Türkiye Faces Legal Challenges for Deporting ChristiansOctober 24, 2025 — Türkiye, formerly known as Turkey, is facing legal challenges after deporting foreign Christians and labeling them “national security threats.” Kenneth Wiest, an American Protestant, had lived in Türkiye with his...
Religious Registration Laws in the Middle East October 16, 2025 — By Joseph Daniel, ICC Fellow I remember years ago when I filled out my first visa form in the Middle East, I paused at a line that startled me: “What...
Turkey’s Erdogan to Visit the White House Again September 25, 2025 — Washington (International Christian Concern) — President Donald Trump announced last week that he would host Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan at the White House today. The visit, occurring on the...
Christians Endure Uptick in Persecution in TurkeySeptember 5, 2025 — Turkey (International Christian Concern) — In recent years, persecution against Christians in Turkey has intensified. Following this trend, last year saw attacks on churches at both its start and end....
U.S. Lifts Sanctions on Syria Despite Uncertain Future for Human Rights May 15, 2025 — 5/15/2025 Syria (International Christian Concern) — On the sidelines of a trip to the Middle East this week, U.S. President Donald Trump met with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa in Saudi...
Turkey Suspected in Drone Strike Violation of Ceasefire in Northern Syria April 30, 2025 — 4/29/2025 Syria (International Christian Concern) — Speaking next to a small, still-smoking crater in the ground, David Eubank of Free Burma Rangers recorded a video this weekend documenting a suspected...
The Christians Disappearing from Biblical Lands January 9, 2025 — By Linda Burkle, Ph.D., ICC Fellow In commemoration of Christ’s birth, millions of Christians have made a pilgrimage to the “Holy Land” throughout the years. This last Christmas season, of...
Anti-Christian Hate Crimes Double During 2-Year Period in Turkey November 20, 2024 — Turkey (International Christian Concern) — The number of anti-Christian hate crimes in Turkey more than doubled from 2021 to 2023, according to an International Christian Concern (ICC) analysis. According to...
Turkish Authorities Deny Church Land for Worship CenterJuly 24, 2024 — 7/24/2024 Turkey (International Christian Concern) — The Diyarbakir Protestant Church Foundation sought to acquire land zoned for religious use to build a worship center, but Turkish authorities recently denied their...
Turkey’s Constitutional Court Supports Government’s Expulsion of 9 Foreign ChristiansJune 14, 2024 — 6/14/2024 Turkey (International Christian Concern) — Turkey's highest court, the Constitutional Court, recently ruled that the government’s expulsion of nine foreign Christian leaders based on secret service reports does not...
Christian Population in Syria’s Khabur Valley Dwindles as Pressure Continues from TurkeyMay 31, 2024 — 5/30/2024 Syria (International Christian Concern) — When conflict and war erupt in the Middle East, the region’s Christian minority often gets caught in the crossfire. Since Syria’s civil war started...
Turkey and Ecumenical Patriarchate Religious Freedom Act of 2021May 16, 2024 — 05/16/2024 Turkey (International Christian Concern) – House Bill 3056 of the 117th Congress also known as the “Turkey and Ecumenical Patriarchate Religious Freedom Act of 2021,” was introduced by Congresswoman Carolyn...
Türkiye Converts Byzantine Chora Church Museum into a MosqueMay 10, 2024 — 5/10/2024 Türkiye (International Christian Concern) — After four years of renovations, Türkiye has converted the ancient Byzantine Chora Church in the heart of Istanbul into a mosque. This decision, reminiscent...
Turkey Detains More than 100 Suspected ISIS MembersMay 3, 2024 — 5/3/2024 Turkey (International Christian Concern) — Officials in Turkey recently detained more than 100 suspected members of the Islamic State group operating within its borders, confiscating weapons and explosives. Turkey's...
Christmas Challenges and Opportunities for Turkey’s BelieversDecember 22, 2023 — 12/22/2023 – Turkey (International Christian Concern) -- In many Turkish cities, shopping centers, streets, and businesses are beautifully illuminated with holiday lights, "New Year's" trees, and other decorations this month....
Second Attempted Break-in at Protestant Church in Turkey December 4, 2023 — 12/04/2023 Turkey (International Christian Concern) – The Protestant Church in Eskişehir, Turkey, faced its second attack within a month, as two inebriated individuals recently tried to break into the premises. ...
