In Egypt, converts to Christianity encounter significant barriers when attending church because their national ID cards still list them as Muslim. Security protocols at many churches require visitors to show identification, raising suspicions of jihadist infiltration. A convert described strategies such as wearing crosses or reciting prayers to gain entry. Many priests avoid converts due to fear of retaliation. While the president has improved general safety compared to the post-2011 era, hostility persists, particularly in southern Egypt, where mobs may attack those suspected of apostasy.
Gunmen abducted 32 people, including a catechist and his pregnant wife, in a region of northern Nigeria during raids on local villages. This incident is part of a recent surge in anti-Christian attacks that has prompted Catholic bishops to label the country a 'slaughterhouse.' According to Vatican news agency Fides, a parish priest reported that most residents fled, while others stayed to support the community. The violence has led clergy to protest for government intervention, citing over 80 deaths and widespread displacement. The Pope also expressed sorrow over the ongoing terrorism affecting believers in the area.
A young woman, daughter of a pastor in the Democratic Republic of Congo, survived an attack by tribal spirit worshipers. The assailants demanded church instruments for occult rituals; when the pastor refused, they returned to kill him. Finding only the daughter, they shot her in the head. She was transported to a neighboring country for emergency surgery. A front-line worker states she remains confident in her faith despite needing further medical procedures. The incident highlights ongoing persecution against Christians in the region.
According to Truth Nigeria, heavily armed Fulani terrorists are advancing toward a village in Taraba State, Nigeria. Sources indicate the attackers are moving from nearby settlements, converging at a local stream while using cattle as cover. The multi-directional approach suggests a possible encirclement strategy. Community leaders and security agencies have been urged to activate emergency protocols and alert authorities immediately to prevent potential casualties. The situation is described as fluid and highly volatile, with residents advised to exercise extreme caution.
Two pastors from Pallisa, Uganda, were discharged from a hospital on February 8 after being attacked by masked men on January 30. Pastor John Michael Okoel and Assistant Pastor Abraham Omoding were assaulted near Osupa Swamp while returning from a prayer meeting. The attackers, identified by sources as Muslim extremists, accused the clergy of blasphemy and attempted conversion. The incident left Okoel unconscious and Omoding with a fractured arm and missing teeth. Police have not yet issued a statement or made arrests. The attack has heightened fears among Christian leaders in the region regarding religious tensions and safety.
Authorities in Italy have decided to reinforce territorial surveillance and personal protection for Don Maurizio Patriciello, the parish priest of Parco Verde in Caivano. This decision followed a meeting of police forces coordinated by Naples Prefect Michele di Bari, who visited the priest to express solidarity. The move comes after Patriciello, who has lived under escort for years, received new threats. Domenico Airoma, head of the Naples Nord Prosecutor's Office, also attended the discussion. Officials stated that technical indicators support the need for increased control measures to ensure the priest's safety.
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Illustrative photo, not from the original report · Photo by Vivek Kumar on UnsplashPersecuted church
A pastor and three coworkers were arrested in northern India, specifically Uttar Pradesh state, after police accused them of forcing Hindus to convert to Christianity. The group was detained while eating a meal, not during worship. Authorities subjected the four men to threats, beatings by a mob, and confinement in unsanitary conditions. Despite pressure to renounce their faith, the pastor remained steadfast, sharing his beliefs with fellow inmates and his wife. The incident highlights ongoing tensions regarding anti-conversion laws and the treatment of Christians by local authorities in the region.
Violence in Nigeria has displaced Christian converts from the Fulani community, who face severe persecution from their own tribes. A convert from a state in northern Nigeria lost his family and property after embracing Christianity. According to International Christian Concern, Fulani converts face deadly violence and discrimination. The article highlights how historical tensions between herders and farmers, alongside extremist groups, force many into hiding. The convert now ministers in another region, noting that stigma from other Christians also complicates their survival. The situation underscores the dangerous intersection of religious conversion and ethnic conflict in the region.
Youth With A Mission urges global prayer for a country in the Middle East following a brutal crackdown on protests driven by inflation and lack of freedom. The organization reports thousands of deaths and detentions. Although the state claims most citizens are Shia Muslim, surveys suggest only 40 percent identify as such, with many rejecting mandatory religious laws. Underground Christian communities, estimated at one to two million, are growing despite apostasy laws punishable by death. YWAM highlights the rapid secularization among the nation's youth and calls for protection for protesters and believers facing severe persecution.
On January 25, police and masked attackers targeted the Anglican Church of Kenya Witima Parish in Nyeri County, Kenya. During a service attended by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, live rounds were fired and teargas canisters were thrown into the building. Bishop Gerald Muriithi stated that the congregation’s right to worship was violated and that police failed to stop the violence. Christian Solidarity Worldwide describes the incident as a sign of eroding civil rights in Kenya ahead of the 2027 elections. The group calls for an independent investigation into the police’s role in the attack.
A drone strike targeted a mosque in a village in northern Sudan, killing two children and injuring thirteen others early Wednesday. The Sudan Doctors Network attributes the attack to the Rapid Support Forces, noting the victims were attending a dawn lesson. The group condemns the targeting of civilians in religious sites as a dangerous escalation. This incident occurs amid a civil war that began in 2023 between the RSF and the national army. The World Health Organization reports at least 40,000 deaths and 12 million displaced persons, though aid groups suggest the true toll is significantly higher due to limited access in remote areas.
According to ZENIT, Jewish settlers have intensified attacks on Taybeh, a village in the West Bank known as the last fully Christian community in the region. Father Bashar Fawadleh, the local Latin parish priest, reports that violence has become systematic since January 2026. Incidents include arson, land confiscation, and physical assaults against residents and students. The priest cites violations of the Fourth Geneva Convention. These local clashes coincide with Israeli government measures expanding settlements, which have drawn condemnation from the European Union, the United Nations, and several Muslim-majority nations. The situation raises urgent questions about the survival of Christian communities in the area.
Translated from EspañolAlso reported by 1 other outlet
A pastor in a village in Odisha, India, was severely assaulted by a mob last month. The group, described as cow vigilantes, forced him to walk on thorns, wore a footwear garland on him, and attempted to compel him to worship Hindu deities. The pastor suffered hearing damage in one ear. His wife sought police assistance, but officers delayed response and later pressured the pastor to claim the attack resulted from a misunderstanding regarding illegal conversions. Sources report the police provided no first aid. The family has since relocated to an undisclosed location for safety.
The ACT Palestine Forum issued a statement in February 2026 condemning escalating Israeli settler violence in the occupied West Bank. The group highlights specific attacks in Birzeit and Beit Sahour, noting that Israeli forces often fail to protect Palestinian civilians, including Christian communities. According to the outlet, UN data indicates over 1,770 settler attacks occurred in 2025. The ACT Palestine Forum argues these actions constitute a systematic policy aimed at displacing indigenous Christians through land seizure and intimidation. The organization urges the international community to take concrete diplomatic and legal steps to uphold international law and protect these vulnerable populations from forced displacement.
Syria's Justice Ministry announced that investigators have uncovered key details regarding the bombing of a church near the capital. The ministry stated that the attack was planned and executed by ISIS operatives, specifically identifying individuals as the perpetrators. According to official statements, the attackers conducted surveillance and carried explosives to the site. The ministry also revealed that security forces successfully thwarted a separate planned attack on a religious shrine. Authorities have initiated legal proceedings against those involved to ensure justice is served for the victims and the damage caused to religious sites.
Syria is experiencing increased security challenges and controversial government measures. The Justice Ministry announced upcoming details regarding the investigation into last summer's bombing of a church in the capital. Recent violent incidents include the murder of a Christian man and an armed attack on a doctor in a northern town, as well as a grenade attack on a Christian-owned shop in a major northern city. In the capital, a teenager entered a cathedral reciting Quranic verses. Authorities also imposed high taxes on alcohol and enacted social restrictions, such as bans on makeup for female civil servants and dancing. These events highlight growing religious influence in state affairs.
The Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria issued a press release condemning ongoing violence in the country. The group describes the nation as a site of unchecked slaughter and criticizes the government for failing to protect citizens. They argue that silence constitutes complicity and demand that security forces be moved from ceremonial duties to active conflict zones. The statement calls for the identification and prosecution of terror sponsors regardless of their status. The organization asserts that the state must uphold the constitutional right to life and stop normalizing bloodshed to restore moral authority.
Reports indicate that armed Fulani militia members, allegedly collaborating with Boko Haram, have entered a region in northern Nigeria. These attackers traveled by motorized boats toward a specific village in Gwer-West County. Sources claim the group intends to coordinate assaults on rural areas across multiple counties, including Agatu and Apa. The militia reportedly believes the state belongs to them and aims to take control. This development raises significant security concerns for residents in the affected regions of Nigeria, particularly Christians facing severe persecution.
A recent analysis by a Cato Institute senior fellow examines the intensifying persecution of religious minorities in Iran, particularly Christians. The report highlights how the Islamic Republic suppresses freedom of belief while Christian house churches continue to grow. Data indicates numerous converts sentenced to lengthy prison terms. The article references international bodies and UN special rapporteurs, noting severe abuses including torture and arbitrary detention. Despite these measures, the report argues that underground Christian communities are expanding rapidly, driven by disillusionment with Islam among younger Iranians. The regime maintains strict control, but the faith persists as a resilient force.
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