Police Intervention Against Christian Praying and Holing Bible at Brandenburg Gate
July 3, 2026, GermanyA video recorded at Berlin's Brandenburg Gate raises concerns about interference with the right to freely manifest one's religion after police officers told a Christian he could not pray at the site because it was "not a place for praying" and "not a church". Although the Christian was quietly reading from his Bible and praying without using amplification or engaging passers-by, officers treated his conduct as a demonstration because he was publicly holding a Bible. The incident raises questions about the understanding of religious freedom among law enforcement officers and the protection of peaceful religious expression in public spaces.
Catholic religion teacher in Belgium receives threats after conversion from Islam
June 30, 2026, BelgiumIn June 2026, Ahmed Yetrib, a Catholic religion teacher in the Charleroi region and convert from Islam to the Catholic faith, reported receiving threats on social media because of his online content sharing the reasons for his conversion. The report concerns alleged harassment which has caused concern for his personal safety, further highlighting the difficulties experienced by individuals converting from Islam to Christianity.
Vandalism and Attempted Arson inside St. Marien Church in Freudenberg
June 29, 2026, GermanyOn 29 June 2026, unknown perpetrators set fire to a wooden bench inside St. Marien Church in Freudenberg and and vandalised the church entrance. Police have launched an investigation into the circumstances of the incident.
