Islam

Members of the German parliament have joined the global community in pressuring the Iranian government to free evangelical Christian pastor Youcef Nadarkhani, who remains in prison with a pending death verdict for alleged apostasy.

A commission in the German Bundestag (the national parliament) recently gathered signatures from Parliament members in a petition for Nadarkhani's release, local media have reported. Parliament members reportedly asked the Iranian government to overturn Nadarkhani's death sentence and to exonerate the embattled pastor – who has now become almost an international poster child for Christian martyrs – according to Iranian Christian news agency Mohabat News.

At the same time, signatories noted in the petition the existence of "restrictions that limit them in influencing the Iranian regime regarding political and Human Rights issues," the agency reported. more >>

As the terrorist attacks decimating Nigeria continue, its citizens are blaming the government for failing to protect them and asking why President Goodluck Jonathan is not doing more to save the Christians under attack by Islamist extremists.

These latest calls mark a stark reverse of public opinion for President Goodluck Jonathan, who was hailed as the "Nigerian Barack Obama" as he took office in May 2010, for his promise to bring change and prosperity to the most populous African country.

Jonathan, a Christian and whose middle name Ebelechukwu means "God's Mercy," has admitted that members of his own government that he helped form might have sympathies toward Boko Haram, the Islamist terror group that has been attacking churches and government offices, a CNN report revealed. Citizens have become so angry with these revelations that they have even taken to the streets carrying mock coffins and placards calling him "President Badluck." more >>

Islamic militant group, Boko Haram, has conducted a series of coordinated attacks in the northern Nigerian city of Kano Friday, killing more than 150 people, reports have indicated.

Multiple explosions hit police buildings around the city, which has since been ordered under a 24-hour curfew. The attacks seem to mark Boko Haram’s deadliest assault to date, as the terrorist group seeks to overthrow the national government to impose a fully Islamic state in the country.

Over recent months the group has increasingly targeted government buildings as well as Christian churches and civilians in an array of attacks killing hundreds. more >>

In what observers say is another step away from amicable international relations, Egypt’s Foreign Ministry has advised Israeli pilgrims to halt their annual trip to the tomb of Rabbi Yaakov Abu Hatzira, located in Damanhour, Egypt.

This serves as Egypt's most recent attempt to separate itself from Israel, according to observers. Although the growing tension between the two countries will have political ramifications, the conflict runs deeper. The growing disparity between Egypt and Israel echoes the Arab-Israeli conflict, reportedly dating back to the beginnings of Arab nationalism and the Zionist movement. 

With the Muslim Brotherhood expected to control Egypt's newly formed Parliament, critics question if the Arab-Israeli conflict will intensify underneath an Islamic government, or if the Brotherhood will uphold its campaign promises of pragmatism. more >>

Islamists now dominate Egypt’s parliament after the leading political party, The Muslim Brotherhood, has won the majority. The religious-centered political party gained one third of the votes in the third round of lower house elections Friday.

Despite an end to the third round of parliamentary elections, run-off elections are set to follow. Partial results announced that the Brotherhood walked away with 37.5 percent of the votes, while the ultra-conservative Salafi Al-Nour party came in at a close second.

The election results have indicated that the Muslim Brotherhood will have the most sway in parliamentary decisions, and that its ideals will play a significant role in forming Egypt’s new constitution. more >>

Increasing boldness by extreme Islamists is one of six top religious news stories that the Institute on Religion & Democracy predicts will make major headlines in 2012.

The religious freedom advocacy group based in Washington, D.C., warns that proclamations such as those made by the terrorist group Boko Haram declaring that all Christians must leave Nigeria indicates more of the same for this year.

“Islamists globally are making more assertive demands against vulnerable religious minorities,” IRD officials stated in their “IRD Predicts Top Church News of 2012” report released Thursday. “Egypt's Coptic Christians may face rule by Islamic parties and accelerated attacks by emboldened militants.” more >>