We serve Christians around the world whose brave faith in Jesus means they are, beaten, threatened, imprisoned, tortured, falsely accused, disowned and hated.
In India Hindu extremists believe that all Indians should be Hindus, and that the country should be rid of Christianity and Islam. This has led to extremely violent attacks on Christians. It’s not uncommon for those converting from Christianity to be rejected and excluded by family and community. Many Christians come from the poorest caste and they are despised by others in higher up, more respectable castes.
EVERY £8
Could provide a young person from Central Asia with a Bible in their own language
EVERY £26
Could provide trauma care for a victim of violent persecution
“If needed I will die for Jesus, but I will never leave Him.”
Sumi, who was forced from her village because of her faith in Jesus
INDIA: QUICK FACTS
Those in power see being Indian as being Hindu, so Indians that are Christian are despised.
Hindu extremists believe that all Indians should be Hindus, and that the country should be rid of Christianity and Islam.
Violence and attacks on Christians can be extreme.
It’s not uncommon for those converting from Christianity to be rejected and excluded by family and community.
India still has a strict caste system that orders society. Many Christians come from the poorest caste, the dalits or untouchables. They are despised by others in higher up, more respectable castes.
INDIA: THE BASICS
The persecution of Christians in India is intensifying as Hindu extremists aim to cleanse the country of their presence and influence. The driving force behind this is Hindutva, an ideology that disregards Indian Christians and other religious minorities as true Indians because they have allegiances that lie outside India, and asserts the country should be purified of their presence.
This is leading to a systemic, and often violent and carefully orchestrated, targeting of Christians and other religious minorities, including use of social media to spread disinformation and stir up hatred.
Most church leaders are men, and being a pastor is understood to be one of the riskiest vocations in India. Hindu extremists target leaders and their families to instil fear among the local Christian community. Persecution of Christian women and girls often takes the form of physical abuse and, in some reported cases, trafficking. The daughters, sisters and wives of pastors are particularly vulnerable.
INDIA: MORE DETAILS
SUMI’S STORY
Simply being a Christian in India is enough to be in acute danger of persecution. For those active in telling others about Jesus, the risk is heightened even further.
Sumi – whose name has been changed for security reasons – and her family were amongst several Christians forced from their village because of their faith. They set up homes on farmland, but the conditions were poor.
Despite threats and attacks by village extremists, Sumi’s husband, Ravi, kept telling others about Jesus. “That was the joy of his life,” she shares. Tragically, Ravi’s perseverance and bravery cost him his life. He was shot dead.
Clutching her Bible close to her chest, Sumi – now a single a mother of four – remains steadfast in her devotion to Jesus. “I will continue living here, and will continue the ministry of my husband,” she says.
Sunjit’s Story
When Sujit led 60 people to Christ in his village he faced opposition and violence. Three times the villagers destroyed the church, three times he was beaten. Yet he has not given up and he intends to return.
Rajesh’s story
Open Doors local partner Rajesh (not his real name) explains the risks of following Jesus in India and tells us what it’s like for him to support vulnerable believers.
PRAY NOW
Lord Jesus, help our persecuted brothers and sisters in India to stand strong in their faith and shine as stars (Philippians 2:15) in their local communities. Continue to manifest Your love and power through healings and miracles. Guard Your children from harm and equip them for the challenges they face. Provoke social media companies to do more to combat the use of their platforms to spread disinformation and hatred. Soften the hearts of influential local leaders and officials towards Christians, so that greater protection is given to them. Amen.
Get your free interactive map to learn where Christians are counting the cost for their faith in Jesus. This year’s map features some impossible folds to help you connect with the impossible faith of the persecuted church.
Get a free download of a youth session outline to help you learn more and pray for the places where Christians are counting the cost of following Jesus!
North Korea is the most dangerous place in the world to be a Christian. The leadership are viewed as divine, so those following Jesus pose a real threat to their ruling status. Those suspected of following Jesus will be arrested and interrogated. Up to 70,000 Christians are living in horrific labour camps.
LEVEL OF PERSECUTION:
Somalia
Hundreds (in a population of 19.3 million)
SOMALIA: How are Christians persecuted? SOMALIA: WHY ARE CHRISTIANS PERSECUTED?
LEVEL OF PERSECUTION:
Yemen
A small number (exact figures are hard to define)
A country where Muslims who choose to follow Jesus could face the death penalty…
LEVEL OF PERSECUTION:
Sudan
2.2 million (4.3%)
Conflict, targeted persecution, Islamic extremism and instability all mean Christians are counting the cost in Sudan…
LEVEL OF PERSECUTION:
Eritrea
1.7 million (44.2%)
There are 3.7 million people in Eritrea. Of these, 1.7 million are Christian, which is almost half the population.
LEVEL OF PERSECUTION:
Syria
300,000 (1.3%)
The past year has seen a sharp increase in violence, including the murder of Christians, forced closure of Christian schools, and attacks on churches – including the bombing of a church in Damascus in June 2025.
LEVEL OF PERSECUTION:
Nigeria
107.3 million (45.7%)
More believers are killed for their faith in Nigeria each year than everywhere else in the world, combined…
LEVEL OF PERSECUTION:
Pakistan
4.8 million (1.9%)
PAKISTAN: How are Christians persecuted? PAKISTAN: Why are Christians persecuted in Pakistan? *Names changed for security reasons.
LEVEL OF PERSECUTION:
Libya
36,300 (0.5%)
Libya: How are Christians persecuted? Libya: WHY ARE CHRISTIANS PERSECUTED?
LEVEL OF PERSECUTION:
Iran
800,00 (0.8% of the population)
Converting to Christianity from Islam is illegal in Iran, a place where Christians ca be arrested simply for attending a house church…
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Simply being a Christian in India is enough to be in acute danger of persecution. For those active in telling others about Jesus, the risk is heightened even further.
