The Problem

Afghanistan

Leader: President Ashraf Ghani
How many Christians: A very small number
World Watch List Rank: 2

“How we survive daily only God knows. He knows because He has been kind to dwell with us. But we are tired of all the death around us.”
Secret believer in Afghanistan

The basics

It is illegal for an Afghan person to be anything other than a Muslim. 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, an extremist Islamist group, remains active in Afghanistan and targets those who leave Islam.

It’s very hard to know precisely how many Christians there are in Afghanistan, because they must keep their faith completely secret – but it’s only a small number from a population of over 38 million.

Main threats to Christians:

• Islamic oppression
• Anti-Christian violence
• Murder
• Involuntary sectioning

The 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 can be very dangerous.
• One Afghani MP has stated that all converts to Christianity should be executed.
• One of the only ways people hear the good news of Jesus is through Christian radio programmes.

Where is it?

Pray this

Dear Lord, please protect the small number of Christians among the millions of people who live in Afghanistan. Thank You that, despite their small number, they have discovered the greatest love in the world. Please keep showing them Your wisdom, mercy and comfort, and give opportunities for believers to meet together, despite the opposition. Amen.

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