We serve Christians around the world whose brave faith in Jesus means they are, beaten, threatened, imprisoned, tortured, falsely accused, disowned and hated.
The fragile government is supported by radical Islamists, and as such violence, murder and other threats to Christians often go unpunished, and churches are being demolished and church leaders arrested. Christianity is increasingly being outlawed and leaving Islam is illegal and can be punished with the death sentence. Recently fighting between rival groups trying to grab power has led to a massive humanitarian crisis, with hundreds of thousands fleeing the country.
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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
“There are not equal rights for Christians to build their churches, the way Muslims have the full right to build their mosques.”
Abdul, a Sudanese Christian
SUDAN: QUICK FACTS
The government is supported by radical Islamists, and as such violence, murder and other threats to Christians often go unpunished.
Churches are being demolished and church leaders arrested.
In 2013 a law was passed stating that no new licenses for church buildings would be granted. Christianity is increasingly being outlawed.
Leaving Islam is illegal and can be punished with the death sentance.
SUDAN: THE BASICS
The devastating conflict that broke out in April 2023 is threatening to undermine the positive steps made towards religious freedom following the ousting of of former leader Omar al-Bashir in 2019.
The crisis stems from a power struggle between the National Army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). More than 9,000 people have been killed and nearly six million displaced. More than 165 churches have been closed and others have been destroyed. Churches have also reported human rights violations such as rape, kidnap and looting, with a recent spike in the abduction and killing of Christian men by radical groups. It’s a tactic designed to debilitate a family financially.
There are long-term concerns that the conflict will give Islamic extremists a renewed foothold in the country, undoing the reforms made by the transitional civilian government which gave more freedom to Christians, including abolishing the apostasy law and removing Islam as the state religion.
SUDAN: MORE DETAILS
What is life like for Christians in Sudan?
Christians who have converted from Muslim backgrounds continue to face huge dangers. Some will even refrain from telling their children about Jesus, for fear they may inadvertently disclose their parents’ faith to the local community.
A woman who converts to Christianity is vulnerable to house arrest, forced marriage, divorce, disinheritance and losing the custody of her children. A man may face beatings, imprisonment, harassment within the workplace and displacement. He may be kicked out of his home, shunned by his family, or forced to flee because the pressure is too much. “The country has been through a difficult time for decades,” shares Fikiru*, an Open Doors research expert for East Africa. “But Christians in the country are committed to continue serving and reaching unreached people in the country and taking the good news to their Muslim neighbours. “I recently met one convert who was excommunicated by her family. Everybody expected her to denounce her faith and go back to her old religion. But she said: ‘Despite all these challenges, I’ll stick to my faith and continue to love and serve Jesus.’ This kind of determination and strong faith in the Lord is a source of much encouragement.”
SEIDA’S STORY
Seida Nuri* is a widow in her 50s, living in the Nuba Mountains in Sudan, where thousands of Christians have been killed and displaced as the government seeks to ethnically cleanse the region of minority groups. Seida’s Christian husband, Peter, was killed in battle after he joined the army. A few years later, Seida’s eldest son moved away – she doesn’t know whether he is alive or dead. Seida grew up as a Muslim, and left Islam to follow Christ. Now, her family are trying to pressure her to renounce her faith by offering her support in exchange for returning to Islam. But, despite the difficulties of living as a widow, she is determined to hold on to Jesus.
How does Open Doors help?
Open Doors works through local church partners in Sudan to strengthen persecuted Christians through persecution survival training, discipleship training and economic empowerment projects.
PRAY NOW
Father God, we cry out for peace in Sudan and an end to this latest conflict. May it not be used to give extremists a renewed foothold in the country. Encourage believers at this time, particularly those who are despondent, weary and hurt. Pour fresh hope into their hearts. Be a place of refuge for Your children, meet their every need and strengthen their faith. During this time of uncertainty and unrest, help our brothers and sisters to be beacons of light that draw others to You. Amen.
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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 16.8 million)
SOMALIA: QUICK FACTS SOMALIA: THE BASICS The dangers of being a Christian in Somalia are extreme. Most, if not all, Christians in the country are converts from Muslim backgrounds. That makes each believer a high-value target for al-Shabaab, a militant group that has repeatedly expressed its desire to eradicate Christians from the country. If discovered, […]
LEVEL OF PERSECUTION:
Libya
35,100 (0.5%)
Libya: QUICK FACTS Libya: The basics Libya continues to be a place with very little political stability. Much of the country is ruled over by militias. But a small number of Libyans have encountered Jesus and chosen to follow Him. It could cost them everything. Converts from Islam face the most intense and violent pressure […]
LEVEL OF PERSECUTION:
Eritrea
1.7 million (46%)
There are 3.7 million people in Eritrea. Of these, 1.7 million are Christian, which is almost half the population.
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:
Nigeria
103 million (46.4%)
More believers are killed for their faith in Nigeria each year than everywhere else in the world, combined…
LEVEL OF PERSECUTION:
Pakistan
4.2 million (1.8%)
PAKISTAN: QUICK FACTS PAKISTAN: THE BASICS A devastating attack on the Christian community in Jaranwala in August 2023 was a reminder of the hostile environment facing many believers in Pakistan. The attack on more than 20 churches and almost 100 homes was in response to two believers being accused of desecrating the Quran. Pakistan’s notorious […]
LEVEL OF PERSECUTION:
Iran
1.2 million (under 1.4% 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 41 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…
Christians who have converted from Muslim backgrounds continue to face huge dangers. Some will even refrain from telling their children about Jesus, for fear they may inadvertently disclose their parents’ faith to the local community.
