Over 340 protests have erupted across Iran since late December, according to a U.S.-based news agency. An exiled crown prince called for coordinated chants against the government, coinciding with a nationwide internet blackout. An analyst attributes the unrest to economic shocks and international tensions involving Israel, Iran, and the United States. He also cites threats of military action by the U.S. President and political changes in Venezuela as significant influences. The death toll has reached 38. The analyst warns that Christians, particularly house church leaders, face increased risks of arrest and surveillance as the government cracks down on dissent.
Open Doors reports that Christians in Iran are supporting mass demonstrations against the regime through prayer and solidarity. While security forces respond with mass arrests and lethal force, converts and house church leaders face severe prison sentences. The group states that Christians view the unrest as a national uprising for justice and human dignity rather than a religious conflict. Although they do not always join protests physically, they advocate for non-violence and peace. This occurs in Iran, which ranks 10th on the World Watch List for religious persecution.
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At least two pastors were exposed to pepper spray and pepper rounds during a protest in Minneapolis, US, on January 7. The demonstration followed the fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good by a federal immigration agent. The Rev. Susie Hayward and the Rev. Ashley Horan rushed to the scene to support the community. According to the outlet, DHS claims Good attempted to run over officers with her vehicle, but eyewitnesses dispute this account. The incident highlights the escalating tensions between faith leaders and federal agents amid ongoing deportation efforts in the city.
A report by Forum 18 documents the persecution of Russian religious leaders who oppose the war in Ukraine. Authorities have arrested, fined, or imprisoned priests, monks, and pastors for expressing theological objections to the conflict. Notable cases include Hieromonk Iona Sigida, who faces criminal investigations after being beaten by National Guard troops, and Protestant pastor Nikolay Romanyuk, sentenced to four years for a sermon. In Saint Petersburg, Father Grigory Okhanov and Archbishop Grigory Mikhnov-Vaytenko were fined for condemning the invasion. The state treats religious dissent as a threat to national security, using vague charges to silence clergy who refuse to sanctify the violence.
Five Catholic families in a village in southern Bangladesh are demanding government protection after being beaten by local Muslims following Christmas. A community leader stated the group faced at least four attacks in the past year, citing a pending land dispute as the root cause. The families formed a human chain in early January to highlight their vulnerability. A police officer confirmed the incident and noted that administrative efforts are underway to resolve the conflict. This violence occurs amid broader concerns for minority safety in Bangladesh since the recent political transition, with officials investigating the specific allegations.
A US commission released its 2025 Annual Report, detailing severe religious restrictions in China. The document states that the Communist Party enforces loyalty over faith, restructuring theological education and limiting foreign worship. Authorities intensified crackdowns on Muslims, Catholics, and Protestants, arresting clergy and closing churches. The report also highlights ongoing persecution of Falun Gong and Uyghurs, citing forced labor and detention. These findings confirm systematic state control over all religious groups, and international observers note the gravity of these human rights violations.
Persecution Relief reported multiple incidents of harassment against Christians across India. In Uttar Pradesh, ten individuals face charges under the BNS after gathering for prayer in a village, while a pastor was jailed in another district under anti-conversion laws. In Jharkhand, a pastor reported a disruption during worship in a local area. Church members in Andhra Pradesh were attacked by stone-throwers, injuring a child. Other reports include vandalism in Chhattisgarh, social boycott in Assam, and court delays in Uttar Pradesh. The organization urges daily prayer for those affected by these ongoing persecutions.
Palermo Archbishop Corrado Lorefice is returning to the Zen district to celebrate Mass at the San Filippo Neri parish, which has recently come under violent attack. According to Avvenire, the church was targeted by gunfire twice, with bullets penetrating the interior during the second incident. The archbishop condemned the acts as despicable and announced a Eucharistic celebration on January 6 to show solidarity with Pastor Giovanni Giannalia and the local community. Both clergy members attribute the violence to criminal elements opposed to the Church's social and cultural efforts in the area. Investigations are ongoing as the region continues to struggle with high levels of illegal activity and violence.
A mob of approximately 60 Hindu nationalists attacked Christmas carolers in a village in Telangana, India. The group surrounded a home, shouted slogans, and assaulted several people, accusing them of conversion activities. A pastor was beaten unconscious with stones, while a woman with a kidney condition and a young man suffered severe injuries. According to International Christian Concern, police were notified but no arrests have been made. The incident has caused shock among local Christians, leading some to cancel caroling events due to safety fears. The attackers claimed the celebration was a cover for proselytizing.
A prominent Christian leader in Iraq faces death threats from Islamist groups following a Christmas homily that was misinterpreted. The patriarchate clarifies that the leader used the term 'normalization' to advocate for social healing and reconciliation, rather than political alignment with Israel. Despite these clarifications, online narratives reframed the message as a political provocation. Reports indicate that some radical groups are now demanding the leader's arrest and execution. This incident highlights the severe risks Christian leaders face in Iraq when discussing peace, as religious discourse is often scrutinized through a political lens in the region.
A Colombian priest serving in a city in northern Italy was stabbed in the neck during a targeted attack. Police describe the incident as an intentional attempt on his life, noting the absence of theft. He underwent emergency surgery at a local hospital and is now out of danger. Authorities arrested a suspect shortly after the incident. The local archdiocese confirmed his recovery and expressed solidarity. The motive remains under investigation, raising concerns about the safety of clergy in public ministry.
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A Sudanese Armed Forces drone strike killed at least 11 Christians in a region of Sudan. The attack targeted a procession of congregation members traveling to a church in a village, not the building itself. Sources report 18 others were seriously wounded. Local groups stated that civilians died and were injured in the area, which is controlled by a specific faction. This incident follows other recent drone attacks in the region, including one on a medical clinic and another on a kindergarten. The conflict between the national army and a paramilitary group has severely impacted civilians since April 2023.
Radical Muslim groups in Iraq have called for the execution of Cardinal Louis Raphaël Sako, the Chaldean Catholic Patriarch. The threat follows a Christmas homily where Sako used the term 'normalization' to advocate for social healing and reconciliation. Critics distorted this pastoral message, interpreting it as political support for relations with Israel. Although the Patriarchate clarified the religious intent, online campaigns intensified, with some Islamist factions demanding his arrest and death. Sako stated he would accept execution for Iraq's sake. This incident highlights the severe risks facing Christian leaders in the region when religious language is politicized.
Five men attacked Pastor Joseph Kanooni at his church in Kaliro, Uganda, on December 21, 2025. The assailants, identified by the pastor as Ismael Mukulu and Fahadi Kuluza among others, struck him with sticks and sharp objects while he prepared for a prayer service. They accused him of misleading local children by encouraging church attendance. Kanooni sustained deep cuts and was hospitalized in stable condition. Police are searching for the suspects, who remain at large. Local church leaders have condemned the violence and urged authorities to arrest those responsible. This incident is part of a broader pattern of persecution against Christians in the region.
A bomb thrown from a motorcycle killed three people and injured more than 60 during a Catholic cathedral inauguration in Arusha, Tanzania, on May 5. Archbishop Francisco Montecillo Padilla and Archbishop Josaphat Louis Lebulu were present but escaped unharmed. Nine suspects, including nationals from the UAE and Saudi Arabia, were arrested. President Kikwete condemned the act as terrorism. Christian Solidarity Worldwide highlighted this as part of a rising trend of violence against Christians in Tanzania, citing recent murders and assaults in Zanzibar, Geita, and Mara regions. The group urged authorities to address extremism and protect worshippers.
A blaze at a ski bar in Switzerland during New Year’s Eve celebrations killed up to 47 people, mostly young adults. According to the Daily Mail, witness Laetitia Place reported that one survivor remained calm while holding a crucifix amidst the flames. The young man reportedly broke a window to escape, with the fire narrowly missing him. Place expressed gratitude for his survival and prayed for missing friends. The incident has drawn global attention, with many viewing the boy's survival and possession of the cross as a sign of faith and courage during the tragedy.
Syrian authorities say they foiled an Islamic State plan to attack churches and public gatherings during New Year’s Eve celebrations. The Interior Ministry stated that intelligence revealed militants were preparing suicide operations, particularly in a northern city. One security officer was killed and two others injured in that city when a suspect detonated explosives during an arrest attempt. Consequently, heightened security measures, including patrols and checkpoints, were implemented around places of worship. This incident follows a deadly bombing at a church in the capital earlier this year. Syria joined the U.S.-led coalition against the group in November, as analysts warn of regrouping efforts by the extremist organization.
Reports indicate credible intelligence that armed groups are planning coordinated attacks on Christian communities in a district in northern Nigeria. This warning follows a deadly attack that killed twelve people. The outlet states that attackers are shifting focus to bypass heightened security in other areas. Adjoining regions are also assessed as high risk. Residents are urged to activate community watch groups and report suspicious activity to security agencies. The situation highlights ongoing threats against believers in the region, prompting calls for increased vigilance and cooperation with local authorities to ensure safety amidst escalating violence.
Human rights sources report a violent attack on Christians in a village in Haryana state, India, in late November. A mob of about 80 Arya Samaj members assaulted a pastor and a Christian, forcing the pastor to burn Bibles after making them confess to proselytizing. A lawyer was also beaten. Victims claim police pressured them into a settlement. The incident has sparked outrage, leading to 32 complaints. Rights defenders link this to rising violence against minorities since the BJP took power in 2014.
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