The Problem

Afghanistan

Leader: Taliban Leader, Hibatullah Akhundzada
How many Christians: A very small number
World Watch List Rank: 1

“The Taliban are killing our souls and spirits.”
Sharifullah, craftsman and secret believer

Where is it?

Quick facts

• Believers must keep their faith a secret. Most will have converted from Islam. In doing so they risk being known as traitors, facing threats, violence and worse for their choice.
• There are no public churches. Praying, singing or keeping Christian materials is very dangerous.
• The Taliban, an extremist Islamic militia took control in August 2021. They are actively seeking out Christians and those who previously collaborated with western governments.
• One of the only ways people hear the good news of Jesus is through Christian radio programmes.

The basics

Afghanistan is number one on the Open Doors World Watch List for the first time – persecution has increased since the Taliban took control in August 2021. Even before this year, it was impossible to live openly as a Christian in Afghanistan. Leaving Islam is considered shameful, and Christian converts face dire and violent consequences if their new faith is discovered. Either they have to flee the country or they will be killed. This was true before the Taliban takeover of the country: the situation has become even more dangerous for believers this year. The Taliban will make sure that Islamic rules and customs are implemented and kept. Christian converts do not have any option but to obey them.

If a Christian’s new faith is discovered, their family, clan or tribe has to save its ‘honour’ by disowning the believer, or even killing them. This is widely considered to be a just reaction. Alternatively, since leaving Islam is considered a sign of insanity, a Christian who has converted from Islam may be forcibly sectioned in a psychiatric hospital.

Meet Sharifullah

“Everything beautiful is considered ‘infidel’,” says Sharifullah (whose name is changed for security reasons). He is a traditional craftsman in Afghanistan whose business came to a standstill when the Taliban invaded. “The Taliban want their ideology reflected everywhere, and so all signs of colour, life and hope have been removed. They’ve been replaced with Taliban slogans, which are a far cry from hope.”

Sharifullah is one of the small number of Christians in Afghanistan – and he has decided to stay in the country, despite worsening persecution. Like all Christians who live there, he has to keep his faith secret. But he does lead a small group of secret believers. For many years, they have reached out to their community with the gospel and their craft intertwined.

Living out their faith behind a veil of secrecy, Sharifullah and his fellow believers knew that the Taliban could return. Despite the dangers, they continued their secret ministry, training women and men how to make beautiful and colourful crafts in a bid to share the gospel.

“The Taliban are killing our souls and spirits,” says Sharifullah. “They are killing the souls of our children by taking all that is beautiful away from them.”

But Sharifullah is staying strong. “We will never let that hope be silenced,” he adds. “We will make sure the world hears the gospel through every breath we take. And we know you will help us by living the gospel, using your freedom and sharing Jesus. Please continue to stand with us.”

How Open Doors is helping

Open Doors raises prayer for persecuted believers in Afghanistan, and provides practical support to Afghan Christians forced to flee to neighbouring countries.

Pray this

Lord God, we know that You weep when You see Your children weeping. We know that You care more than we can express for the nation of Afghanistan. Please, Lord, work miracles in this country. Protect Your children and all others who face terrible human rights abuses in Afghanistan. May this nation turn from one of despair and cruelty to one that resounds with praises of Your name. Amen.

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