International Christian Concern reports that Christians in the Democratic Republic of the Congo are facing severe persecution from rebel groups. Between July 2024 and July 2025, nearly 400 Christians were reportedly murdered. The Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) and the M23 rebel group are identified as primary perpetrators. The ADF, linked to extremist ideologies, has targeted churches and hospitals in northern regions. Meanwhile, M23, driven by ethnic political goals, has captured key urban centers. The European Parliament has condemned these systematic attacks as serious human rights violations. Millions of displaced Christians now live in unsafe refugee camps amid ongoing chaos and lawlessness.
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Illustrative photo, not from the original report · Photo by Nameless Photos on UnsplashPersecuted church
Fulani Christians in a Nigerian region have denied links to the Miyetti Allah organization amid ongoing violence. A leader of the Fulani Christian Association stated his group opposes violence and is distinct from the accused militant group. This clarification follows attacks that killed at least 16 Christians, including a child in a specific district. Meanwhile, a U.S. Representative introduced legislation to sanction individuals linked to religious persecution in Nigeria. The bill targets groups accused of abuses and supports the President’s decision to designate Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern due to severe religious freedom violations.
Christians in Nepal express cautious optimism following the recent general elections, where the Rashtriya Swatantra Party secured a strong majority. Believers hope the new administration will protect religious freedom and reduce threats from extremist groups. While some fear increased persecution under right-wing factions, others welcome the decline of pro-Hindu nationalist influence. The election results reflect a public rejection of corruption and a desire for rule of law, offering a potential shift in the political climate for the minority Christian community.
Reports indicate that legal frameworks in Pakistan systematically marginalize Christians through economic persecution. Blasphemy laws are frequently weaponized to target religious minorities, leading to arrests, mob violence, and property destruction. Even unproven accusations cause long-term economic fallout, including job losses and business closures. This legal vulnerability forces many believers into informal labor or migration, as the justice system fails to protect their right to earn a living. Bureaucratic barriers and discriminatory laws create a hostile environment that erodes financial stability and hope for Christian communities in the country.
International Christian Concern reports that terrorist militias in the Democratic Republic of the Congo have caused widespread violence, including abductions and sexual assault. The organization provides food, shelter, and business funding to survivors. Stories include a survivor who received a motorcycle after his village was burned by al-Shabab. Another survivor and her son escaped an Allied Democratic Forces attack, with ICC helping the mother open a shop. A third survivor, who survived an ADF assault, received resources to start a business after being rescued by a former forced fighter. These interventions aim to restore dignity and economic stability for displaced families.
A senior church leader in Iran clarifies that recent celebrations reflect hope for an end to decades of oppression by the Islamic regime, not support for war. The Iranian-American pastor, now a U.S. citizen, notes that many Iranians view the current conflict as a struggle for freedom and dignity. He urges Western churches to pray for the underground Christian community and the broader population. Despite persecution, the church in Iran is growing, with many citizens encountering the gospel. He also expresses hope for a transitional government led by Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi.
International Christian Concern reports that forced displacement in Nigeria and the Democratic Republic of Congo causes severe economic persecution for Christian communities. The organization states that militant attacks destroy farms, businesses, and homes, stripping victims of assets and livelihoods. Without land titles or credit, displaced families face long-term poverty and dependency on aid. The outlet argues this strategy aims to erase Christian presence by dismantling economic foundations. While humanitarian aid provides temporary relief, the group emphasizes that restoring economic stability is essential for community survival and preventing permanent demographic decline in these conflict zones.
A high court in Pakistan has ruled that Christian couples may seek divorce based on desertion, challenging a colonial-era law. The decision followed a case where a man was previously denied separation because he could not prove adultery, the only accepted ground under the existing act. The judge determined that the couple’s two-year separation qualified as desertion. The court emphasized constitutional rights for religious minorities and ordered lower courts in the region to apply this broader interpretation. This ruling significantly eases legal barriers for Christians seeking marital dissolution in the country, marking a shift in how religious minority rights are interpreted within the judicial system.
A state government in India has approved a draft anti-conversion bill requiring prior permission for religious changes. The legislation mandates a 60-day notice to authorities, aiming to prevent forced conversions. Violations carry severe penalties, including imprisonment and fines. A government minister stated the move fulfills a campaign promise, while opposition leaders criticized it as targeting a specific faith. This follows similar legislative efforts in other Indian states. If passed by the legislature and assented to by the president, it will become law, further restricting religious freedom in the region.
International Christian Concern reports that economic persecution increasingly marginalizes Christians in Pakistan, Egypt, India, and parts of Africa. In Pakistan, Christians face discrimination in hiring and severe risks from blasphemy accusations. Egypt sees systemic barriers preventing Coptic Christians from holding leadership roles or obtaining business licenses. India experiences organized boycotts and job losses linked to religious nationalism. In Nigeria and the Democratic Republic of Congo, armed attacks destroy livelihoods, causing total economic erasure. The outlet notes that aid is sometimes weaponized to force conversion. These practices rely on legal frameworks that fail to protect minorities, turning the marketplace into a hostile environment for believers. (Source: International Christian Concern)
International Christian Concern reports that Christians in India, Nigeria, Egypt, and Pakistan face economic exclusion driven by social hostility rather than formal laws. In India, Hindu nationalist groups organize boycotts against Christian businesses. In Nigeria, militants create fear that prevents displaced believers from working. In Egypt, Coptic Christians face informal discrimination in promotions. In Pakistan, blasphemy rumors destroy livelihoods instantly. The group states these community-driven tactics are harder to document than legal persecution but cause immediate financial devastation. This informal enforcement isolates believers and restricts their economic survival without official court orders.
A Mission Eurasia report states that Russian forces have damaged or destroyed at least 737 religious buildings in Ukraine since the 2022 invasion. Approximately 450 of these structures were Baptist churches, leading to claims of targeted persecution. The report cites the detention of Pastor Sergey Ivanov in occupied southern Ukraine as an example of pressure on evangelical communities. Additionally, Orthodox clergy face harassment, including the eviction of priest Serhii Mykhalchuk in Crimea. Igor Bandura of the Ukrainian Baptist Union notes widespread destruction across towns and cities. Human rights monitors warn that these actions aim to eliminate independent civil society and replace it with institutions loyal to Moscow.
Nine Fulani herdsmen, including a prominent leader, face trial in a Nigerian federal court for their alleged roles in a massacre that killed over 270 Christians. The judge presented 57 counts of terrorism, including financing and recruiting, against the defendants who pleaded not guilty. According to legal representatives, the accused leader was the mastermind behind the violence, though he claimed it was a farmer-herder conflict. Police intelligence testimony and a confession by a defendant suggest the group organized meetings in a neighboring state to raise funds. The trial was recently delayed to allow defense lawyers more time to review case files.
An international advocacy group highlights ongoing violence against Christians in Ethiopia, urging global leaders not to overlook the crisis despite focus on Nigeria. The group reports attacks in various regions, citing conflicts involving militias, ethnic tensions, and religious coercion. A recent looting of a Catholic mission in western Ethiopia underscores the severity. The outlet argues that religious persecution signals broader political instability and economic risks. It calls for increased diplomatic attention to protect faith communities and maintain regional security in the Horn of Africa.
Approximately 70 residents gathered at the HKBP Kulim Jaya Church in Riau, Indonesia, on February 25 to halt renovation work. Local leader Armien confirmed the confrontation and pledged to mediate between the church, the Interfaith Harmony Forum, and residents. Pastor Faber Manurung stated that officials witnessed the protest, which forced a temporary stop. The church, established in 1995, sought repairs due to structural decay since 2010. According to the outlet, the congregation holds valid land certificates and registration with the Ministry of Religious Affairs. Such disputes are common in Indonesia, where Islamic groups frequently challenge Christian construction projects.
A pastor in a village in Odisha, India, was severely beaten by a mob of approximately 50 Hindu nationalists at his home. The attack occurred during a worship service attended by nearly 30 Christians. The pastor sustained facial injuries and trauma, while his wife and daughter were also present. International Christian Concern provided emergency medical assistance and food to the family. The outlet notes that attacks against Christians in India have increased, often linked to anti-conversion laws. The pastor stated he intends to remain in the area to continue his ministry despite safety concerns for his family and local believers.
A mob of approximately 200 Hindu nationalists attacked a Christian family in a village in Chhattisgarh, India. The attackers forced the family out after they refused to renounce Christianity. The mob destroyed the house and scattered belongings, leaving the family homeless. The family head stated they had faced harassment for two years but remained steadfast in their faith. Chhattisgarh has enacted anti-conversion laws that critics say are often misused to target Christians, contributing to a rise in violence and forced evictions against the local Christian community. This incident highlights the severe persecution faced by believers in the region due to discriminatory legislation and mob violence.
Acehnese pastor Dedi Saputra was arrested in Bengkayang, West Kalimantan, on February 18, 2026, by Aceh Regional Police. Authorities detained him after he allegedly posted content on TikTok under the alias Dedi Murtaddin that was deemed insulting to Islam. The case originated from a November 2025 report by a student in North Aceh. Following an investigation, Saputra was transferred to Banda Aceh and held at the Tahti Detention Center for 20 days. The group states he is currently a suspect in a hate speech and blasphemy case while legal proceedings continue. This incident highlights ongoing tensions regarding religious expression in Indonesia's Aceh province.
Lawmakers in a northern Indian state recently urged the government to enact anti-conversion legislation. During a legislative assembly debate, eighteen legislators argued that demographic shifts and alleged inducements for religious conversion necessitate such laws, citing examples from neighboring regions. While some members highlighted rapid Christian growth in specific districts, the state tourism minister stated there is currently no proposal for new legislation. However, the speaker confirmed the government will review existing laws from other states and implement them if deemed necessary. This potential move could make the state the thirteenth in India with such restrictions.
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