“The image of Christians as a persecuted minority is not completely right”, says Egypt’s Bible Society Director Ramez Atallah in an interview with Evangelical Focus. He analyses the coexistence with Muslims and the role of the evangelical community. 

Between eight and ten gunmen attack a bus carrying Coptic Christian to a monastery in Minya. Egyptian Christians have been violently persecuted in the last months.

“We believe Bhatti is innocent and will be freed by the high court, but it will take several years for his case to be heard by the high court”, an advocate says.

The man and his wife were selling girls for over 10 years.

Conversion from Islam is impossible in many places and in the few locations where it is possible legally, there are social and cultural impediments to change.

At least 45 people killed and more than 100 injured in two attacks. The Egyptian President decrees three months of state of emergency.

The ancient town is mentioned in the books of Joshua and 1 Samuel. Excavations start in August.

During her first press conference, Nikki Haley stated that the UN has “breathtaking double standards” with Israel, but the US  “will not turn a blind eye to this anymore.”

Experts in migration Anita Delhaas and Noemi Mena have founded “a platform which helps refugees through building networks, education and employment opportunities.”

Jan Dezort, of Generation 21, analyses the frustrations and success stories of a relocation programme for Middle Eastern Christian refugees in the Czech Republic.

Jamil, a former Muslim: “Yemenis follow Christ with all their hearts. There is no way back. We all know that. Becoming a Christian will cost you much”.

The World Evangelical Alliance and other evangelical groups ask governments to protect the Christian minorities.

Secretary General of the Bible Society of Egypt, Ramez Atallah underlines the “general denouncing of this tragic incident by Muslims in all media”.

Rev. Andrew Brunson has been serving in Turkey for 23 years. After being detained for 64 days, he now faces “terrorism” charges and alleged links with the Fetullah Gulen movement.

The mob blocked firefighter access to the village and cut off the water supply, and firefighters were unable to reach the burning building until police showed up and suppressed the rioting crowd with tear gas.

Qaraqosh, the so-called “Christian capital”, is among the cities recovered. Christian refugees held a vigil to celebrate it. Experts believe the advance to Mosul will be long and difficult.

“Nobody is your friend, nobody can feel what you feel and what you have left behind you… you need ears that listen to you.” M. tells her story as a refugee.

About 600 participants worshipped God together and reflected on the mission in Europe. Working groups were started in several areas.

“If you want to get rid of your neighbor, you find a way to accuse them of blasphemy, using an ordinary insult as evidence”, a lawyer says. 

Institute for Economics and Peace says global deterioration “was driven by increased terrorism and higher levels of political instability.” Europe is the most peaceful region in the world, but Ukraine is the second country whith a bigger deterioration.

The United Nations has described the situation in the Syrian city of Aleppo as ‘catastrophic’.

Wycliffe Associates informs that “several others were injured in a raid on a translation office in the Middle East”. Books and equipemnt were destroyed, but hard drives containing the translation work for eight language projects were not affected. 

‘Can we live up to the ideals we espouse?’ Doug Marshall  (working with refugees in Malta) commentates on five 2016 World Press Photo images.

“Pray that all those who were abducted and have been released will know the Lord's comfort, healing and restoration.”

The resolution also asks the EU to establish a permanent special representative for Freedom of Religion and Belief.