Christian Missionaries In Afghanistan: A Looming Execution And A Plea For Help

A viral message claiming that 22 Christian missionaries (or 229, according to some sources) are about to be executed in Afghanistan has been circulating online since 2009. The message, which has been shared widely on social media and via email and text message, urges people to pray for the missionaries and pass on the message. However, this claim has been repeatedly debunked by fact-checking organizations, including Snopes, AFP, and Reuters, who have found no evidence to support it. While the treatment of religious minorities in Afghanistan is a cause for concern, and there is a history of persecution of Christians and other groups by the Taliban, there are no recent reports of Christian missionaries being sentenced to death or executed in the country.

The claim that 22 Christian missionaries are to be executed in Afghanistan is a hoax

> "Have just been requested to pray for the 22 Christian Missionaries who have been sentenced to death tomorrow afternoon by the Islamic in Afghanistan - I am putting this out there for everyone to pray for them. I just do not understand the hatred these people have - so please add your prayers. As well for the young girls, women, and for everyone who are being subjected to their cruelty."

The message has been shared widely on social media platforms and messaging apps, especially in the wake of the Taliban's return to power in Afghanistan in 2021. However, there is no evidence to support the claim. Fact-checking organisations such as Snopes, AFP, Africa Check, and Reuters have all debunked the rumour, finding no reports of multiple missionaries in danger in Afghanistan.

The hoax message appears to be a misinterpretation of a real event that occurred in 2007, when 23 South Korean missionaries were kidnapped in Afghanistan by the Taliban. Two hostages were killed, and the rest were released. Since then, the Taliban has continued to persecute Christians and other religious minorities. However, there is no evidence that they have sentenced large groups of Christian missionaries to death.

While the treatment of religious minorities in Afghanistan is a cause for concern, the claim that 22 Christian missionaries are about to be executed is unfounded and should be treated as misinformation.

The hoax has been circulating since 2009

The hoax that 22 Christian missionaries are about to be executed in Afghanistan has been circulating since 2009. It has spread via emails, text messages, and social media platforms.

The original message from 2009 reads:

> "Please pray for 22 missionary families that are to be executed by Islamists in Afghanistan. Forward this as fast as you can so that many will pray."

The message has since evolved, with some versions mentioning 22 missionaries and others 229. Most posts mention that the missionaries will be sentenced to death "tomorrow afternoon".

The hoax gained traction again in 2019, with a Facebook post sharing an image that purportedly showed the execution of a Christian missionary in Afghanistan. However, fact-checking organisations have since determined that the photo likely depicts a member of the Islamic State executing a man accused of spying in Iraq.

Despite being debunked multiple times, the hoax continues to circulate, especially during times of heightened tension or political upheaval in Afghanistan. For example, in 2021, when the Taliban regained control of the country, the hoax resurfaced and was shared widely on social media.

While there have been cases of the Taliban and other Islamic militant groups killing people accused of being Christian missionaries in Afghanistan, there is no evidence to support the claim that 22 or 229 Christian missionaries are about to be executed.

The Taliban's history of persecuting Christians

In 2001, 24 workers for the NGO Shelter Now International were arrested by the ruling Taliban. The charity built homes for refugees and the poor. Of the 24 workers, 16 were Afghans and 8 were westerners. The workers were eventually freed after a rescue mission in November 2001.

In 2007, 23 South Korean missionaries were kidnapped in Afghanistan by the Taliban. Two of the hostages, Pastor Bae Hyung-Kyu and medical services volunteer Shim Sung-Min, were executed, while the remaining 21 were released after South Korea reportedly paid a ransom of $20 million.

In 2010, Said Musa, an Afghan Red Cross worker, was sentenced to death for converting to Christianity. He was one of 25 Christians arrested after footage of men reciting Christian prayers and being baptised was aired on Noorin TV, a small Afghan television station.

Gayle Williams, an aid worker of joint British and South African nationality, was shot on her way to work in Kabul in 2008. A Taliban spokesman claimed responsibility for her death, saying she had been killed for "preaching Christianity".

In 2021, the Taliban retook control of Afghanistan. Since then, Christians in the country have been in "extreme danger", according to the USCIRF. Many have fled and sought asylum, while those who remain live in hiding.

The Taliban falsely claims there are "no Christians" left in Afghanistan. However, it is estimated that there are thousands of Christians in the country, almost all of whom are converts from Islam.

The danger of missionary work in Afghanistan

Afghanistan is one of the world's most dangerous places for Christians, and missionary work in the country is illegal. The Taliban has a history of persecuting Christians and other religious minorities, and there have been cases of the group killing people accused of working as Christian missionaries.

In 2007, 23 South Korean missionaries were kidnapped in Afghanistan by the Taliban. The captors killed two of the hostages, Presbyterian pastor Bae Hyung-Kyu and medical services volunteer Shim Sung-Min, and released the rest. This incident demonstrates the very real danger that missionaries face when working in Afghanistan.

In addition to the threat of violence, missionaries in Afghanistan also face legal risks. Proselytizing, or attempting to convert others to Christianity, is illegal in the country. The penalty for Afghans who convert to another religion is death, and foreigners who engage in missionary work can also be subject to punishment.

The small Christian minority in Afghanistan practices its faith in secret, and it is difficult to know the exact number of Christians or Christian missionaries in the country. However, despite the risks, there are still those who are willing to engage in missionary work in Afghanistan, driven by their love for Jesus and the Afghan people.

In conclusion, missionary work in Afghanistan is extremely dangerous due to the presence of groups like the Taliban and Islamic State, the illegal nature of proselytizing, and the country's volatile political situation. Those who choose to engage in missionary work in Afghanistan face significant risks, including the possibility of violence and legal repercussions.

The difficulty of verifying the number of Christians in Afghanistan

Afghanistan is an Islamic state, with most citizens following Islam. The country's religious minorities face discrimination and abuse, and the Afghan government does not recognize any of its nationals as non-Muslims. The constitution states that Islam is the religion of the state, and apostasy is punishable by death. As a result, Christians in Afghanistan are forced to conceal their faith in public or risk severe punishment and discrimination.

The exact number of Christians in Afghanistan is difficult to determine due to the secretive nature of their practices. Various sources provide different estimates, with the range being between 1,000 and 20,000. The US Department of State estimates that there are around 2,000-3,000 Christians in the country, while the International Christian Concern estimates the number to be between 15,000 and 20,000. The Pew Research Center estimated 40,000 Afghan Christians were living in Afghanistan in 2010.

Christians in Afghanistan primarily consist of converts from Islam, and they often practice their faith in private homes or underground churches due to the hostile legal environment. The lack of public churches and the necessity to conceal their faith make it challenging to obtain precise estimates of the Christian population in the country.

The Taliban's return to power in 2021 further exacerbated the difficulties in determining the number of Christians in Afghanistan. The Taliban falsely claimed that there were no Christians remaining in the country and imposed stringent restrictions on religious freedom. Many Christians fled Afghanistan, while those who remained went into hiding to avoid persecution.

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