In the court order released last month, the Allahabad High Court affirmed that distributing Bibles and preaching religion are not crimes. This isn’t the first time a court in Uttar Pradesh has safeguarded the legal right to share one’s faith — see this 2023 ruling. 

The judges in Allahabad also critiqued the complainant’s charge on several points. They noted that it lacked any victim of alleged forced conversion, although a specific victim is required by law for such charges. To address this and other critiques, the court directed the state counsel to provide several pieces of information in a counter-affidavit.

“It’s been very, on one hand, reassuring that the courts are reading things according to the constitution and in favor of religious freedom,” says John Pudaite with Bibles For the World about this case. “At the same time, we continue to see these anti-conversion laws being used against the Christians, against pastors, against any assembly of worship, even in house churches. It’s a way that they can harass the Christians.”

An Indian woman holds her Bible (Photo, caption, courtesy of IMB)

Harassment can take many forms, but very often what it costs is time. This recent Uttar Pradesh accusation was filed in August 2025, and almost five months later, it is still ongoing. In a similar case, Christians were accused in 2022 of anti-conversion violations and not released from the legal battle until October 2025.

Please pray

Thank God for what appears to be swift justice in this recent case in Uttar Pradesh. Also, India’s Supreme Court is in the midst of reviewing the constitutionality of anti-conversion laws across the nation. Pray for a breakthrough against these laws.

Finally, pray for courage for Christians as they endure further legal challenges.

“Keep lifting up the Body of Christ here, and the pastors, the leadership. They’re the ones who are always facing the brunt of these attacks,” says Pudaite.

“We’ve been seeing some of our partners really step it up in terms of their work, their ministry, and their outreach. I’ve been really encouraged by that. They’re not backing down.”

Header photo of an Indian woman courtesy of IMB. 

Registration

Pastor Eric Foley with The Voice of the Martyrs Korea, who has contact with these churches, says they have something in common that would cause officials to harass them: registration with the Ukrainian government.

When one church provided their registration papers, the officials actually took them away. Foley says, “A regional leader of the denomination told us that he’s encouraging church members to make sure they don’t present their original papers.”

Churches in the Russian-controlled Donetsk and Luhansk regions have seen similar treatment at times since 2014 when fighting first started in Eastern Ukraine.

Mariupol

But the fighting made things more difficult. Foley says, “The Central Baptist Church in Mariupol, which is one of these four churches, buried two church members who were martyred back in March. This was a group of five church members in the Mariupol area who were taking care of 200 people in the Central Baptist Church basement.”

“Those five were hit by a grenade as they were doing their deliveries and caring for those 200 people.”

Mariupol recently fell to Russian invaders after months of intense fighting. The church building was destroyed, and only the basement remains.

How to pray

Ask God to give these four churches endurance. Foley says, “The church leader was telling us that officials there present everything Protestant as American-planted. Only the Russian Orthodox Church, Moscow Patriarchate, has the right to operate. So we really need to pray for discernment for these churches.”

Despite harassment and destroyed buildings, the churches continue to pray and serve their neighbors. Praise God for their faithfulness.

The header photo shows the damaged Central Baptist Church in Mariupol. (Photo courtesy of the Voice of the Martyrs Korea) 

Rob Duncan of Middle East Concern says, “We believe that there are about 21 to 23 cases. Sometimes it’s not clear because a couple has had to leave the country, when in fact; it’s often usually only the man who has received the entry ban. But there’s no doubt that since the beginning of 2019, a lot of foreign Christians have received this entry ban.”

There are also striking similarities in each case. “They have been given a particular code that says that they’re a threat to national security. The papers that have come from both immigration and also the court so far all say that the information is something that is a state secret, and therefore cannot be publicly revealed.”

Is Turkey purging Christians?

(Photo courtesy of USCIRF)

Although Duncan stopped just short of calling the situation ‘persecution,‘ he said the government’s reasons behind the expulsions aren’t obvious. But there is a pattern. “It seems very strange that up until now, the only people who seem to have been issued these particular deportation orders and entry bans are Christians.”

He adds that “even the lawyer of someone working in this situation said that this entry ban has been given to foreign Christian workers resident in Turkey.”

When pressed to confirm similarities to the Andrew Brunson case, Duncan said the issue of national security drew some parallels. However, reality might look more like this: “These days in Turkey, the Turkish people are very prone to believe in conspiracy theories. I think that it fits in generally to how people might be persuaded to be opposed to Christian work in this way–by feeling that there is some subterfuge going on– some hint that there is something that is against the Turkish state.”

(Photo courtesy Middle East Concern)

Most expelled foreign workers’ profiles don’t look like people bent on destabilizing the country. He believes the opposite is true. “These people, as far as I know, have been intensely loyal towards Turkey. (They’re) staying within the laws of the nation, often putting a lot of effort and investing time and resources into the good of the country, and then being asked to leave.” As nationalism intensifies, the crackdown may continue.

What can we do?

Duncan urges prayer for the body of Christ in Turkey.  Pray for the Turkish Church, that believers remain bold in their faith. For the foreign Gospel workers, “We certainly need to pray for those people who have been deported and who can’t return to Turkey for the present time. First of all, (pray) that any injustice in this situation will be overturned, and that righteousness will be done.”

For the families, expulsion is deeply unsettling. Kids are often in the middle of the school year. Wives sometimes have to deal with the sale of the house. The accused deal with trials and government red tape. “Please pray for the Turkish authorities that they wouldn’t see foreign Christians as being enemies of the country, as threats to national security, but instead, that they would recognize them as being a blessing in the land.”

(Photo by The Voice of the Martyrs USA)

China (MNN) — The oldest daughter was forced to move because her family’s life was threatened. The youngest daughter was held in a detention center briefly. The family’s home received attacks including the slashing of vehicle tires and the cutting off of internet access.

This is the family of Pastor Zhang Shaojie. Arrested in mid-November, Zhang has been detained for charges of “fraud” and “gathering a mob to disrupt public order.” Many members of the Nanle County Christian Church were imprisoned after protesting his arrest.

The Voice of the Martyrs USA says that Pastor Zhang is scheduled for a criminal trial today.

Among the previously mentioned acts of opposition of the authorities, the church is also prevented from worshipping. Late last month, three of the imprisoned church members were released. One of these women, Zhao Xiping, is still looking for her husband, Wu Guishan, who was taken by authorities when trying to appeal his case. While both parents were imprisoned, their eldest child dropped out of school so she could attempt to find her dad. The youngest was sent to an orphanage.
Zhao’s husband is included in the nine church members who are still in prison today.

While the church seeks to grapple with the awful blow they’ve been dealt, Zhang is still looking for lawyer representation. The situation is tricky because lawyers involved have been beaten and threatened with credential revocation. The situation is the same for the other members of the church as well.

Our brothers and sister of Nanle County Christian Church need our prayers. Pray for strength and encouragement and comfort for Zhang and his family. Pray for perseverance for the church. Pray that God’s will would be done, and that onlookers of the situation would be intrigued by the steadfastness of the Body of Christ.

If you would like to support VOM in their encouragement and aid of persecuted Christians, click here.

Instead of a celebration of a job well done, he faces a showdown in the streets this weekend.

In an effort to quiet the growing agitation, he tried to reassure the nation, admit his mistakes and quiet the demands for his departure. Instead, there were violent clashes between Morsi supporters and the opposition, a move that observers fear could be a microcosm of what’s yet to come at the Muslim Brotherhood rally for Morsi scheduled Friday and the Rebel protest on Sunday.

Open Doors USA spokesman Jerry Dykstra observes, “He didn’t’ specifically deal with what’s going to happen this weekend. So, it’s just going to play out and I think he’s pretty much helpless to do anything about it.”

Protests In Egypt

Protests are moving ahead as planned.  Millions of Egyptians are expected to come down to not only the presidential palace in Cairo, but to every major square all over the embattled country.   Stirring people up, the continued circulation of the “Rebel”.  Dykstra explains,  “The Rebellion initiative is a campaign coalition of Egyptian opposition groups which formed several months ago. They’ve been calling for his resignation and that new presidential elections are held. They’re very dissatisfied with the status in the country.”

Add to that the threats against Christians, “They have been further marginalized during the year of Morsi’s reign. There’s more charges of blaspheming, against Christians now, than ever before”, and all it will take is one small catalyst to initiate a major chemical reaction.   Dykstra says, “Christians are probably part of that protest on Sunday, but they want it to be peaceful protest and the Muslim Brotherhood has promised that if they go to the streets, they’re going to be in harms’ way.”

The problem compounds when the military is warning both sides that it will step in to maintain order.  Is that a good thing?  Not necessarily.  “Whose side are they on? Are they on the side of the rebel groups, or are they on the side of the Muslim Brotherhood?  That’s to be determined. But, they’ve already deployed troops all over the major cities in Egypt. We don’t know. Everything is up in the air. Everything is very fragile.”  Michael*, an Egyptian Christian leader, notes,  “The heat of the flame together with the heavy dark smoke produced of the reaction of the two substances gives a warning alert that a possible explosion in most likely to happen.

“On one side, the Rebel movement of volunteers is working every hour preparing for the large demonstrations and related activities that are expected to sweep the country this Sunday. They are urging Egyptians who oppose the rule of Morsi and his regime to participate in the national protest. On the other hand, Morsi and his supporting parties of Muslim Brotherhood and Salafists are also working extensively to fight against the Rebel campaign by stirring up their submissive followers to attack the campaign volunteers and offices by words and deeds.”

“This unsettled situation has forced many people in Egypt to fall victims to fear and panic due to the unknown,” states Michael. “Sadly, a considerable number of Christians (or at least those who say they are) have also lost hope. Everyone is desperately wondering if a neutral agent can be added to the reaction or that someone or something can turn the fire off to stop the anticipated explosion. Some people consider the possible intervention of the army and a renewed commitment of the police to stand by the people’s side rather than the rulers a small window of hope.”

But Dykstra says believers still cling to the belief that the Lord is good. “They ask Christians worldwide to pray for their situation.  One of the contacts, says,  ‘The living church in Egypt continues to cry out on the name of the Lord, day and night, so His will should be done throughout the current dilemma. We only see hope in the assuring and comforting shining face of our Jesus, whose presence can’t be mistaken.’”

Dykstra says they’re praying that violence will be held at bay.  A tall order, considering President Morsi’s Wednesday speech was greeted by two deaths already.  But, God: “Pray that Christians may continue to shine with the love of peace in uncertain and tense times. Really, to stand strong in their faith and not forget that the Lord has stood with them for years and years in Egypt and that He will continue to do so.”

*Michael is not his real name, which is protected due to security reasons.

Instead of a celebration of a job well done, he faces a showdown in the streets this weekend.
In an effort to quiet the growing agitation, he tried to reassure the nation, admit his mistakes, and quiet the demands for his departure. Instead, there were violent clashes between Morsi supporters and the opposition, a move that observers fear could be a microcosm of what's yet to come at the Muslim Brotherhood rally for Morsi scheduled Friday and the Rebel protest on Sunday.

Open Doors USA spokesman Jerry Dykstra observes, "He didn't' specifically deal with what's going to happen this weekend. So it's just going to play out, and I think he's pretty much helpless to do anything about it."

Protests are moving ahead as planned. Millions of Egyptians are expected to come down not only to the presidential palace in Cairo, but to every major square all over the embattled country. Stirring people up, the continued circulation of the "Rebel." Dykstra explains, "The Rebellion initiative is a campaign coalition of Egyptian opposition groups which formed several months ago. They've been calling for his resignation and that new presidential elections are held. They're very dissatisfied with the status in the country."

Add to that the threats against Christians: "They have been further marginalized during the year of Morsi's reign. There are more charges of blaspheming against Christians now [more] than ever before," and all it will take is one small catalyst to initiate a major chemical reaction. Dykstra says, "Christians are probably part of that protest on Sunday, but they want it to be peaceful protest, and the Muslim Brotherhood has promised that if they go to the streets, they're going to be in harm's way."

The problem compounds when the military is warning both sides that it will step in to maintain order. Is that a good thing? Not necessarily. "Whose side are they on? Are they on the side of the rebel groups, or are they on the side of the Muslim Brotherhood? That's to be determined. But they've already deployed troops all over the major cities in Egypt. We don't know. Everything is up in the air. Everything is very fragile." *Michael, an Egyptian Christian leader, notes, "The heat of the flame together with the heavy dark smoke produced by the reaction of the two substances gives a warning alert that a possible explosion in most likely to happen.

"On one side, the Rebel movement of volunteers is working every hour preparing for the large demonstrations and related activities that are expected to sweep the country this Sunday. They are urging Egyptians who oppose the rule of Morsi and his regime to participate in the national protest. On the other hand, Morsi and his supporting parties of Muslim Brotherhood and Salafists are also working extensively to fight against the Rebel campaign by stirring up their submissive followers to attack the campaign volunteers and offices by words and deeds."

"This unsettled situation has forced many people in Egypt to fall victims to fear and panic due to the unknown," states Michael. "Sadly, a considerable number of Christians (or at least those who say they are) have also lost hope. Everyone is desperately wondering if a neutral agent can be added to the reaction or that someone or something can turn the fire off to stop the anticipated explosion. Some people consider the possible intervention of the army and a renewed commitment of the police to stand by the people's side rather than the rulers a small window of hope."

But Dykstra says believers still cling to the belief that the Lord is good. "They ask Christians worldwide to pray for their situation. One of the contacts says, ‘The living church in Egypt continues to cry out in the name of the Lord, day and night, so His will should be done throughout the current dilemma. We only see hope in the assuring and comforting shining face of our Jesus, whose presence can't be mistaken.'"

Dykstra says they're praying that violence will be held at bay. A tall order, considering President Morsi's Wednesday speech was greeted by two deaths already. "Pray that Christians may continue to shine with the love of peace in uncertain and tense times. [Pray that they will] stand strong in their faith and not forget that the Lord has stood with them for years and years in Egypt and that He will ,continue to do so."

*Not his real name, which is protected due to security reasons.

Last month while the Sanya Hosanna Church was holding a morning worship service, several people from the Religious Affairs Bureau and the neighborhood committee disrupted the service and served this notice: "Announcement by the Hongqi Street Community of the Voluntary Dissolution of Irregular and Illegal Religious Meeting Sites."

The committee warned the Christians that officials would take stricter measures if they met again the following week. They also put pressure on the landlord to stop renting the meeting site to the church, which was given 15 days' notice to move out.

It didn't stop there. According to China Aid, a ministry partner with the Voice of the Martyrs, the leader of the church was also restricted from going to Hong Kong to attend a special conference. He was told his attendance might jeopardize national security and national interests.

On the same day, three other Sanya house churches (Elim Church, Bethel Church and XinjuChurch) faced the same kind of harassment. Days earlier, Sanya's Mengai Church, Hexing Church, and three other house churches were shut down. A church in Haikou has experienced similar treatment, and several other churches have been forcibly closed. In addition, some churches in the Baoting county have been shut down.

"Closing a dozen churches in Hainan is an alarming sign that little has changed with Xi Jinping as president," said ChinaAid founder and president Bob Fu. "The government is carrying out its plans to 'eradicate' the independent house church movement, a crackdown that would affect up to 100 million people. China must end this repression if it wants global respect as a rising power."

Pray that these believers will be greatly encouraged spiritually, cultivating a deeper relationship with the Lord as they embrace the fellowship of His sufferings (Philippians 3:7-10). Ask that His faithful servants be granted mercy and favor with the officials of the Religious Affairs Bureau and members of the neighborhood committee. May their oppressors discover the joy and peace of personally knowing Jesus, as witnessed in the lives of these Christians…even in the midst of life's challenges.

Christians worry they won't be able to practice their faith–a concern that's been borne out in action by Sudan's recent crackdowns. Matt Parker, Vice President of Operations at Kids Alive International, says, "Although the government itself is saying there is religious freedom, really those are empty words."

Parker goes on to say that Kids Alive partners have shared stories this week about churches that have been destroyed, as well as a corresponding wave of arrests and deportations. "We do know of other Christian organizations in the area (in fact, I spoke to the director of another organization just this week) who have lost some of their key staff and are really concerned about what the future holds." What's more, "I've heard stories this week of offices of Christian organizations being broken into, raided. There are reports of orphanages and schools being closed."

Although officials strongly deny any discrimination against Christians, Parker says, "Christians in Sudan, churches, are very fearful about what the future holds, but there's very little reported in the media about this."

Bashir has been facing pressure from religious hardliners. The Sudan Tribune reports that a group of Islamists recently signed the "Islamic Dawn" charter that would establish Sharia law in Sudan. Further, the charter would ban any parties opposed to the move. The recent round of arrests might be an effort to appease these groups. Parker explains, "We've heard of people being arrested. We've heard of people being deported from the country for sharing about their faith. At the same time, there are Christians in Sudan that are committed to sharing the Good News."

Kids Alive International has a presence in Khartoum. "We have a program working with 30 former street children, providing them with quality care, residential care, based on the compound of a church." The staff, while not directly affected by the closures and arrests, are watching the situation closely, says Parker. "We're very aware that we may have a limited window of opportunity to be there, and we're committed to being there for as long as we can and making the most of this opportunity that we have to be witnesses for Christ."

The Kids Alive ministry is Christ-centered, focused on fulfilling the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of children. For now, they're still operating normally. "Be praying for churches. Be praying for Christian leaders in Khartoum, praying that God will strengthen them and give them wisdom in this situation."

Awareness is a big part of how you can help. Parker says because of the potential for disruption, "pray for our ministry and the 30 boys that we care for. Pray that these boys, each one of them, would grow up to be godly men."

The latest incident occurred on Monday November 5 in northern Cairo. This is where a Coptic Orthodox Church service center is under construction.

Following the afternoon Muslim prayers, a group of Salafi Muslims occupied the construction site and hung a sign reading: Masjed El Rahman, or "Mosque of the Merciful."

Open Doors USA reports that the Maspero Youth Union, which is a Copt activist group, wrote on its Facebook page that the intruders insisted the church did not have the right permits to build. Later government officials affirmed that the church did in fact have the required permissions in place.

For about 24 hours, people of the Coptic Church had to reckon with a group of Salafis who said that Christians has no right to the land. Several members of the Maspero Youth Union made their way to the building site and began to ask questions to the occupiers.

One of the Salafi occupiers said, "We have a small mosque at the end of the street, and the presence of a church here will offend us."

"And this small mosque has a license?" the Copt youth asked in reply.

The Salafi Muslim retorted, "Do the houses of God need a license?" 

Coptic Bishop Antonius Marcos, who oversees the region of Cairo for the church, urged Christians to avoid direct confrontation with the Salafis. He even lodged complaints with the government officials.

He said, "The church doesn't intend or wish to have any kind of confrontation with anybody. We are all brothers living in a same country."

The church construction project does have the support of the governor for that region of Egypt.

This episode happened only a day after the new pope, Bishop Tawadros II, was elected. It is not known if the Salafis were responding directly to Tawadros' election when they took over the Coptic construction site.

"Such an action is nothing new in Egypt, but this is not the first time that extremists directly go after a high profile Coptic prelate," Said Fr. Rafic Greiche, pastor of St. Cyrille Greek Melkite Catholic Church.

This episode prompted denunciations from the Coptic hierarchy and from liberal allies such as the Free Egyptian Party and Egyptian Social Democratic Party.

Together with other conservative Muslim groups, Salafis staged a demonstration Friday in Cairo's Tahrir Square to demand a prominent role for Islamic law in the constitution. More moderate Muslims, along with Christians and other liberal elements, are trying to keep the constitution as neutral as possible on the issue of religion.

The Maspero Youth Union takes its name from the huge building that is home to Egypt Radio and Television organization, where youths protests the earlier destruction of a Christian church in southern Egypt. Security forces and the Army killed 28 of the protestors, most of them Copts.

Judges and politicians face reprisals if they speak out against the
unfair application of the code or on behalf of people who are being punished
under the blasphemy law.

A case in point: the
murders last year of politician Salman Taseer and Shahbaz Bhatti. Taseer was shot and killed by one of his own
guards in January 2011. Two months later, militants gunned down Bhatti. He was the only
Christian minister in Pakistan's Cabinet. Both were outspoken about doing away with the blasphemy law and had called attention to the case of
Asia Bibi, a Christian woman facing the death penalty for her faith.

Patrick Klein, founder and director of Vision Beyond Borders,
says this report is nothing new. "We've
heard that there has been pressure put on judges to use
the blasphemy laws to hurt the Christians. [It] seems like it's
increasing.  I think if people are open
to the Gospel, we need to do what we can to get the Gospel in to them, especially
right now."

According to the U.N. representative, court officials are frequently
pressured to convict people accused under the country's blasphemy law. A
conviction  calls for the death
penalty for anyone insulting
Islam, which is loosely read.
Klein explains, "They've falsely
accused pastors and evangelists of speaking against the prophet or against their holy book, or their religion. They're
using it as a way to stop the Christians."

Pakistani Christians say
the laws are often misused to settle personal scores or family feuds. The timing, Klein notes, is perfect. "We
see that God is really working in Islamic countries around the world. But we
have to be sensitive and see when God opens the door, and then work as fast as we can because we don't
know how long those doors are going to stay open."

Partners have also felt the interest. "They're asking
us for Bibles. They say that people are so open to the Gospel right now in Pakistan.
I think people have seen so much of the terrorist acts and the radical Islam, and
people are turned off. People are really searching, but we've been trying to get Bibles to them. We need to be working on a way to help them as well in persecution situations."

Klein says there's a lot of work to do to meet the demand,
starting with prayer. Specifically, "What we're hoping to do is to get
permission to print 100,000 Bibles. We think it'll cost us about $3.50 to
have them shipped into Pakistan. We'll try to work on raising funds, and
hopefully get these Bibles in there before the end of the year."

Pakistan's transformation will come from within. Klein recounts, "We had a New Testament
that got into the hands of a Taliban soldier. He read the New Testament, and he
came to faith. He has also given out 600 more New Testaments to other Taliban
soldiers. We've also heard that there have been 5,000 Muslims calling
for his death."

Pray for believers to be strong in the face of intimidation. Ask God to continue revealing Himself to Pakistan.