Tags

Martyrdom

  • Worshippers Slain in Church Attacks; Others Kidnapped
    Several men are carrying guns. All of their faces are covered.
    Militants in Nigeria
    Photo: Voice of America

    The village of Bakinpah-Maro in Kaduna State, Nigeria, has been experiencing repeated attacks from Islamic militants. In order to provide greater protection to residents of the community, village leaders recently raised funds to build a security post that would help draw more law enforcement personnel to the area. However, on the morning of Sunday, September 15th, the village was again attacked by militants – believed to be Fulani herdsmen – who specifically targeted two churches in the community.

  • Hundreds Killed by Islamic Jihadists
    A dirt street in what appears to be a village.
    A street in Burkina Faso.
    Photo: Flickr / Jurken (cc)
     

    Since 2015, the West African nation of Burkina Faso has experienced numerous violent attacks by militants linked to al-Qaeda in a deadly Islamic insurgency that has spread from neighbouring Mali. In what is now the single biggest massacre since the start of the ongoing conflict, as many as 400 people were slaughtered during a raid on August 24th.

  • Pastor Fatally Shot in His Home
    Pastor Thongkham Philavanh appears to be praying.
    Pastor Thongkham Philavanh
    Photo: VOM USA
     

    Thongkham Philavanh was a pastor among the Khmu people of northern Laos, where he also served as the provincial head of the Lao Evangelical Church. Actively involved in ministry throughout the province of Oudomxai, he was closely monitored by authorities and had been repeatedly warned to stop his Christian activities.

  • Ongoing Violence Leads to Church Closures
    Pastor Amos Mohzo is smiling.
    Pastor Amos Mohzo
    Photo: Morning Star News
     

    Nigeria is one of the most dangerous places in the world to be a Christian. One estimate states that, on average, every two hours there is a Christian in Nigeria who dies. The ongoing brutality comes from numerous directions, and news reports only reflect a small portion of the violent incidents that take place – whether they involve fatalities, abductions or the destruction of properties. In many cases, multiple atrocities take place during a terrorist attack.

  • Christian Woman Killed by Relatives
    A woman is silhouetted against a sunset.

     

    A Christian woman was beaten to death with a hammer and other weapons on June 24th because of her conversion to Christianity. The murder took place in Toylanka, a village in the state of Chhattisgarh.

  • Christians Slain After Being Forced from Bus
    Three Christian men are kneeling, while executioners holding guns are standing behind them.
    The three men who were killed by Boko Haram militants.
     

    On June 5th, a bus was travelling along the Damaturu-Biu Highway when a group of armed men forced it to stop near the village of Kamuya, which is located on the border between the states of Yobe and Borno. The terrorists, believed to be members of Boko Haram, pulled aside four passengers who were Christians and then allowed the rest of the travellers to leave.

  • Christian Falsely Accused of Blasphemy Succumbs to Injuries
    A fire is burning in the street. People are milling about in the background. Nazir Masih's photo is also in a corner of the image.
    Angered mob members burned
    Nazir Masih's belongings in the street.
    Photos: ECSPE

    On May 25th, an angry mob rampaged through a Christian community in Sargodha, Punjab, instigated by false allegations that a 74-year-old Christian man named Nazir Masih had burned pages of the Quran. For more details on the attack, see this report. With deep sorrow, we regret to announce that Nazir succumbed to his injuries just after midnight on June 3rd.

  • Young Convert Killed and Widow Forced to Flee
    Jime Kawasi is looking down with her eyes closed.
    Kosa Kawasi's wife, Jime.
    Photo: Morning Star News

    On May 4th, 22-year-old Kosa Kawasi was killed during a violent mob attack while at his home in the village of Kapanar, Chhattisgarh state. The mob, believed to have been led by the young man's uncle and cousin, was angered that Kosa and his wife Jime had converted to Christianity. As a result, the opposing villagers had unsuccessfully tried to force the Christian couple from their home. Following this incident, the angry community members physically confronted the believer – ultimately inflicting a lethal stab wound.

  • Deadly Market Attack
    Bandits in Nigeria are carrying various types of weaponry. All have their faces covered.
    Bandits in Nigeria
    Photo: Voice of America

    As Nigerians were celebrating their national Democracy Day on May 29th, gunmen opened fire on the Maro Junction Market which happens to be located within a predominantly Christian community of Kaduna State. Reports state that as many as 12 people were killed and 20 others injured.

  • Violence Continues Unabated
    A congregation in Nigeria
    A Nigerian church service.
    Photo: Flickr / SIM USA (cc)

    In areas throughout Nigeria, violence has continued relentlessly, disproportionately affecting the Christian population. Those responsible for the brutality are generally members of Islamic terrorist groups such as Boko Haram or the nomadic Fulani herdsmen. While attacks perpetrated by the herdsmen often stem from conflicts over their free-ranging cattle, the accompanying violence also commonly involves a religious element, as militant members of the predominantly Muslim group specifically target Christians and churches. Within the past month, multiple attacks have occurred in at least four different Nigerian states. (For previously published reports on the suffering of Nigeria's Christians, go to our country report.)