Afghanistan
World Watch List Rank: 2
Leader: President Ashraf Ghani
Population: 34.2 million (thousands of Christians)
Main Religion: Islam
Government: Islamic Republic
Source of Persecution: Islamic extremism/Ethnic antagonism
Photo Credits:
Cover photo - Two Children // copyright IMB.ORG
Bottom images - Man and Woman // copyright ODI, Young Woman // copyright IMB.ORG, Two Children (repeat) // copyright IMB.ORG
- Get Involved
- More Info
Pray
"We pray for courage and protection for secret Christians living in Afghanistan- help them in the challenges they face. Lord, we also pray that Afghanistan will have peace and stability - bring about change and transformation in this nation. "
Make some noise
Make some noise and help mobilise more people to pray for persecuted Christians in Afghanistan by sharing on your social media fees.
Get more involved
Visit the Open Doors website to find out more about persecution in Afghanistan.
Visit the websiteIt is illegal for an Afghan person to be anything other than a Muslim.
Afghanistan is a tribal society, and leaving Islam is seen as a betrayal of the tribe. Discovered believers will sometimes be sent to a mental hospital, as families believe no sane person would leave Islam.
Baptism is a crime punishable by death; several believers were killed in 2016 when their faith was discovered. The Taliban, a radical Islamist group, remains active in Afghanistan and targets those who leave Islam.