How are Christians persecuted in Afghanistan?
- The Taliban have said they will kill any Christians, and have gone door-to-door to find believers. Afghan church leaders were specifically targeted; many have disappeared, while others have been beaten, tortured and killed.
- Any existing house churches remain deeply underground, and Christians live under relentless pressure.
- If converts from Islam are discovered, the family, clan or tribe may try to preserve its so-called ‘honour’ and oppose the convert through pressure, violence or even murder.
- Women have no rights in Afghanistan, and women from religious minorities are especially vulnerable to physical abuse, house arrest, forced marriage or sexual enslavement.
- Given that men and boys have greater freedom of movement, they are additionally vulnerable to kidnapping, sexual violence or killing in the streets.
“I continue to be a servant of Christ, following His example of humility and greatness. In the difficult Taliban regime, we face challenges, but with strong faith, we persevere.”
Khada*
Why are Christians persecuted in Afghanistan?
- The Taliban exerts total control over Afghanistan and there is no religious freedom to follow any faith outside their extremely hardline version of Islam.
- In Afghanistan, leaving Islam is considered shameful by family and community, and conversion is punishable by death under Islamic law – which has been increasingly enforced since the Taliban took control of the country in 2021.
- Women and ethnic minorities experience additional oppression, so Christians among these groups live under unthinkable pressure.
Who is particularly vulnerable in Afghanistan?
- Converts from Islam are most vulnerable to persecution in Afghanistan: since most of the Christians in the country are converts, the whole underground church is at risk. There is no safe place in Afghanistan for followers of Jesus.
What has changed in Afghanistan in the past year?
- Afghanistan remains at number 10 on the World Watch List, and has risen one point in persecution score due to an increase in reports of violence and pressure in various spheres of life for Christians.
- More positively, the underground church reports more interest in Christianity from a population who are disaffected with Islam – particularly from younger people.
“People are curious, especially the younger generation – they are tired of Islam and what the Taliban is doing.”
Mohammad*
How can I help Christians in Afghanistan?
- Please keep praying for your brothers and sisters in Afghanistan. Your prayers make an enormous difference to those following Jesus no matter the cost.
Because of the risks faced by our partners and the people they serve, we are restricted in the information we can provide about Afghanistan.
*Name changed for security reasons
Heavenly Father, Afghanistan is one of those places where it seems like nothing ever gets better. We grieve and mourn with our family there, and ask You to bring them comfort. But we also ask You will bring about miraculous hope and growth – that people will find You, that underground believers will remain supernaturally hidden, that the gospel would spread. We know You can do this, and ask You to do so. In Jesus’s name, Amen.
