Connect with us

world news

Christian mother of 5 released on bail after 19 months in Nigerian prison

Published

on

After being imprisoned for over 500 days in Nigeria, a Christian mother of five has been released on bail and awaits a trial that could land her up to five more years behind bars if she is found guilty of “blasphemy.”

Devout Nigerian believer Rhoda Jatau is reportedly safe after spending 19 months in prison. According to ADF International, she is currently in an undisclosed location while she awaits trial for allegedly sharing a video that condemned the lynching of Christian college student Deborah Emmanuel Yakubu, which critics called “blasphemous.”

Yakubu was a college student who attended a university in the northwestern Sokoto state who was falsely accused of blaspheming Islam after she posted a message on social media thanking Jesus for helping her pass an exam.

Following her post, the college student was targeted, set on fire and murdered by classmates for sharing her Christian faith.

Outraged by the killing of a Christian college student, Jatau took to WhatsApp to condemn the murder of Yakubu in 2022.

In response to her outward expression, a mob targeted the mother of five and had her arrested for “blasphemy.” Jatau was put in prison in May 2022.

Although she has previously been denied bail multiple times, a judge in Bauchi state recently granted bail to Jatau following an international outcry over her imprisonment.

Jatau’s trial will likely resume on Dec. 19. But due to holiday schedules, her trial start date might be pushed into 2024.

ADF International, a Christian legal advocacy group that describes itself as working to “contend for the truth in law, policy and the public square,” is supporting Jatau.

The Christian mother is being charged under sections 114 (public disturbance) and 210 (religious insult) of the Bauchi state penal code.

“We are glad to see that Rhoda Jatau finally has been granted bail after being denied it for so long,” Sean Nelson, legal counsel for ADF International, said in a statement.

“No person should be punished for peaceful expression, and international religious freedom advocates must continue to speak up on Rhoda’s behalf. We will continue to seek justice for Rhoda, and we are hopeful that the unjust charges against her will be dropped completely.”

A Nigerian ADF International allied lawyer serving as lead counsel on Jatau’s case is happy to see Jatau receive bail after 19 months.

“We thank all who have been praying for Rhoda, and we ask for your continued prayers as her case continues,” the lawyer, whose full name has not been disclosed, said.

Considering the prevalence of blasphemy cases like Jatau and Yakhubu in northern Nigeria, United Nations experts issued a letter to the Nigerian government in October warning that blasphemy laws infringe on international human rights standards. The letter came in response to appeals from religious freedom advocacy organizations.

In the letter, which is signed by five special rapporteurs, the U.N. emphasized Jatau’s imprisonment as being an “unjust violation of human rights.”

The ADF report also shared that cases such as Jatau’s and Yakubu’s are not isolated occurrences in Nigeria, especially in the northern regions where there is widespread violence against religious minorities.

The persecution of Christians in Nigeria is increasingly severe, with over 90% of the 5,500 Christians who were killed worldwide for their faith last year being Nigerian, according to persecution watchdog Open Doors.

“The criminalization of blasphemy in Nigeria carries with it dangerous implications for the country as a whole. In a country of more than 200 million, split nearly evenly between Christians and Muslims, blasphemy laws are a significant driver of societal tensions,” ADF summarized in its report.

“These laws punish the innocent for expressing their beliefs, silence people from sharing their faith and perpetuate societal violence. Blasphemy laws throughout Nigeria encourage brutal mob violence and inflict severe harm on minority Muslims, Christian converts and others.”

ADF International is also supporting the legal defense of another Nigerian man, Yahaya Sharif-Aminu, a Sufi Muslim musician who was sentenced to death by hanging after sharing song lyrics that were allegedly “blasphemous” on WhatsApp.

With ADF International’s backing and support, Sharif-Aminu is appealing his case to the Supreme Court of Nigeria with the hope of overturning the death penalty blasphemy laws in Nigeria.

Yahaya remains behind bars in a prison as he awaits his appeal. He has been imprisoned for more than 3.5 years.

“Yahaya’s treatment violates both the Nigerian Constitution and international law. No one should be sentenced to death for freely expressing their religious views, and we are working to ensure that Yahaya is released and the blasphemy law ended. It cannot stand,” said Yahaya’s lawyer in his case, Kola Alapinni, in a statement.
Sources:Christian Post

http://theendtimeradio.com

world news

ഐപിസി ഗ്ലോബൽ മീഡിയ യുഎഇ ചാപ്റ്ററിന് നവ നേതൃത്വം

Published

on

ഇന്ത്യാ പെന്തക്കോസ്ത് ദൈവസഭയിലെ എഴുത്തുകാരുടെയും മാധ്യമ പ്രവർത്തകരുടെയും ആഗോള കൂട്ടായ്മയായ ഐപിസി ഗ്ലോബൽ മീഡിയ അസോസിയേഷൻ യുഎഇ ചാപ്റ്റർ ഭാരവാഹികളായി പാസ്റ്റർ വിൽ‌സൺ ജോസഫ് (രക്ഷാധികാരി), ലാൽ മാത്യു (പ്രസിഡന്റ്‌), ഡോ. റോയ് ബി. കുരുവിള (വൈസ് പ്രസിഡന്റ്‌ ), കൊച്ചുമോൻ ആന്താര്യത്ത്‌ (സെക്രട്ടറി) , വിനോദ് എബ്രഹാം (ജോയിൻ്റ് സെക്രട്ടറി), നെവിൻ മങ്ങാട്ട് ( ട്രഷറർ ), പി. സി. ഗ്ലെന്നി (ജനറൽ കൗൺസിൽ അംഗം), പാസ്റ്റർ ജോൺ വർഗീസ്, ആന്റോ അലക്സ്‌ (കമ്മിറ്റി അംഗങ്ങൾ) എന്നിവരെ തിരെഞ്ഞെടുത്തു.

ഐപിസി ഗ്ലോബൽ മീഡിയ അസോസിയേഷൻ അന്തർ ദേശീയ ഭാരവാഹികളായ സജി മത്തായി കാതേട്ട് , ഷിബു മുള്ളംകാട്ടിൽ എന്നിവർ തിരഞ്ഞെടുപ്പിന് നേതൃത്വം നൽകി. ഐപിസി യുഎഇ റീജിയൻ പ്രസിഡന്റ് പാസ്റ്റർ വിൽ‌സൺ ജോസഫ് അനുഗ്രഹ പ്രാർത്ഥന നടത്തി. എഴുത്തുകാരനും പി വൈ പി എ കേരള സ്റ്റേറ്റ് ജോയിൻ്റ് സെക്രട്ടറിയുമായ സന്ദീപ് വിളമ്പുകണ്ടം പ്രസംഗിച്ചു.
Sources:christiansworldnews

http://theendtimeradio.com

The IPC Global Media Association, a global association of writers and media workers of the Indian Pentecostal Church of God, has elected Pastor Wilson Joseph (Patron), Lal Mathew (President), Dr. Roy B. Kuruvilla (Vice President), Kochumon Antaryath (Secretary), Vinod Abraham (Joint Secretary), Nevin Mangat (Treasurer), P. C. Glennie (General Council Member), Pastor John Varghese and Anto Alex (Committee Members) as the office bearers of the UAE Chapter of the IPC Global Media Association.

The election was led by IPC Global Media Association International Office Bearers Saji Mathai Kathet and Shibu Mullamkattil. IPC UAE Region President Pastor Wilson Joseph offered the blessing prayer. Sandeep Vilampukandam, writer and PYPA Kerala State Joint Secretary, delivered the speech.
http://theendtimeradio.com

Continue Reading

world news

മൊസാംബിക്കില്‍ വൈദികര്‍ക്കും സെമിനാരി വിദ്യാര്‍ത്ഥിയ്ക്കും നേരെ ആക്രമണം

Published

on

കാബോ ഡെൽഗാഡോ: ആഫ്രിക്കന്‍ രാജ്യമായ മൊസാംബിക്കിലെ ബെയ്‌റ അതിരൂപതയിലെ നസാരെ പരിശീലന കേന്ദ്രത്തിൽ സായുധധാരികള്‍ നടത്തിയ ആക്രമണത്തില്‍ രണ്ടു വൈദികര്‍ക്കും ഒരു സെമിനാരി വിദ്യാര്‍ത്ഥിയ്ക്കും പരിക്ക്. ഫെബ്രുവരി 23 ഞായറാഴ്ചയാണ് ആക്രമണം നടന്നത്. ഞായറാഴ്ച പുലർച്ചെ പിസ്റ്റളുകളും വടിവാളുകളും ഇരുമ്പു ദണ്ഡുകളും സഹിതം സായുധരായ ഒരു സംഘം ആളുകൾ സ്ഥാപനത്തിൽ പ്രവേശിച്ച് അവിടെയുണ്ടായിരുന്ന മൂന്ന് മിഷ്ണറിമാരെ ആക്രമിക്കുകയായിരിന്നുവെന്ന് മൊസാംബിക്കിലെ റിലീജീയസ് ഇൻസ്റ്റിറ്റ്യൂട്ട് കോൺഫറൻസ്, പൊന്തിഫിക്കല്‍ സന്നദ്ധ സംഘടനയായ എയിഡ് ടു ചർച്ച് ഇൻ നീഡ് (എസിഎൻ)നോട് പറഞ്ഞു.

ആക്രമണത്തെത്തുടർന്ന് രാജ്യത്തിലെ അരക്ഷിതാവസ്ഥയെക്കുറിച്ച് റിലീജീയസ് കോൺഫറൻസ് ഉത്കണ്ഠ പ്രകടിപ്പിച്ചു. രാജ്യത്തിന് വേണ്ടി സമാധാനത്തിനായി പ്രാർത്ഥിക്കുവാന്‍ സംഘടന ആഹ്വാനം നല്‍കി. മൊസാംബിക്കൻ അതിരൂപതയുടെ രൂപീകരണ കോഴ്സുകൾ ഉൾപ്പെടെ വിവിധ പ്രവർത്തനങ്ങളാല്‍ സജീവമായ സ്ഥാപനത്തിൽ രണ്ട് വൈദികരെയും സെമിനാരി വിദ്യാര്‍ത്ഥിയേയും കൊള്ളക്കാർ കെട്ടിയിട്ട് പീഡിപ്പിക്കുകയായിരുന്നുവെന്നു സംഘടന വെളിപ്പെടുത്തി. ആശുപത്രിയില്‍ പ്രവേശിപ്പിക്കപ്പെട്ടവരില്‍ മൂന്ന് പേരും അപകടനില തരണം ചെയ്തുവെന്നും ഇവര്‍ക്ക് ചെറിയ പരിക്കുകള്‍ മാത്രമേ ഉണ്ടായിട്ടുള്ളൂവെന്നും എയിഡ് ടു ചർച്ച് ഇൻ നീഡ് അറിയിച്ചു.

ആക്രമണത്തിന് ഇരകളിൽ ഒരാളായ ഫാ. തിമോത്തി ബയോനോ, ബുർക്കിന ഫാസോയിൽ നിന്നുള്ള ഒരു വൈദികനാണ്. മൊസാംബിക്കിലെ ജനസംഖ്യയുടെ മൂന്നിലൊന്ന് ക്രൈസ്തവരാണ്. ആഭ്യന്തര കലഹങ്ങളും ഇസ്ലാമിക തീവ്രവാദികളുടെ വ്യാപനവുമാണ് ക്രൈസ്തവര്‍ക്ക് ഏറെ വെല്ലുവിളി സൃഷ്ടിക്കുന്നത്. രാജ്യത്ത് ഇസ്ലാമിക തീവ്രവാദം ഉയര്‍ത്തുന്ന വെല്ലുവിളി എന്നത്തേക്കാളും ഉയര്‍ന്ന അവസ്ഥയിലാണെന്നും പ്രാദേശിക മേഖലകളില്‍ നിന്നു ക്രൈസ്തവര്‍ കൂട്ടത്തോടെ പലായനം ചെയ്യുകയാണെന്നും വടക്കൻ മൊസാംബിക്കിലെ പെംബ രൂപതയിലെ ബിഷപ്പ് അൻ്റോണിയോ ജൂലിയാസ് എയിഡ് ടു ദ ചര്‍ച്ച് ഇന്‍ നീഡിനോട് നേരത്തെ വെളിപ്പെടുത്തിയിരിന്നു .
കടപ്പാട് :പ്രവാചക ശബ്ദം

http://theendtimeradio.com

Fear has gripped the Nazaré Training Center in Mozambique’s Archdiocese of Beira following a Sunday, Feb. 23, attack that left two priests and a religious brother at the facility injured.

The Conference of Religious Institutes of Mozambique told Catholic pontifical and charity foundation Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) International that a group of men armed with pistols, machetes, and irons entered the institution in the early hours of Feb. 23, violently attacking three missionaries who were there.

According to a Feb. 25 ACN report, the conference “expressed its concern about the insecurity” in the southern African nation following the attack and appealed for prayers for peace in the country.

ACN reported that the two priests and brother were “tied up and tortured by the bandits” at the institution, which engages in various activities, including formation courses for the Mozambican archdiocese.

Fortunately, according to the report, all three men “are out of danger” and suffered only “minor pain and injuries.”

One of the victims, Father Timothée Bationo, is a priest from Burkina Faso who celebrated two decades of priesthood in December 2024 and is currently the episcopal vicar for consecrated life of the Archdiocese of Beira. He is responsible for the Nazaré Training Centre.

ACN said the attack on the Catholic institution occurred at a sensitive moment in the political life of the Portuguese-speaking African nation, which has been wreaked by political upheaval following a contested presidential election.

Mozambique, ACN said, also continues to suffer from attacks by the Al Shahab militants, especially in the country’s northern province of Cabo Delgado.

In its report, ACN quotes one of the victims as saying that the robbery incident was being handled by security officials, who he said are yet to provide details about the robbers, including their identity and what they might have stolen.
 http://theendtimeradio.com

Continue Reading

world news

Blasphemy Accusations Fuel Violence Against Christians in Northern Nigeria

Published

on

Nigeria — Christians in northern Nigeria continue to face increasing violence over accusations of blasphemy, often leading to mob attacks, destruction of property, and forced displacement.

While Nigeria’s constitution guarantees freedom of religion, the application of Sharia law in 12 northern states has created a parallel legal system where blasphemy charges frequently lead to vigilante justice rather than formal prosecution.

The case of Sadiq Mani Abubakar, a 45-year-old Hausa Christian and lecturer at the Federal University Dutsin-Ma in Katsina state, illustrates the growing trend. On Jan. 30, a mob set his home and vehicles on fire, forcing him and his family to flee. The attack stemmed from a decade-old Facebook post in which Abubakar questioned the origins of the Quran. While some Islamic scholars consider the post blasphemous, accusations spread, and a mob responded with violence.

“I fled for my life, yet the federal government acted swiftly against me,” Abubakar told an International Christian Concern (ICC) staffer, referring to the suspension of his salary following his escape. “I feel utterly abandoned by the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN). I can’t even seek legal help because I fear for my family’s safety back in Katsina.”

Similar incidents have occurred across northern Nigeria. In May 2022, a mob in Sokoto state killed and burned the body of Deborah Emmanuel, a Christian college student, over allegations of blasphemy in a WhatsApp group. In June 2023, a man in Bauchi state was beaten to death after being accused of insulting Islam. Law enforcement has rarely prosecuted those responsible for these killings.

A 2020 report by the United Nations Commission on International Religious Freedom documented an increase in blasphemy-related violence in Nigeria, particularly in states governed by Sharia law. The report noted that such accusations often target religious minorities and that perpetrators of mob violence frequently evade prosecution.

Abubakar expressed frustration over the lack of accountability. “The authorities, the commissioner of police, who is supposed to bring to book the perpetrators, didn’t arrest anybody,” he said. “So, every Muslim is an authority. They take the law into their own hands and go scot-free.”

Christian communities in northern Nigeria have long raised concerns about inadequate protection from security forces. Human rights organizations, including Open Doors and Human Rights Watch, have reported that police often hesitate to intervene in mob violence cases, either due to fear of backlash or lack of political will.

Victims of blasphemy accusations often suffer economic consequences. Many lose their homes and livelihoods after fleeing violence. Abubakar, unable to return to Katsina, is struggling financially after he lost his income. Other displaced Christians face similar hardships, relying on support from religious organizations and humanitarian groups.

Nigeria’s dual legal system, which operates both secular and Sharia law, complicates efforts to address religious violence. While the constitution protects freedom of speech and religion, blasphemy laws under Sharia often conflict with these rights.

The Nigerian Supreme Court has not ruled decisively on the matter, leaving room for varying interpretations at the state level.

In some cases, individuals accused of blasphemy have faced formal prosecution. In August 2020, Yahaya Sharif-Aminu, a musician from Kano state, was sentenced to death for allegedly insulting the Prophet Muhammad in a song. He said, “I prefer my prophet to Prophet Mohammed.” His conviction was later overturned on appeal, but he remains in legal limbo. In contrast, those who carry out mob attacks based on similar accusations often face no legal consequences.

Abubakar called for international awareness and intervention. “I want the Nigerian government, human rights organizations, and the international community to be aware of what has happened to me and is still happening,” he said. “They can put a stop to it and impose the rule of law and order and the restoration of fundamental human rights.”

The pattern of blasphemy-related violence continues. Also, in January 2025, three people were killed in Bauchi state following an accusation against a Christian trader. With limited legal protections and growing religious tensions, many Christians in northern Nigeria remain at risk. Abubakar is one of them, hiding to protect his life, not to be killed like others.
Sources:persecution

http://theendtimeradio.com

Continue Reading
Advertisement The EndTime Radio

Featured

Movie1 hour ago

Actor’s Faith, Biblical Understanding Transformed after Taking Starring Role in ‘House of David’ Series on Prime Video

Michael Iskander landed the role of a lifetime when he was cast to play David in Prime’s new series “House...

National1 hour ago

UP Authorities Arrest 10 More Christians on Charges of Illegal Conversions

India — More than 10 Christians were recently arrested in different parts of the northern state of Uttar Pradesh (UP)...

National2 hours ago

ഐ.പി.സി ശാസ്താംകോട്ട സെൻ്ററിന് പുതിയ ഭാരവാഹികൾ

ശാസ്താംകോട്ട: ഐപിസി ശാസ്താംകോട്ട സെന്ററിന് പുതിയ ഭാരവാഹികളെ തിരഞ്ഞെടുത്തു. ഭാരവാഹികൾ: പാസ്റ്റർ പി.എം തോമസ് (സെന്റർ മിനിസ്റ്റർ), പാസ്റ്റർ ശമുവേൽ ജോസഫ് (വൈസ് പ്രസിഡന്റ്), പാസ്റ്റർ റെജി...

Business2 hours ago

കുറഞ്ഞ തുകയിൽ 90 ദിവസത്തെ വാലിഡിറ്റി, രാജ്യവ്യാപകമായി സൗജന്യ കോളുകള്‍; പുതിയ പ്ലാനുമായി ബിഎസ്എന്‍എല്‍

ന്യൂഡൽഹി: കുറഞ്ഞ വിലയിലുള്ള റീച്ചാര്‍ജ് കൂപ്പണുകള്‍ അവതരിപ്പിച്ചുകൊണ്ട് പൊതുമേഖല ടെലികോം കമ്പനിയായ ബിഎസ്എന്‍എല്‍ എപ്പോഴും ഉപഭോതാക്കളെ അതിശയിപ്പിക്കാറുണ്ട്. സൗജന്യ കോളും എസ്എംഎസും മാത്രം ആവശ്യമുള്ളവരെ ലക്ഷ്യമിട്ടുള്ള ഒരു...

Movie2 hours ago

ഇറാഖിലെ ഇസ്ലാമിക് സ്റ്റേറ്റ്സ് അധിനിവേശവും ക്രൈസ്തവര്‍ നേരിട്ട പീഡനവും പ്രമേയമാക്കി ഡോക്യുമെന്ററി

നിനവേ: രണ്ടായിരം വര്‍ഷത്തോളം ക്രൈസ്തവ പാരമ്പര്യമുള്ള നിനവേ ഉള്‍പ്പെടെ മേഖലയില്‍ ഇസ്ലാമിക് സ്റ്റേറ്റ്സ് തീവ്രവാദികള്‍ വിതച്ച വന്‍ അധിനിവേശത്തിനും അക്രമത്തിനും പത്തു വര്‍ഷം തികഞ്ഞ പശ്ചാത്തലത്തില്‍ ക്രൈസ്തവരെ...

Movie1 day ago

Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir’s new album ‘I Will Not Be Moved’ is an anointed masterpiece

NEW YORK — From the first song — the title track “I Will Not Be Moved” featuring Brad Hudson —...

Trending

Copyright © 2019 The End Time News