Turkish President Vouches for Updated Non-Muslim Foundations Regulations

February 14, 2022 — 02/14/2022 Turkey (International Christian Concern) – After eight years of delay, non-Muslim Turkish foundations will soon be able to renew their governing bodies, a process needed for the minority Christian organizations,...

Turkish Airstrikes Violate Religious Minorities and IS Combat Efforts

February 12, 2022 — 02/12/2022 Turkey (International Christian Concern) – Turkish bombardment continued in early February, targeting regions in Syria and Iraq that included refugee camps, civilians, and SDF. The airstrikes directed at the Syrian...

Historic Turkish Monastery Converted to Nightclub for Ad

February 8, 2022 — 02/08/2022 Turkey (International Christian Concern) – The historic Greek Orthodox monastery of Panagia Soumela, located in Trabzon, Turkey, was the site of a recent advertising video shoot that turned the courtyard...

Turkey Rejects and Disrespects Rulings of International Courts

February 3, 2022 — 02/03/2022 Turkey (International Christian Concern) – In early February 2022, the Council of Europe launched disciplinary proceedings against Turkey for its failure to abide by the ruling of the European Court...

Ancient Assyrian Church in Turkey Used to House Horses

February 2, 2022 — 02/02/2022 Turkey (International Christian Concern) – Ethnic minority Christians living in Turkey often face increased persecution regarding historical religious places of worship. In a recently reported incident, the Assyrian/Syriac church of...

FBI Raids Home of U.S. Congressman for Alleged Connection with Azerbaijani Government

February 1, 2022 — 02/01/2021 United States (International Christian Concern) – Last month, FBI officials executed a search warrant on the Texas home of Congressman Henry Cuellar (D-TX) concerning an investigation into Azerbaijani government...

Criminal Complaint Opened Against Turkish Popstar for Religious Reference

January 27, 2022 — 01/27/2022 Turkey (International Christian Concern) – Turkish authorities are criticizing and boycotting popstar Sezen Aksu for a five-year-old song that references Adam and Eve. Aksu shared a clip of her song...

Turkey, Qatar Reach Tentative Deal on Kabul Airport Security

January 25, 2022 — 01/25/2022 Afghanistan (International Christian Concern) – Turkey and Qatar reportedly have reached an agreement on the security of the Kabul international airport, should they be awarded the responsibility following continued talks...

Massachusetts Mandates Education on Armenian Christian Genocide in Public Schools

January 21, 2022 — 01/21/2022 United States (International Christian Concern) – This year, Massachusetts will require its public schools to cover the Armenian Genocide of the early 20th century following a decision by state...

Turkish Courts Ignore ECHR Verdict, Kavala Remains Imprisoned

January 20, 2022 — 01/20/2022 Turkey (International Christian Concern) – Turkish courts ignored the calls of the international community, ECHR rulings, and rights activists, extending the detention of Osman Kavala until February 13 and scheduling...

Foreign Christian’s Hearing Delayed in North Cyprus

January 15, 2022 — 01/15/2022 Cyprus (International Christian Concern) – Ryan Keating, a foreigner, living in North Cyprus facing two charges, was notified on the eve of his court hearing that it would be delayed...

USCIRF Chair Condemns Turkish Airstrike in Northern Syria During Visit

January 12, 2022 — 01/12/2022 Syria (International Christian Concern) – This week, Nadine Maenza, chair of the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), condemned a Turkish drone strike targeting civilians in Kobani,...

Turkish-Armenian Man Faces Persecution if Deported Back From Greece

January 9, 2022 — 01/09/2022 Turkey (International Christian Concern) – A Turkish-Armenian outspoken blogger, Sevan Nisanyan, is facing deportation from Greece after fleeing from a Turkish prison to the island country in 2017. Greece did...

Turkey Violates Greek Airspace During Christian Celebration

January 8, 2022 — 01/08/2022 Greece (International Christian Concern) – Turkey violated Greek airspace 37 times on Epiphany, despite a previous agreement to respect major national and religious holidays. Turkey and Greece agreed, according to...

Secretary of State Discusses Armenian Relations with Turkish Foreign Minister

January 5, 2022 — 01/05/2022 United States (International Christian Concern) – This week, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke with Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu regarding the relationship between their two countries, which...

Churches Vandalized in Istanbul on New Years Day

January 4, 2022 — 01/04/2022 Turkey (International Christian Concern) – Unknown assailants vandalized three churches in Turkey on New Year’s Day. The vandals spray-painted the door of Kadıköy Protestant Church, writing “Allah-1”. Two other churches...