Pray for Religious Freedom for All
We believe that prayer is important. It not only changes us, but it changes events, countries, and lives. We ask for your prayer support in the fight for a level playing field for all faiths. There are ongoing and severe problems of religious discrimination, intolerance, and violence the world over. Indeed, the challenge can seem overwhelming. But it is essential to remember that religious freedom has a face. That is, we must engage not just for the abstract "principle" of religious liberty, but identify with the face of individual persons — both those who are victimized by religious persecution and those who are doing the hard work of building sustainable environments for religious freedom.
Azerbaijan | 3 December 2008
Azerbaijan continues to obstruct all religious worship, but particularly that of Muslim, Jehovah's Witness, and Baptist groups. IGE encourages prayer for the religious freedom of all groups in Azerbaijan.
Russia | 5 November 2008
Russian non-orthodox groups face dissolution by the Russian government. This action has caused widespread concern about religious freedom in Russia.
State Department Releases Religious Freedom Report | 29 September 2008
The U.S. State Department released its annual report on International Religious Freedom. In light of this, IGE urges Christians to continue to pray for religious freedom around the world.
Washington, DC | 3 September 2008
IGE's Council on Faith & International Affairs co-sponsors "The Future of U.S. International Religious Freedom Policy: Recommendations for the New Administration" October 10 at Georgetown University.
Indonesia | 8 August 2008
Muslim groups in Indonesia have been pressuring the government to ban the Ahmadiyah sect, which follows a brand of Islam some claim is heretical.
India | 28 July 2008
A 15,000 member church in Kerala, India, was attacked on July 6 by a Hindu group intent on preventing people from entering, illustrating the persecution that many Christians are experiencing in India.
Kyrgyzstan | 11 July 2008
Non-Muslim families in Kyrgyzstan are facing difficulties burying their dead, as local officials insist they cannot be buried in local cemeteries unless it is done according to Islamic ritual.
Algeria | 9 June 2008
A group of Christians in Algeria received fines and suspended prison sentences for 'illegally worshiping' because of a 2006 law stating that religious worship can only take place in approved buildings.
Anglicans Persecuted in Zimbabwe | 30 May 2008
People attending services at the Anglican Church in Zimbabwe have been attacked and beaten by government forces. The Anglican church has protested this situation to the UN.
Religious Freedom Focus: India | 29 April 2008
The Rajasthan State Assembly in India passed an anti-conversion law that requires certain steps be taken when converting to a different religion. It also inflicts harsher penalties on coercing people to join any particular religion.
Russian Court Rules Against Methodist Church | 27 March 2008
Russia's Smolensk Regional Court dissolved Smolensk United Methodist Church on March 24 for conducting Sunday school without an educational license. This restricts their ability to teach parishioners about their faith.
Christians in Iraq | 11 March 2008
On February 29th Archbishop Paulos Faraj Rahho of the Chaldean Catholic Church was abducted by gunmen in the city of Mosul, in Northern Iraq. He was seized after leaving the Church of the Holy Spirit where he had lead afternoon prayer.