Christians in Turkey encounter severe challenges despite the nation's secular framework. The Christian demographic has plummeted from twenty percent to under zero point two percent over the last century. While certain Orthodox groups and refugees persist, violence and harassment remain prevalent. Converts report social stigma, job discrimination, and online hostility, particularly in central regions. Many young believers conceal their faith due to fear of death threats or social exclusion. Authorities occasionally treat foreign Christians as security risks, with conditions varying across different areas. Despite these pressures, some individuals continue to practice their faith secretly, maintaining hope amidst widespread persecution and societal pressure.
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Illustrative photo, not from the original report · Photo by Richard Lin on UnsplashPersecuted church
Seven Christian men were killed during a night attack at an illegal mining site in a village in Plateau State, Nigeria. Suspected Fulani militias opened fire on miners around 1 a.m. on Thursday. Military sources confirmed the deaths, though authorities labeled the victims as illegal miners. Community leaders and activists argue the killings reflect a pattern of targeted violence against Christian communities. Following the burial, mourners called for lawful self-defense measures, citing inadequate state security. The governor condemned the act and ordered an investigation. The incident highlights ongoing tensions and fears of impunity in the region.
In January, the Kota Kinabalu High Court in Sabah, Malaysia, ruled that the National Registration Department must correct MyKad records for Abdul Manap bin Bakusai Abu Bakar and his children. Justice Celestina Stuel Galid determined that labeling indigenous Christians as Muslims was an administrative error, not apostasy. The court affirmed that civil courts, not Shariah courts, have jurisdiction to fix these records. This decision addresses systemic issues where Christians were misclassified based on names or bureaucratic assumptions. The ruling aims to protect constitutional religious freedom and resolve disputes affecting marriage, education, and burial rights for affected communities in Sabah.
On December 24, 2025, the Sukasirna Village government in Bogor, Indonesia, prohibited the GMII Church Bethlehem Jonggol congregation from holding Christmas services. The ban, enforced by the Public Order Unit and the local Ulema Council, also covered New Year’s Eve and Day events. Pastor Rudy stated that authorities cited fears of attacks from extremist groups as the reason for the suspension. The village government did not provide alternative worship spaces, leaving the congregation unable to celebrate. This directive forced the pastor to comply under significant pressure, effectively preventing the community from gathering for the holidays.
The Allied Democratic Forces executed two separate attacks in a district of North Kivu, Democratic Republic of the Congo, on January 13. The assaults in two villages resulted in at least nine civilian deaths and several abductions, with homes burned. Local sources report that attackers emerged from the bush, catching residents by surprise. This incident follows a previous massacre in November 2025, intensifying fear among the population. No official statement has been issued by government authorities regarding the latest violence. (Source: International Christian Concern)
Since late December, tens of thousands of Iranians have protested against economic collapse and authoritarian rule, triggering a violent government crackdown. International Christian Concern reports that Christians in Iran, numbering close to one million, are supporting the demonstrations. Rather than staying away from politics, believers are feeding participants and aiding injured protesters to share their faith. Leaders from ministries note the unprecedented scale of the unrest. While the regime threatens harsh punishments, Christians view the crisis as an opportunity to offer hope, though they acknowledge that only Christ can meet the people's deepest longings.
Following weeks of lethal unrest in Iran, Christians remain on high alert. The government has declared protesters enemies of God, with death tolls estimated between 3,000 and 30,000. A representative of an advocacy group reports that security forces are using tanks and arresting citizens indiscriminately. While the regime treats all Iranians poorly, it specifically targets unrecognized Christians, particularly converts from Islam, who face arbitrary arrest and show trials. Although the current chaos may limit specific targeting, Christians remain vulnerable in an unsafe environment where internet access is restricted and human rights are severely suppressed.
Public hearings started Monday at the International Court of Justice regarding Myanmar’s treatment of the Rohingya minority. Gambia brought the case against the military junta, which seized power in 2021. The court is examining allegations of genocide following a 2016 campaign that displaced nearly 750,000 Rohingya. According to International Christian Concern, the conflict also affects Christian-majority groups like the Chin. The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom recently reported widespread repression and displacement of over 3.5 million people. This marks the ICJ’s first full genocide hearing in over a decade, highlighting ongoing dangers for ethnic and religious minorities in Myanmar.
Hundreds of Christians gathered in a city in the US and online to fast and pray for believers in China. The event, hosted by a Chinese church, followed a government crackdown on a specific congregation. Testimonies from pastors and members described home raids, surveillance, and family separation. International Christian Concern reported that many leaders remain missing or imprisoned. The gathering aimed to create a lasting spiritual rhythm of intercession for those facing persecution in high-pressure environments across Chinese cities. The outlet emphasized the need for continued prayer for the affected congregations.
Following the collapse of the previous regime, a new transitional government assumed power in Syria, recognized by the United States. Despite constitutional guarantees for religious freedom, reports indicate widespread violence against Christians and other minorities. The Christian population has plummeted to fewer than 300,000, with significant declines in specific regions. An indirect parliamentary election resulted in minimal minority representation, prompting criticism from NGOs. Ongoing clashes and attacks by various armed factions continue to displace millions and fuel uncertainty regarding the stability and inclusivity of the new administration.
According to International Christian Concern, the Iranian government generates significant revenue by imposing exorbitant bail amounts on Christians arrested for their faith. The outlet reports that these financial penalties, often reaching hundreds of thousands of dollars, financially cripple believers and serve as a tool of persecution. Specific cases cited include a house church leader who paid substantial sums for bail before receiving a ten-year sentence, and another Christian woman who was fined and jailed for leading a house church. The article argues that this practice violates religious rights and exploits an economy already strained by poverty.
Militia groups in the Democratic Republic of the Congo are increasingly abducting children to use as soldiers, laborers, and sexual slaves. Forces target villages, forcing victims to convert to Islam or face death. A UNICEF spokesperson describes a systemic crisis where children endure horrific sexual abuse as a weapon of war. A gynecologist calls it the country's most gruesome historical moment. International Christian Concern is providing aid to orphanages in a city in the region to support survivors rescued from these attacks.
The US administration, cooperating with the Nigerian government, launched military strikes against Islamic State group strongholds in a region of northern Nigeria during the Christmas period. According to International Christian Concern, the operation aimed to confront persistent Islamic terror that has killed thousands of Christians and displaced millions since President Bola Tinubu took office in 2023. While analysts note the attacks were not decisive enough to eradicate the violence, the joint action by President Trump and President Tinubu provided a clear signal of resistance. The outlet states this confrontation offers some hope to minority communities in the region, marking a shift from perceived appeasement to direct military engagement against extremist groups.
International Christian Concern reports that Christian families in central India are fleeing violence from Naxalite guerrillas. The group, linked to the Communist Party, opposes Christianity and has killed and displaced believers. The article details the stories of a survivor whose husband was murdered, and another whose home was destroyed. Hundreds of families have been evicted from their villages and are now living in makeshift shelters. They face poverty and difficulty finding work as outsiders. The outlet highlights their resilience and continued faith despite the persecution and loss of their livelihoods. (Source: International Christian Concern)
A man in the Democratic Republic of the Congo was expelled from his home by his parents after converting from Islam to Christianity. Struggling to survive through unstable customs work, he was assisted by International Christian Concern (ICC). The organization provided business supplies, household items, and rent payment to help him open a shop. The convert states that this support restored his confidence and financial independence. He now runs his own business and hopes to expand in the future, though he continues to face threats and seeks safety and family reconciliation.
A leader from International Christian Concern published an article analyzing current unrest in Iran through a biblical lens. He cites Jeremiah 49:38-39 to argue that God exercises sovereign authority over the region, historically known as Elam. The piece highlights that despite decades of persecution, Iran hosts one of the world's fastest-growing Christian movements. The leader urges the global church to pray for justice, protection for underground believers, and the advancement of the gospel. He emphasizes that God's restorative purposes remain active amid the chaos and violence affecting the nation.
A traditional ruler of a village in Nigeria’s Plateau state was killed in an ambush on January 5. He was returning from a community gathering when armed attackers struck on a rural road. Local residents identify the assailants as Fulani militants, a group frequently accused of targeting Christian farming communities in the Middle Belt. This incident adds to a decade-long pattern of violence against local leaders in the region. Community members report limited security response and no arrests following the killing. The attack has heightened fear among villagers, disrupting daily travel and agricultural activities in the volatile border zone between Plateau and Kaduna states.
A minibus carrying fifteen Christian evangelists from a local church was attacked by approximately thirty Hindu nationalists near a village in Andhra Pradesh, India. The assailants, some wearing orange attire, used cricket bats and stones to damage the vehicle before attempting to set it on fire. The evangelists escaped injury, but the bus was destroyed. Local pastors filed a police complaint, identifying over fifteen group leaders. While village elders and state ministers urged leniency to protect local youth, the Christian Joint Action Committee stated the legal case would proceed primarily for insurance claims regarding the damaged vehicle. Archbishop Dr. John Daniel condemned the violence as politically motivated.
A pastor was shot and killed by armed attackers in a neighborhood in the Magdalena region of Colombia. He died at a nearby clinic while celebrating with his family. The Colombian Council of Evangelical Churches expressed sorrow and called for justice. Advocates noted that pastors are often targeted for preaching against violence and illegal activities. This incident marks the eleventh church leader killed since November 2024. Advocates are urging the government to reinstate protection for religious leaders under a decree that was amended to exclude them. Officials are searching for the suspects.
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