The Quiet Sufi Behind Morocco's Push For Moderate Islam

Ahmed Toufiq, Morocco’s minister of Islamic affairs, is leading an export of the kingdom’s Boutchichiya Sufi Islam and pushing back against the Wahhabi tradition of Saudi Arabia with its links to Salafi jihadism.

Changes in Gambia Threaten Its Traditions Of Pacifist Islam

(OPINION) The Muslim-majority West African nation has historically had high religious freedom, but changes to its Constitution and growing territorial control of terrorist groups could threaten that.

Africa, Analysis, Opinion, PoliticsPaul MarshallMarch 7, 2020Gambia, West Africa, Paul Marshall, ISIS in Africa, Religious freedom in Africa, Lamin Sanneh, Beyond Jihad, pacifist Islam, Islam, terrorism, Boko Haram, Al Qaeda, Islamic Maghreb Comments

A History Of Impunity In Nigeria Has Led To Increased Christian Persecution

(OPINION) In December 2019, news began to filter out of Nigeria that a Daesh affiliated terror group has been responsible for the brutal murder of several Christians. The new wave of killings does not come as a surprise.

Religion, Middle East, Conflict, Africa, Analysis, OpinionEwelina U. OchabMarch 3, 2020Ewelina U. Ochab, persecution, sex abuse, Boko Haram, daesh, Christians, Nigeria, Nigerian Christians, Christianity Comment

The mother still campaigning for her daughter's rescue from Boko Haram

(OPINION) Leah Sharibu was just 14 when Boko Haram militants burst into her school in Northeastern Nigeria, two years ago this week and seized 109 Muslim girls and her, the only Christian. Five girls died, and 104 were later released. Her mother continues to campaign for government officials to find her daughter and bring her home.

‘The West fiddles’ while West Africa burns

(OPINION) An expert on global terrorism says the West is “weak on Africa” – despite it being the “new frontline” against terror.

Opinion, AfricaDr. Jenny TaylorFebruary 18, 2020Jenny Taylor, Dr. Jenny Taylor, terrorism in Africa, West Africa, ISIS, Al Qaeda, Nigeria, Mali, Burkina Faso, World Watch Monitor, Christian persecution, Christianity, Terror, TerrorismComment

Ugandan Christians honor archbishop killed by dictator

More than 10,000 people attended an annual event commemorating the life of Archbishop Janani Luwum, who was killed in 1977 for speaking out against Idi Amin’s regime.

News, AfricaJohn SemakulaFebruary 17, 2020Uganda, Uganda Christians, archbishop Janani Luwum, secondary feature, Secondary feature, Primary Feature, Christianity, Secondary Feature, John SemakulaComment

Kenyans split over death of past president Daniel Arap Moi

(NEWS ANALYSIS) While some mourn the death of Moi as a great leader who championed education and Christianity, others see a very different man— a dictator responsible for brutal violence and suppressing free speech.

Africa, NewsTom OsanjoFebruary 14, 2020secondary feature, Secondary feature, Secondary Feature, Kenya, Daniel arap moi, moi funeral, kenya dictator, Tom Osanjo, Daniel Arap Moi, ChristianityComment

'Accept the Call' shows Somali father wrestling with his American son's radicalization

The 2019 documentary, now airing on PBS, follows a Somali father’s quest to understand why his American-born son tried to join ISIS in Syria.

Middle East, North America, Religion, Africa, Film & TV, Culture, OpinionDr. Robert CarleFebruary 13, 2020Accept the Call, PBS, Islam, Islamic State, ISIS, radicalization, extremism, terrorism, Somalia, Sufism, Salafi, Primary Feature, movies, film, Robert Carle, Dr. Robert CarleComment

Kenyan Seventh-day Adventists want religious freedom — and atheists have become their greatest ally

Some schools are requiring exams on Saturday, when Adventist students observe sabbath.

Africa, News, PoliticsTom OsanjoFebruary 10, 2020Tom Osanjo, Kenya, SDA, Seventh Day Adventist, Atheists in Kenya Society, John Oloo, sabbath, religious freedom, Namoi Mitasi, Primary Feature, Christianity, secondary feature, Secondary feature, Secondary FeatureComment

U.S. launches first-ever international religious freedom alliance

(NEWS ANALYSIS) At the launch on Wednesday, the U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo stressed the ever-growing need to combat the increasing violence based on religion or belief, including “terrorists and violent extremists who target religious minorities, whether they are Yazidis in Iraq, Hindus in Pakistan, Christians in northeast Nigeria, or Muslims in Burma” and “the Chinese Communist Party’s hostility to all faiths.”

Ugandan Pastor leaves wife, says marriage vows are Satanic

The mainstream Anglican communion, the Church of Uganda, has condemned the pastor for leaving his wife for a younger woman in his church. The Pentecostal pastor is one of many prominent church leaders preaching in favor of the ruling political party and claiming to provide miracles to amass a bigger crowd and donations.

Africa, NewsJohn SemakulaFebruary 6, 2020John Semakula, Aloysius Bugingo, House of prayer, uganda, Uganda Christians, Church of Uganda, Anglican Church in Africa, Africa, Primary Feature, secondary feature, Secondary feature, Secondary Feature, Christianity, SatanicComment

Anointing oil stampede in Tanzania is a symptom of a larger problem in Africa

A popular Pentecostal pastor was arrested after he led a service that resulted in 20 deaths. The incident is part of a dangerous trend in some African countries, where services create deadly conditions for desperate people.

News, AfricaTom OsanjoFebruary 5, 2020Tanzania, Pentecostalism, anointing oil, stampede, Africa, Tom Osanjo, Primary Feature, secondary feature, Secondary feature, Secondary Feature, Pentecostal Pastor, Christianity Comment

Nigeria is a killing field of defenseless Christians

(NEWS ANALYSIS) A recent report found that Islamic terrorist groups killed at least 1,000 Nigerian Christians last year and displaced many others with land grabs. While the government says it has defeated Boko Haram, killings of Christians have spiked in recent weeks.

West African Christians face Islamic terror as US weighs troop withdrawals

(OPINION) West Africa’s Christians are suffering extraordinary levels of violence at the hands of radical Islamist killers, while the Pentagon is deliberating withdrawing troops from the region.

Africa’s Young Christians Face Danger from Islamic Extremism

(OPINION) An ongoing Islamic extremist project to exterminate Christians in sub-Saharan Africa is even more brutal and more consequential for the Church than it is in the Middle East. Is anyone paying attention?

Opinion, Politics, Religion, AfricaNina SheaJanuary 29, 2020Nina Shea, Islamic State, Islamic extremism, Africa, Christians in Africa, ISIS, ISIS in Africa, radical Islam, terrorism, Primary Feature, Christianity, Islam Comment

Iceland's bestselling book on the woman who escaped pirates

The Travels of Guðríður Símonardóttir tells the little-known story of an Icelandic woman in the 17th century who was captured by North African pirates. She was enslaved at a harem in Algiers until ransomed, then married Iceland’s most famous poet. His hymns, inspired by the couple’s suffering, are still sung in churches and at funerals.

Ugandan pilgrimage to honor murdered archbishop as a martyr for freedom

Christians from different denominations plan to walk a 500 km route over 14 days to honor the late Church of Uganda archbishop Janani Luwum, murdered in 1977 by the brutal regime of Uganda’s former dictator Idi Amin Dada. Luwum was one of the most influential leaders of Christianity in Africa at the time of his death and a fierce critic of the Ugandan government’s abuses.

Africa, NewsJohn SemakulaDecember 30, 2019Uganda, John Semakula, Church of Uganda, archbishop Janani Luwum, Idi Amin Dada, Kampala, Uganda dictator, Ugandan government, Uganda Christians, Primary Feature, Christianity, secondary feature, Secondary feature, Secondary FeatureComment

Dwindling donations to churches due to a variety of factors

(ANALYSIS) Americans continue to be generous — but churches and some faith-based groups have suffered the most these days when it comes to donations. A drop in donations to these non-profits would also have a global impact.

‘White Fathers’ mark 150 years of Christianizing Africa

The Roman Catholic societies called the White Fathers and White Sisters, named after their white robes, celebrated 150 years since their spread of Christianity across Africa.

Africa, News, Primary Feature, ReligionJohn SemakulaDecember 10, 2019white fathers, africa, John Semakula, Primary Feature, Christinaity, Catholic Church, Secondary Feature, White Fathers, ChristianityComment

Ugandan government closes nearly 12,000 churches and faith-based NGOs

The Ugandan government closed nearly 12,000 churches and NGOs this month under a registration policy some are calling illegal. It’s the latest move by the government threatening religious freedom under the guise of fighting corruption, pastors say.

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