Persecution

TEHRAN, Iran (BP) – Amir, an underground church leader in Iran, told Iran Alive Ministries of being stopped at a police checkpoint with dozens of Bibles in tow, a crime punishable by imprisonment and death.

LAGOS, Nigeria (AP) — Nearly 40 people were killed Sunday in eastern Congo’s Ituri province when rebels stormed a Catholic church during a vigil and opened fire on worshipers, including many women and children.

Violent attacks targeting religious communities continue in Nigeria, and the Nigerian government’s enforcement of blasphemy laws significantly restricts religious freedom, a new report from the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom states.

TEHRAN, Iran (BP) – Iran is increasingly persecuting Christians under its ceasefire with Israel, arresting at least 21 believers, raiding house churches and promoting incendiary propaganda, according to religious freedom advocate Article 18.

DAR ES SALAAM, Tanzania (BP) -- The Glory of Christ Tanzania Church remains shuttered six weeks after the government shut it down following the pastor’s sermon against human rights violations, Christian Solidarity Worldwide lamented.

WASHINGTON (BP) – Russia continued to persecute pastors and shutter churches within its borders and in territories it occupies in Ukraine in 2025, the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) said June 30 in an updated report on Russia.

BARTLESVILLE, Okla. (BP) – An untold number of Christians have died for their faith, with nearly 4,500 killed in 2024 alone. Day of the Christian Martyr on June 29 honors those killed since the Gospel was first proclaimed, and encourages Christians to persevere.

WASHINGTON (BP) -- The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) renewed its call for the U.S. State Department to flag Nigeria for egregious religious freedom violations after 200 Christians were slaughtered there in one night.

YELEWATA, Benue (BP) – The 500 Christians had already fled terrorism at home and found temporary shelter in storefronts transformed into living quarters in downtown Yelewata. But as they slept overnight June 13, men identified as militant Fulani attacked from multiple sides.

WASHINGTON (BP) – Almost daily, news surfaces of Islamic extremists or Fulani militants killing Christians in northern or central Nigeria, with law enforcement either lacking or inadequate to intervene.