Christian Communities Attacked

27 Sept. 2004 :- As Compass Direct reports, Islamic militants attacked Christians in Barna and Gwoza, Borno state on 20 September. About 60 members of the 'Talibans' raided homes, killing, raping and burning down the houses of anyone perceived to be enemies of Islam. Local reports also indicate that seven Christians were kidnapped during the attacks. Nigerian police announced on 25 September that several of the militants had been killed by the Nigerian army and, in a separate incident five had been arrested in neighbouring Cameroon. Police chief Mike Okiro vowed to track down the surviving attackers and Borno governor Ali Modu Sharif declared that he 'wanted to end this matter once and for all'. Meanwhile, police continue to search for the seven kidnapped Christians.

Nigeria Christian Communities Attacked

27 Sept. 2004 :- As Compass Direct reports, Islamic militants attacked Christians in Barna and Gwoza, Borno state on 20 September. About 60 members of the 'Talibans' raided homes, killing, raping and burning down the houses of anyone perceived to be enemies of Islam. Local reports also indicate that seven Christians were kidnapped during the attacks. Nigerian police announced on 25 September that several of the militants had been killed by the Nigerian army and, in a separate incident five had been arrested in neighbouring Cameroon. Police chief Mike Okiro vowed to track down the surviving attackers and Borno governor Ali Modu Sharif declared that he 'wanted to end this matter once and for all'. Meanwhile, police continue to search for the seven kidnapped Christians.

Indonesia Churches Forced to Close

Sept. 2004 :- Compass Direct (Compass) reports that in the first week of September 12 Churches in the sub-district of Rancaekek, Bandung, Indonesia were ordered closed by the authorities. The Churches were allegedly ordered closed after local Muslims complained that the Churches were illegal. All the Churches meet in private homes and while the Churches admit that this illegal they state that in the past they have attempted to get permission to build Churches but have been denied permission. A Muslim group led by Koko Komaruddin has allegedly led a campaign to get these Churches closed. According to local Christian leaders the surrounding Muslim community have, for the most part, not been at odds with the Christian services held in the homes. The Christians were given until 5 September to stop their services. After that they had no place to meet. On September 11, after negotiating with local authorities, they were offered a run down warehouse for their services yet this offer was withdrawn after local Muslims protested. The Churches were then forced, on September 12, to meet in their homes once again. According to Compass: "The 12 churches represent a growing problem in Indonesia. Muslim groups have forced many other unlicensed churches in West Java to close. " The problem has escalated because officials rarely grant Christians permission to build new Churches.

Vietnam Government Denies Persecution of Christians

27 Sept. 2004 :- Asia News reports that in response to the US State Department's annual Religious Freedom Report, which added Vietnam to its list of states restricting religious freedom, the Vietnam government has claimed to "respect and protect" Christianity in the country. However, the reality for many, such as the Mongnard and Hmong Christians, not to mention numerous house churches, is that religious freedom has deteriorated in the past two years.
A new government Ordinance on Beliefs and Religion, due to take effect on 15 November, will provide a legal basis for the government to hinder and persecute Christians, according to Rev. Pham Dinh Nhan, head of Vietnam Evangelical Fellowship (VEF). Rev. Nhan explained that since 1975 none of the VEF house churches had been recognized since. Rev. Nhan said many of the members had "suffered much persecution and discrimination from different levels of the government." As the State Department noted, Vietnam continues to restrict publicly organized activities of religious groups that are not recognized by the government. Such groups face discrimination at the very least, and are often detained or forced to renounce their faith.