News | Public Affairs and Religious Liberty Department

Religious Freedom Issues September 2001

Indonesia: Adventist Church Burned Down, Houses Destroyed

Radical Muslims attacked Christian homes and churches in West Java, according to a report by Voice of the Martyrs. In the attacks on September 17, the Adventist Church in Klaksanaan village, Tasikmalaya subdistrict, and the Indonesia Pasundan Christian Church, together with 23 Christian houses were burned down. As a result, 58 Christian families are now homeless. No one was killed or injured in the attacks in an ongoing campaign, "but fanatical Muslims in Indonesia reportedly have killed 10,000 Christians within the past two years," the report concludes.

Afghanistan: More Arrests Related to Christian Mission

The Taliban have arrested another 35 Afghans on suspicion of aiding Christian missionary work, says a Compass report. This brings the total to more than 50 now in detention on such charges, which carry the death penalty. Earlier eight foreigners and 16 Afghans working for Shelter Now were detained on charges of Christian proselytism.

Laos: Government Clampdown on Christians

Government efforts are increasing to close churches and force Christians to renounce their faith, says a report from International Christian Concern. Seven Christian teachers in Savannakhet province are threatened with dismissal unless they sign papers renouncing Christian beliefs, while other Christians are threatened with expulsion from the country because "Lao citizens are not Christians."

Saudi Arabia: Christians Arrested

At least 15 Christians have been detained since July in the Saudi city of Jeddah. Most are from Ethiopia and Eritrea; the others are from Indian, Nigeria and the Philippines. They are being held without charge and have not been permitted any diplomatic access. Despite protests from governments of those concerned, the Saudi authorities have not responded.

Pakistan: Christians Fear Revenge Attacks

Reports of violence in Pakistan against Christians confirms fears that they may be singled out as tensions mount over the crisis in neighboring Afghanistan. On September 20 several Christians in Rawalpindi were beaten and their houses burned. According to a Voice of the Martyrs report, a mullah in Rawalpindi during Friday prayers called on Muslims to kill two Christians for every Muslim killed by American troops in Afghanistan.

Georgia: Pentecostal Choir Attacked and Beaten

A defrocked Orthodox priest Basil Mkalavishvili and his supporters, wielding truncheons, attacked a choir practice of a Pentecostal church in the Gldani district of the Georgian capital Tbilisi on Sunday 23 September, reports the Keston News Service. The pastor Zaal Tkeshelashvili said he personally saw Mkalavishvili instructing his followers what to do and whom to beat. Twelve church members sustained serious injuries.

India: "Christian-bashing" Continues

Three Catholic nuns who were taking orphan children on a picnic were beaten with sticks and clubs by more than 30 Hindu extremists in the town of Dahod, according to Compass Direct. In Pipalwada village, a nun and a missionary were similarly beaten, while in Mehndikheda a chapel was destroyed by pro-Hindu tribals. In Badadra village a pastor and his congregation "were mercilessly thrashed by Hindu activists," says the report.