Middle East

By BosNewsLife Middle East Service TEHRAN, IRAN (BosNewsLife)-- Iran has released a Christian convert who served a four-year prison term on charges linked to her Christian activities to receive medical treatment, several Christian sources told BosNewsLife.

By BosNewsLife Middle East Service with BosNewsLife's Stefan J. Bos BAGHDAD, IRAN (BosNewsLife)-- Iran this month released at least four former Muslims who were detained because of their conversion to Christianity and Christian activities, according to friends and rights activists.

By BosNewsLife Middle East Service JERUSALEM, ISRAEL (BosNewsLife)-- Israel's Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu warned Saturday, September 10, that a massive attack on the Israeli embassy in Egypt's capital Cairo could undermine peace between the two neighboring states.

By BosNewsLife Middle East Service with reporting by BosNewsLife's Stefan J. Bos and local sources DAMASCUS, SYRIA (BosNewsLife)-- Christian aid workers have urged prayers after up to 200 Christians were reportedly killed in sustained bombardments of Syria's northern city of Aleppo, as the country's civil war enters its sixth year.

By BosNewsLife Middle East Service RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA (BosNewsLife)-- Some 35 Ethiopian Christians detained during a prayer meeting remained behind bars in Saudi Arabia Saturday, February 11, despite mounting international pressure on the Islamic nation to release them after nearly two months of imprisonment.  

By BosNewsLife Africa and Middle East Services CAIRO, EGYPT (BosNewsLife)-- There was concern Sunday, February 13, about the future of hostages held by human traffickers in Egypt's Sinai Desert, including children, amid an uncertain security situation following the resignation of President Hosni Mubarak after unprecedented protests against his rule.

By BosNewsLife Middle East Service TEHRAN, IRAN (BosNewsLife)-- An Iranian court has told five jailed members of the evangelical Church of Iran movement that they can be released temporarily if they pay what trial observers call "exorbitant bail terms" of up to $200,000. The ruling comes while two Iranian converts reportedly face imminent deportation from Sweden, despite fears they may be executed as "apostates" in their home country.

By BosNewsLife Middle East Service with BosNewsLife's Stefan J. Bos TEHRAN, IRAN (BosNewsLife)-- A Christian woman who was detained as part of Iran's crackdown on devoted Christian converts has been released after more than nine months imprisonment, but concerns remain over other jailed believers, BosNewsLife learned Saturday, December 31.  

By BosNewsLife Americas Service with reporting by BosNewsLife's Stefan J. Bos BUDAPEST/WASHINGTON (BosNewsLife)-- U.S.-based Bible translation group Wycliffe Associates says it is concerned about the security of Bible translators in Islamic nations where at least one of its contacts has been jailed for his Christian work.