53 Ethiopian Christians arrested in Saudi Arabia

The Religious Liberty Commission of the World Evangelical Alliance reports that 53 Ethiopian Christians were arrested by Saudi authorities earlier in the month.

The arrests happened during a worship service in the privately rented home of an Ethiopian believer in Dammam, the capital of the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia.

In total, 46 women and six men were arrested. The group included three church leaders.

The RLC said it was likely that those without residential permits would be deported.

There are tight restrictions on religious practice in Saudi Arabia, with religious freedom withheld even from visitors and expats.

Godfrey Yogarajah, executive director of the RLC, said: "Arrest of believers for peacefully gathering for worship goes against the spirit of Saudi Arabia's promotion of inter-religious dialogue in international fora."

News
Fire severely damages historic Amsterdam church on New Year’s Day
Fire severely damages historic Amsterdam church on New Year’s Day

A major fire tore through one of Amsterdam’s best-known historic buildings in the early hours of New Year’s Day, seriously damaging the property and forcing people to leave nearby homes.

Rwanda’s president on the defensive over church closures
Rwanda’s president on the defensive over church closures

Rwandan President Paul Kagame defended the government's forced closure of Evangelical churches, accusing them of being a “den of bandits” led by deceptive relics of colonialism. 

We are the story still being written
We are the story still being written

The story of Christ continues in the lives of those who take up His calling.

Christians harassed, attacked all over India at Christmas
Christians harassed, attacked all over India at Christmas

International Christian Concern reported more than 80 incidents in India, some of them violent, over Christmas.