ICC 'Hall of Shame' Names Top 10 Christian Persecutors

By Michelle Vu 5 Jan, 2007 12:25 EST

International Christian Concern released its annual Hall of Shame Awards on Wednesday, listing the world’s top ten persecutors of Christians.

The Washington-based human rights group called attention to the growing shift in Christian persecution from countries with Communist governments to Islamic nations.

Iraq, ranked by ICC as the second worst Christian persecutor, was an example of this growing trend. ICC noted that the war in Iraq resulted in unintended pressure on the local Christian community, which has been attacked by militant Muslims.

Recently, a 14-year-old boy near Mosul died by a crucifixion-murder in October and Fr. Paulis Iskander was beheaded in Mosul in the same month. Moreover, in the past two years, 27 churches in Iraq have been attacked or bombed, according to Christian Solidarity International.

The ICC report also highlighted radical Islam in the Horn of Africa. Somalia, whose capital and most of the south was up until recently controlled by an Islamic militant group accused of having links to Al-Qaida, is one such country. The human rights group said the Union of Islamic Courts in Somalia contributed to rise in violence against Christians in Somalia and Ethiopia.

"Persecution must and can be fought," said ICC’s president Jeff King, in a statement Wednesday. "Religious persecution must be named and shamed on an international level."

ICC ranks the world’s worst persecutors of Christians as following:

1. North Korea

2. Iraq

3. Ethiopia

4. Saudi Arabia

5. Somalia

6. Iran

7. Eritrea

8. China

9. Vietnam

10. Pakistan

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ICC 'Hall of Shame' Names Top 10 Christian Persecutors

Survey: Hong Kong teens generally identify with traditional Chinese cultural values

Many American churchgoers expect their pastors’ sermons to help them understand and address modern cultural issues American churchgoers are looking for more than biblical explanation from their pastor each week. Many expect the sermons to help them understand and address modern cultural issues.

Survey: Hong Kong teens generally identify with traditional Chinese cultural values

Global Lutherans celebrate Reformation Day, ‘trusting in the power of grace in a merciless time’.

Many American churchgoers expect their pastors’ sermons to help them understand and address modern cultural issues

2.1M Korean Christians estimated at joint worship service to affirm family, oppose gay marriage, pray for nation

Many American churchgoers expect their pastors’ sermons to help them understand and address modern cultural issues
American churchgoers are looking for more than biblical explanation from their pastor each week. Many expect the sermons to help them understand and address modern cultural issues.