A Christian persecution watchdog has issued a warning about the growing severity of global persecution, revealing that 365 million Christians currently face continued discrimination because of their faith.
Open Doors published these findings in its annual assessment of countries where believers face the most extreme persecution and discrimination.
Here are the ten countries where Christians are most threatened.
1. North Korea
Discovery, identification, or even perceived association with Christianity places individuals and their families at risk of being deported to labor camps as political criminals or facing immediate execution.
Open Doors estimates that there are 400,000 Christians in North Korea, although reliable and accurate data is difficult to obtain.
2. Somalia
Open Doors estimates there are only a few hundred Christians.
Due to the harsh punishments, many believers decide to live their faith in secret. Islamic militants are increasingly targeting and eliminating Christian leaders. The mere suspicion of conversion from Islam to Christianity can expose individuals to death.
3. Libya
The North African country is predominantly Muslim, and converts to Christianity pay the highest price for their faith.
Sharing the Gospel is strongly prohibited. In March 2023, six Libyans were arrested for speaking about Jesus and now face the death penalty.
4. Eritrea
Although some churches have gained official recognition, pressure on Christians remains exceptionally high in all aspects of the country’s life.
Converts from Islam face prison and many other harsh realities such as torture, hunger and disease which, left untreated, often lead to death.
5. Yemen
Yemeni Christians face violations of their religious freedom from their families, official authorities, including Houthi rebels in parts of the country, and radical Islamist groups.
Yemen’s decade-long civil war has worsened the plight of believers, with humanitarian aid mainly distributed by local Muslim groups and mosques. They are accused of discriminating against those who are not considered devout Muslims.
6. Nigeria
In Nigeria, more Christians are murdered for their faith than in any other country. ISIS splinter groups are behind most attacks against believers.
Men and boys are targeted to prevent Christian families from growing. Women and girls can be victims of kidnapping and sexual violence, and sometimes their communities reject them upon their return.
7. Pakistan
Pakistan’s harsh blasphemy laws, often used against minority groups, particularly affect Christians, who account for about a quarter of all blasphemy charges.
Believers also face institutionalized discrimination, often being relegated to low-status jobs. Authorities often reserve these jobs for Christians, referring to them derogatorily as “chura,” meaning “dirty.”
8. Sudan
Recent violence in the country threatens religious freedom. At least 165 churches were closed and others destroyed.
Christian converts from Muslim backgrounds face risks, with some even refraining from sharing Jesus with their children to avoid revealing their faith to the local community.
9.Iran
Authorities view Christianity as a Western attempt to undermine the Islamic order.
Church leaders face harsh punishments, often lengthy prison sentences. Additionally, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) is increasingly involved in raids on house churches.
10. Afghanistan
Society has no space for religious freedom. If someone is found to be a Christian, they can be arrested and tortured into giving information about their fellow believers.
The Taliban’s return to power in 2021 means that most Christians live in secrecy of their faith while many others have managed to leave the country.
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