The spread of violent Islamic militancy across Sub-Saharan Africa and South-east Asia, and the rise of Christians targeted by organized crime in Latin America, are some of the trends of the 2020 Open Doors WWL.

A radical feminist group claims the attack. It caused damages of 40,000 Euro, but pastor says the church “hopes and prays for a peaceful coexistence” in Tübingen.

The Burkinabe Federation of Evangelical Churches, and the WEA released statements calling Christians to pray for “lasting peace, and the believers to stand strong in their faith”.

Gunmen opened fire during the worship service. This is the fourth attack against Christian communities in the last eight months.

Police registered a report against the Hindu extremists but have taken no action. Another report was registered against the pastor and seven family members.

The new government reiterated that Christian properties confiscated under the previous regime would be returned.

After eleven days of protests and seven people killed, the Ecuadorian government and the indigenous leaders reach an agreement to withdraw Decree 883 and finish the mobilizations.

Throughout the summer, a number of attacks on graveyards, church buildings and other church properties have been reported in Europe.

The extremists demanded that at least one of the Christian organizers should be beaten to death, to teach them a lesson.

Police officials assured church leaders that they were aware of Hindu extremist opposition to Christianity, but they gave no indication of investigating and putting an end to it.

August 22 is the International Day commemorating the victims of acts of violence based on religion or belief. More than 4000 Christians were killed in 2018 because of their faith.

Christian charity CARE reports 445 attacks since 2016. In a letter to all political parties they call for “immediate action and a fund to help churches”.

Local authorities in the state of Hidalgo “prohibit the entry of Protestants”. Those who refuse to fund Catholic festivities are threatened with big fines and water cuts.

“The number of violent attacks against Christians has alarmingly increased in the three years of President Rodrigo Duterte’s government”, Christian organisations in the Philippines say.

“Armed groups, guerrillas, militamen, criminal gangs and drug cartels see the church as an enemy to be eradicated”, a pastor says.

Three months after the attacks that killed more than 200 people, “tensions between the Buddhists and Muslims continue”, Christians warn.

Christians were dragged to the village leaders and forced to sit and bow to the goddess idol. Police decline to act, sources say.

Despite the decline of crimes, these organisations still are very influential in Southern Italy. Christians should “face Mafia with the Biblical responsibility that it deserves”, says Giuseppe Rizza of the Italian Evangelical Alliance.

Suspected Fulani herdsmen killed several Christians, kidnapped 19 and burned at least 12 houses throughout Nigeria in May.

According to the Observatory for Religious Freedom and Conscience, these incidents grew by 20% in 2018.

Ramez Atallah, Director of the Bible Society Egypt, addresses some of the misconceptions about the country, and analyses the presence and influence of the Christian minority. 

The Sri Lanka Evangelical Alliance calls upon the public to “refrain from engaging in hateful discourse, turn away from violence and work towards de-escalating tensions in our country”. 

“If Prime Minister Modi wins again, the persecution of Christians in India will continue to grow”, says Vijayesh Lal, General Secretary of the Evangelical Fellowship of India. Voting will finish on May 19.

The African country is suffering an increase in extremist attacks. Other six Christians were killed two weeks ago in an evangelical church.

A pastor, two of his sons and three other worshippers died. “Europe must stand united against the persecution of Christians in Africa”, said Antonio Tajani, President of the European Parliament.