Odd Sparrow Out?

 

Dear All.

Dear All, In Iraq, your faith or religion isn’t decided by you. It’s dictated by the state. Maryam was raised in a Christian household. But when her mother separated from her father and remarried a Muslim man, Iraqi law automatically converted Maryam and her sisters to Islam in the state's official records. As a minor, she had no say in this decision. The government simply reassigned her faith. Correcting the record Once Maryam reached the age of legal majority (18), she decided to take action. In January 2025, she filed a legal claim asking the government to correct her official religious status to reflect her actual faith: Christianity. In May 2026, a lower court ruled in her favour. Now, Iraq's Court of Cassation - the country's highest court for civil, criminal, and family matters - has affirmed that ruling, ordering the correction of Maryam's religious classification in the state's database. Maryam's two younger sisters are still officially registered as Muslim. Similar legal battles will need to be fought for each of them once they reach 18. Why state-assigned religion matters This isn’t just happening in Iraq. Across the Middle East and Asia, governments record citizens' religion in official databases or on ID documents, often without consent, and make it extremely difficult to change. The consequences can be severe: mandatory enrollment of children in religious education programs not of their faith, barriers to marriage, including being unable to marry someone of their own faith in a church if they are officially registered as Muslim, automatic assignment of children’s religion based on parental records, inheritance complications, family law conflicts, and exposure of non-Muslims to Sharia court jurisdiction. Some parents have even had to leave their names off their children's birth certificates just to stop an incorrect religious designation from being passed down. A person's faith becomes a fixed, state-certified label, regardless of what they believe. ADF International’s support of Maryam Kelsey Zorzi, ADF’s Senior Counsel and Director of Advocacy for Global Religious Freedom, who supported Maryam's case, has said: “We commend Iraq’s Court of Cassation for affirming this ruling and granting Maryam the freedom to have her Christian faith accurately reflected in her state-issued documents. Christians and other religious minorities across Iraq and the broader Middle East suffer real harm when governments assign them a religion that is not their own. In a region where marriage, inheritance, burial, and education are governed differently according to one’s religion, it is essential that individuals—not states—retain the right to choose their own faith.” This ruling sets a persuasive precedent for the many other Christians in Iraq facing the same legal and personal consequences of state-assigned religion. We praise God for this victory and ask that His hand continues to work across the Middle East and Asia. Thank you for your ongoing support and prayer. With gratitude, ADF International (UK)

Tanzania.

 

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Voice magazine Believing in Jesus Pastor Ezekiel* has ministered and shared the gospel in several rural Muslim communities in Tanzania for a number of years. ‘When Muslims start believing in Jesus, that’s when persecution begins,’ he says. In the latest edition of our quarterly magazine, Voice, you can read of Christians in Tanzania and Kenya who, despite rejection and persecution, are seeing God’s kingdom come as they faithfully proclaim the gospel. The July magazine also features a centrespread article on our name change, to Voice of Persecuted Christians. We’re always inspired by our brothers and sisters, and one quote that stuck with the team particularly this quarter was “There’s no greater privilege than to be a servant of the Word”.   If you haven’t done so yet, do take time to read this latest edition, and let it inform your praying for those who suffer for Christ and the gospel. * Name changed. Read Voice online The latest electronic version of Voice magazine is now available on our website for you to read!  Please do click the button below and read on the website or download a pdf copy to read on the go.

Sigh.

Europe Archbishop of Canterbury promises remedial ‘action’ on historic slave trade on castle visit Read More

NO Justice.

 Christian couple murdered in Pakistan receive no justice.

Christian couple Shahzad Masih (right) and Shama Bibi (left) were killed by a Muslim mob for allegedly desecrating the Quran in Pakistan in November 2014. (British Pakistani Christian Association)

The murder of a Christian couple in Pakistan, along with their unborn child, is likely to go unpunished, following a Supreme Court decision to release three men who had been sentenced to death.

Shahzad Masih and Shama Bibi were murdered in November 2014. The couple were accused of desecrating pages of the Quran, prompting a mob to beat them before throwing them into a hot brick kiln.

Following the incident hundreds of villagers were arrested, however the vast majority were set free.

However, in 2016 an Anti-Terrorism Court sentenced five men to death for their alleged role in the murders, while nine others were given short jail terms. An appeal lead to the Lahore High Court overturning the convictions against two of those sentenced to death and now the Supreme Court has effectively done the same for the remaining three.

The Supreme Court also rejected a request from the Punjab government to retry over 100 suspects who had previously been released.

Birdie.

 

This Has Rather Surprised Me.

 

• Young people twice as likely to want more liturgy, structure at church: Lifeway

  
  

  7 Aug, 2026 08:42 EDT

  Younger churchgoers in the United States are twice as likely than older worshipers to want more liturgy and structure added to their church services, according to the Evangelical research group Lifeway Research. CD.

Latvia.

First hospice day centre.

As debates rage across Europe over attempts by some countries to introduce assisted dying laws, Latvia’s first hospice day center for palliative care has been hailed as a success, raising hopes of a national roll-out.

CD

Please Pray.

 

• Another church leader abducted in Sudan

  Africa  Religious Freedom

  7 Aug, 2026 12:28 EDT

  Following attacks on clergy in Sudan’s South Kordofan state last month, another church leader in Heiban town was abducted last week, according to sources.

CD.

Maharashtra.

Maharashtra, India’s new ‘anti-conversion law’ could criminalize ministry, Christian leaders warn

By Surinder Kaur

A sweeping new law regulating religious conversion took effect in Maharashtra last week, threatening to turn catechism classes, charity work and even prayer meetings into grounds for a police investigation, Christian leaders said. CD.

Christians from across German-speaking world to gather for JESUS27 revival conference.

Revival conference

By CDI Staff

Registration is open for a pan-denominational conference in Germany that organizers say will bring together Christians from across German-speaking Europe to pray, study Scripture, and strengthen the church's evangelistic witness.

CD.