Posts tagged Africa
Why Birthrates (And Not Beliefs) Are Shaping Global Faith

(ANALYSIS) This may be unsettling to those who’ve invested in the idea of a steadily secularizing globe, but the numbers don’t lie. In the long run, the groups that reproduce tend to shape the narrative. If religion continues to dominate global culture through the 21st century, it won’t be because it won a war of ideas. It’ll be because believers have more babies.

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Special Report: South African Faith Leaders Condemn Trump’s Economic Policies

President Trump, whose administration has cut USAID and slapped tariffs on other nations in recent weeks, imposed sanctions on South Africa, stating white farmers are being killed and their farms forcefully seized without compensation. He signed an executive order in February saying he was addressing what he described as serious human rights violations occurring in South Africa.

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United For Jesus: The Way Of The Cross Brings Ugandan Christians Together

For Uganda’s Christians, the Way of the Cross is more than a ritual — it is a powerful affirmation of faith, an expression of gratitude for Christ’s sacrifice and a moment of deep collective introspection. By uniting believers across denominations and walks of life, the procession continues to embody the core message of Easter: In Christ, there is redemption, unity and the promise of eternal life.

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A Mission That Turned Into A Movement: The Spread Of Quakerism In Africa

Here’s a fun fact many may not know: Most of the world’s Quakers live in Africa. Also known as the Religious Society of Friends, Quakers have a significant presence on the continent when it comes to building schools and hospitals. They are also involved in peacebuilding in a number of countries, including Kenya and other Central African countries, notably Uganda, Tanzania and Rwanda.

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Tigray War Victims File The First-Ever Criminal Complaint In German Court

(ANALYSIS) In March 2025, eight survivors of the Tigray War filed a groundbreaking criminal complaint with the German Federal Public Prosecutor alleging that twelve senior Ethiopian and Eritrean government officials and military officers committed war crimes and crimes against humanity during the conflict.

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Crossroads Podcast: What’s Next With Global Religious Freedom?

As always, the annual U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom report focused on trends in nations known for bitter religious conflicts and the persecution of religious minorities, including Christians. The list of offenders of “particular concern” included China, Iran, North Korea, Pakistan, Russia and others. The commission pushed to add Afghanistan, India, Nigeria and Vietnam to that list.

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Kenya’s Houses Of Worship Under Scrutiny for ‘Disruptive’ Sound Levels

Worship centers in Kenya are increasingly facing scrutiny for conducting activities at noise levels that exceed acceptable limits. Concerns have been raised in various parts of the country about religious services blatantly violating existing regulations, disturbing the peace and quiet of neighborhoods.

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How Ramadan TV Dramas Serve As A Conduit For Cultural And Social Change

For the past few years, many TV dramas that air during Ramadan have tackled women's issues triggering public discussions that have led to cultural, social and legal changes. Dramas about women this Ramadan include “Hezbet Omri” (“The Sum of My Life”), which  highlights the financial difficulties of the protagonist as she seeks alimony after divorce; and “Ikhwaati” (“My Sisters”), which features an all-female cast who face challenges outside traditional norms.

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How Violence Has Impacted Religious Gatherings In Nigeria

In recent years, Nigeria has seen a surge in kidnappings and violent attacks. Christians living in the country’s five southeast states of Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo have said violence has affected their religious lives.

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Sudan Takes UAE To World Court Over Alleged Complicity In Genocide

(ANALYSIS) Sudan has filed an application instituting proceedings against the United Arab Emirates (UAE) before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) with regard to a dispute concerning alleged violations by the UAE of its obligations under the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide (Genocide Convention) in relation to the Masalit group in Sudan, most notably in West Darfur.

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Crossroads Podcast: Angry Questions About Christians Being Persecuted

During a typical week, readers (or podcast listeners) send me emails or messages through various social-media platforms. Often, these people are frustrated or even angry. Most folks are not upset with me. More often than not, they are ticked off about something they have seen — or failed to see — in mainstream press coverage of the news.

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Churches In Eastern DRC Forced To Shelter Fighters As Violence Escalates

Pastors have reported that they have been forced to shelter rebels inside their churches as well as within their surrounding communities. The rebels are well aware that hiding in these sanctuaries guarantees them protection, given the government’s longstanding commitment to ensuring that attacks do not target civilians, churches or hospitals.

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Coming This Summer: Cairo’s Grand Egyptian Museum Announces Opening Date

From a contemporary marketing perspective, the centenary of the discovery of Pharaoh Tutankhamen’s 3,200-year-old tomb found on Nov. 26, 1922 would have been the ideal date for the inauguration of Cairo’s spectacular Grand Egyptian Museum. In contemporary Egypt, life crawls at the pace known as shuwaya, shuwaya (meaning little, little). Not surprisingly, the much-delayed GEM — more than two decades in the making — is set to have its grand opening on July 3.

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Why Trump Remains African Churches’ Favorite Political Leader

While the president takes a beating on social media for his USAID cuts, African pastors are silencing those blaming Trump for it. “President Trump is doing what must be done for the good of his country,” said Tinashe Hungwe, a cleric in Zimbabwe. “It is high time to make our governments accountable and provide for their people not to blame the U.S.”

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John Symth’s Victims And Their Families In Zimbabwe Hope For Closure

For decades, the Nyachuru family has hoped for closure, which has proved to be elusive. When the scathing Makin Report released this past November — which ultimately resulted in the resignation of Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby — recommended that the Church of England also probe the atrocities committed by Smyth in Zimbabwe, the family was hopeful.

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70 Christians Beheaded In Democratic Republic Of Congo

The beheaded bodies of 70 Christians were found in a Protestant church in North Kivu Province in the Congo around Feb. 15, several religious freedom advocates said, blaming the extremist Allied Democratic Forces. The ADF is accused of approaching homes in Mayba, in the Lumbero territory, beginning Feb. 12 and capturing as many as 100 Christians through Feb. 15.

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Looking Back: 10 Years After Daesh Killed 21 Men On The Beach In Libya

(ANALYSIS) This past Feb. 15 marked the 10th anniversary of Daesh (the Islamic State group or ISIL) releasing the video of the murder of 21 men on a beach in Libya. The majority of them were Egyptian Coptic Orthodox Christians who were abducted from Sirte, Libya, between December 2014 and January 2015. One of the men was from Ghana and chose to stay with the Coptic men and face the same fate.

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How NBA Great Dikembe Mutombo’s Legacy As A Christian And Humanitarian Lives On

Dikembe Mutombo’s towering presence on the basketball court made him a household name. With his signature finger wag and shot-blocking ability, he dominated the NBA for nearly two decades. But it’s his legacy off the court that set him apart as an icon of compassion and service. His parents, both Baptists, instilled in him values of kindness, humility and service to others. These principles would shape Mutombo’s identity as a man and player.

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50 Christians killed, dozens kidnapped in Nigeria since late January

About 50 Christians were killed, dozens kidnapped and homes destroyed since late January in several attacks spanning southern to northern Nigeria, Christian persecution watchdog groups said. At least three pastors were killed in attacks in Kaduna in north-central Nigeria and Gombe in northeastern Nigeria.

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