Muslim Militants Attack Iraq’s John the Baptist Followers; Several Killed
April 30, 2009By BosNewsLife Middle East Service
BAGHDAD, IRAQ (BosNewsLife)-- As Islamic militants stepped up deadly attacks, there were security concerns Thursday, April 30, in Iraq about the plight of followers of the Biblical preacher John the Baptist, who led a movement of baptism at the Jordan River. 
KHARTOUM, SUDAN (BosNewsLife)-- Christians in Sudan faced another tense day Wednesday, April 29, amid reports that followers of President Omar Hassan al-Bashir have intensified attacks on Christians and others they believe support the International Criminal Court's recent decision to prosecute the president for his alleged involvement in atrocities in the Darfur region.
CAIRO, EGYPT (BosNewsLife)-- An ex-Muslim who converted to Christianity and her Christian husband were in hiding Tuesday, April 28, amid threats from family members and police, the latest in a series of attacks against Coptic Christians this month, in which at least two people were killed, several sources said. 
SEOUL/PYONGYANG (BosNewsLife)-- Churches around the world were to participate in the International Day of Prayer for North Korea Monday, April 27, shortly after two American Christian bands received awards for their performance in the isolated nation, organizers said.
ISLAMABAD, PAKISTAN (BosNewsLife)-- Minority Christians in Pakistan feared more attacks Sunday, April 26, after militants of the Taliban group executed two residents in a Christian neighborhood while one child died during a crackdown on believers, local Christians and rights investigators confirmed.
MANILA, PHILIPPINES (BosNewsLife)-- Two men are dead and another remained missing Saturday, April 25, after some 40 Muslim militants raided the predominately Christian village of Sitio Arco in Basilan province in the southern Philippines, a Christian rights group said.
MECCA, SAUDI ARABIA (BosNewsLife)-- Christians have set up an underground church in Mecca, viewed by Muslims as the "holiest city in Islam", while tens of thousands of other Saudi Christians are worshipping via the Internet, a mission group confirmed Friday, April 24.
AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS
ISLAMABAD, PAKISTAN (BosNewsLife)-- Two Christian brothers accused of "blasphemy" against Islam in Pakistan were free Wednesday, April 22, after they were unexpectedly released from prison, but concerns remained over their future, Pakistani Christians and rights activists said. 
TRIPOLI, LIBYA (BosNewsLife)-- Amid international pressure, Libya has released four Christians who were detained for converting from Islam, after nearly three months of imprisonment, BosNewsLife learned Tuesday, April 21 from a key advocacy group involved in the case.