidence collection and witness testimonies have been finalized, and the file is now ready for trial proceedings under national security laws.
A senior church leader in India has urged the immediate repeal of the state’s controversial anti-conversion law, citing unfair harassment of Christians. He described the legislation, known as Freedom of Religion laws, as a violation of individual rights and human dignity. The law, passed in 2022 by the ruling party, criminalizes religious conversion through coercion or inducement with penalties of up to ten years in prison. Although the opposition party won the recent state elections and pledged to annul unconstitutional measures, conservative groups strongly oppose the repeal, arguing the law protects cultural integrity. Church leaders maintain the statute infringes on fundamental religious freedoms.
According to Mohabat News, the ancient Christian community in a region of the Holy Land has shrunk to about 300-400 people due to systemic discrimination and religious pressure. A resident told CBN News that local rule since 2007 fostered social isolation, labeling Christians as foreigners rather than citizens. Reports also mention forced conversions and kidnappings. Another Christian highlighted similar long-standing challenges in the Middle East, including school harassment and attacks on churches. These accounts suggest that historical Christian populations in the region are rapidly disappearing due to entrenched minority status and ongoing conflict.
A civil society group reports that more than 7,000 Christians were killed in Nigeria between January and August, with at least 7,800 others abducted. The violence is attributed to extremist Islamist militias, including Fulani herders in northern regions. A senior researcher cites the expansion of terrorist groups since 2017 as the primary cause. Meanwhile, a former US official urged Nigeria to develop local security structures. The report highlights Nigeria as a country where Christians face severe religious persecution, emphasizing the urgent need for improved safety measures for believers in the region.
Authorities in a northern Iraqi province have named a street after a kidnapped Assyrian priest who was murdered in 2006. This initiative, approved by local officials and supported by a regional bishop, honors the priest’s contributions to his community. The street is located near a major cathedral where the priest served. The priest was abducted by armed men and his body was found shortly after. This naming commemorates victims of the intense violence against Christian minorities in the region, which caused widespread displacement. The decision serves as a memorial to those who suffered during the conflict that severely impacted Assyrians in the area.
Translated from فارسیAlso reported by 1 other outlet
Before Pope Leo's upcoming visit to Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru, survivors of Catholic sexual abuse are evaluating his past record. Pedro Salinas credits the Pope with helping dissolve the Sodalitium Christianae Vitae group in Peru. However, Jose Enrique Escardo of the Peruvian Survivors Network expresses fatigue with unfulfilled promises, demanding direct involvement in policy-making and compensation. While Pope Francis is praised for reforms like Vos Estis Lux Mundi, critics argue these are only the tip of the iceberg. Survivors from Mexico and Argentina also highlight ongoing failures in justice and transparency, urging the Vatican to implement stricter global safeguards and accountability measures for clergy.
A security source reported that ISIS is planning coordinated suicide attacks against Christian churches in several Middle Eastern countries around Christmas. The group has selected operatives equipped with explosives to create security gaps and fuel sectarian tensions. The source emphasized the critical need for regional intelligence coordination to prevent the plot and protect vulnerable communities from such targeted violence.
A Christian organization in Iran condemned violent attacks against believers in Ethiopia and Nigeria. The statement urges international bodies to act immediately to protect civilians. It demands independent investigations, accountability for perpetrators, and humanitarian aid. Reports indicate that armed groups attack villages in Nigeria, while conflicts in Ethiopia’s Oromia region target Christians. These incidents highlight rising religious violence and the erosion of traditional coexistence in Africa. The group emphasized that seeking justice for Christians does not disregard the suffering of other communities, calling for global attention to these crises.
Translated from فارسی
Read more →
Illustrative photo
Illustrative photo, not from the original report · Photo by Amir Shiri on UnsplashPersecuted church
The remaining structure of a historic Evangelical church in a city in northern Iran was completely demolished overnight. This occurred despite a judicial order halting construction and provincial officials promising to acquire and rebuild the site. A media activist reported that heavy machinery removed the last parts of the building between 11 PM and midnight. Although residents called police and municipal services, no authorities intervened. The demolition follows an initial phase that was temporarily stopped by the prosecutor. The incident raises legal questions regarding heritage protection and the enforcement of previous judicial directives in the region.
Translated from فارسیAlso reported by 1 other outlet
Read more →
Illustrative photo
Illustrative photo, not from the original report · Photo by John Mosquera on UnsplashPersecuted church
Military jets bombed a Christian theology college in a northern region, killing three female students and injuring six others. The attack occurred in an area reportedly free of active combat at the time. Two victims died at the scene, while others were transported across borders; one died during transit and another remains in intensive care. A Christian rights organization condemned the strike as a systematic suppression tactic, calling for international sanctions against the military regime. This incident adds to recent escalations of violence against Christian communities in the region.
On October 23, 2026, gunmen attacked a Greek Orthodox church in a village in Jordan, killing nine and injuring over thirty during a memorial service. This violence reflects a broader pattern of Islamist terrorism targeting Christians across the Middle East and Africa. Groups like Hizb ut-Tahrir and Islamic Jihad elements operate within the country, creating a hostile environment. International bodies have failed to adequately address this persecution, with the Christian population declining significantly over the last century. The attacks are attributed to a systematic effort to displace Christians from their historical homelands.
State-linked media reported that authorities have seized the assets of a founder of an art school in Iran. The outlet claims the individual faces confiscation for allegedly insulting religious groups and propagating against the regime on social media. The institution announced that its bank accounts and payment gateways are blocked, halting course sales. The founder stated the legal action targets his personal views, not the school's content, which he denies publishing. The seizure impacts thousands of students and staff in the country.
Authorities in China are intensifying pressure on religious communities, particularly Christians, to align their leadership and activities with the priorities of the Communist Party. Following recent political sessions, the government enforces a policy of sinicizing religion, requiring loyalty to national leadership over institutional independence. House churches face increased crackdowns, including arrests and closures, while Catholics navigate complex tensions between Vatican authority and state control over bishop appointments. International observers urge China to respect religious freedom and release detainees. (Mohabat News)
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi contacted his Jordanian counterpart to condemn a terrorist attack on a church in southern Jordan. While expressing sympathy for victims, Araghchi urged action against Israeli expansionism. However, Mohabat News highlights that this diplomatic gesture contrasts sharply with the Iranian regime's decades-long suppression of Christians domestically. The report details forced closures of Persian-language churches, raids on house churches, arrests, and the seizure of historic church properties. These domestic restrictions create an oppressive climate, undermining the sincerity of Iran's international condemnation of violence against religious sites.
Taliban authorities in Afghanistan have ordered surgeons to stop performing corneal transplants, claiming the procedure conflicts with Islamic teachings. According to reports citing several Afghan doctors, the ban was communicated verbally to medical staff. Physicians warn that this decision could deprive hundreds of patients annually of sight-restoring surgery. The halt affects medical centers in major cities, where demand is high due to injuries from explosions and accidents. One doctor, using an alias, stated that fear of severe punishment prevents resistance, leaving many patients on waiting lists without access to necessary care.
Georg Soghoyan, an Armenian aid worker, shared his testimony in the United States after spending five years in Azerbaijani prisons. He stated he holds no resentment toward his captors but wants to highlight the plight of Armenians still detained. Soghoyan was captured in November 2020 while delivering humanitarian aid to Nagorno-Karabakh. He was released in January 2024 during a prisoner exchange between Armenia and Azerbaijan. According to Armenian reports, 19 Armenians remain in Azerbaijani custody. Soghoyan urged attendees to share his story to raise awareness about the suffering of prisoners and their families.
A group of Iranian Christian clergy and activists signed a letter supporting the Friedrich Naumann Foundation's decision to award its 2026 Freedom Prize to the Iranian people. The group endorsed Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi to accept the honor on behalf of the nation during a ceremony in a city in Germany. The signatories praised the foundation's work in promoting democracy and human rights. They highlighted Pahlavi's consistent defense of minority rights and his humanitarian aid to Christian refugees in countries like Greece. The letter described the award as a symbol of international solidarity with Iranian citizens seeking freedom and a secular, democratic future.
According to Mohabat News, citing an Austrian aid group, many Christian families in Pakistan are trapped in debt bondage at brick kilns. Despite a 1992 law prohibiting such practices, workers and their children labor for long hours to pay off inherited debts. The system allows debts to pass from parents to children, effectively creating hereditary slavery. International monitors note that poverty and minority status exacerbate the issue, while local enforcement remains weak due to lack of oversight. The International Justice Mission highlights these patterns across South Asia, though it lacks direct operational presence in Pakistan to provide precise statistics.
A major rights organization reported that Iran has fallen to the lowest global ranking for internet freedom in its recent study. The country's score dropped significantly, placing it alongside other highly repressive nations in online environments. This decline is attributed to a prolonged nationwide internet blackout following military attacks in early 2026. Although restrictions were partially lifted later, most citizens remain limited to a restricted set of websites. This marks the sixteenth consecutive year of declining internet freedom worldwide, highlighting the severe digital suppression faced by the population.
Translated from فارسی
Read more →
SermonWave writes its own short summaries and links to the original reporting. Every story belongs to the outlet that reported it. About World News · Our sources · RSS feed
