Christians in the Middle East and Africa had to endure particularly severe persecution this year. Extremist militant groups such as the Islamic State (IS), proclaiming a country governed by Islamic leader Khal?fah; Nigerian Islamic terrorist group Boko Haram; and Somali extremist jihadist terrorist group Al-Shabaab committed horrible acts of terror against Christians. Many Christians were forced to leave their hometowns, and many lost their children.
According to Open Doors International, a total 5,479 Christians have been killed, and 3,641 churches and Christian properties have been destroyed in 10 countries including Nigeria, Syria, Iraq, Pakistan, and Kenya, between November 2012 and late March this year. Cases of violence including assault, kidnapping, and rape, reach more than 13,120.
Open Doors Korea Secretary General Yu Yeong-yeol said, “Violent religious persecution is spreading worldwide… The oppression this year was the most severe so far.”
Reporter Sangmok Shin (smshin@kmib.co.kr), with Yeara Ahn-Park (yap@kmib.co.kr)
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2014 Korean Church Top 10 News ⑤ Overseas Christians Persecuted by IS and Boko Haram
2014-12-29 10:37
