We serve Christians around the world whose brave faith in Jesus means they are, beaten, threatened, imprisoned, tortured, falsely accused, disowned and hated.
There are only a few hundred Christians. Extremist Islamic groups target Christians and control large parts of the country. Nearly all Christians come from Islamic backgrounds, so many will keep their faith a secret. Those who are found to have converted can be excluded and harassed by family – some will face a worse fate.
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
“Jesus had changed me. I realised that I didn’t choose Him, but He chose me.”
Nala, a Somali Christian who fled the country
SOMALIA: QUICK FACTS
Somali Christians are often killed on the spot when their faith is discovered – murdered either by Islamic militants or even their own family.
Believers who aren’t killed can face persecution from family members including house arrest, forced marriage, sexual violence or being forced to take part in Islamic rituals.
There has been a huge rise in sexual violence against girls by Islamic militants, and those suspected of following Jesus are particular targets.
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. Being Muslim is a huge part of Somali identity, and to reject Islam – or even be suspected of rejecting it – is seen as a huge betrayal that affects the whole family.
SOMALIA: MORE DETAIL
Who is vulnerable in Somalia?
Church leaders are particularly targeted by al-Shabaab, who have increased their focus on finding and eliminating them.
Almost all of Somalia’s Christians have found Christ from a Muslim background, and they face the greatest risks of persecution from all sides. Those living in areas controlled by al-Shabaab are in the most immediate danger.
WHAT HAS CHANGED IN THE LAST YEAR?
Little has changed for Christians in Somalia this year. It remains one of the most dangerous places in the world for followers of Christ. Al-Shabaab continues to create an environment of fear and intimidation.
How is Open Doors helping?
Open Doors supports Somali believers across the Horn of Africa through discipleship training and by equipping them to cope with severe persecution.
PRAY NOW
Father God, give great courage and hope to Your people in Somalia who face such huge risks for following You. May their faith inspire the very people who are persecuting them. We pray for al-Shabaab to be pushed back and for peace to return to Somalia at last. 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:
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:
Libya
35,500 (0.5%)
Libya: QUICK FACTS 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 […]
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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