Turkey

Where Persecution Comes From

In Turkey, a mixture of Islam and fierce nationalism leads to Christian persecution. Turks are expected to be Muslims, a conviction that’s fostered by the government in a ploy to consolidate power. After a failed coup in July 2016, President Erdogan has used the political instability to his advantage, trying to unify Turkey under Sunni Islam. This leaves little space for minorities and indirectly results in the persecution of Christians. Within the home, converts to Christianity in particular face strong opposition for their conversion from their families, as they’re seen as traitors to both Islam and the national Turkish identity.

How Christians are Suffering

The high degree of religious nationalism in Turkish society places incredible pressure on Christians. While the government has not targeted Christians directly, the nationalism it promotes leaves little room for Christians to preach the gospel, which is considered an opposing message. Converts from Islam, while not legally prosecuted, face social opposition, and are often forced to lead double lives to keep their faith hidden from family and community members. Christians with Muslim backgrounds are threatened with divorce and loss of inheritance rights upon conversion, and all Christians face employment discrimination.

Examples

At press time, U.S. Pastor Andrew Brunson has been imprisoned since October 2016 and is being held hostage to extract political concessions from the United States. He has been accused of supporting the Gülen movement, which allegedly staged the failed coup in July 2016.

Over the past five years, legal ownership of at least 100 ancient Syriac Christian properties in Turkey’s southeast have been seized and transferred to the Turkish state treasury. The properties confiscated by the government include two functioning monasteries and land belonging to the fourth-century Mor Gabriel Monastery.