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        <title>Christian Daily International | Middle East</title>
        <link>https://www.christiandaily.com/middle-east</link>
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            <title>Christian Daily International | Middle East</title>
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        <copyright>Christian Daily International © 2026</copyright>
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        <lastBuildDate>Tue, 28 Jul 2026 18:11:42 -0400</lastBuildDate>
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                                                        <item>
                <title><![CDATA[How a Texas church hosted a cultural and archaeological event around Jordan's World Cup game]]></title>
                <link>https://www.christiandaily.com/news/how-a-texas-church-hosted-a-cultural-and-archaeological-event-around-jordan-s-world-cup-game</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.christiandaily.com/news/how-a-texas-church-hosted-a-cultural-and-archaeological-event-around-jordan-s-world-cup-game</guid>
                                                            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Daoud Kuttab]]></dc:creator>
                                                                                                                            <media:content  url="https://www.christiandaily.com/media/original/img/0/49/4901.jpg">
                            <media:title><![CDATA[Thousands attend the Visit Jordan Experience, where performers in traditional dress appear onstage before a screen showing Petra.]]></media:title>
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                                    <![CDATA[ FBC Arlington ]]>
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                                    <![CDATA[ Thousands attend the "Visit Jordan Experience," where performers in traditional dress appear onstage before a screen showing Petra. ]]>
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                            <media:title><![CDATA[The Rev. Dennis Wiles, center, meets with members of the planning team during the churchs partnership with Jordans World Cup delegation.]]></media:title>
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                                    <![CDATA[ FBC Arlington ]]>
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                                    <![CDATA[ The Rev. Dennis Wiles, center, meets with members of the planning team during the church's partnership with Jordan's World Cup delegation. ]]>
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                                                                            <pubDate>Mon, 06 Jul 2026 14:48:00 -0400</pubDate>
                <description><![CDATA[The Rev. Dennis Wiles, pastor of First Baptist Church in Arlington, Texas, wanted to do something special for the World Cup. Nine tournament games were scheduled at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, and the church owned space downtown, not far from where they would be played.]]></description>
                <content:encoded><![CDATA[
The Rev. Dennis Wiles, pastor of First Baptist Church in Arlington, Texas, wanted to do something special for the World Cup. Nine tournament games were scheduled at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, and the church owned space downtown, not far from where they would be played.
Wiles, who will mark his 25th anniversary at the church, told Christian Daily International that the goal was simple: an outdoor gathering that felt welcoming to families, with activities to draw people in. The congregation was still working out what its role could realistically be during the tournament, he said, especially without a direct connection to any team. Still, its leaders believed they could create a space for community, hospitality and faith in action.
Then Arlington City Hall called with an unexpected opportunity. Jordanian officials were looking for space for their delegation during the World Cup, and the city thought the church's property might meet their needs. The delegation wanted a venue that could handle tents, stages and a market-style setup, along with the logistics to run it safely. Once the church understood the request, Wiles said, the decision came quickly.
What began as a World Cup celebration for local families grew into something larger — a partnership with Jordan's delegation that drew thousands of visitors over three days and turned into a cultural and spiritual exchange.
Wiles saw the opportunity right away. "I think their party is better than our party," he said. The church canceled its own celebration and redirected its plans to support the Jordanians. "We canceled our party and used the Jordanians," he said.

Planning meant close attention to safety. The church coordinated with city leaders and made sure local authorities knew its plans. Organizers expected a sizable crowd — perhaps 1,000 people — and wanted to serve visitors as well as residents looking for a place to gather.
The church handled the practical work, including insurance, coordination and security. Volunteers and leaders moved quickly on setup and operations. Wiles said the Jordanian team was organized and positive about working together. "It was pleasant all the way around," he said.
First Baptist Church in Arlington, founded in 1871, had planned its community event for June 27. The date suited the Jordanians: it was the day Jordan faced the current World Cup champions, Messi's Argentina.
In the meantime, the Rev. Elijah Brown, president of the Baptist World Alliance, connected Wiles with the Rev. Nabeeh Abbasi, president of the Jordanian Baptist Convention. The two exchanged emails, and Wiles said Abbasi's messages were encouraging and confirmed for him the value of cooperating with the Jordanian delegation.
Church leaders and members spent the day with their Jordanian counterparts, laughing and learning about one another before watching the World Cup match together on a big screen.
"We were planning for about 1,000 people for the event we had planned. Between Thursday and Saturday, around 3-4,000 people attended every day. It was incredible," Wiles said.
He was struck by the visitors. "The leaders of Jordan could not have been any more positive," he said, adding that the team was "competent, gracious." Their "professionalism and hospitality," he said, kept the collaboration smooth.
The church was grateful for the experience, Wiles added, and hoped it would lead to something lasting. "We hope it will be a developing friendship," he said.
The hospitality grew into a cultural and spiritual exchange. Five hundred people attended presentations on Jordan's biblical and Christian significance, including a talk on Thursday by Sarah Winner, an archaeologist working in Jordan. "It was a beautiful experience of biblical significance, and the plans of the 2000 celebration of the baptism of Jesus were informative and sweet," she said.
The lecture resonated, Wiles said; people wanted more than entertainment. The event also made room for conversation and new relationships — in the formal programming and in everyday exchanges among volunteers, guests and delegation members.
For Wiles, the experience showed that the church's mission is not limited to its first plans. He hopes to build on the connection, and is considering leading a group from his church on a tour of Jordan in place of its annual trip to Rome.]]></content:encoded>
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                <title><![CDATA[New book calls churches to make child protection a gospel priority]]></title>
                <link>https://www.christiandaily.com/news/new-book-calls-churches-to-make-child-protection-a-gospel-priority</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.christiandaily.com/news/new-book-calls-churches-to-make-child-protection-a-gospel-priority</guid>
                                                            <dc:creator><![CDATA[CDI Staff]]></dc:creator>
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                            <media:title><![CDATA[Gods Heart for Child Protection and Safeguarding: Practical Theology from Global Perspectives]]></media:title>
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                                    <![CDATA[ Book cover ]]>
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                                    <![CDATA[ God's Heart for Child Protection and Safeguarding: Practical Theology from Global Perspectives ]]>
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                                                                            <pubDate>Wed, 01 Jul 2026 12:59:00 -0400</pubDate>
                <description><![CDATA[Church leaders, theologians and child advocacy practitioners from around the world gathered online to launch God's Heart for Child Protection and Safeguarding, a new volume urging Christians to view safeguarding not as an administrative requirement but as a central expression of the gospel.]]></description>
                <content:encoded><![CDATA[
Church leaders, theologians and child advocacy practitioners from around the world gathered online to launch God's Heart for Child Protection and Safeguarding, a new volume urging Christians to view safeguarding not as an administrative requirement but as a central expression of the gospel.
Published by Langham Publishing in partnership with VIVA, the Lausanne Children at Risk Issue Network and the Global Child Protection Alliance, the book brings together more than 30 contributors from five continents to address child abuse through biblical theology, practical guidance and case studies drawn from ministry contexts around the world.
During the online launch, co-editor Dr. Martin Munyao said the book was written to help fill a significant gap in theological education and ministry resources.
"We cannot ignore" the scale of abuse facing children, Munyao said, citing global estimates that one in four girls and one in 13 boys experience sexual abuse before age 18, while more than 600 million children live in conflict or humanitarian settings. He also noted that abuse within churches remains widely underreported and that many theological institutions still lack child protection frameworks.
"What we're talking about today is safeguarding. It's not just an optional extra for Christians. It's a gospel imperative," he said.
Munyao described the book as more than an awareness resource. Covering issues including gender-based violence, child trafficking, online sexual exploitation, child marriage, disability, family violence, humanitarian crises and church ministries, each chapter combines a global overview, biblical reflection and practical case studies. The book is intended for seminaries, churches, Christian organizations and NGOs.
Co-editor Dr. Nativity A. Petallar said she hopes the book will encourage churches to confront difficult realities rather than avoid them.
"My hope is that this book will break through church discomfort by forcing an honest conversation about an unthinkable reality — abuse happens within religious institutions," she said. She expressed hope the resource would help readers move "from passive bystanders to active advocates" who foster safer church cultures and take proactive steps to prevent abuse.
Asked what she hopes church leaders will remember from the book, Petallar said safeguarding should never be viewed as merely another policy.
"The central message I hope church leaders would take from this book is that safeguarding is an essential expression of the gospel," she said. Over the next five years, she hopes theological colleges, churches and ministries will embed cultures of protection into everyday practice.
Phil Green, CEO of VIVA, said churches around the world have often done remarkable work for children but acknowledged they have also sometimes caused harm.
"Our motivation to do better when it comes to child protection and safeguarding needs to be that God values children and therefore so should we," Green said. "Keeping children safe is a biblical mandate." He added that safeguarding must become embedded in relationships and community life rather than existing only as written policy.
The launch also highlighted practical examples featured in the book. Tryphosa Kwagala, VIVA's monitoring and evaluation manager in Uganda, described how community networks have established "safe spaces" in police and judicial facilities to provide child-friendly environments for victims and witnesses of abuse.
She said local churches can play a critical role because they understand their communities and are well positioned to advocate for children's protection.
"They can link the teachings of Christ into how people should safeguard children," Kwagala said. "They can be big advocates of child safeguarding because they are already rooted in their communities."
The event also featured the Global Child Protection Alliance, which seeks to promote collaboration among Christian organizations working to protect children. Alliance representatives argued that child protection should be viewed as a matter of justice rooted in God's character rather than as an optional ministry emphasis.
World Vision International also endorsed the publication. Bill Forbes, the organization's global director for child protection and child participation, described the volume as an important theological and practical resource for churches.
"This book reminds us that safeguarding and protection are not optional extras," Forbes said. "They are a true measure of our faithfulness." He added that the book calls Christians to move beyond awareness toward intentional action to prevent violence and support healing and justice for children.
The launch concluded with prayer for children affected by abuse and for churches to become places of safety. Organizers also announced a three-part webinar series later this year that will explore the book's themes in greater depth.
Published by Langham Publishing, God's Heart for Child Protection and Safeguarding is available in print and digital formats through major booksellers and Christian retailers.]]></content:encoded>
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                <title><![CDATA[Faith Without Frontiers podcast explores refugee crisis through award-winning documentary 'Life Jacket']]></title>
                <link>https://www.christiandaily.com/news/faith-without-frontiers-podcast-explores-refugee-crisis-through-award-winning-documentary-life-jacket</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.christiandaily.com/news/faith-without-frontiers-podcast-explores-refugee-crisis-through-award-winning-documentary-life-jacket</guid>
                                                            <dc:creator><![CDATA[CDI Staff]]></dc:creator>
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                            <media:title><![CDATA[AlFaraj]]></media:title>
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                                                                            <pubDate>Sat, 20 Jun 2026 03:27:00 -0400</pubDate>
                <description><![CDATA[The latest episode of Faith Without Frontiers, aired this week, features a compelling conversation between host Gordon Showell-Rogers and filmmaker and documentary producer Faten AlFaraj, whose award-winning film Life Jacket shines a light on the realities faced by refugees fleeing conflict, persecution, and displacement.]]></description>
                <content:encoded><![CDATA[
The latest episode of Faith Without Frontiers, aired this week, features a compelling conversation between host Gordon Showell-Rogers and filmmaker and documentary producer Faten AlFaraj, whose award-winning film Life Jacket shines a light on the realities faced by refugees fleeing conflict, persecution, and displacement.
Originally from Jordan and now based in Canada, AlFaraj joins the podcast to share the personal and spiritual journey behind the documentary, which was filmed on the Greek island of Lesbos, one of Europe's main entry points for refugees escaping war-torn regions such as Syria, Iraq, and Afghanistan.
Drawing on her own experience as an immigrant, AlFaraj reflects on the challenges of leaving one's homeland and adapting to a new culture. Although her family's move to Canada was planned and voluntary, she explains how that experience helped her empathize with those who have been forced to flee their homes with little warning and few possessions.
"The people I met had no choice," AlFaraj explains during the interview. "They left everything behind and were trying to build a future for their children while carrying the trauma of war, loss and uncertainty."
The documentary takes viewers inside the notorious Moria refugee camp on Lesbos, which at one stage housed tens of thousands of displaced people in conditions far beyond its intended capacity. Through interviews with refugees, aid workers and educators, Life Jacket captures both the immense suffering experienced by those living in the camp and the remarkable resilience many continue to display despite overwhelming circumstances.
AlFaraj recounts hearing stories from families who walked for days across borders, survived dangerous sea crossings, and witnessed unimaginable violence. Among the most powerful moments in the film are testimonies from parents determined to secure a future for their children despite losing homes, careers and communities.
The title Life Jacket emerged from AlFaraj's visit to what locals call the "life jacket graveyard" on Lesbos—a site filled with thousands of discarded life jackets left behind by refugees who crossed the Aegean Sea in overcrowded boats. For her, the image became a powerful metaphor not only for physical survival but also for the deeper hope many displaced people cling to in times of crisis.
Throughout the conversation, AlFaraj speaks openly about the role of faith in both her life and the lives of many refugees she encountered. While coming from diverse religious backgrounds, many expressed a profound awareness of their dependence on God amid uncertainty and loss.
The episode also highlights the work of Teach Beyond Borders, a Christian educational ministry serving refugees and displaced communities through transformational education initiatives. AlFaraj discusses how education can provide stability, dignity and hope for children whose lives have been disrupted by conflict.
As the conversation draws to a close, AlFaraj challenges listeners to move beyond their comfort zones and engage with the needs of vulnerable people around them.
"We're all made in the image of God," she says. "Whether someone is a refugee, an immigrant, or simply someone who looks different from us, we are called to love, welcome and care for one another."
This week's episode of Faith Without Frontiers offers a moving exploration of faith, displacement, compassion and the power of storytelling to give voice to those who are often unheard.]]></content:encoded>
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                <title><![CDATA[Jordan to legalize wills, allowing Christians to opt out of male-based Sharia inheritance law, adopt children]]></title>
                <link>https://www.christiandaily.com/news/jordan-to-legalize-wills-allowing-christians-to-opt-out-of-male-based-sharia-inheritance-law-adopt-children</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.christiandaily.com/news/jordan-to-legalize-wills-allowing-christians-to-opt-out-of-male-based-sharia-inheritance-law-adopt-children</guid>
                                                            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Daoud Kuttab]]></dc:creator>
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                            <media:title><![CDATA[The Jordanian Parliament building in Amman.]]></media:title>
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                                    <![CDATA[ Wikimedia Commons ]]>
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                                    <![CDATA[ The Jordanian Parliament building in Amman. ]]>
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                                                                            <pubDate>Fri, 19 Jun 2026 04:26:00 -0400</pubDate>
                <description><![CDATA[Jordan's Cabinet on Wednesday (June 17) approved amendments that would allow Christians to bypass mandatory Sharia inheritance rules for the first time, and to legally adopt Christian children.]]></description>
                <content:encoded><![CDATA[
Jordan's Cabinet on Wednesday (June 17) approved amendments that would allow Christians to bypass mandatory Sharia inheritance rules for the first time, and to legally adopt Christian children.
The amendments, forwarded to Parliament for approval, address a long-standing issue facing Jordan's Christians: under current Sharia law, male heirs receive twice the share of female siblings, and in families with only daughters, part of the estate passes to a male cousin. The new measures would let Christians opt out by issuing a verified will through their ecclesiastical courts.
Retired Maj. Gen. Imad Ma'ayeh, head of the Evangelical Churches in Jordan, told Christian Daily International that he welcomes the government's decision, considering the legalization of wills and adoption an excellent step forward. "Although we would have preferred full equality in inheritance between men and women, the government's decision is a good step forward. Furthermore, legalizing adoption for Christian families is a merciful solution that addresses the problems of many families, and provides legal shelter for Christian children," he told Christian Daily International.
Engineer Nidal Qaqish, a member of the Orthodox Society in Jordan who played an active role in the process, told CDI that the government's approval of the change is intended to protect family rights, especially those of families with only female children. In the current application of Islamic Sharia, part of the inheritance of a family with only female children goes to a male cousin.
Qaqish said the initiative began nearly two years ago through work led by Senator and former Deputy Prime Minister Dr. Raja'i Muashar and involved a voluntary committee that communicated with Christian MPs and senators, as well as church figures. The existing mandatory Sharia law gives males twice the portion of inheritance given to their female siblings.
He emphasized that a will would not be mandatory for all. "A will is not mandatory, and anyone who does not want to organize their inheritance through a will has the right to do so, but in such a case, the inheritance will be distributed according to Sharia Law," he said.
While a majority of Jordanian Christians have been calling for regulation giving equal distribution of inheritance to both male and female children, a number of Jordanian landowners and tribal leaders, who are largely men, have opposed any change that would weaken the current male-biased system.
Member of the Jordanian Parliament Hayel Ayash told Milhilard.net, a Christian news website, that the bill provides Christian families with greater flexibility in organizing the distribution of inheritance in accordance with the testator's wishes and within the framework of regulations to be established by law and relevant systems. "This is a positive step that many members of the Christian community in the Kingdom had long awaited," he said. He also emphasized that the amendments reflect the Jordanian state's approach of respecting the privacy of all segments of society and empowering each group to manage its affairs according to its religious and social specificities.
Father Rifaat Bader, a Catholic priest who runs Abouna.org, told CDI that while he welcomes the decision, he feels disappointed that it did not go far enough to ensure equality between males and females, as the majority of Jordanian Christians want.
Qaqish argued that the will can help protect women's rights in inheritance matters. He said it is also intended to address circumstances in which families do not have male children, allowing the will to include daughters and the mother in a way that is both legal and consistent with Christian belief in the equality between men and women.
In his interview with CDI, Qaqish said the will gives its owner the authority to distribute the inheritance as they see fit, within the limits of protecting children's inheritance rights. "When organizing a will, its owner has the authority to distribute their inheritance in the way they see fit, except for totally depriving any of their children of inheritance," he said.
In a direct reference to evangelical churches, Qaqish said there is an effort to find solutions for churches that issue marriage certificates but lack an ecclesiastical court for matters such as divorce, inheritance and adoption. He pointed to discussions involving representatives of evangelical churches and the World Evangelical Alliance to unify the legal framework for Christians so that personal status mechanisms are available to all without exception.
He added that adoption would be addressed for the first time in Jordan as part of the reform, aiming to organize adoption within Christian families in a manner suited to the nature of the issue. On whether adoption could include children from countries such as Egypt or Syria, Qaqish said that at this stage, officials do not want to enter scenarios involving other countries.
Qaqish said he hopes the law will take effect within six to seven months and called for unity among Christians despite denominational differences. "I hope the Christians have one heart, and that we work together — no matter the differences in our denominations or convictions — for the interest of everyone and the good of the entire society," he said.]]></content:encoded>
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                <title><![CDATA[Baptist World Alliance delegation visits Egypt, Lebanon and Syria, holds dialogues with religious, political leaders]]></title>
                <link>https://www.christiandaily.com/news/baptist-world-alliance-delegation-visits-egypt-lebanon-and-syria-holds-dialogues-with-religious-political-leaders</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.christiandaily.com/news/baptist-world-alliance-delegation-visits-egypt-lebanon-and-syria-holds-dialogues-with-religious-political-leaders</guid>
                                                            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Daoud Kuttab]]></dc:creator>
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                            <media:title><![CDATA[Baptist World Alliance delegation meets Pope Tawadros II in Egypt to discuss Baptist–Coptic Orthodox dialogue and future cooperation.]]></media:title>
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                                    <![CDATA[ BWA ]]>
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                                    <![CDATA[ Baptist World Alliance delegation meets Pope Tawadros II in Egypt to discuss Baptist–Coptic Orthodox dialogue and future cooperation. ]]>
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                            <media:title><![CDATA[A landmark meeting in Cairo: Baptist World Alliance leaders sit down with Pope Tawadros II, laying groundwork for a formal Baptist–Coptic Orthodox dialogue and a shared vision for Christian unity ahead of the 2033 millennium commemoration.]]></media:title>
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                                    <![CDATA[ BWA ]]>
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                                    <![CDATA[ A landmark meeting in Cairo: Baptist World Alliance leaders sit down with Pope Tawadros II, laying groundwork for a formal Baptist–Coptic Orthodox dialogue and a shared vision for Christian unity ahead of the 2033 millennium commemoration. ]]>
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                            <media:title><![CDATA[Baptist World Alliance delegation meets with Dr. Osama Al-Azhari, Egypts Minister of Religious Endowments, to discuss a proposed memorandum of understanding between the BWA and the Ministry of Islamic Waqf.]]></media:title>
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                                    <![CDATA[ Baptist World Alliance delegation meets with Dr. Osama Al-Azhari, Egypt's Minister of Religious Endowments, to discuss a proposed memorandum of understanding between the BWA and the Ministry of Islamic Waqf. ]]>
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                            <media:title><![CDATA[Baptist World Alliance delegation meets with Lebanese President General Joseph Aoun, presenting the BWAs global mission and discussing the vital role of Baptist churches in education, health and community development across the Arab region.]]></media:title>
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                                    <![CDATA[ BWA ]]>
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                                    <![CDATA[ Baptist World Alliance delegation meets with Lebanese President General Joseph Aoun, presenting the BWA's global mission and discussing the vital role of Baptist churches in education, health and community development across the Arab region. ]]>
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                                                                                                <media:content  url="https://www.christiandaily.com/media/original/img/0/47/4791.jpg">
                            <media:title><![CDATA[From right: Rev. Ibrahim Nusair of Aleppo, Rev. Boutros Zaour of Damascus, and Rev. Nabeeh Abbasi, President of the Jordanian Baptist Church and BWA Ambassador for the Middle East and North Africa.]]></media:title>
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                                    <![CDATA[ BWA ]]>
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                                    <![CDATA[ From right: Rev. Ibrahim Nusair of Aleppo, Rev. Boutros Zaour of Damascus, and Rev. Nabeeh Abbasi, President of the Jordanian Baptist Church and BWA Ambassador for the Middle East and North Africa. ]]>
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                                                                                                <media:content  url="https://www.christiandaily.com/media/original/img/0/47/4792.jpg">
                            <media:title><![CDATA[Baptist World Alliance General Secretary and CEO Elijah M. Brown visits the historic Umayyad Mosque in Damascus during the BWAs regional delegation tour of Syria, Egypt, Lebanon and Jordan.]]></media:title>
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                                    <![CDATA[ BWA ]]>
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                                    <![CDATA[ Baptist World Alliance General Secretary and CEO Elijah M. Brown visits the historic Umayyad Mosque in Damascus during the BWA's regional delegation tour of Syria, Egypt, Lebanon and Jordan. ]]>
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                                                                            <pubDate>Tue, 16 Jun 2026 02:56:00 -0400</pubDate>
                <description><![CDATA[A Baptist World Alliance delegation visited Egypt, Lebanon and Syria in a regional tour focused on Christian unity, interfaith dialogue and planning for a global commemoration of the 2,000th anniversary of Jesus Christ's life and ministry.]]></description>
                <content:encoded><![CDATA[
A Baptist World Alliance delegation visited Egypt, Lebanon and Syria in a regional tour focused on Christian unity, interfaith dialogue and planning for a global commemoration of the 2,000th anniversary of Jesus Christ's life and ministry.
The delegation was led by Elijah M. Brown, General Secretary and CEO of the Baptist World Alliance, and included Charlie Costa, President of the European Baptist Federation, and Nabih Abbasi, President of the Jordanian Baptist Church and Ambassador of the Baptist World Alliance for the Middle East and North Africa.
Costa told Christian Daily International the conditions in Lebanon and Syria weighed heavily on the delegation. Quoting Luke 21:25 — "There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea" — he said the verse captured the mood. "People are suffering economically, especially in Lebanon and Syria, and the frustration and despair were clear in people's eyes and words."
Egypt

In Egypt, the delegation met with His Holiness Pope Tawadros II, Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of St. Mark, and with Dr. Osama Al-Azhari, Egypt's Minister of Religious Endowments.
Talks covered Christian unity, interfaith dialogue, religious freedom and future cooperation. Proposals on the table included a formal Baptist–Coptic Orthodox dialogue and a memorandum of understanding between the Baptist World Alliance and the Ministry of Islamic Waqf. Pope Tawadros II welcomed both initiatives and stressed the value of dialogue and building relationships among churches.

The delegation also discussed plans for 2033, when the Baptist World Alliance hopes to gather church leaders from around the world in Jerusalem to mark the second millennium anniversary of the resurrection of Jesus Christ and the beginning of the church. The gathering would include a reading of the Sermon on the Mount and was described as a testimony of unity among churches.
Coordination for the Egypt meetings was supported by Pastor André Zaki, President of the Evangelical Church in Egypt.
Lebanon
In Lebanon, the delegation met with President General Joseph Aoun. The delegation included Brown; Costa, who also serves as President of the Lebanese Baptist Assembly; and Rev. Joseph Kassab, Head of the Evangelical Community in Syria and Lebanon, along with other Baptist leaders.
Participants told CDI the meeting was positive and constructive. The delegation introduced the Baptist World Alliance, its global mission and its work in the Arab region, and discussed the role Baptist churches and institutions play in education, health, social services and community development.

The group also raised the importance of responsible Christian participation in the Middle East and the role of churches in promoting love, peace and coexistence, and contributing to serving communities and building bridges of dialogue and cooperation, especially in light of the challenges facing the region.
President Aoun expressed interest in how Lebanon is perceived in the West, describing the country as a model of diversity and coexistence and noting the Christian role in its political system. He stressed the need to protect Lebanon's distinctiveness and support its stability as a space for freedom, pluralism and balance in the Middle East.
Jordan and Syria
In Jordan, the delegation highlighted the church's community service role through a network of churches, schools, health centers and humanitarian programs. They pointed to religious freedom and pluralism in the Hashemite Kingdom as part of a broader culture of peace and cooperation.

In Syria, Abbasi described the visit as full of positive surprises. "For many, what we saw reflects that what happened was a miracle, as things changed from the old system to the current system, and it was one of the most wonderful things," he told CDI. "Our hosts took us on a full tour of old Damascus, the government, the governor's office, and we spent 24 hours with them on a full tour of the Umayyad Mosque and history, the water of old Damascus, and all of it."

Brown, reflecting on the full tour, said the delegation sought to bring encouragement across all four countries.
"I am grateful for the Baptist World Alliance delegation visit to Egypt, Lebanon, Syria, and Jordan as we sought to be a presence of encouragement as we met with Baptist and evangelical churches, spiritual leaders, and government leaders," he said. "In each discussion, we emphasized our desire to partner to promote peace for all people, protect the right of all people to worship God, and to encourage planning for the years 2030-2033 when all Christians will celebrate the 2000th anniversary of the baptism, ministry, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ."]]></content:encoded>
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                <title><![CDATA[Surge in attacks on Christians in Israel reported]]></title>
                <link>https://www.christiandaily.com/news/surge-in-attacks-on-christians-in-israel-reported</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.christiandaily.com/news/surge-in-attacks-on-christians-in-israel-reported</guid>
                                                            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Edward Ross]]></dc:creator>
                                                                                                                            <media:content  url="https://www.christiandaily.com/media/original/img/0/47/4781.jpg">
                            <media:title><![CDATA[Yisca Harani, founder of the Jerusalem-based Religious Freedom Data Center.]]></media:title>
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                                    <![CDATA[ Facebook ]]>
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                                    <![CDATA[ Yisca Harani, founder of the Jerusalem-based Religious Freedom Data Center. ]]>
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                                                                            <pubDate>Mon, 15 Jun 2026 13:32:00 -0400</pubDate>
                <description><![CDATA[Christians have been the target of more than 88 incidents of harassment and assault in Israel so far this year, with 2026 on track to surpass last year’s record of 181 incidents, according to the Religious Freedom Data Center.]]></description>
                <content:encoded><![CDATA[
Christians have been the target of more than 88 incidents of harassment and assault in Israel so far this year, with 2026 on track to surpass last year’s record of 181 incidents, according to the Religious Freedom Data Center.
The Israel-based center announced this month in Jerusalem that this year’s attacks included 63 incidents thus far in the second quarter alone. Most of the incidents took place in the Old City of Jerusalem, including the site of the Armenian Patriarchate, and Mount Zion, the RFDC reported.
The incidents include spitting and verbal abuse, vandalism of graves, tombstones, statues and crosses, as well as racist graffiti and desecration of Christian religious sites.
Israeli researcher Yeska Hran noted during the release of the report that the figures have exceeded all expectations, and that such incidents have become a “daily reality” for Christian communities, according to Palestinian outlet Felesteen News.
Attorneys and human rights activists at the report release event criticized the way police handled complaints filed by Christians, with Uri Naroff, director of the legal department at the Israeli Religious Action Center, stating that most cases are closed without accountability, Felesteen News reported. From 2012 to 2021, authorities closed 19 of 25 complaints submitted by the center, citing “no suspect found,” “no violation found” or “case unsuitable for investigation,” Naroff said.
Catholic leaders spoke of a series of attacks on their properties, including toppled stone crosses, smashed cars and stones, eggs and trash thrown inside monasteries and Christian guesthouses. The Rev. Stanislav Kolakowski of the Sisters of St. Elizabeth in Jerusalem said attacks are recurring in waves, according to Felesteen News.
An attack on a French nun working in East Jerusalem in April drew international attention after it was captured on CCTV. The 48-year-old nun, a researcher at Jerusalem’s French School of Biblical and Archaeological Research, was thrown onto a rock and then kicked repeatedly as she lay on the ground, church leaders told AFP.
Photographs showed bruising on her face, and she received medical treatment for her injuries. Israeli police reportedly arrested a suspect but did not disclose his identity. 
Israel’s Foreign Ministry condemned the attack, saying it “stands in direct contradiction to the values of respect, coexistence and religious freedom upon which Israel is founded,” and added that Israel “remains firmly committed to safeguarding freedom of religion and worship for all faiths.”
Middle East Eye reported that the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, affiliated with the nun’s research centre, said the attack was “not an isolated incident, but part of a troubling pattern of rising hostility toward the Christian community and its symbols.”
Also in April, an Israeli soldier was video recorded smashing a statue of Christ in southern Lebanon. The Israeli army later removed the soldier involved from duty. 
A recent report by the Jerusalem-based Rossing Centre for Education and Dialague asserted a “continued and expanding pattern of intimidation and aggression” against Christians in Israel and East Jerusalem in 2025, Middle East Eye reported. Rossing recorded 155 incidents in 2025, including 61 physical assaults, 52 attacks on church property, 28 harassment cases and 14 incidents of defaced signage.
“The report said these cases likely represent only a fraction of overall incidents, describing them as the ‘tip of the iceberg,’” Middle East Eye reported. “It added that harassment is occurring in a ‘sociopolitical climate increasingly intolerant of diversity and more assertive in exclusivist national-religious claims,’ with Palestinian Christians particularly affected.”
In releasing its report this month, the RDFC noted that three Jewish youths spat on and insulted a priest with the Latin Patriarchate near the Damascus Gate in Jerusalem, while police reportedly ​​tried to discourage him from filing a formal complaint.
Felesteen News stated that the increasing attacks against Christians in Jerusalem and other areas are believed “to reflect the growing influence of hardline religious and nationalist movements within Israeli society, at a time when churches accuse the authorities of not taking these violations seriously enough, which raises increasing concerns about the future of the Christian presence in the Holy Land.”
The RFDC describes itself as a non-political body dedicated to facts, documentation and objective data, free of sectoral or partisan interests.
“It is an organization with a clear Israeli commitment, viewing harm to the Christian community as a direct violation of the founding values of the State of Israel,” the center states on its website. “Alongside formal procedures, it strives to create direct, ongoing human connections between Christian institutions and Jewish-Israeli volunteers.”
It was founded by a Jewish-Israeli citizens led by Yiscah Harani, a scholar of Christianity, advisor to governmental and private organizations on Christianity, an active figure in the interfaith education and licensed tour guide and lecturer, the center says.
About 80 percent of Christians in Israeli territory, around 180,000 people, are estimated to be of Arab origin, approximately 7 percent of the total Arab population of the country. ]]></content:encoded>
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                <title><![CDATA[US, Iran reach preliminary ceasefire agreement to end war, reopen Hormuz strait]]></title>
                <link>https://www.christiandaily.com/news/us-iran-reach-preliminary-ceasefire-agreement-to-end-war-reopen-hormuz-strait</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.christiandaily.com/news/us-iran-reach-preliminary-ceasefire-agreement-to-end-war-reopen-hormuz-strait</guid>
                                                            <dc:creator><![CDATA[CDI Staff]]></dc:creator>
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                            <media:title><![CDATA[TEHRAN, IRAN - APRIL 14: Damage is visible to a building photographed on April 14, 2026 in southeastern Tehran, Iran.]]></media:title>
                                                            <media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">
                                    <![CDATA[ Majid Saeedi/Getty Images ]]>
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                                    <![CDATA[ TEHRAN, IRAN - APRIL 14: Damage is visible to a building photographed on April 14, 2026 in southeastern Tehran, Iran. A preliminary ceasefire agreement between the U.S. and Iran, brokered partly through Pakistani mediation, was announced Sunday, with a formal signing planned for Friday in Switzerland. The deal includes a permanent halt to military operations and a reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, though Iran's nuclear program and other contested issues remain subject to future negotiations. ]]>
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                                                                            <pubDate>Mon, 15 Jun 2026 07:55:00 -0400</pubDate>
                <description><![CDATA[The United States and Iran announced a preliminary agreement Sunday to end their months-long war and reopen the Strait of Hormuz to global shipping, according to Reuters, though the deal leaves Iran's nuclear program and other contested issues to future negotiations.]]></description>
                <content:encoded><![CDATA[
The United States and Iran announced a preliminary agreement Sunday to end their months-long war and reopen the Strait of Hormuz to global shipping, according to Reuters, though the deal leaves Iran's nuclear program and other contested issues to future negotiations.
The memorandum of understanding, brokered partly through Pakistani mediation, is set to be signed Friday in Switzerland.
U.S. President Donald Trump declared the agreement complete in a Sunday evening post on his Truth Social platform. "The Deal with the Islamic Republic of Iran is now complete," he wrote, adding that ships should prepare to move as the strait reopens Friday.
The conflict began in February, when U.S. and Israeli forces launched coordinated strikes on Iran following the regime's violent crackdown on domestic protests that saw thousands of civilians killed.
Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, whose government served as a mediator, announced the ceasefire deal early Monday local time. He said it called for "the immediate and permanent termination of military operations on all fronts, including in Lebanon."
Lebanon has been among the most contested elements of the negotiations. The Israeli military launched an offensive against the Iran-backed Hezbollah militant group, which opened fire on Israel in support of Tehran on March 2.
Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said Israel must fully halt its attacks on Lebanon and wrote on Telegram that Washington bears responsibility for implementing the framework. Iran's Supreme National Security Council said military operations on all fronts would end permanently beginning Monday night.
Israel had yet to officially respond to the agreement as of Sunday. Defense Minister Israel Katz said Israel would resist any pressure to withdraw from areas it occupies in southern Lebanon, citing lessons from the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attacks. "Prime Minister Netanyahu made this clear to U.S. President Trump and other senior American officials," Katz said.
Iran's deputy foreign minister, Kazem Gharibabadi, told Reuters that a broader agreement — including sanctions relief for Iran — would be negotiated during a 60-day ceasefire. The future of Iran's nuclear program, a central concern for several Western governments, will be addressed in those later talks, sources previously told the news agency.
Before the announcement, senior U.S. and Iranian officials gave differing accounts of the draft terms. An Iranian official said it includes $25 billion in released frozen assets and permission for Iran to dilute its enriched uranium inside the country. A U.S. official said it would ultimately require the full dismantling of Iran's nuclear program. Iran denies pursuing a nuclear weapon.
Britain, France, Germany and Italy issued a joint statement saying they were prepared to lift sanctions on Iran in exchange for "clear, verifiable steps" to limit its nuclear activities. China also welcomed the agreement.]]></content:encoded>
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                <title><![CDATA[Jordan marks 100 years of evangelical ministry; WEA head urges Arab leaders to engage global Church]]></title>
                <link>https://www.christiandaily.com/news/jordan-marks-100-years-of-evangelical-ministry-wea-head-urges-arab-leaders-to-engage-global-church</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.christiandaily.com/news/jordan-marks-100-years-of-evangelical-ministry-wea-head-urges-arab-leaders-to-engage-global-church</guid>
                                                            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Daoud Kuttab]]></dc:creator>
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                            <media:title><![CDATA[Rev. Botrus Mansour, secretary general of the World Evangelical Alliance, addresses the centennial celebration of evangelical ministry in Jordan at the Amman Baptist School on May 29.]]></media:title>
                                                            <media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">
                                    <![CDATA[ Daoud Kuttab for Christian Daily International ]]>
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                                    <![CDATA[ Rev. Botrus Mansour, secretary general of the World Evangelical Alliance, addresses the centennial celebration of evangelical ministry in Jordan at the Amman Baptist School on May 29. ]]>
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                                                                                                <media:content  url="https://www.christiandaily.com/media/original/img/0/47/4700.jpg">
                            <media:title><![CDATA[Church and faith community leaders gather at the Amman Baptist School in Amman, Jordan, on May 29 to mark a century of organized evangelical ministry in the country.]]></media:title>
                                                            <media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">
                                    <![CDATA[ Daoud Kuttab for Christian Daily International ]]>
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                                    <![CDATA[ Church and faith community leaders gather at the Amman Baptist School in Amman, Jordan, on May 29 to mark a century of organized evangelical ministry in the country. ]]>
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                            <media:title><![CDATA[Rev. Faeq Haddad leads a prayer for World Evangelical Alliance Secretary General Rev. Botrus Mansour at a ceremony hosted by the Jordan Evangelical Council on May 30, the day after the centennial celebration.]]></media:title>
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                                    <![CDATA[ Jordanian Evangelical Council ]]>
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                                    <![CDATA[ Rev. Faeq Haddad leads a prayer for World Evangelical Alliance Secretary General Rev. Botrus Mansour at a ceremony hosted by the Jordan Evangelical Council on May 30, the day after the centennial celebration. ]]>
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                            <media:title><![CDATA[The president of the Jordan Evangelical Council presents a commemorative plaque to World Evangelical Alliance Secretary General Rev. Botrus Mansour at a ceremony hosted by the council on May 30, the day after Jordans centennial celebration of organized e]]></media:title>
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                                    <![CDATA[ Jordanian Evangelical Council ]]>
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                                    <![CDATA[ The president of the Jordan Evangelical Council presents a commemorative plaque to World Evangelical Alliance Secretary General Rev. Botrus Mansour at a ceremony hosted by the council on May 30, the day after Jordan's centennial celebration of organized evangelical ministry. ]]>
                                </media:description>
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                                                                            <pubDate>Wed, 03 Jun 2026 01:50:00 -0400</pubDate>
                <description><![CDATA[Churches and faith communities gathered at the Amman Baptist School on May 29 to mark a century of organized evangelical ministry in Jordan, with the World Evangelical Alliance's secretary general using the occasion to call on Arab leaders to build ties with the global evangelical movement.]]></description>
                <content:encoded><![CDATA[
Churches and faith communities gathered at the Amman Baptist School on May 29 to mark a century of organized evangelical ministry in Jordan, with the World Evangelical Alliance's secretary general using the occasion to call on Arab leaders to build ties with the global evangelical movement.
The centennial celebration, organized by the Jordan Baptist Convention, featured the launch of a second edition of a book documenting the period, along with a documentary, speeches and testimonies from national church leaders.
WEA Secretary General Rev. Botrus Mansour attended the event and later paid a courtesy visit to Jordanian Prince Ghazi Bin Muhammad, religious affairs advisor to King Abdullah II, and the head of the Baptismal Committee. Joining Mansour for the meeting was Rev. Dr. Jack Sara, head of the WEA's MENA alliance.
The centennial marked 100 years of evangelical work in education, healthcare, humanitarian relief and community outreach carried out by Jordanian evangelical communities with local churches and international partners.

A documentary titled "A Glimpse" traced the history of the evangelical movement in Jordan. Leaders said evangelical work in Jordan has grown through cooperation with the state and civil society, preserving religious liberty even amid regional challenges.
Rev. Nabeeh Abbasi, head of the Jordanian Baptist Church, said: "We celebrate this 100-year milestone as a testament to seeds sown through faith, prayer, and sacrifice, bearing fruit across generations."
Emad Mayyah, a leader within the Evangelical complex, spoke about the movement's inclusive approach and its role in fostering peace, education, healthcare and charity. Pastor Bashar Nimat of the Evangelical Alliance cited the church's humanitarian work, including medical care, refugee relief and psychological support, highlighting the church’s role as a “beacon of love and giving.”
Mansour praised King Abdullah's leadership and noted the approaching celebrations marking the bimillennial of the baptism of Jesus at the Jordan River baptismal site. He said the WEA stands ready "to contribute to encouraging Evangelical Christian pilgrimage to Jordan."
He also used the occasion to press Arab leaders for greater engagement with evangelicals worldwide.
"I call on Arab leaders in general — and the Hashemite leadership in particular — to seize the opportunity presented by the presence of a Palestinian Evangelical figure in this position to build bridges with the vast, global Evangelical Church, whose influence is growing day by day," Mansour said.
Noting that the WEA marks its 180th anniversary this year, Mansour described the structural character of the evangelical movement, explaining that it operates through voluntary cooperation among churches with shared faith rather than through a centralized hierarchy. He added that openness and equality in matters of faith confession are fundamental to the health of evangelical life and its witness in the public square.
Mansour reiterated to the Jordanian audience that the evangelical movement's impact grows when churches act as partners rather than competitors, reinforcing a spirit of unity through practical service to society.
"This centennial should renew commitment to education, healthcare, relief, and social programs that reflect gospel values in action, within a framework of religious liberty and civic harmony," he said. He also urged ongoing dialogue with civil society and the state to safeguard freedom of conscience and the right to worship freely across Jordan.
The centennial also reaffirmed the WEA's role in connecting Jordan's evangelical communities to a global network of partners in education, health, relief and development. Organizers announced plans to sustain momentum through regional initiatives, leadership development and expanded social outreach across the kingdom.
Mansour was honored separately the following day at an event held by the Jordan Evangelical Council.

]]></content:encoded>
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                <title><![CDATA[Egypt legalizes 191 churches and affiliated buildings]]></title>
                <link>https://www.christiandaily.com/news/egypt-legalizes-191-churches-and-affiliated-buildings</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.christiandaily.com/news/egypt-legalizes-191-churches-and-affiliated-buildings</guid>
                                                            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Daoud Kuttab]]></dc:creator>
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                            <media:title><![CDATA[St. Virgin Mary’s Coptic Orthodox Church, also known as the Hanging Church (El Muallaqa), in Cairo, is one of the oldest churches in Egypt.]]></media:title>
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                                    <![CDATA[ Przemyslaw “Blueshade” Idzkiewicz, Creative Commons ]]>
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                                    <![CDATA[ St. Virgin Mary’s Coptic Orthodox Church, also known as the Hanging Church (El Muallaqa), in Cairo, is one of the oldest churches in Egypt. ]]>
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                                                                            <pubDate>Mon, 01 Jun 2026 10:58:00 -0400</pubDate>
                <description><![CDATA[Christian leaders in Egypt were pleased with progress of a government effort to approve the existence of churches in the country following an executive order on May 19 legalizing 191 churches and affiliated buildings.]]></description>
                <content:encoded><![CDATA[
Christian leaders in Egypt were pleased with progress of a government effort to approve the existence of churches in the country following an executive order on May 19 legalizing 191 churches and affiliated buildings.
The order was issued following a cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Mustafa Madbouli.
The Rev. Khalaf Barakat, president of the General Evangelical Baptist Assembly in Egypt, said Christians in Egypt welcome the ongoing efforts of the Egyptian state to legalize the status of churches and service buildings belonging to various Christian denominations.
“Baptist churches, like many others, have benefited from these measures, while some churches are still awaiting the completion of the legalization process according to the schedules and mechanisms approved by the state,” Barakat told Christian Daily International. “We appreciate the spirit of cooperation shown by the relevant authorities in dealing with this matter over the past years.”
The order brings to 3,804 the total number of churches and buildings granted legal status since the government in 2016 created a committee to oversee the process. This systematic review process is part of a broader state strategy to resolve the status of thousands of unlicensed religious buildings constructed over previous decades.
At the same time, a bill that would regulate personal status issues of Egyptian Christians is making its way to becoming law.
The Egyptian government on May 4 referred two bills regarding the family and personal status of Muslims and Christians to the Egyptian Parliament: the Personal Status Law for Muslims and the Personal Status Law for Egyptian Christians. Both bills address family law matters, including child custody and divorce.
The bills are under review by a joint parliamentary committee composed of the Constitutional and Legislative Affairs Committee and the bureaus of the Committees on Social Solidarity, Family and Persons with Disabilities; Religious Affairs and Endowments; and Human Rights. During the committee’s deliberations, the provisions in the draft law remain subject to amendment through the parliamentary discussion process.
The draft personal status law for Christians would, for the first time, establish a unified written code of personal status applicable to Christian communities in Egypt. The draft law would apply to several denominations, including the Coptic Orthodox, Syriac Orthodox, Greek Orthodox, Armenian Orthodox, Evangelical, and Catholic communities. It covers family law matters such as engagement, marriage, divorce, annulment, civil dissolution for certain denominations, child custody and visitation, parental guardianship in education, lineage, missing persons and inheritance.
The law would formalize engagement as a notarized contract and require a church announcement prior to marriage, according to a recent report. It would allow marriage contracts to include agreed-upon conditions, such as provisions regarding the wife’s employment status or financial obligations. The law would also regulate annulment, dissolution of marriage and divorce.
A recent news report in the Egyptian newspaper of record, Al Ahram, states that the law would grant men and women equal inheritance rights. Under the current framework, Islamic inheritance rules apply, resulting in a man receiving double the share of a woman.
The draft law also would introduce “host visitation,” allowing a child to stay overnight with the father and travel with him for one week each year. It would also allow electronic communication for noncustodial parents.
Under Egypt’s Church Construction Law (Law No. 80 of 2016), which was approved by the Egyptian Parliament on Aug. 30, 2016, the power to approve the building and renovation of churches was extended to provincial governors, having previously been limited to the country’s security agencies.]]></content:encoded>
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                <title><![CDATA[WEA, Jewish interfaith body relaunch formal dialogue on religious freedom, human dignity]]></title>
                <link>https://www.christiandaily.com/news/wea-jewish-interfaith-body-relaunch-formal-dialogue-on-religious-freedom-human-dignity</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.christiandaily.com/news/wea-jewish-interfaith-body-relaunch-formal-dialogue-on-religious-freedom-human-dignity</guid>
                                                            <dc:creator><![CDATA[CDI Staff]]></dc:creator>
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                            <media:title><![CDATA[Jerusalem]]></media:title>
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                                    <![CDATA[ Wikimedia Commons ]]>
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                                    <![CDATA[ A view of Jerusalem, the site of the first meeting between the World Evangelical Alliance and the International Jewish Committee on Interreligious Consultations in April 2022. The city was chosen for its significance to both Christian and Jewish communities. ]]>
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                                                                            <pubDate>Sun, 24 May 2026 13:25:00 -0400</pubDate>
                <description><![CDATA[The World Evangelical Alliance and the International Jewish Committee on Interreligious Consultations have relaunched a formal dialogue program, bringing together theologians, scholars and church leaders for sustained engagement on shared concerns including antisemitism, religious freedom and human dignity.]]></description>
                <content:encoded><![CDATA[
The World Evangelical Alliance and the International Jewish Committee on Interreligious Consultations have relaunched a formal dialogue program, bringing together theologians, scholars and church leaders for sustained engagement on shared concerns including antisemitism, religious freedom and human dignity.
The WEA announced the initiative on May 21, describing it as a significant step toward structured, ongoing exchange between the global evangelical community and Jewish religious leadership worldwide.
Rabbi Mark Dratch, chair of IJCIC, said the timing reflected pressing realities facing both communities. "At a moment when religious communities face shared challenges around antisemitism, racism, religious freedom, and the protection of human dignity, the relaunch of this dialogue is timely," he said. Dratch previously served as executive vice president of the Rabbinical Council of America and is the founder of JSafe, an organization focused on preventing abuse in Jewish communities.
WEA Secretary General Rev. Botrus Mansour said the two communities share a reverence for the Hebrew scriptures and a common call to justice. "While we recognize our theological differences, honest dialogue helps us enrich one another, build mutual respect, and address even difficult issues in a spirit of friendship and peace," he said.
The WEA's dialogue team includes Rev. Dr. Kyle Wisdom, the alliance's director of global advocacy and a political philosopher with experience at the United Nations; Rev. Dr. Samuel Richmond, executive director of Caleb Institute in India, who has participated in Jewish-Christian dialogue through the WEA for five years; Dr. Amiel Drimbe, a New Testament scholar at the University of Bucharest whose research focuses on early Jewish-Christian relations; and Rev. Azar Ajaj, president of Nazareth Evangelical College and a Baptist pastor in Nazareth, Israel, with more than a decade of involvement in Jewish-Christian dialogue.
The IJCIC team includes Rabbi Dr. Eugene Korn, a specialist in Jewish ethics and law who previously served as academic director of the Center for Jewish-Christian Understanding and Cooperation in Israel; David Michaels of B'nai B'rith International, who directs the organization's United Nations and intercommunal affairs work; Rabbi Dr. David Fox Sandmel, now chair emeritus of IJCIC and president of the International Council of Christians and Jews; and Rabbi Lea Mühlstein, senior rabbi at a Liberal synagogue in London and a leader in the international Reform and Progressive Religious Zionist movement.
A relationship built on a historic first meeting
The relaunch builds on a foundation laid four years ago. In April 2022, the two organizations convened their first-ever face-to-face meeting in Jerusalem — a three-day gathering that the WEA described at the time as historic.
The meeting was convened by then-WEA Secretary General Dr. Thomas Schirrmacher and IJCIC Chair Rabbi Sandmel, who brought delegations of roughly 15 people from each side. The choice of Jerusalem was deliberate, reflecting the shared heritage of both communities and the long, often fraught history of Jewish-Christian relations.
Delegates began with a visit to Yad Vashem, the Holocaust memorial, where WEA representatives laid a wreath on behalf of the alliance. The heads of the two delegations also participated in Israel's official Holocaust Remembrance Day ceremony at the memorial. The combined delegations were received the following day by Israeli President Isaac Herzog.
According to the WEA's account of the gathering, conversations ranged across Jewish-evangelical relations, the resurgence of antisemitism and Holocaust denial, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the worldwide persecution of religious minorities, and the erosion of religious freedom. The two sides also discussed possible collaboration on mutual education, environmental concerns and peacebuilding.
"We are committed to addressing and opposing all forms of normalization of hatred, including antisemitism and attacks on religious communities," Sandmel and Schirrmacher said in a joint statement at the conclusion of the Jerusalem meeting. They pledged to reconvene regularly and to work together on issues identified during the talks.
The formal dialogue announced this week represents the fulfillment of that commitment. The WEA now represents more than 650 million evangelical Christians through 161 national alliances. IJCIC serves as the recognized Jewish partner in dialogue with the Catholic Church, the WEA and other major interreligious bodies worldwide.]]></content:encoded>
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                <title><![CDATA[From Islam to Christian media pioneer: Harun Ibrahim's story]]></title>
                <link>https://www.christiandaily.com/news/from-islam-to-christian-media-pioneer-harun-ibrahim-s-story</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.christiandaily.com/news/from-islam-to-christian-media-pioneer-harun-ibrahim-s-story</guid>
                                                            <dc:creator><![CDATA[CDI Staff]]></dc:creator>
                                                                                                                            <media:content  url="https://www.christiandaily.com/media/original/img/0/47/4738.png">
                            <media:title><![CDATA[Harun Ibrahim]]></media:title>
                                                                                </media:content>
                                                                            <pubDate>Wed, 20 May 2026 06:08:00 -0400</pubDate>
                <description><![CDATA[The latest episode of Faith Without Frontiers podcast features Harun Ibrahim, founder of Alhayat Ministries, an international Christian media ministry dedicated to sharing the message of Jesus with Muslim audiences around the world.]]></description>
                <content:encoded><![CDATA[
The latest episode of Faith Without Frontiers podcast features Harun Ibrahim, founder of Al Hayat Ministries, an international Christian media ministry dedicated to sharing the message of Jesus with Muslim audiences around the world.
In conversation with host Gordon Showell-Rogers, Ibrahim reflects on his journey from a secular Muslim upbringing in Jerusalem to becoming a pioneer in Christian media outreach to Muslims.
Al Hayat – the Arabic word for “life” – takes its name from Jesus’ declaration in John 14:6: “I am the way, the truth and the life.” Today, the ministry reaches audiences in 12 languages through satellite television, websites, social media, music, Bible teaching and other digital platforms.
Born into a secular Muslim family, Ibrahim says religion played only a minor role in his childhood. Although he identified as Muslim, he rarely practiced the faith and eventually passed through a period of atheism as he wrestled with questions about God and eternity.
The turning point came after he married a Finnish Christian woman who prayed for him over several years. Following an encounter with a street evangelist, Ibrahim began reading the Gospel of John and became captivated by the person of Jesus. After several months of reflection, he committed his life to Christ.
The conversation explores the dramatic changes that followed, including a growing passion for Scripture, prayer and Christian ministry. Ibrahim also explains how a challenge at a missionary conference led him to dedicate his life to sharing the gospel with Muslims, first through radio and later through television and digital media.
The podcast discusses his newly published autobiography, Sharing Jesus, Shaking Islam: One Arab’s Journey from Jerusalem into Pioneering Media Missions to Muslims, which tells the story of his conversion and the development of Al Hayat’s international ministry.
Throughout the interview, Ibrahim speaks candidly about his convictions, his love for Muslim people and his desire that they encounter Christ for themselves. He also encourages Christians to pray for the Muslim world and to support efforts to reach people who have little or no access to the gospel.
This episode offers a fascinating personal testimony, insights into Christian ministry among Muslims and a behind-the-scenes look at one of the world's most influential Christian media ministries. Whether you are interested in missions, evangelism or stories of transformed lives, it is well worth a listen.]]></content:encoded>
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                <title><![CDATA[In gesture to evangelicals, Jordanian senator visits council left out of earlier meeting]]></title>
                <link>https://www.christiandaily.com/news/in-gesture-to-evangelicals-jordanian-senator-visits-council-left-out-of-earlier-meeting</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.christiandaily.com/news/in-gesture-to-evangelicals-jordanian-senator-visits-council-left-out-of-earlier-meeting</guid>
                                                            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Daoud Kuttab]]></dc:creator>
                                                                                                                            <media:content  url="https://www.christiandaily.com/media/original/img/0/46/4606.jpeg">
                            <media:title><![CDATA[Retired Maj. Gen. Imad Maayah (left), president of Jordans Evangelical Council, shakes hands with Sen. Michael Nazzal following their meeting in Amman.]]></media:title>
                                                            <media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">
                                    <![CDATA[ Daoud Kuttab for Christian Daily International ]]>
                                </media:credit>
                                                                                        <media:description type="plain">
                                    <![CDATA[ Retired Maj. Gen. Imad Ma'ayah (left), president of Jordan's Evangelical Council, shakes hands with Sen. Michael Nazzal following their meeting in Amman. ]]>
                                </media:description>
                                                    </media:content>
                                                                                                <media:content  url="https://www.christiandaily.com/media/original/img/0/46/4612.jpg">
                            <media:title><![CDATA[From left: Engineer Nidal Qaqish, Rev. George Zananiri, Sen. Michael Nazzal, Evangelical Council President Retired Maj. Gen. Imad Maayah and Rev. Moutasm Dababneh during their meeting in Amman.]]></media:title>
                                                            <media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">
                                    <![CDATA[ Daoud Kuttab for Christian Daily International ]]>
                                </media:credit>
                                                                                        <media:description type="plain">
                                    <![CDATA[ From left: Engineer Nidal Qaqish, Rev. George Zananiri, Sen. Michael Nazzal, Evangelical Council President Retired Maj. Gen. Imad Ma'ayah and Rev. Moutasm Dababneh during their meeting in Amman. ]]>
                                </media:description>
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                                                                            <pubDate>Sun, 17 May 2026 23:33:00 -0400</pubDate>
                <description><![CDATA[A senior Jordanian senator visited the country's Evangelical Council last week, offering a gesture of outreach after evangelicals were left out of an earlier parliamentary meeting with Christian church leaders.]]></description>
                <content:encoded><![CDATA[
A senior Jordanian senator visited the country's Evangelical Council last week, offering a gesture of outreach after evangelicals were left out of an earlier parliamentary meeting with Christian church leaders.
Sen. Michael Nazzal, who chairs the Tourism Committee in Jordan's upper house, met with Retired Maj. Gen. Imad Ma'ayah, president of the Evangelical Council, and members of the council's board at the council's headquarters at the Evangelical Free Church in Amman's Khalda neighborhood on Monday, May 11.
The earlier meeting, held at the Parliamentary Senate offices, had brought together Catholic and Orthodox church leaders to map out plans for Jordan's 2030 millennium celebrations marking the anniversary of Jesus's baptism. Evangelicals were not included. Nazzal said his office had asked the Council of the Heads of Churches to invite relevant church leaders, but that body does not include evangelicals and generally opposes their participation in public events.
Ma'ayah briefed Nazzal on the history of evangelicals in Jordan, which he traced to the late 19th century — predating the modern Hashemite Kingdom. He described how five evangelical denominations — Baptist, Evangelical Free Church, Assemblies of God, Nazarene and Christian & Missionary Alliance — formed the council in 2007. Today the council encompasses 57 churches across the country, along with institutions and parachurch organizations that provide educational, medical and humanitarian services to Jordanians and refugees, including prison ministry.
Ma'ayah also noted that he chairs the Alliance of Evangelical Councils in Palestine and Israel, and spoke of the World Evangelical Alliance's recent selection of Rev. Botrus Mansour — a Nazareth-born pastor and advocate — as its secretary general at a general assembly in Korea last October.

Nazzal said he was unaware of the breadth of evangelical ministry in Jordan. He encouraged evangelicals in Jordan and internationally to support the country's pilgrimage initiative and the planned 2030 event at the site traditionally identified as the location of Jesus's baptism on the east bank of the Jordan River.
Ma'ayah, who commanded the Jordanian army's royal engineering unit, told Nazzal that following the 1994 Jordan-Israel peace treaty he led the effort to clear landmines from the former border area west of the Jordan River. He also gave Nazzal a copy of his autobiography.
Ma'ayah welcomed the visit and said he hopes it signals a shift.
"We hope that decision makers in Jordan will understand the value and importance of being open to all Christians and work with us as a bridge to the evangelical world," he told CDI.]]></content:encoded>
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                <title><![CDATA[IFES launches podcast series on Generation Z]]></title>
                <link>https://www.christiandaily.com/news/ifes-launches-podcast-series-on-generation-z</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.christiandaily.com/news/ifes-launches-podcast-series-on-generation-z</guid>
                                                            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Chris Eyte]]></dc:creator>
                                                                                                                            <media:content  url="https://www.christiandaily.com/media/original/img/0/45/4574.jpg">
                            <media:title><![CDATA[youth praising]]></media:title>
                                                            <media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">
                                    <![CDATA[ Photo by Ismael Paramo / Unsplash ]]>
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                                                                            <pubDate>Tue, 12 May 2026 12:50:00 -0400</pubDate>
                <description><![CDATA[The International Fellowship of Evangelical Students (IFES) launched a new podcast series on Thursday, May 7, aimed at helping the global church understand and engage Generation Z.]]></description>
                <content:encoded><![CDATA[
The International Fellowship of Evangelical Students (IFES) launched a new podcast series on Thursday, May 7, aimed at helping the global church understand and engage Generation Z.
The four-part mini-series, titled Gen Z Insights, features voices from more than a dozen countries, including Lebanon, Sri Lanka and Bolivia. It explores how Christian leaders can engage a generation that makes up about 25% of the world’s population and is often described as spiritually open.
“There’s been much debate about the rumblings of revival among Gen Z in the West, and this podcast series amplifies global voices in that critical ministry conversation,” said Annette Arulrajah, associate general secretary of IFES and host of the English-language version of the series.
“Come and listen in on what God is doing among spiritually hungry university students around the world and be inspired, challenged and propelled to engage, disciple and empower this influential new generation.”
The podcast builds on findings from a December 2025 report, Gen Z Insights for Global Student Ministry, published by IFES.
Each episode focuses on one of four defining traits of Gen Z: digital immersion, cultural awareness, pursuit of well-being and spiritual openness.
Because most Gen Zers live in the Majority World, IFES designed the series to move beyond Western perspectives. Each episode pairs an IFES staff member with a Gen Z student or recent graduate to provide a grassroots view of student ministry. The series also features guest speakers from the broader Christian landscape, including author and Surprising Rebirth of Belief in God host Justin Brierley and Jason Watson, host of the Lausanne Movement podcast.
The series addresses topics such as how to distinguish biblical authority from personal preference in an age of fluid spirituality, and how to move students from digital information overload to authentic encounters with Jesus. Other episodes focus on student mental health and the balance between self-care and spiritual growth.
The first episodes are available in English, French and Spanish on major podcast platforms and on the IFES Gen Z Insights webpage. IFES will release additional English episodes weekly.
The International Fellowship of Evangelical Students is a global network of student-led Christian movements present in nearly every country. It works to build communities of disciples transformed by the gospel.]]></content:encoded>
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                <title><![CDATA[Police in Egypt arrest South Sudanese Christian child]]></title>
                <link>https://www.christiandaily.com/news/police-in-egypt-arrest-south-sudanese-christian-child</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.christiandaily.com/news/police-in-egypt-arrest-south-sudanese-christian-child</guid>
                                                            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Morning Star News]]></dc:creator>
                                                                                                                            <media:content  url="https://www.christiandaily.com/media/original/img/0/45/4577.jpg">
                            <media:title><![CDATA[Virgin Mary Church at Zeitoun, in Cairo, Egypt.]]></media:title>
                                                            <media:credit role="author" scheme="urn:ebu">
                                    <![CDATA[ F50R2J, Creative Commons ]]>
                                </media:credit>
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                                    <![CDATA[ Virgin Mary Church at Zeitoun, in Cairo, Egypt. ]]>
                                </media:description>
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                                                                            <pubDate>Mon, 11 May 2026 15:08:00 -0400</pubDate>
                <description><![CDATA[Authorities in Egypt arrested a 16-year-old Christian boy from South Sudan without charges on April 12, part of a crackdown on immigrants both undocumented and legal from that country and Sudan, sources said.]]></description>
                <content:encoded><![CDATA[
Authorities in Egypt arrested a 16-year-old Christian boy from South Sudan without charges on April 12, part of a crackdown on immigrants both undocumented and legal from that country and Sudan, sources said.
Like other immigrants from South Sudan and Sudan, Matiok Santino Matiok – who along with his family is a legal immigrant to Egypt – was arrested after leaving a church service and was initially held in Al Zaitoun District Police Station in northern Cairo, according to the family member who requested anonymity. His family has lived legally in Egypt since 2015.
Matiok informed his family on May 2 of his transfer to a detention center following his arrest as he left an Easter service at a Catholic church, the family member said.
Family members of detainees and Christian advocates say hundreds of South Sudanese and Sudanese Christians remain behind bars under harsh conditions, most on baseless charges. Police confiscate their passports and stay permits in order to prolong keeping them incarcerated, they say.
Although, there are no statistics of the numbers of the South Sudanese who are arrested in Egypt, relatives and church leaders say Egyptian police do not cooperate with their efforts to obtain information about the detainees.
“We tried to follow up with the police, but the Egyptian police are not cooperative,” a family member said.
Matiok’s family urged Christians to pray for his release.
According to the 1951 Refugee Convention, refugees, especially children must be protected and not subjected to procedures that violate their rights or dignity. The U.N. Convention on the Rights of the Child states that children should only be detained only as a last resort and for the shortest appropriate period of time.
The U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) affirms that refugee children are among the most vulnerable and deserve special protection, rather than detention.
The Egyptian government has a history of persecuting converts who have left Islam. According to evangelical leaders in Egypt, the government routinely monitors church bodies looking for Muslims who may be in the process of religious conversion.
Egypt has a long history of Christian presence in the now Muslim-majority country, and about 10 percent of the population identifies as Christian. 
Egypt’s president speaks positively about the country’s historical Christian community, but weak law enforcement leaves believers vulnerable to attack, according to Christian support group Open Doors. Construction of new church buildings remains restricted, and the government makes it impossible for conversions to be officially recognized, the group says.
Egypt ranked 42nd on Open Doors’ 2026 World Watch List of the countries where it is most difficult to be a Christian.]]></content:encoded>
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