News / Thoughts

My friends considered me a traitor

When Ramez* came to faith in Christ about fifteen years ago, his family saw him as a kafir, a traitor.

“It was very shameful for my father that his only son became a Christian. For my sister it was difficult —who would marry her, a woman with a Christian brother? When I accepted Jesus, all my friends considered me a traitor. I felt alone. In the church I found a new family, new friends, and new life.”

One of the most difficult things for Ramez and his wife at the moment is how their daughter is treated at school. “She is nine years old and many see her as a kafir. They treat her differently. You see it happen and can’t do anything. It is difficult to be a Christian. Other children don’t want to play with her, the only friends she has are the few Christian children she knows.

“When you accept Jesus in this country you have to pay the price. Persecution is the price to accept Jesus. I don’t say persecution is good, but I do say that persecution builds the church. When persecution comes and finds the church close to Jesus, it will help the church grow in quantity and quality.”

Persecution in Tunisia

Tunisia is number 32 on the 2016 World Watch List. Although the constitution of Tunisia currently respects freedom of religion and conversion is not prohibited, every Tunisian is automatically registered as a Muslim at birth. No new church has been granted registration since 1956, and the Tunisian authorities prevent Christian books in Arabic from being imported.

Every believer from a Muslim background in Tunisia has a story of opposition, rejection and persecution. But your prayers and support are enabling Open Doors partners to provide Tunisian believers with training, Christian literature, socio-economic development projects and advocacy support.

*Real name known to God

Pray now…

• For comfort for Christian children in North Africa who often face rejection and discrimination
• For protection for believers from Muslim backgrounds, and strength for them to endure persecution
• That God would continue to build the church in Tunisia and the wider region
• That God would continue to draw many Muslims to himself.