We serve Christians around the world whose brave faith in Jesus means they are, beaten, threatened, imprisoned, tortured, falsely accused, disowned and hated.

Afghanistan: Young girls being brainwashed

pattern

While tens of thousands have fled Afghanistan since the Taliban took control of the country in August 2021, those who remain continue to watch, wait and suffer. The United Nations recently released a report which stated that 400 civilians have lost their lives since the Taliban takeover, and more than 80% of these have been killed from attacks linked to so-called Islamic State.

Disease, water shortages and job losses

“These days, there is relative peace, but uncertainty reigns in the hearts of people as the days unfold,” shares Open Doors frontline partner Hana Nasri*. “The economy is debt-ridden and completely dependent on foreign aid. Thousands have lost their jobs in the political upheaval.

“There’s a huge humanitarian problem. A water problem. Large numbers of families are living together in hiding – when the electricity goes, when something is broken, families in hiding can’t ask anyone to help with the repairs.

“The weather is also changing rapidly. We didn’t have spring – it just went straight into summer. In this heat, there will be more cholera, dysentery, amoebas. There’s a lot of disease, and now, it’s not just Covid-related only. Things are expected to get worse when the heat escalates.”


A Hazara woman in her home in Kabul, Afghanistan. Image: imb.org

‘Brainwashing’ by the Taliban

While some women in healthcare and essential services have been allowed to join the workforce, the majority are not allowed to work. The Taliban publicly shared that Afghan girls will be back to school by 21 March. Girls in grades one to six are indeed allowed to attend school under severe restrictions but, out on the ground, people know that this is religious education – a trusted contact calls it ‘brainwashing to create informants for the future’, saying ‘a whole new system of indoctrination is now being used, and that girls in higher grades do not have the freedom to study’.

“We’ve been told a lot about women being stopped and abducted, not just believers,” adds Hana Nasri. “It’s happening to everyone. The door-to-door search is continuing. Intimidation is going on – any kind of religion in the country won’t be tolerated.”

*Names were changed for safety and security reasons.

*Name changed for security reasons

Pray this now...
1

Heavenly Father, provide food, water and jobs for those in need in Afghanistan. Bring peace to fearful hearts, and heal all those who are suffering from physical, emotional or spiritual wounds. We especially lift to You those who are being marginalised – encourage them and provide opportunities for them to flourish in their God-given identities and callings. For all Afghans – be that in the country or elsewhere – may there be moments of joy and laughter amid the suffering and challenges. Amen.

Four things you can do now:
  • 1
    Learn more and pray:

    Get our free glow-in-the-dark World Watch List Map and find out more about the places where faith costs the most.

    Get your map
  • 2
    Pray regularly:

    Every Monday night at 7pm we'll be praying one prayer for one minute for the one in seven Christians around the world who face persecution. Set an alarm and tune in…

    Join us…
  • 3
    Choose to Lose:

    Raise money by getting sponsored to lose something you love for a short time. Sign up and we'll send you a fundraising pack…

    Sign up…
  • 4
    Send a message of hope:

    Imagine getting a letter from a Christian on the other side of the world who'd heard about you and was praying for you - encouraging right? Well, you can send encouragement now to young Christians facing persecution.

    Do that now
NEWS
                                    
October 2, 2023

Pray for Pastor Wasantha* and members of his church who are facing threats and intimidation…

Find out more
                                    
October 2, 2023

“The world knows how the Taliban are against women’s education and women working outside.” Pray for change now…

Find out more
                                    
September 25, 2023

See how your support is helping children in Iraq and Syria get back to school and find healing from the trauma’s of war…

Find out more
                                    
September 25, 2023

Alima has known rejection for most her life, but in Jesus she found hope and protection…

Find out more
                                    
September 18, 2023

Your prayers are needed following yet another awful attack on Christians in Nigeria, in which a student was killed.

Find out more
                                    
September 18, 2023

A summer camp for children and teenagers run by christians in Central Asia was raided by police and the camp leader was arrested and fined…

Find out more
                                    
September 12, 2023

Pray now as almost 3,000 people have died and hundreds more have been injured in the disaster…

Find out more
                                    
September 4, 2023

“We will not give up our faith; we believe that God will continue to reveal Himself to us and to these people…”

Find out more
                                    
September 4, 2023

Aasif bravely led more than 30 people to believe in Jesus, but in the end he paid the ultimate price for his faith…

Find out more
                                    
August 29, 2023

“Looking back, to be honest, we’re feeling nervous, fearful and worried, as it’s our first time to encounter this…“

Find out more
btn-scroll