We serve Christians around the world whose brave faith in Jesus means they are, beaten, threatened, imprisoned, tortured, falsely accused, disowned and hated.
Since the revolution in 2011 the situation for Christians has got worse and worse and violent extremist groups, like those affiliated with IS, control large strategic areas. The government says all Libyans are Sunni Muslims, though there are an estimated 35,100 Christians (the vast majority of these are migrants and not Libyan nationals). Churches for Libyans are prohibited.
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
Islamic militant and criminal groups kidnap and sometimes kill Christians. Even if they avoid such a fate, foreign Christians – particularly those from sub-Saharan Africa – face harassment and threats from radical Muslims.
Families and communities exert intense pressure on Christians to convert to Islam, including ‘forced Hajj’ – an Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca – which acts as a form of loyalty test.
Christian men often lose their jobs, face abuse and can be kicked out of their homes. The risks are so high that forming fellowship groups is nearly impossible unless entire families convert.
Christian women face sexual violence from their own families and communities and are unlikely to find hope in the justice system. Even women suspected of showing interest in Christianity face house arrest, forced marriage or even so-called ‘honour’ killings.
Libya: TWHY ARE CHRISTIANS PERSECUTED?
Libya has an honour/shame culture, and it is considered deeply shameful for the whole family when a Libyan wants to change their religion from Islam.
Islamic militant groups target Christians for human trafficking, forced labour and sexual enslavement, or kidnap for ransom – particularly those who are detained in migrant detention centres while crossing Libya to reach Europe.
Libya: More details
Who is particularly vulnerable?
Christians in Libya are at risk everywhere, but especially in areas with active radical Islamic groups.
Christians who have converted from Islam risk the most persecution from their communities, while foreign Christians, particularly those from sub-Saharan Africa, are targeted by Islamic militant and criminal groups.
Christians who openly express their faith or try to share it with others risk arrest and violent opposition. The lack of a central government to enforce law and order makes the situation even more precarious.
What has changed in the last year?
Pressure on Christians in Libya remained extremely high. The shockwaves of a major incident in March 2023, which led to the arrest of Libyan Christians and some immigrant Christians, has forced the tiny Christian community to remain extremely careful.
Libya has fallen one place on the World Watch List, but this is because persecution worsened in other countries. The persecution score for Libya has not changed.
How is Open Doors helping?
Open Doors works with local partners and churches in North Africa to provide leadership and discipleship training, livelihood support, legal aid, trauma counselling, Bibles and pastoral care.
PRAY NOW
Lord Jesus, we pray for our family in Libya who follow You at such great risk to their lives and livelihood. Please show these secret believers that You’re walking with them. We pray for peace in Libya, specifically that the tension between factions will not escalate into war and further endanger believers. Please open doors for converts to find life-giving community and grow in their faith, despite the challenges they face. In Your name we pray, Amen.
Get your free interactive map to learn where Christians are counting the cost for their faith in Jesus. This year’s map comes with a temporary tally tattoo to help you count your prayers for your church family around the world!
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: QUICK FACTS SOMALIA: WHY ARE CHRISTIANS PERSECUTED? Al-Shabaab, a violent Islamic militant group at war with the government, controls large swathes of the country. This group enforces a strict form of Sharia (Islamic law) and is committed to eradicating Christianity from Somalia. Persecution for Christians also comes from within their own families and communities. […]
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 million (4.1%)
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:
Nigeria
106.6 million (46.5%)
More believers are killed for their faith in Nigeria each year than everywhere else in the world, combined…
LEVEL OF PERSECUTION:
Pakistan
4.5 million (1.8%)
PAKISTAN: QUICK FACTS PAKISTAN: THE BASICS In Pakistan’s honour/shame culture, it is considered deeply shameful for a family member to leave Islam – and so converts face intense opposition from their own family and community, including so-called ‘honour’ killing. All Christians suffer from institutionalised discrimination, and occupations that are deemed low, dirty and degrading – […]
LEVEL OF PERSECUTION:
Iran
800,00 (0.9% 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…
LEVEL OF PERSECUTION:
Afghanistan
Thousands (in a population of 43 million)
If an Afghan’s Christian faith is discovered, it can be a death sentence, or they can be detained and tortured into giving information about fellow believers…
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