Evangelical Ambitions: Navigating Afghanistan's Complex Missionary Landscape

Afghanistan is a country with a long history of conflict and instability. The country is predominantly Muslim, with Christians making up a very small minority. Due to the country's hostile legal environment, Christian missionary work is illegal in Afghanistan, and those who engage in it must do so in secret, usually under the guise of charity organisations. The consequences of being discovered can be severe, including detention, torture, and even death. As a result, many Christians in Afghanistan keep their faith hidden and practise it in private homes. Despite the dangers, there are reports of small underground communities of Afghan Christians and secret house churches throughout the country. The exact number of Christians in Afghanistan is difficult to determine, but estimates range from 500 to 20,000.

Christians in Afghanistan are persecuted

The Taliban's return to power in 2021 has further endangered Christians in Afghanistan. Despite pledges to recognize more freedoms, the Taliban has not fulfilled these promises, and Christians must keep their faith secret or risk persecution. The Taliban falsely claims that there are "no Christians" remaining in Afghanistan, and there are reports of targeted killings of Christians and other minorities. Afghan Christians have turned off their phones and gone into hiding to avoid surveillance and escape to undisclosed locations.

Even before the Taliban takeover, Christians in Afghanistan faced extreme persecution. Afghanistan was ranked second on the Open Doors World Watch List for several years, indicating that Christian persecution is extreme in all spheres of public and private life. The risk of discovery has increased under the Taliban, as they control every aspect of the government, including documentation that may help identify Christians.

The persecution of Christians in Afghanistan has led to a significant number fleeing the country, often to neighbouring countries such as India, where they live in poor conditions in refugee camps. Those who remain in Afghanistan must keep their faith hidden and live, work, and identify as Muslims.

The Taliban falsely claims there are no Christians in Afghanistan

Afghanistan has historically been home to a small Christian community. The number of Christians in Afghanistan is estimated to be between 15,000 and 20,000, with almost all Afghan Christians being converts from Islam. The Islamic Republic of Afghanistan did not recognise any Afghan citizen as Christian, except for expatriates. After the Taliban retook control of the country in August 2021, the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) warned that Christians in the country were in "extreme danger". Many Christians fled and sought asylum, while those who remained went into hiding.

Despite the Taliban's claims that there are “no Christians” in Afghanistan, there is evidence of a secret underground community of Afghan Christians in the country. The US State Department estimates that there are between 500 and 8,000 Christians in Afghanistan, although the exact number is difficult to determine due to the hostile legal environment. Afghan Christians are forced to practice their faith in private homes and keep their religious identity hidden to avoid persecution.

The Taliban's denial of the presence of Christians in Afghanistan is false and contradicts reports from various organisations and individuals. The International Christian Concern (ICC), a US-based non-governmental organisation, estimates that there are 10,000 to 12,000 Christian converts in the country. The USCIRF has also expressed concern about the persecution of religious minorities by the Taliban. Additionally, Afghan Christians living in the United States, such as Hussain Andaryas, have shared their experiences and knowledge of the Christian community in Afghanistan.

The Taliban's claim that there are no Christians in Afghanistan is part of a broader pattern of religious persecution and repression in the country. The Taliban have stated that the country is an Islamic emirate governed by Sharia law, which does not allow for religious freedom. Christians in Afghanistan face the risk of death, detention, torture, and persecution if their faith is discovered. The Taliban's policies and actions have forced many Christians to flee the country, go into hiding, or live secretly as Muslims.

The situation for Christians in Afghanistan remains dire, and the international community has recognised the need to protect and support this persecuted minority group.

Afghan Christians secretly practice their faith

Afghan Christians are forced to secretly practice their faith due to the threat of persecution and violence from the Taliban, their families, and communities. Official churches do not exist in Afghanistan, and Christians are not allowed to spread their faith in the country. They are forced to worship in private homes, keeping their faith hidden, and often using coded messages to direct them to underground churches that move weekly.

The Taliban falsely claims that there are "no Christians" remaining in Afghanistan, and Christians in the country are in "extreme danger". The Taliban has reinstated its Ministry for the Propagation of Virtue and Prevention of Vice, enforcing a stringent interpretation of Sharia law. Christians have been driven into hiding by threatening messages and house visits from Taliban militants.

The Afghan government does not recognize any of its nationals as non-Muslims, and apostasy, the act of renouncing Islam, is punishable by death. Christians in Afghanistan must conceal their faith in public or risk severe punishment and discrimination. They are subjected to societal and official pressure, which may lead to confiscation of property, imprisonment, or death. The production of printed materials contrary to the beliefs of Islam is also prohibited.

Despite the dangers, some Afghan Christians have chosen to stay in the country to maintain a witness for Christ. They are boldly taking risks and using every possible opportunity to help believers grow in faith and connect with local house churches.

The US Department of State estimates there are between 500 and 8000 Afghan Christians

Afghanistan is an Islamic state, with most citizens following Islam. Sunni Muslims constitute between 80-89.7% of the population, with Shia Muslims making up 10-19% and other religions followed by 0.3% of the population. The exact number of Christians in Afghanistan is unknown, but it is estimated to be in the thousands. The US Department of State estimates that there are between 500 and 8000 Afghan Christians, while other sources give estimates of between 15,000 and 20,000.

Christians have historically comprised a small community in Afghanistan, and almost all Afghan Christians are converts from Islam. The Islamic Republic of Afghanistan did not recognize any Afghan citizen as Christian, and Christians of Muslim background communities must keep their faith secret or risk severe punishment and discrimination. The practice of Christianity is illegal in Afghanistan, and Christian missionaries are not allowed to spread their faith. Despite societal restrictions, there is a secret underground community of Afghan Christians living in the country.

The US Department of State's estimate of 500 to 8000 Afghan Christians is based on a 2007 report. This report also states that, despite a constitutional promise of religious tolerance, those openly Christian or converting from Islam to Christianity remain vulnerable to radical Islamist groups. The report highlights that Christian mission organizations have reported several hundred small underground house churches throughout Afghanistan, each consisting of less than 10 people.

The small number of Christians in Afghanistan face extreme persecution and must worship in private to avoid societal discrimination and persecution. They often change the dates, times, and locations of their services to avoid detection. There are no public Christian churches in the country. Christians in Afghanistan must conceal their faith in public or risk severe punishment, including death. Apostasy, or the act of renouncing Islam, is punishable by death, imprisonment, or confiscation of property according to the Sunni Islam Hanafi school of jurisprudence.

Christian converts from Islam are subjected to societal and official pressure

Christian converts from Islam in Afghanistan face both societal and official pressure.

Societal Pressure

In Afghanistan, societal pressure against Christian converts from Islam is prevalent. The country's religious and cultural norms are deeply intertwined with Islam, and rejecting Islam is seen as tantamount to treason. Converts face ostracism, discrimination, and even violence from their families and communities. Some converts have reported receiving death threats from their family members. Additionally, the public sentiment in Afghanistan remains hostile towards Christian converts and proselytization.

Official Pressure

Officially, the Afghan government does not recognize any of its nationals as non-Muslims. The constitution states that Islam is the state religion, and no law can contradict Islamic beliefs. Apostasy, or the act of renouncing Islam, is punishable by death, imprisonment, or confiscation of property according to Sharia law. While the constitution provides for freedom of religion, it also leaves room for courts to rely on Sharia law regarding issues like conversion. As a result, Christian converts risk severe punishment and discrimination if they do not conceal their faith in public.

Examples of Persecution

The story of Josef, a Christian convert from Islam, illustrates the dangers faced by those who leave Islam. Josef was forced to flee his family in Pakistan and hide in Afghanistan due to threats of violence from his relatives. Despite finding refuge in a basement on the outskirts of Kabul, his brother-in-law tracked him down and offered a bounty for his whereabouts.

Another example is the case of Abdul Rahman, who was put on trial in Afghanistan for converting to Christianity. He faced the death penalty, but international pressure led to his release. However, he had to leave the country for his safety.

In conclusion, Christian converts from Islam in Afghanistan endure significant societal and official pressure. They are forced to conceal their faith or face severe consequences, including violence, imprisonment, and even death.

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