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)
Translated from فارسی
Read more →
Illustrative photo
Illustrative photo, not from the original report · Photo by Levi Meir Clancy on UnsplashPersecuted church
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.
Translated from فارسی
Read more →
Illustrative photo
Illustrative photo, not from the original report · Photo by Wei Pan on UnsplashPersecuted church
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.
Translated from فارسی
Read more →
Illustrative photo
Illustrative photo, not from the original report · Photo by Ivan Aleksic on UnsplashPersecuted church
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.
Translated from فارسی
Read more →
Illustrative photo
Illustrative photo, not from the original report · Photo by Gift Habeshaw on UnsplashGood news
The Vatican has confirmed that Pope Leo XIV will travel to Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru from November 5 to 16. This journey marks his return to Peru, where he previously served as a priest and bishop and holds citizenship. The trip occurs shortly after his lung cancer surgery, though doctors have cleared him for travel. Local authorities in northern Peru are preparing for his arrival, recalling his past humanitarian work during floods and the pandemic. This visit comes as Catholic membership in Peru declines, with Pew Research data showing a drop from 76 to 67 percent over the last decade. The Pope’s itinerary remains unchanged despite recent health concerns.
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 Russian airstrike destroyed the Good News Pentecostal church in Kramatorsk, Donetsk, Ukraine, on October 18. The attack occurred around 11 a.m., coinciding with the time of weekly services. Local officials stated that an early warning allowed the church to close, preventing casualties despite a direct hit. The building, led by Pastor Viktor Pavlenko, had previously served as a humanitarian aid center since the 2022 invasion. Mohabat News reports the damage is total. This follows previous damage to the site in June. Religious centers in Ukraine have frequently faced military attacks during the ongoing conflict.
The Kremlin announced that Russian President Vladimir Putin has agreed to cooperate with Pope Leo on delivering vital supplies to the Russian-controlled Ukrainian city of Uleski. The Vatican stated the Pope had requested a ceasefire to facilitate humanitarian aid, citing deep concern for the local population's food crisis. While the Kremlin supported the initiative to ensure civilian security, it did not explicitly agree to a truce. Both nations blame each other for blocking aid routes. The Pope, currently recovering from lung cancer surgery in Rome, initiated the contact. This follows a previous conversation between the two leaders in June 2025 regarding peace efforts.
Translated from فارسیAlso reported by 1 other outlet
A prominent American singer expressed deep concern about violence against Christians in Nigeria during an event at a major facility in Texas. She urged influential figures and media outlets to address the crisis, citing personal ties to the country and the lack of public attention to the suffering. The singer highlighted widespread harassment of believers due to their faith and questioned why such atrocities receive insufficient coverage. She announced her determination to take further steps to support victims and encourage other celebrities to join the cause, following widespread sharing of her remarks on social media.
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.
Paul Mackenzie, leader of the 'Hunger' cult in Kenya, has been convicted of murdering 190 children and one adult. The verdict follows a lengthy trial known as the Shakahola massacre. Authorities discovered the victims' bodies in shallow graves in the Shakahola forest in 2023 after receiving reports of the group's activities. Judge Diana Muchache delivered the eight-hour sentence in Mombasa, noting that followers believed Mackenzie was Jesus's spokesperson. The court rejected Mackenzie's denial of forcing starvation, leading to calls for stricter oversight of religious groups in the predominantly Christian nation. This case marks one of the deadliest cult-related tragedies in recent years.
A recent report indicates that Syria's national school curriculum has undergone significant ideological shifts under the current administration. The text replaces former pan-Arabist content with radical Islamist ideology and Sunni exceptionalism. Analysis of textbooks reveals Islam is now the sole organizing principle for identity and law, replacing secular democracy. Christian minorities are marginalized, with lessons on religious tolerance removed and their status subordinated to Islamic law. Additionally, the curriculum promotes anti-Semitism by depicting Jews negatively and denying Jewish national identity. These changes raise serious concerns for religious minorities in the country.
A 50-year-old Christian artist and prisoner in Iran was granted ten days of medical leave from a detention facility. According to Mohabat News, the leave was authorized with a hospital receipt. The prisoner had previously been denied specialized treatment for lymphatic cancer and heart disease despite medical warnings. Her condition has caused balance and speech difficulties. She is currently serving a two-year sentence imposed by the Revolutionary Court. This development follows earlier reports detailing her severe health issues and lack of adequate care.
A pastor of Iranian origin residing in Germany warned about the severe persecution of Christians in Iran during an event in a German city. Speaking to a political group, she stated that most Iranian Christians practice their faith secretly due to life-threatening risks, especially for converts. She criticized the Iranian regime for suppressing dissent and supporting militant groups. Additionally, the pastor urged European Christians to defend their values against rising Islamism and support politicians opposing the Iranian government. Her remarks highlighted the dangers faced by believers in Iran and called for firm political stances in Europe.
Iranian authorities have summoned a Christian convert to report to a prison in a city in northern Iran to serve a five-year sentence. According to a news outlet, the summons was delivered recently. The convert was previously convicted by a revolutionary court in a city in northern Iran for religious activities. The court cited charges including insulting the Supreme Leader and spreading Christian teachings. Security agents had previously raided her mother's home in a major city, seizing religious items. The group notes that such charges are often used to criminalize peaceful religious beliefs in Iran. This case highlights the ongoing legal pressure faced by Christian converts in the country.
The Estonian Orthodox Church has filed a complaint with the European Court of Human Rights against a new law requiring it to sever ties with the Moscow Patriarchate by December 28. Estonian authorities argue the church remains under the control of Patriarch Kirill, who supports Russia's war in Ukraine, posing a national security risk. The church's lawyer, Artur Knyazev, claims the law violates religious freedom by forcing believers to abandon their spiritual connections. The Pühajärve Monastery also joined the lawsuit. The government maintains the law protects Estonia from foreign ideological influence while guaranteeing religious freedom.
The US Department of the Treasury has alerted financial institutions about potential misuse of Iranian religious charities and funds, such as khums, by the Islamic Republic. The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network issued this warning, urging banks to report suspicious activities that might fund terrorism or enrich officials. A senior Treasury official stated that the administration will not permit Iran to exploit religious institutions for destabilizing purposes. This directive seeks to disrupt financial networks supporting the regime's military and proxy groups while ensuring legitimate charities retain access to banking services.
Authorities in Azerbaijan arrested 37 individuals in various cities following protests against new school uniform regulations that effectively ban headscarves. Officials stated the detainees disrupted school operations and damaged property. The government introduced these secular dress codes in late September, barring attire that conflicts with the secular nature of education. While the rule does not explicitly mention hijabs, it has prevented veiled students and teachers from entering classrooms. The crackdown has drawn criticism from Turkish officials, including an advisor to President Erdogan, who called the ban unacceptable. Meanwhile, Azerbaijan's ruling party defended the measures. (Radio Farda)
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
