Afghanistan & Christian Persecution

QUICK FACTS

Leader: President Ashraf Ghani & Abdullah Abdullah (Chief Executive)
Government: Islamic republic

Population: 32 million (thousands of Christians)
Main Religion: Islam

Persecution Level: Extreme
Source of persecution: Islamic extremism

OVERVIEW OF AFGHANISTAN

All Christians with an Afghan nationality come from a Muslim background (converts). If it becomes known that someone has converted to Christianity, he or she faces heavy societal and familial pressure. If Christians are discovered, they are subject to discrimination, hostility and even violence by their family, friends and community. There are no public churches in Afghanistan. In the past year, three expat Christians were killed because of their Christian faith.

PRAYER POINTS

That the Afghan government will give freedom to worship to Christians and protect them from the Taliban
That the small group of Christians will stand strong in their faith and not return to Islam under pressure
That the constant instability and cycle of war over the last 30 years will end