WORLD WATCH LIST 2021 - THE TOP 50 COUNTRIES WHERE FOLLOWING JESUS COSTS THE MOST
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WORLD WATCH LIST 2021
THE TOP 50
COUNTRIES
WHERE FOLLOWING
JESUS COSTS
THE MOST
www.opendoors.org.hk
CONTENTS
WELCOME TO THE PERSECUTED CHURCH
4 Why are Christians persecuted?
6 The headlines WHAT IF
10 COVID-19: When Christians are the last in line
12 About Open Doors
WHAT IF your church had to meet in secret?
14 What if you could make a difference?
WHAT IF you were put in prison for your faith?
16 What if your prayers could change things?
WHAT IF your family threw you out because of your faith?
THE TOP 50 COUNTRIES
WHAT IF owning a Bible was illegal?
20 North Korea
22 Afghanistan, Somalia, Libya, Pakistan WHAT IF following Jesus meant facing violence or even death?
24 What if your church had to meet in secret?
26 Eritrea, Yemen, Iran, Nigeria
28 What if you were put in prison for your faith?
WELCOME TO THE PERSECUTED CHURCH.
30 India, Iraq, Syria,
32 Sudan, Saudi Arabia, Maldives
34 World Watch List Map
36 Egypt, China
38 Myanmar, Vietnam, Mauritania, Uzbekistan
40 What if your family threw you out because of your faith?
44 Laos, Turkmenistan, Algeria
46 Turkey, Tunisia, Morocco
48 What if owning a Bible were forbidden?
50 Mali, Qatar, Colombia, Bangladesh
52 Burkina Faso
54 Tajikistan, Nepal, Central African Republic, Ethiopia
56 Mexico, Jordan, Brunei, Democratic Republic of the Congo
58 Kazakhstan, Cameroon, Bhutan, Oman
60 Mozambique, Malaysia, Indonesia, Kuwait
62 What if following Jesus meant facing violence or even death?
64 Kenya, Comoros
66 Thank you for standing with your persecuted family
2 3
CHRISTIAN PERSECUTION IS A GLOBAL REALITY.
At least 340 million Christians around the placed under surveillance? Or arrested and
world experience systemic discrimination, put on trial? What would it do to your family,
unfair treatment and persecution. That your friends, your home group, your church?
means an astonishing 1 in 8 Christians
are affected And of course, this is our family.
1 IN 8 CHRISTIANS by extreme, We are one body, one church. This book
very high or details the 50 countries in the world
ARE AFFECTED BY high levels of where Christians face the most extreme
EXTREME, VERY HIGH persecution. persecution.
OR HIGH LEVELS
OF PERSECUTION. Think about that But the courageous Christians whose lives
for a minute. you can read about here are not statistics.
Think of the And they are not strangers.
Christians you know. What if 1 in 8 of them
were refused a job because of their faith? Or They are our family. And they need our help.
WHY ARE CHRISTIANS PERSECUTED?
We have all faced a global pandemic. But You want the land that Christians have,
the plague of Christian persecution goes or their jobs, or even their women and
on year after year. So why is it happening? children. Where Christians are poor and
in the minority, how will they stop you?
One reason is religious fanaticism. Ultimately, though, there is one reason
Deluded followers believe that killing why Christians are persecuted.
Christians is God’s will, that suicide
bombing a church is a passport to paradise, Because the
that trying to force Christians to give up church is alive. THE CHURCH IS
their faith is a righteous act. It’s active. And it’s ALIVE. IT’S ACTIVE.
growing. AND IT’S GROWING.
Often, fanaticism presents itself as
politics. Ultra-nationalists preach hatred For over 25 years,
and Christians are an easy target. Bullies Open Doors has tracked the scale of
always need someone to blame. worldwide persecution. And the church
Sometimes it’s all about control. has not been destroyed. Remember,
Christians know that ’the truth shall then, that Christ has the victory.
set you free’, but freedom is the last
thing that paranoid dictators and Christians may be in hiding, but they
authoritarian governments want. are still shining a light. They may be in
prison, but they are still free. They may be
It could be as basic as simple greed. victimised, but they are still victors.
4 5
The headlines
PERSECUTION CHRISTIANS DELIBERATELY
CONTINUES TO RISE DENIED CORONAVIRUS AID
For the first time since the list Open Doors research reveals the
began, all top 50 countries score extent to which Christians are
at least ’very high’ levels of being specifically excluded from
persecution. Twelve countries are receiving Covid-19 aid. Incidents
categorised as having ‘extreme’ have been recorded in Bangladesh,
levels of persecution, up from 11 India, Pakistan, Nigeria, Yemen,
the year before. And there are Sudan, Vietnam, Myanmar,
another 24 countries scoring ‘very Nepal, Malaysia - not to mention
PERSECUTION CONTINUES TO RISE high’ or ‘high’ levels of persecution Central Asia and North Africa. See
that don’t even make it into the top ’Covid-19: When Christians are the
50. See, ‘Beyond the Top 50’ p.8 last in line’ p.10
VIOLENCE AGAINST CHRISTIANS RISES
VIOLENCE RISES IN
DRAMATICALLY IN SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA RELIGIOUS NATIONALISM
Of the top six countries where FUELS PERSECUTION
Christians experience the most In Turkey, an overtly Islamist,
outright violence, five are in sub- nationalist agenda has led to
Saharan Africa. Nigeria – which increased violence and intolerance
re-entered the top 10 for the first towards Christians. It rose 11 places
NORTH KOREA TOPS THE LIST FOR THE 20TH CONSECUTIVE YEAR time since 2015 – saw the most to number 25. In India, rising Hindu
violence against Christians in 2020, nationalism continues to claim
with armed Fulani herdsmen killing that ‘to be Indian is to be Hindu’.
with impunity. Islamist violence is See ‘Turkey flexes its muscles’ p.46
also why Cameroon rose to 42 from
MILLIONS OF CHRISTIANS DELIBERATELY EXCLUDED 48, and why Democratic Republic
of Congo (40) and Mozambique
FROM RECEIVING CORONAVIRUS AID (45) are new entries to the top 50.
See ‘Alarming rise in violence SUDAN’S IMPROVEMENTS
in sub-Saharan Africa’ p.52 IN RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
Good news in a bad year. Sudan
drops six places to 13 after
RELIGIOUS NATIONALISM CONTINUES TO FUEL PERSECUTION NORTH KOREA TOPS THE LIST abolishing the death penalty for
North Korea is the most dangerous apostasy (i.e. renouncing Islam)
place in the world to be a Christian, and introducing other liberalising
as it has been every year since measures. See ’Good news from
2002. If you are discovered to be Sudan’ p.32
a Christian you will be sent to one
SUDAN MAKES RADICAL IMPROVEMENTS IN RELIGIOUS LIBERTY of the country’s notorious prison
camps, which have been described
by sources as ‘a living mass grave’.
See ‘The appalling inhumanity of
North Korea’s prison state’ p.20
6 7
BEYOND THE TOP 50 regularly in the top 50. Now it is just below –
Out of the 340 million Christians at number 51. The Communist government 2016
around the world who experience high still rules and churches are experiencing
levels of persecution and discrimination, more restrictions.
some 309 million Christians live in the 50
countries in this book. OTHER RISERS
Colombia is up 11 places to 30.
The Open Doors World Watch List monitors Covid-19 has actually helped organised
many countries where freedom of worship crime groups. With an overstretched
is threatened or curtailed. Overall, this year, government struggling to contain the
74 countries showed extreme, very high pandemic, criminal gangs can exploit the
or high levels of persecution. Sri Lanka, quarantines and curfews for their own ends.
the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Niger The same is true in Mexico, which rose 15
dropped out of the top 50, not because places to 37. In both countries, Christians
the situation improved, but because other have been prevented from providing
countries have deteriorated. material or spiritual aid, and church leaders
who challenge the gangs can be extorted, 2021
In Sri Lanka (52), Christians are still treated robbed, kidnapped and even killed.
as second-class citizens and Buddhist
supremacy is still a driving factor. In UAE Iraq has risen from 15 to 11, due to ongoing
(53) the major factor is Islamic oppression insecurity and Turkish military attacks in
– as it is for most of the countries just northern Iraq in summer 2020. Bangladesh
outside the top 50, such as Kyrgyzstan is up to 31 from 38. Among the Rohingya
(55), Palestinian Territories (56), Tanzania refugees who are oppressed are about
(57) and areas of the Russian Federation 2,000 Muslim converts to Christianity, who
(58). Meanwhile, Niger (54) saw increased have faced attacks and abduction.
violence from Islamist militants. The same
is true for other sub-Saharan countries such After many years’ absence, the Comoros
as Chad (62), Uganda (65) and Guinea (66). Islands have re-entered the top 50. The
government has openly denied freedom of
Long-time Open Doors supporters will religion for its citizens and any Christian
remember the days when Cuba was seen preaching faces imprisonment.
ABOUT THE WORLD WATCH LIST A HEAT MAP OF PERSECUTION
The Open Doors World Watch List The fires of persecution are burning
STILL STANDING STRONG
Persecution is at unprecedented
“ I CAME TO FAITH IN A SAFE
HOUSE AFTER I ESCAPED
NORTH KOREA. YOU WOULD
is compiled by Open Doors analysts
using real-world data from experts on
the ground in 150 countries.
faster and further than ever before.
In 2016 there were 25 countries where
levels. But as the need has grown, persecution was ranked as ‘high’, 16
BE AMAZED TO SEE HOW THE
so has the response. Persecution in each country is as ‘very high’, and nine marked as
SPIRIT IS AT WORK IN THESE recorded by Open Doors using ‘extreme’. This year, there are just two
Open Doors is now at work in almost SAFE HOUSES. SO MANY a points system. This not only colours: 12 countries are ranked as
70 countries around the globe. Your PEOPLE COME TO FAITH. THAT’S tracks violence, but also how much ‘extreme’; all the rest are ‘very high’.
support keeps the church around ONLY POSSIBLE THANKS TO freedom Christians have to practise
the world standing strong. YOU. WE WOULDN’T EVEN EXIST their faith in their private, family, To put it another way: on this years list
WITHOUT YOUR PRAYERS.” community, national and church life. Comoros is number 50 with a score
And the church is not destroyed. of 62 points. In 2016 that would have
Jae-Hwa*, North Korean believer
EXTREME 81-100 POINTS made it number 23.
*name changed for security reasons VERY HIGH 61-80 POINTS
HIGH 41-60 POINTS
8 9
COVID-19: When Christians
are the last in line
It is, of course, the story of 2020. A In Nigeria, Rose’s husband Matthew, a THE LAST IN LINE In India, Open Doors partners have so far
global pandemic, hospitalising and church pastor, was killed by Fulani militants. It’s not just the economic impact. In many provided aid for some 14,750 families who
killing millions. But there is another She lost everything. And then Covid hit. places Covid has been weaponised against were struggling during lockdown. In Nepal,
story to be told about the Covid crisis Christians. Many have found themselves 1,300 families were supported; in Nigeria
– and that is the way the virus is being “We had no food,” says Rose (pictured denied aid, even where it was available. our work is supporting 9,000 families.
used against the persecuted church. below). “There was no money to buy any Some were told that ‘your church or your
food. We couldn’t trade anything for money, God should feed you’. In India, of more than Thanks to your support, Open Doors partners
In the World Watch List countries, Christians because the markets were closed.” 100,000 Christians receiving aid from Open were able to bring a relief package to Rose.
are often the poorest and most vulnerable. Doors partners, 80 per cent reported to
For them, lockdown is a disaster. If you World Watch List researchers that they were “I had never imagined that I would receive
are a day-labourer, what savings do you dismissed from food distribution points. In such gifts, but today, my faith in Christ
have? If you have been cast out of your southern Kaduna, Nigeria, families from has been strengthened. This support will
family, village or community, who can you several villages said they received one sixth enable me to care for my family,” she said.
turn to? If you are a church leader reliant of the rations allocated to Muslim families.
on the gifts of your congregation, what > See a video of Rose and find out
do you do when church services stop? “We were happy when the government more about how your support is
announced food aid for the poor,” said Rose. helping persecuted Christians
Psychologically, there is a huge effect “But we were left out. We received none of caught up in the pandemic. Go to
as well. Some Christians have been that food.” opendoors.org.hk/en/rose
locked down in homes where everyone
is hostile to their faith. Among the Top 10 CARING FOR THE FAMILY (pictured above) A Buddhist-
countries, the number of women reporting But there is yet another story of Covid and background believer receives Covid
psychological violence has increased. the persecuted church, and that is the aid through Open Doors partners
way in which Christians across the world
have stepped up to support their family.
10 11
ABOUT OPEN DOORS Pastor Jeremiah* leads a church in buy food, medicine and materials to
northern Nigeria (pictured below). One rebuild their homes. Our partners have
night, his village was attacked by militant also provided
“
Fulani herdsmen armed with automatic spiritual support
IF YOU HAD NOT
weapons. The villagers fled into the bush and trauma care.
COME, WE WOULD
At least 340 million
as the attackers rampaged through the
village shooting and burning. Without the help HAVE SUFFERED
of Open Doors EVEN MORE. OPEN
Fulani militants are trying to drive they would be DOORS, ON BEHALF
Christians around Christians from the communities where
they have lived for generations. But,
amazingly, Pastor Jeremiah is determined
completely
abandoned.
OF MY PEOPLE,
WE ARE SAYING,
‘THANK YOU.’”
the world experience
to remain, and to give hope to his flock. “If you had
not come, we
“We should give glory to God. He is alive would have suffered even more,” Pastor
and will help us,” Pastor Jeremiah adds. Jeremiah says. “Open Doors, on behalf of
high levels of
“Even if we die, we are in the hands of my people, we are saying, Thank you.”
God,” he says.
*Name changed for security reasons
With your support, Open Doors partners
persecution and
helped the believers in the village to
discrimination.
For over 65 years Open Doors has It’s long-term work. But for 65 years
stood alongside the persecuted that has been the calling: to stand with
church, strengthening and supporting Christians who dare to follow Jesus no
Christians who dare to follow matter the cost. To pray with them,
Jesus, no matter the cost. support them, speak up for them.
Our global, underground networks operate To let them know that they are not
in almost 70 countries, always working forgotten, and never alone.
in partnership with the local church –
wherever it is found and whatever shape > Go to www.opendoors.org.hk for
it takes. more stories of courageous faith,
detailed information about the Top
Through the gifts and prayers of Open 50 countries on the World Watch
Doors supporters, millions of Christians List, videos, the latest news stories,
around the world receive emergency food and a wide range of resources for
and aid, spiritual care, smuggled Bibles and churches, families and individuals.
books, and vital training and legal advice.
12 13
WHAT IF YOU COULD MAKE A DIFFERENCE?
Your gifts, prayers and support make a huge
difference to persecuted Christians around the
world.
“There are times when I feel like it’s me against
the world and that the Lord has not provided me
with people,” says Sop*, a persecuted church
leader in Laos. “But God sends people. He used
your ministry.”
GIVE
Give an isolated Christian a precious Bible,
help rebuild shattered homes and churches,
provide persecuted Christians with vital food
and medicine. Whatever you can give will make a
difference.
PRAY
Sign up for weekly emails with stories of
courageous faith to inspire your prayers. Our
website has a wealth of prayer resources for
individuals and churches.
SPEAK OUT
Tell others what is happening. Tell your church
about their persecuted brothers and sisters
using Open Doors resources for churches.
WRITE
Write a card to persecuted Christians — let them
know that they are not alone in their suffering
and that you are praying for them. www.
opendoors.org.hk/letter-writing
(pictured) Open Doors has so far provided
151 families in Uganda with Covid food aid
14 15
WHAT IF YOUR PRAYERS COULD CHANGE THINGS?
Lord Jesus Christ,
In the summer of 2020, Bakhit was PRAY WITH THE WORLD WATCH LIST help us to remember
abducted at gunpoint from his shop We know that many supporters use this those who suffer
in Egypt. book to pray daily for the persecuted church. because of their faith
in You.
Weeks passed without any news, but Here are some other ways – using stories
Bakhit’s daughter Miriam continued to pray. of Christians featured in this booklet –
to build prayer for our persecuted Protect them and fill
“I was crying and praying at the same brothers and sisters into the activities them with joy.
time,” she says. “I hadn’t lost the hope of his of everyday life.
return, I had a Make them more than
“ HOPELESSNESS strong feeling WASH AND PRAY conquerors through
that he would Caleb* (pictured), a church leader,
HAS BECOME HOPE, your mighty strength.
return one day.” describes underground house churches
AND SADNESS HAS as “…water in a river. Whenever an
TURNED INTO JOY. She was obstacle is encountered, they will not Give them your
I WOULD LIKE TO not alone. fight it. Instead, they stream past the resurrection power.
THANK EVERYONE Open Doors obstacles and change course.”
WHO PRAYED FOR supporters Bring your children to
THE RETURN OF MY around the Whenever you run water during the day, complete unity so that
world joined think of Caleb’s phrase and pray that the
FATHER. MAY GOD the world will believe
her in prayer. church will ‘flow’ around any obstacles.
BLESS ALL OF YOU.” Then, a full four in Jesus.
Miriam, Egypt months after Perhaps you could place a mug or glass in
the kidnapping, the base of a bowl or sink as you fill it. Watch Amen.
her father was released! A little how the water flows around the object, then
underweight but otherwise in good health. eventually submerges it. The power of God
does likewise: nothing can stand against it.
Miriam says: “His return to our home has Pray that church leaders like Caleb would be
returned the joy that was absent from my filled with this same power.
heart. Life has come back and laughs at me
again. Hopelessness has become hope, and SIP AND PRAY
sadness has turned into joy.” In Central Asia, secret Christians meet in
coffee shops, and pray with their eyes open
“I would like to thank everyone who prayed as if they were having a conversation.
for the return of my father. May God bless
all of you.” Whenever you make yourself a drink
during the day, remember Christians
Your prayers bring comfort and hope to worshipping together in secret.
Christians enduring the most desperate
circumstances. But more than that, they Make yourself a drink and quiet your heart
bring life. To pray with our persecuted before God. Say the following prayer out
brothers and sisters, then, is to stand with loud, pausing after each line to take a sip
them in the power of the resurrection and of your drink and think about persecuted
to courageously affirm that the darkness Christians around the world.
cannot win. *name changed for security reasons
16 17
BREATHE AND PRAY OTHER RESOURCES TO HELP YOU
PRAY
THE TOP 50
COUNTRIES
In North Africa, Islèm* (pictured above), a
believer from a Muslim background, says: The prayer points for countries in this
“Jesus is like oxygen, because without booklet can help you in church services,
oxygen you cannot breathe. If Jesus were and also the Open Doors World Watch List
not in my life, I wouldn’t be here today, I map has good references.
would not be alive.”
Prayer News is a regularly refreshed
This simple breathing exercise will help collection on Website and Facebook that WHERE FOLLOWING JESUS COSTS THE MOST
you pray for believers like Islèm. (It’s are great for prayer groups.
also good for reducing feelings of stress,
anxiety and panic in your own body.) The Open Doors monthly Prayer Guide
shows prayer points for
1. Choose a country profile within this every day of the year, while
booklet and read the prayer points. our weekly Prayer Alert
features a different World
2. Note any key words or phrases from the Watch List country each
prayer points that you are most drawn week.
to. For example, from a prayer point that
reads “Pray that Christians will find ways > You can find all these
to share their faith despite the risks” you resources at www.
might pick out ‘despite the risks’. opendoors.org.hk
3. Close your eyes and welcome the *Name changed for security
presence of God. reasons
4. As you breathe in, say to yourself, to
the rhythm of your breath, “Lord Jesus,
hear my prayer”.
5. As you breathe out, say your key phrase.
6. Repeat for as long as you like.
18 1901
NORTH KOREA
POPULATION The appalling
25.8 million / 400,000 Christians
LEADER inhumanity of
Kim Jong-un
North Korea’s
PERSECUTION SCORE (NO CHANGE)
0 100 prison state
94
Being discovered as a Christian is a
death sentence in North Korea. You
will be taken to a labour camp as a
political criminal, if you aren’t killed If you are discovered to be a Christian their jobs, people who’ve criticised violence and torture against women in
instantly. Few believers survive. in North Korea, you will be arrested, the regime, and those suspected of detention facilities is endemic. It added
And everyone in your family will interrogated and imprisoned. And engaging in anti-government activities. that guards are known to sexually
share the same punishment. you are unlikely to ever be released. abuse or exploit female prisoners.
Many Christians keep their faith Most Christians are sent to political prison
entirely hidden, even from their Open Doors estimates that tens camps. These camps tend to be Kwan- ‘NOBODY SURVIVES THE KWAN-LI-SO’
families. Secret police carry out raids of thousands of North Korean li-so – ‘total control zones’ – from which “I saw moving, shapeless forms,” recalls
to identify Christians, and children Christians are in prisons or inmates will never be released. Prisoners one Christian of her time in a Kwo-hwa-
are encouraged to tell their teachers labour camps for their faith. are considered ‘enemies of the state’ so. “It took me a moment to realise
about any sign of faith in their parents’ and beyond the protection of the law. If these were people. Some were bent
home. A Christian is never safe. RISING PRISONER NUMBERS not secretly executed, they endure lives over. Others missed an arm or a leg. I
It emerged last year that since Kim of unending physical and psychological looked at my own arms and legs, thin
Open Doors secret workers through Jong-un came to power in 2011, the torture, hunger and labour. They may like matches. In the camp, I worked 12
its networks are providing shelter number of prisoners in political prison even be used for chemical tests. hours a day, sometimes more. Every
and training for North Korean camps run by the Ministry of State day is just one long nightmare.”
refugees who have fled the country, Security has increased substantially. These camps differ from other detention
and keeping 90,000 North Korean In 2012, around 130,000 people facilities in North Korea, such as the The believer, who was released after two
believers alive with vital food and aid. were detained. As of March 2020, Kwo-hwa-so (or ‘revolutionary zone’) years, discovered another Christian in
this is reported to have increased which are for ‘less serious’ crimes, the camp. “She was much braver than I
PRAY to around 160,000. The largest where detainees receive an ‘ideological was – she spoke to others about Christ.”
• For strength and survival for camp, Yodok – described by one education’ while doing forced labour. But it came at an awful cost. “One day a
North Korea’s secret believers Christian as ‘a living mass grave’ – car came to pick her up. When I saw her
• That God would sustain Christians holds around 55,000 detainees. Wherever they are detained, Christian leave, I knew they were taking her to a
in horrendous labour camps women are also at grave risk of sexual maximum-security prison, a Kwan-li-
• That God would tear down Prisoners include officials deemed abuse. In a report released in 2019, the so. Nobody survives the Kwan-li-so.”
the strongholds of the ruling to have performed poorly in UN revealed that rape and other sexual
Kim dynasty and replace
them with His kingdom.
20 2102 03 04 05
AFGHANISTAN SOMALIA LIBYA PAKISTAN
©IMB.org
©IMB.org
POPULATION POPULATION POPULATION POPULATION
38.1 million / A small number of Christians 16.1 million / A few hundred Christians 6.7 million / 34,500 Christians 208.3 million / 4.1 million Christians
LEADER LEADER LEADER LEADER
President Ashraf Ghani President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed Prime Minister Fayez Sarraj Prime Minister Imran Khan
PERSECUTION SCORE (+1) PERSECUTION SCORE (NO CHANGE) PERSECUTION SCORE (+2) PERSECUTION SCORE (NO CHANGE)
0 100 0 100 0 100 0 100
94 92 92 88
It is impossible to live openly as It is impossible to publicly admit There is no freedom of speech, no Christians in Pakistan face extreme
a Christian in Afghanistan. your Christian faith in Somalia. freedom of religion, and no possibility persecution in every area of their lives.
Leaving Islam is considered Islam is considered a crucial of public church life in Libya. Believers who have converted from
shameful, and Christian converts part of Somali identity, and if any Though there are around 34,500 Islam face the greatest persecution,
from a Muslim background face dire Somali is suspected of having Christians in the country, only a tiny but all Christians are considered
consequences if their new faith is converted to Christianity, they are number (approximately 150) are Libyan second-class citizens in this strongly
discovered. Either they have to flee in great danger. Members of their – the majority are migrant workers. Islamic country. They are given jobs
the country or they will be killed. family, clan or community will harass, Libyan Christians from a Muslim perceived as dishonourable, and
If a Christian’s family discovers intimidate or even kill them. background face violent and intense can be victims of bonded labour.
they have converted, their family, Christians are also in danger from pressure from their family and the wider Pakistan’s notorious blasphemy
clan or tribe has to save its ‘honour’ the Muslim extremists al-Shabaab, community to renounce their faith. They laws are used to target Christians, and
by disowning the believer, or even who consider Christians from a are also vulnerable to abduction, murder Islamic extremist groups vehemently
killing them. Christians from a Muslim Muslim background a ‘high-value or sexual assault by Islamic militant ‘defend’ these laws, including attacking
background can also be sectioned in a target’. They often execute believers groups and organised crime groups. or killing those believed to have
psychiatric hospital, because leaving on the spot, when discovered. contravened them. Christian girls are
Islam is considered a sign of insanity. In cooperation with local partners at risk of abduction and rape, and are
Open Doors supports Somali and churches, Open Doors supports often forced to marry their attackers
Open Doors raises prayer support for believers across the Horn of Africa the church in North Africa through and coerced into converting to Islam.
persecuted believers in Afghanistan. with discipleship support, literature training, literature distribution, socio-
distribution and community economic development and advocacy. Open Doors raises prayer support for
PRAY development, as well as broadcasting persecuted believers in Pakistan.
• That God would make ‘seeing eyes radio programmes into the country. PRAY
blind’ and that any persecutors • For Libyan Christians PRAY
looking for secret Afghan Christians PRAY under immense pressure • For Pakistani Christians to have
would not discover them • That the families of those murdered to know God’s peace courage to speak about their faith
• That despite their isolation, Afghan for their faith will receive the • That new and isolated • For protection over Pakistan’s
believers would be strengthened comfort of their Heavenly Father believers will find others to churches, especially around Christian
and encouraged in their faith • For a strong church to grow among share with and learn from festivals such as Christmas and Easter
• That God would be at work, changing Somali people, relying on Jesus • For those in power in Libya. Pray • For God’s strength for Christian
the hearts of Islamic extremists • For those who kill Christians to be for peace and stability, and for girls who have been abducted and
and turning them to Him. convicted with the fear of the Lord. an end to the proxy civil war. forced to convert and marry.
22 23In many of the countries in the Open
Doors World Watch List Top 50,
Christians have to worship in secret.
They meet in houses or apartments. They
gather on remote mountainsides, or deep
in the jungle. They disguise their meetings,
so that services look like simple meals
or baptisms look like swimming parties.
Their courage and ingenuity are beyond He found people desperate for hope.
question, but the pressure is intense. “Those people loved what we taught
For secret Christians in Eritrea, for and shared. Some of them even tried to
example, there is no let up. At school their cover for us. We saw many conversions.
children need to be careful what they say. The gospel can’t be chained.”
And at home
“ NO ONE, NOT EVEN neighbours are
THE GOVERNMENT, always on the
CAN BLOCK alert for any
However, when pastors are arrested,
secret churches are often left without
leaders. That’s why Open Doors
THE GOSPEL.” signs of secret underground networks help train church
gatherings. leaders, as well as providing smuggled
Bibles and Christian literature, and digital
“Christians continue to receive teaching teaching and discipleship resources.
and pray together,” says Eyal*, an Eritrean
underground church leader. “It is very And, amazingly, the church is still alive,
difficult. We are watched all the time. still witnessing, still growing. In countries
Believers cannot move around freely and like Libya, Eritrea, Iran, North Korea
this makes outreach very difficult. But even, the church is standing strong.
as hard as it is, we have to continue.”
“Thank you for your help to us, thank you
In the background, behind every secret for praying, thank you for being on our
church meeting in Eritrea is the fear of side,” says Eyal. “With the help of God and
a police raid. Musse* is a church leader because of you, we are doing our Christian
who was sent to an Eritrean prison – yet activities. We are coming together, meeting
Illustrative image of a believer in the Horn of Africa
even there he found a way to meet. and helping people in different ways.
What if
“In prison, one of my main purposes as a “No one, not even the government,
Christian was to evangelise,” he says. “You can block the gospel.”
continue teaching. Of course, it is forbidden
to do it openly, but we did it at night-time *Names changed for security reasons
when everybody was asleep. We even had
Bible portions we could study in secret.”
your church had to meet in secret?
24 2506 07 08 09
ERITREA YEMEN IRAN NIGERIA
©Article 18
©Alamy
POPULATION POPULATION POPULATION POPULATION
5.4 million / 2.6 million Christians 30.2 million / A few thousand Christians 83.5 million / 800,000 Christians 206.2 million / 95.4 million Christians
LEADER LEADER LEADER LEADER
President Isaias Afwerki President Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadi Ayatollah Ali Khamenei President Muhammadu Buhari
PERSECUTION SCORE (+1) PERSECUTION SCORE (+2) PERSECUTION SCORE (+1) PERSECUTION SCORE (+5)
0 100 0 100 0 100 0 100
88 87 86 85
Christians from non-traditional Christians in Yemen usually keep their Secret churches are often raided, and More Christians are murdered for their
denominations face the harshest faith secret; if they are discovered they their leaders and members arrested and faith in Nigeria than in any other country,
persecution in Eritrea, both from the could face the death penalty. given long prison sentences for ‘crimes and violence is increasing.
government and from the Eritrean Leaving Islam is forbidden, and all against national security’. Attacks by Islamic extremist groups
Orthodox Church (EOC) - the only Yemenis are considered Muslims by the The Iranian government sees the are common in the north and middle belt
Christian denomination recognised by the state. Islamic militant groups threaten conversion of Muslims to Christianity of the country, and are becoming more
government, controlled by those in power. Christians from a Muslim background as an attempt by Western countries common further south.
Government security forces monitor with death, and tribes may kill or banish to undermine the Islamic rule of Iran. In these attacks, Christians are often
phone calls, scrutinise activity and conduct anybody converting to Christianity. Christians from Muslim backgrounds are murdered or have their property and means
countless raids that target Christians, seize The civil war and pandemic are persecuted the most, primarily by the of livelihood destroyed. Christian women
Christian materials and damage house impacting all citizens, but Christians government, but also by their families are often abducted and raped by these
churches. Christians can be arrested are particularly vulnerable as relief and communities. Covid-19 has hit the militant groups, and sometimes forced to
and imprisoned in appallingly inhumane aid is mostly distributed through local country hard, and many believers are in marry Muslims.
conditions, without trial. Their loved ones Islamic leaders and mosques. They desperate need of food and aid.
often don’t know if they are still alive. often discriminate against anyone not Open Doors partners with the local
considered a devout Muslim. Open Doors supports the church in church to strengthen persecuted
Open Doors works through local Iran through partners with online believers in Nigeria, through
church partners in Eritrea to provide Open Doors supports the body of ministry, multimedia productions and discipleship and persecution survival
practical assistance to persecuted Christ on the Arabian Peninsula advocacy. Special attention is given training, education and community
Christians, support Bible and through organising prayer, to Christian leaders, women, former development projects, emergency
discipleship training, and raise distributing Scripture resources and prisoners, youth and children. relief and trauma care.
awareness and prayer. training believers and pastors.
PRAY PRAY
PRAY PRAY • For Christians in isolation to have • For those who are mourning for loved
• For believers in prison, and their • That secret believers will have access to online resources and other ones, to know God’s peace
families, to know God’s provision wisdom and discernment as they believers • That God would lovingly heal women
• That church leaders would have support one another • That Christians imprisoned for their and girls suffering trauma after
wisdom to engage their government • For those taking great risks to faith will know God’s comfort sexual attacks
on the issue of religious freedom provide seekers and new believers • That the Iranian government would • That Nigeria’s government will take
• That believers would remain with discipleship support listen to those who advocate for the decisive action to protect all citizens
steadfast in their faith. • That peace will return to Yemen. rights of Christians. in the country.
26 27During the Covid-19 pandemic, many of us enter the prison and start to evangelise.
have experienced a little of what it is like
to be confined. But for some persecuted “But it was an inner voice that said, ‘Look,
Christians, their ‘lockdown’ is much I took you through these doors and gates
more severe and long-lasting. So how do here to evangelise people, to talk to
you cope if you are people about Jesus.’”
labelled as an enemy
of the government Mojtaba saw the
and thrown in jail? incredible opportunity
How do you live out God had placed before
your faith in solitary him. He began talking
confinement, where about his faith with
it’s just you and God? other prisoners. Some
of them accepted Jesus.
Mojtaba from Iran
(pictured) faced that The next difficulty was
challenge. Arrested getting a Bible. How
for leading a secret could anyone bring
house church, he was one into the prison?
incarcerated in the But God had the most
notorious Evin Prison unusual solution…
for over three years.
In the darkness of his A kindly imam came
prison cell, God was to the prison every
present and at work, day, so Mojtaba asked
but Mojtaba didn’t see it that way at first. him for a Bible. Bringing in a whole Bible
was too dangerous, but he brought in
“I had this feeling that, if I am in prison portions of the Bible in English. With
now, it’s about my sin, it’s about my the help of a friend, Mojtaba translated
faults, it’s about what I did bad and them, and shared them with other
God is punishing me. One day, God prisoners. Through these smuggled
spoke to me and I felt it strongly: snippets of Scripture, more and more
‘Mojtaba, stop being selfish. If you are prisoners gave their lives to Jesus.
in prison now, it’s not about you, it’s
about me. Look around yourself.’ “I never prayed for God to release
What if
me from prison,” Mojtaba says. “It
“And I looked around myself. And I saw doesn’t matter what situation I’m in, I
people, poor people. Many people that can work in God’s kingdom wherever
had bad crimes, many bad experiences God places me. It doesn’t matter if it
in their lives. I saw the doors, the huge is in prison or out of prison. Because
gates of the prison and the big locks on persecution will take the gospel to the
the doors and how secure it is. No one can places where nothing else can do it.”
you were put in prison for your faith?
28 2910 11 12
INDIA IRAQ SYRIA
©IMB.org
©IMB.org
POPULATION POPULATION POPULATION
1.4 billion / 67.4 million Christians 41.5 million / 175,000 Christians 18.9 million / 677,000 Christians
LEADER LEADER LEADER
Prime Minister Narendra Modi President Barham Salih President Bashar al-Assad
PERSECUTION SCORE (NO CHANGE) PERSECUTION SCORE (+6) PERSECUTION SCORE (-1)
0 100 0 100 0 100
Help and hope
83 82 81 for the Middle East
Hindu extremists believe that all Indians Iraq saw recurrent violent protests last A decade of civil war has made Syria a
should be Hindus, and that the country year, and the instability is a catalyst for breeding ground for the persecution of
should be rid of Christians. the increase in persecution of Christians. Christians.
Extremists particularly target Islamic extremists remain active, In areas controlled by Islamic Open Doors partners in Syria and Iraq
Christians from a Hindu background. These attacking and kidnapping Christians. extremist groups, public expressions had intended to start scaling back
believers are often physically attacked and While so-called Islamic State no longer of Christianity are banned and most emergency food distribution in 2020. The
sometimes killed, as well as being under has a stranglehold on the country, churches have been seized or destroyed. focus was going to be on rebuilding and
constant pressure from their family and their notoriously cruel treatment of Islamic dissidents are still active and activities that promote self-sufficiency.
community to return to Hinduism. Christians, particularly women and violent attacks continue, while Covid-19 Coronavirus changed all that.
Anti-conversion laws (currently in nine girls, has left a legacy of trauma. has exacerbated many vulnerabilities.
states, with more considering adoption) Christians from a Muslim background Christians from a Muslim background But your gifts and prayers during Open
are also abused to intimidate Christians. often keep their faith secret, because of are vulnerable to pressure from their Doors’ seven-year Hope for the Middle
the pressure and threats they are likely families and communities, who perceive East campaign, and God’s faithfulness
Open Doors works through local to face from family and community. conversion from Islam as dishonourable. over many years, means that local
church partners to strengthen the partners have been able to escalate plans
Indian church through providing Open Doors works through local Open Doors works through to meet the need caused by Covid-19.
emergency aid, persecution survival partners to support Christians in partners in Syria to strengthen the
training, Bibles, livelihood and Iraq through Bible distribution, church through Bible distribution, Pastor George (pictured above) – in
community development, advocacy discipleship training, emergency discipleship and leadership training, Qamishli, Syria – is one of many
support and legal training. relief, microloans and livelihood trauma counselling, relief aid and Open Doors partners helping their
projects to build self-reliance. rehabilitation programmes for communities, distributing aid and offering
PRAY internally displaced Christians. fellowship: “When we saw the increased
• Praise God that many are coming PRAY need, we restarted relief distribution,”
to faith in India through miraculous • For an end to the violence, PRAY he says. “Our church saw that now was a
healings and courageous witness and for God’s peace to fill the • That Syrian Christians will be able to time to stand by the people, support them
• For protection from attack for hearts of Christians - and return to their homes, communities and show Jesus’ love in difficult times.”
Indian believers, particularly new those who persecute them and livelihoods
Christians • For a holy thirst and hunger • For Syrian believers to shine the light Please keep praying for your family
• For courage, wisdom and protection among the people of Iraq for God of hope in their communities in the Middle East – that they can
for Open Doors partners helping • For courageous Open Doors • For Open Doors partners reaching be the light of hope to their friends,
those most in need. partners serving the Iraqi church. those in urgent need. families and neighbours.
30 3113 14 15
SUDAN SAUDI ARABIA MALDIVES
POPULATION POPULATION POPULATION
43.5 million / 1.97 million Christians 34.7 million / 1.2 million Christians 459,000 / A small number of Christians
LEADER LEADER LEADER
Lt. Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Burhan King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih
PERSECUTION SCORE (-6) PERSECUTION SCORE (-1) PERSECUTION SCORE (-1)
0 100
Sudan makes huge 0 100 0 100
79 leap forward towards 78 77
Sudan has taken significant steps religious freedom Christians living in Saudi Arabia – where The Maldives are viewed by many
towards religious freedom – but the the legal system is based on Islamic law – as a luxury holiday destination, but
battle is not over. risk severe opposition, even death. Many behind this lies an oppressive regime
Thirty years of Islamic law are coming hide their faith. relentlessly determined to keep
to an end, and Christians from a Muslim The few Saudi Christians from a the islands 100 per cent Muslim.
background no longer face the death Praise God, 2020 was a year of great Muslim background face enormous Believers must follow Jesus in
penalty for leaving Islam. But stigma news for Christians in Sudan. pressure, especially from their families. secret as conversion to Christianity
doesn’t end overnight, and these believers This is most keenly felt by women, can result in harassment, violence or
still face extreme persecution from their First, in July, the transitional government reflecting their low status; consequences imprisonment. Being a Christian is so
families and communities. They may be announced they would end the death can include forced marriage, sexual abuse dangerous that family members may
attacked, ostracised or discriminated penalty for people who leave Islam, as and house-arrest. The death penalty for not even know of each other’s faith.
against if their faith is discovered. Many well as other reforms that repealed leaving Islam remains in force. Expatriate Expatriate Christians, the
still keep their faith secret, for the safety laws that violated human rights. Then, Christians are wary of evangelising or majority of whom work in tourism
of them and their family. in September, the government agreed to gathering for fellowship as this could lead and come from India and Sri Lanka,
remove Islam as its state religion – after to detention and deportation. are also closely watched, making
Open Doors partners with the local 30 years of Islamic law. Most recently, Christian fellowship very difficult.
church in Sudan to provide theological Christian and Muslim religious leaders in Open Doors supports the body of
and discipleship training, persecution Sudan have signed a declaration, joining Christ on the Arabian Peninsula Open Doors raises prayer support
survival training, trauma care, and forces to promote religious freedom. through organising prayer, for believers in the Maldives.
community development and income- distributing Scripture resources and
generating projects. This is an extraordinary and very training believers and pastors. PRAY
welcome change for Sudan, which • Ask the Lord to provide
PRAY falls several places in the World PRAY opportunities for believers to
• Praise God for the steps towards Watch List (from seven to 13). Thank • Ask God to continue to use the gather safely to worship
religious freedom in Sudan! you so much for faithfully praying for internet to strengthen believers and • That God will use the Bible to
• That Christians from a Muslim your brothers and sisters in Sudan grow the Saudi church powerfully strengthen, encourage
background would be able to for so many years. There is still • That the Lord will reveal Himself to and nurture believers
withstand opposition much to be done to tackle stigma and both Christians and non-Christians • That attitudes among government
• That Christians would have persecution from communities and in dreams and visions officials, especially President Solih,
opportunities to show the love of families, but 2020 saw a huge leap • For wisdom and protection for all will soften towards Christians
Jesus to their communities. forward for Sudan. Hallelujah! Christians as they follow Jesus. and other religious minorities.
32 33TOP 50 RANKING TOTAL
SCORE
1 North Korea 94
WORLD WATCH LIST
2 Afghanistan 94
3 Somalia 92
2021 4 Libya 92
5 Pakistan 88
6 Eritrea 88
7 Yemen 87
8 Iran 86
9 Nigeria 85
10 India 83
11 Iraq 82
PRESSURE 12 Syria 81
Degree of pressure in 5 spheres 13 Sudan 79
of Christian life 14 Saudi Arabia 78
15 Maldives 77
16 Egypt 75
Private life 17 China 74
MAX SCORE = 16.7
18 Myanmar 74
+
41
19 Vietnam 72
21 20 Mauritania 71
25 23 33 1 21 Uzbekistan 71
Family life
26 12 22 Laos 71
MAX SCORE = 16.7 2 17
27 38 11 8 23 Turkmenistan 70
+
34 43
48 24 Algeria 70
24 5
4 16 29
14 25 Turkey 69
37 10
18 26 Tunisia 67
Community life 20
28 6
44 31 22
13 27 Morocco 67
MAX SCORE = 16.7 7
32 19 28 Mali 67
+ 30
9
42
35
36
3 15 46
39 29 Qatar
30 Colombia
67
67
49 31 Bangladesh 67
National life 40 47
MAX SCORE = 16.7 32 Burkina Faso 67
50 33 Tajikistan 66
+ 34
35
Nepal
Central African Rep.
66
66
45 36 Ethiopia 65
Church life
MAX SCORE = 16.7
37 Mexico 64
38 Jordan 64
39 Brunei 64
40 Congo DR. 64
41 Kazakhstan 64
VIOLENCE
42 Cameroon 64
43 Bhutan 64
Number and severity of violent incidents 44 Oman 63
against Christians and church WATCH COUNTRIES 45 Mozambique 63
A further 24 countries outside the top 50
experience high levels of persecution and 46 Malaysia 63
Violence discrimination, scoring more than 41 points. 47 Indonesia 63
MAX SCORE = 16.7 48 Kuwait 63
49 Kenya 62
50 Comoros 62
PERSECUTION LEVELS
+ =
HIGH VERY HIGH EXTREME
RANK
For the first time in the history of the list, every country in the
top 50 is rated as very high or extreme levels of persecution.
MAX SCORE MAX SCORE MAX SCORE
= 83.3 = 16.7 = 100 www.opendoors.org.hk
34 3516 17
EGYPT CHINA
Blessed are those who
POPULATION POPULATION
are persecuted because
102.9 million / 16.3 million Christians
LEADER
1.4 billion / 96.7 million Christians
LEADER
of righteousness
President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi President Xi Jinping
for theirs is
PERSECUTION SCORE (-1) PERSECUTION SCORE (+4)
0 100 0 100
75 74
thekingdom
Christian persecution happens mostly at The church in China continues to
the community level, especially in Upper enjoy extraordinary growth. However,
Egypt where Islamist Salafist movements recent years have seen an increase in
strongly influence rural communities. persecution.
Incidents include false accusations, New restrictions on the internet,
abduction of women and mob violence. social media and non-governmental
of heaven
The lack of serious law enforcement and organisations – along with a revision of
the unwillingness of local authorities religious regulations in 2018 – seriously
to protect Christians adds to their limit freedom. Churches are monitored
vulnerability. Christians from a Muslim and the online sale of Bibles is banned.
background face enormous pressure Converts from Islam or Buddhism whose
from their families to return to Islam. new faith is discovered are likely to face
Churches also face state restrictions and threats and attack to lure them back.
communal hostility if they try to build
new churches or run social services. Open Doors supports believers in China
Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you
with persecution survival training, and
Open Doors works through partners by providing contextualised Christian and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of
in Egypt to support the church with literature to believers from Muslim and me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward
literacy training, education, advocacy Buddhist backgrounds.
in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the
support, medical care and youth,
family and women’s ministry. PRAY prophets who were before you.
• For wisdom for church leaders as Matthew 5:10-12
PRAY they lead congregations in light of
• For the safety for all Christians and increased restrictions
release for those held captive • That those who have left their
• That local police forces will bring former religion to follow Jesus will
about justice for those wrongly be strengthened in their faith and
accused or attacked empowered in their witness
• That Christians will have courage • For teenaged and young Chinese
to shine the light of Christ in their believers who are living in a very
communities. materialistic environment.
36 3718 19 20 21
MYANMAR VIETNAM MAURITANIA UZBEKISTAN
©Mark Fischer
©Lê Tân
POPULATION POPULATION POPULATION POPULATION
54.8 million / 4.4 million Christians 98.4 million / 8.9 million Christians 4.7 million / 11,000 Christians 33.2 million / 345,000 Christians
LEADER LEADER LEADER LEADER
President U Win Myint President Nguyen Phu Trong President Mohamed Ould Ghazouani President Shavkat Mirziyoyev
PERSECUTION SCORE (+1) PERSECUTION SCORE (NO CHANGE) PERSECUTION SCORE (+3) PERSECUTION SCORE (-2)
0 100 0 100 0 100 0 100
74 72 71 71
Buddhist nationalism is especially In Buddhist-majority Vietnam, the The restrictive environment in No religious activities beyond state-run
strong in Myanmar and drives much of most intense persecution is reserved Mauritania makes it impossible and state-controlled institutions are
the persecution of Christians. for non-traditional Protestants and for Christians to gather openly. allowed in this highly authoritarian state.
Converts face persecution from their converts from indigenous religions. In Mauritania’s tribal culture, leaving Church leaders are especially targeted
families and communities for ‘betraying’ Many belong to the country’s ethnic Islam is not only seen as a religious for persecution; they can be fined,
the system of belief they grew up in. Non- minorities, like the Hmong, and face betrayal, but a betrayal of the tribe and detained or put under house arrest for
traditional church groups experience social exclusion, discrimination and family. Those who convert to Christianity their involvement in Christian activities.
opposition too, especially those known attacks. Homes are sometimes destroyed, could face prosecution since it is illegal Christians from Muslim backgrounds
for evangelistic activity. Myanmar’s long- forcing Christians to leave their villages. to leave Islam. Men will lose their bear the brunt of persecution. They face
running civil war affects, among others, However, there is pressure on all status in society and may be forced considerable pressure from family,
the predominantly Christian states of Christians, particularly in light of strong to leave home, while women could be friends and communities, who see them
Kachin, Karen and Shan. Believers are Communist rhetoric. New regulations on forcibly married to a Muslim or subject as traitors. The risk is heightened for
vulnerable to persecution by insurgent religion, implemented in 2018, and tighter to excruciating servitude. Foreign women who, given societal expectations
groups and the army. regulations on online communication nationals can also face prosecution around submission, are effectively not
have limited Christian activity. if they openly express their faith. allowed to choose their own religion.
Working with local partners, Open
Doors strengthens persecuted Open Doors partners support the Open Doors supports the church in Open Doors strengthens persecuted
believers in Myanmar through Vietnamese church by providing North Africa with Christian literature, Christians in Central Asia by
literature distribution, discipleship Christian literature, discipleship training, socio-economic development providing Bibles and Christian
and leadership programmes, training, socio-economic development projects and advocacy support. literature, training, socio-economic
livelihood support, family and projects, advocacy and relief aid. projects and practical aid.
marriage enrichment, and children PRAY
and youth training. PRAY • That the law will change so it is PRAY
• That the suspicion aimed towards no longer illegal to leave Islam • That the new leadership of
PRAY Christians will be replaced with an • For strength and protection for President Mirziyoyev will
• For those who have left Buddhism to appreciation of their value to society all converts, and that families will bring welcome changes
follow Jesus • That believers under pressure to increasingly respect the decision • Ask the Holy Spirit to encourage,
• That all believers in Myanmar will deny their faith will have strength of any member to follow Jesus equip and empower believers
enjoy fellowship with other Christians • That young Christians will grow in • For opportunities for believers • For ongoing protection and
• That the Lord will bring a peaceful their understanding of the Bible, to share the gospel safely, nourishment of church leaders, who
resolution to the ongoing civil war. giving them a foundation for life. despite opposition. can come under immense pressure.
38 39What if
your family threw you out
When Aziz* became a Christian in
Uzbekistan, he knew that he could
be arrested or fined for taking part
in ‘illegal’ religious activities.
provides you with a job and looks after
you when you are sick. So to lose your
family is to lose a key part of your identity.
That’s why new believers need the
because of your faith? But the biggest threat came
from his own family.
protection and help of a new family. Thanks
to the support of their wider church family
around the world, Open Doors partners
In Uzbekistan, converting to Christianity are strengthening persecuted Christians
from Islam is seen as an act of like Aziz with
“
betrayal. It can lead to expulsion from medical care and AFTER MY
your family, and even violence. emergency relief CONVERSION TO
aid and, crucially,
“After my conversion to Christianity, by helping them
CHRISTIANITY,
my brother wanted to have nothing to to find new jobs MY BROTHER
do with me,” says Aziz. “He came to and start new WANTED TO
my house one time, in the middle of businesses. HAVE NOTHING
the night, while my wife, children and TO DO WITH ME”
I were sleeping. And he drove straight Thanks
into our house with a small truck.” to your support, the church in
Central Asia is growing.
After that, they had no contact for 20 years.
But his brother’s rage didn’t diminish. Aziz’s faithful witness has brought
reconciliation. About a year ago, his
“My nephew, the son of my oldest brother, brother sent him some gifts, including
became a believer. He was so afraid of how four loaves of bread. It was a message:
his father would respond that he came giving someone bread in Uzbekistan
to my house with his wife and children. is a sign of being connected.
“Not long after, I got a phone call: ‘If my son Aziz was able to re-connect with
is in your house, I will set your house on his brother, who was very unwell. “I
fire, with everything and everyone in it!’ visited him and asked if I could pray for
him. And for the very first time I was
“My nephew and his family fled to another able to tell him about the gospel.
place. But one day, his father caught
him and wanted to kill his son. He didn’t “The heart of my oldest brother is
succeed, but he beat him up terribly.” becoming softer and softer. And he is in
contact again both with his son and me.”
For believers in Central Asia – as in so
many places on the World Watch List – *Name changed for security reasons
family means everything. Your family
40 41You can also read
