International Christian Concern, December 7, 2020 

Of 10 young Christian students interviewed about their experiences in school, 6 said that nothing was taught about Christian theology and 4 said that hearsay is taught about Christian theology. The Christian history of Turkey is ignored, and historic persecution of Christians is reframed as defending Turkey … birthing a type of nationalism hostile towards anything associated with Christianity.

One student said, “I became a Christian and immediately felt like I betrayed my country. During the independent war, we fought against lots of countries and some bishops blessed the Turks’ enemies. That’s why people started to hate Christianity and Christians and believe that if you aren’t Muslim, you’re an enemy. When you ask people’s religion here, some people will say I’m a Turk. Because people believe that if you’re a Turk, then you have to be Muslim.”

Ayse is an 18-year-old student living in eastern Turkey. She says that her teachers “told me that I should not raise the subject of my faith in school and share my identity with anyone. The threats are disciplinary punishments that I will not deserve, like throwing me out of school. There are teachers who turn Christianity into hate speech. They say Christianity is a changed, distorted religion, a belief where human killing is without consequence.”

International Christian Concern, December 13, 2020 

Algeria’s Court of Amizour has tried two Christians for “insulting the prophet and denigrating the precepts of the Muslim religion.”

In the first case, the prosecutor has requested two years in prison and a fine of 200,000 dinars ($1519 USD). The verdict is expected on December 15th. A verdict in the second case is expected on December 17th. The defendant in this case is threatened with the same charge and fine, but only six months in prison.

Algeria has undergone a recent political transition and constitutional reform which held the opportunity for the country to protect religious freedom. However, it was a missed opportunity. The Protestant churches which had begun to be forcefully closed in 2017 were completely closed under the pandemic. The Catholic churches have been allowed to reopen, but the Protestant churches remain shuttered and continue facing harassment from the authorities.

Barnabas Fund, 24 November 2020

A community of about 40 Indian Christians in Gagari, near Ranchi the Jharkhand state capital, was arrested by police when an angry mob of 1,500 locals, led by extremists, converged on their village to pressure the believers into renouncing their faith in Christ.

After months of threats and harassment, the Christians were summoned to attend the latest village council meeting on 3 October, where the large mob of villagers confronted the tiny community.

Police presence was required to prevent an outbreak of violence. But, despite being peaceful, it was the Christians themselves who were arrested. All of those taken into custody have since been released.

Village council meetings have frequently been used to threaten and intimidate the Christian community in Gagari. Since being released, some of the Christians have been prevented from accessing medical treatments, including a pregnant woman who was not allowed to see a midwife.

Violent attacks against Christians have been on the rise in Jharkhand State during 2020.

The Voice of the Martyrs, November 26, 2020

A Laotian teenager was kicked out after her mother and stepfather realized she had become a Christian.

Monthida, 16, accepted Christ after a friend brought her to church. Whenever Monthida would come home late from school, her mother would quiz her on where she had been and why she was late.

When her mother found out Monthida had become a Christian, her stepfather worried he would lose his job if others discovered that someone in his family was a Christian.

He and her mother tried many times to get Monthida to give up her faith, but she would not. Finally, her stepfather told Monthida not to come back home unless she was ready to renounce Christ.

Monthida is now living with a pastor and his family. “Pray that Monthida will not be discouraged,” a Voice of the Martyrs contact in Laos wrote.

Morning Star News, November 26, 2020

Muslim relatives of a former sheikh in eastern Uganda who refused to renounce Christ killed his 6-year-old son on Monday (Nov. 23).

Following a two-hour meeting with Muslim relatives in Kibuku District, former sheikh (Islamic teacher) Emmanuel Hamuzah refused their demand to renounce Christ.  Shortly afterward, his brothers, sisters and paternal uncle attacked him outside his house, he said.

His 6-year-old son, Ibrahim Mohammad, was outside with him when the five relatives approached at about 6:30 p.m., with one saying, “You should renounce this Christian faith, which is a disgrace to our family,” Hamuzah said.

“I refused to yield to their demand, and they started fighting me with kicks and blows,” Hamuzah told Morning Star News. “I tried to defend myself while the other attackers were stepping on my child’s neck, suffocating him.”

The assailants fled when neighbours rushed toward the commotion, and his son died before he could obtain medical help, he said. The family has not reported the assault to police out of fear of further violence by the assailants.

Hamuzah, who with his wife has three other children ages 10, 8 and 4, put his faith in Christ two years ago.