Malaysia bans Christian conversion of Muslims
The northeastern Malaysian state of Kelantan updated its criminal code to ban attempts to convert people out of Islam. The new code also bans distorting Islamic teachings and disrespecting the month of Ramadan.
Violators could face imprisonment for three years, fines of over $1,000, or canings.
The Southeast Asian nation is mostly Muslim, and Christians make up less than 10% of the population. Christians engaged in evangelism become a target for Malaysian officials. Open Doors lists it as the 46th worst nation in the world for Christian persecution.