Daily briefs of the top news stories impacting Christians around the world.
In today's edition:
- Nigeria: Post-Election Rioting Continues
- Congress Recognizes 400th Anniversary of KJV
- Kidnapped Christian Lawyer Returns Home
- Pakistani Pastor Receives Death Threats by Muslim Extremists
Nigeria: Post-Election Rioting Continues
Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) reports that post-election violence continues in Nigeria’s northern states following the victory of President Goodluck Jonathan. CSW received information of attacks on suburbs in the Gombe State Capital and in the Kafanchan area of Kaduna State, and of continuing tension in Bauchi State. Nigeria’s presidential elections, which took place on Saturday, are being hailed by international observers as the fairest poll in decades. However, supporters of his opponent, Muhammadu Buhari of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), have accused the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) of vote rigging and have taken to streets since Saturday evening in what many on the ground feel are orchestrated protests. At least 60 churches have been burned in the violence.
Congress Recognizes 400th Anniversary of KJV
The "Old King James" is turning 400 years old in May of this year. A national expo will be held in the nation's Capitol on May 2-3 to honor the influential book, and a concurrent resolution has been entered into the House of Representatives by the bipartisan team of Rep. Robert Aderholt (R-AL) and Rep. Nick Rahall (D-WV). "The King James Bible deserves to be recognized for its contribution to American society," says Doug Levesque, of the Bible Nation Society, a sponsor of the event. "It really has been the vehicle that formulated our language and programmed our thinking for centuries. There is no equivalent piece of English literature."
Kidnapped Christian Lawyer Returns Home
ChinaAid reports that Jiang Tianyong, one of several prominent Christian human rights lawyers who were kidnapped on February 19 and have been missing for two months, finally returned home at 6 p.m. Beijing time on Tuesday. Jiang Tianyong’s wife, Jin Bianling, said her husband has lost quite a bit of weight but is in good spirits. He has not said if he was attacked physically during his detainment by National Security forces. A week before his release, Jin Bianling sent a letter to the Beijing Municipal Public Security Bureau to inquire about her husband. She received no information about his whereabouts or condition during his two-month imprisonment.
Pakistani Pastor Receives Death Threats by Muslim Extremists
ASSIST News Service reports that another Pakistani Christian leader, along with his family, is among the growing number of Christians who are being subjected to death threats from Islamic extremists. Pastor Javaid Austin, aged 60, a resident of Lahore, received death threats along with his wife and three sons. All three sons - Azeem, Waseem and Naeem - have completed their seminary studies with the Assemblies of God in Lahore and are actively involved in church activities along with their father. Austin has been a active member of the Pakistan Christian Welfare Council (PCWC) for the past 20 years. He says that alleged Muslims have demanded he give back a section of property given to him in 2003 or be killed.
