The Christian Post's top 10 news stories of 2023 (part 2)
5. Religious persecution plagues India, Pakistan
2023 witnessed a disturbing rise in incidents of persecution against Christian communities, most notably in both India and Pakistan, drawing international attention and calls for action.
In India, reports have emerged of increased violence and discrimination against Christians, particularly in regions like Manipur, at the hands of radical Hindu groups. Ethnic and religious tensions have escalated, leading to the destruction of homes and churches, and in some cases, loss of life.
In September, United Nations experts appealed to India’s government over the ongoing violence in Manipur state, which has left 187 dead, 70,000 displaced and hundreds of churches destroyed.
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In July, the European Parliament passed a resolution urging the Indian government to urgently restore peace in Manipur.
“There have been concerns about politically motivated, divisive policies promoting Hindu majoritarianism, and about an increase in activity by militant groups,” the resolution stated. Also, “accounts of partisan involvement by security forces in the killings have increased distrust in the authorities.”
Pakistan, meanwhile, has seen a series of attacks on Christian communities. Incidents of churches being looted and burned have been reported, with eyewitness accounts describing the treatment of Christians as subhuman.
In Punjab, Pakistan’s most populated province, eight churches were reportedly vandalized in August following accusations of blasphemy, a charge often used to justify violence against religious minorities.
Rights groups have long criticized Pakistan’s blasphemy laws, citing their misuse for personal gains. According to the Centre for Social Justice, over 2,000 people have been accused since 1987, with at least 88 killed on such allegations.
Pakistan also ranked seventh on Open Doors’ 2023 World Watch List of the most difficult places to be a Christian, up from eighth the previous year.
Pakistan’s ongoing persecution of Christians has drawn criticism from international human rights organizations and religious leaders.
The U.S. State Department Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel said the United States was “deeply concerned that churches and homes were targeted,” while Bishop Azad Marshall, Moderator Bishop of the Church of Pakistan, called for justice for the Christian minority.
The ongoing persecution in both countries reflects a broader pattern of religious intolerance and violence across the world.
The U.S.-based International Christian Concern (ICC), which tracks the persecution of Christians worldwide, listed Azerbaijan, Nigeria, North Korea, India, Iran, China, Pakistan, Eritrea, Algeria and Indonesia as the 10 worst persecutors of 2023 in its latest “Persecutors of the Year” report.
“Azerbaijan’s end game is clear: to rid its borders of Christianity either by forcing the Armenian people and their faith out of Azerbaijan or destroying the people and historical sites,” the report said, in part.
Johnnie Moore, the former commissioner for the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom, told The Christian Post that the persecuted church is the “beating heart of our churches” and challenged pastors to keep the stories of persecuted Christians alive and be militant in praying for those who face opposition because of their faith around the world.
“If we don’t remember the stories they will be forgotten,” he said. “We need to tell the stories to one another. In the persecuted church, they’re strong, even in the most difficult places. But they need to know that we’re praying for them. And we should pray for their provision for their security.”
“While the Bible celebrates the sacrifice of Christians, it also celebrates justice. While I want to remember to tell the story of martyrs, I’m working every single day to make sure there are fewer of them.”
Leah Klett contributed to this report.
