The Persecuted Faith: Christianity In Afghanistan

Afghanistan is a predominantly Muslim country, with 99.8% of its population practising Islam. However, there is a small community of Christians in the country, estimated to be between 15,000 and 20,000 people. Christians in Afghanistan face intense persecution, with the discovery of their faith often leading to death sentences, torture, or detention. As a result, many Afghan Christians have fled the country or are living in hiding, with some sources stating that there are secret underground communities of Afghan Christians. The Taliban has denied the presence of Christians in Afghanistan and has worked to cut contact between Afghan citizens and Western groups, further isolating the Christian community in the country.

Christians in Afghanistan are persecuted by the Taliban and live in fear of exposure

The situation is so dire that many Christians have fled Afghanistan, seeking asylum in neighbouring countries. Those who remain are in hiding from Taliban sweeps. They are forced to live, work, and identify as Muslims. The few who are able to practise their faith do so in secret, in small congregations in private homes. They are also turning off their phones to avoid surveillance and moving to undisclosed locations.

The Taliban's strict interpretation of Sharia law means that conversion from Islam to another religion is considered apostasy, punishable by death, imprisonment, or confiscation of property. Christians are therefore at risk of being killed by their own family members or other radicalised Muslims. The Taliban has reinstated its Ministry for the Propagation of Virtue and Prevention of Vice, which enforces this stringent interpretation of Sharia law.

The Taliban is attempting to cut contact between Afghan citizens and any Western groups and has practically eradicated on-the-ground relief efforts by NGOs. The group is also offering financial compensation to anyone who reports on Christians, further heightening the security risk. Christians captured by the Taliban face brutal torture and even death.

The persecution of Christians in Afghanistan is not new. Since the Taliban's previous rule in the 1990s and early 2000s, Christians have largely practised their faith underground, as conversion is considered a crime punishable by death under Sharia law. During that time, there were reports of public executions, floggings, and amputations of Christians.

The exact number of Christians in Afghanistan is unknown, but it is estimated to be in the thousands. The vast majority are converts from Islam. They are part of a secret underground community, with no public churches to worship in.

Christians in Afghanistan are offered support by international organisations

Christians in Afghanistan are a persecuted minority, and they are forced to keep their faith secret. The country is ranked 10th on the World Watch List of countries where Christians are persecuted. The Taliban falsely claims that there are "no Christians" in Afghanistan, and the discovery of an Afghan's Christian faith can be a death sentence. Christians in Afghanistan are offered support by international organisations such as Open Doors, Voice of the Martyrs, and International Christian Concern. These organisations provide Bibles, radio and TV broadcasts, discipleship training, and other forms of practical and spiritual assistance. Additionally, major church denominations and Christian organisations have united to support Afghan refugees through campaigns such as "Christians United for Afghanistan".

Open Doors works through partners to strengthen Christians in Afghanistan, providing Bibles, radio and TV broadcasts, discipleship training, and other forms of practical and spiritual assistance. They also offer prayer support for persecuted believers, asking God to protect them from harm and give them a sense of belonging. Open Doors does not provide details about how they support Christians in Afghanistan due to the dangerous situation in the country.

Voice of the Martyrs (VOM) is another organisation that provides support to Christians in Afghanistan. VOM equips Afghan Christians with Bibles, TV and radio broadcasts, discipleship training, frontline worker support, and other forms of practical and spiritual assistance. They have a special focus on outreach to persecuted women and widows of martyrs. VOM also encourages people to pray for the peace, protection, and provision of believers and their families in Afghanistan.

International Christian Concern (ICC) has reported on the deteriorating situation for Christians in Afghanistan under Taliban rule. ICC stated that the Taliban is working to completely erase Christianity and any religious minority from the country. They offer updates on the persecution faced by Christians in Afghanistan and advocate for their rights.

In addition to these organisations, major church denominations and Christian organisations have come together to support Afghan refugees. The "Christians United for Afghanistan" campaign, launched in Australia, aims to call on the Federal Government to provide a special intake of 20,000 Afghan refugees and support their ongoing well-being. This campaign has brought together a diverse range of Christian camps, demonstrating the crucial nature of the issue to Australian believers.

The support offered by these international organisations provides vital assistance to Christians in Afghanistan, who face extreme persecution and danger in their country.

Christians in Afghanistan are unable to worship openly and are forced to practise their faith in hiding

The exact number of Christians remaining in Afghanistan is unknown, but estimates range from 500 to 12,000 individuals. Almost all Afghan Christians are converts from Islam, and they must keep their faith a secret or risk severe consequences. The surrounding society and family structure offer no space for religious freedom, and the Taliban upholds this rigid stance. Christians are forced to live, work and identify as Muslims to avoid persecution. Many of those who have fled are now living in poor conditions in refugee camps in neighbouring countries.

The situation for Christians in Afghanistan has become increasingly dangerous in recent years. The Taliban has cut contact between Afghan citizens and Western groups, and on-the-ground relief efforts by NGOs have been practically eradicated. Christians face the constant threat of kidnapping by Taliban "courts" and the group is offering financial compensation to anyone who reports on Christians. Unless ransomed by their families, captured Christians face brutal torture and even death. The few remaining Christians in Afghanistan are in dire need of support and protection, and their situation remains highly precarious.

Christians in Afghanistan are at risk of death, torture, and kidnapping

Afghanistan is a dangerous place for Christians, who are persecuted by the Taliban and other extremist groups, as well as by their own families and communities. The Taliban has attempted to cut off contact between Afghan citizens and Western groups, and it has practically eradicated on-the-ground relief efforts by NGOs. The Taliban is working to completely erase Christianity and any other religious minority from the country, and it is offering money to anyone who reports on Christians. Christians captured by the Taliban face brutal torture and even death.

The situation for Christians in Afghanistan has become more perilous since the Taliban takeover in 2021. Christians in the country are in hiding from Taliban sweeps, and those who are discovered risk being killed, detained, or tortured. Christians are also at risk of being kidnapped by the Taliban and held for ransom.

The Taliban considers leaving Islam to be worthy of death, and converts to Christianity are often killed by their own family members or other radicalised Muslims. Christians in Afghanistan cannot worship openly and must keep their faith secret. They are also unable to access printed Bibles, and owning one is extremely dangerous.

The US withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021 has resulted in a rapid deterioration of religious and civil liberties under Taliban rule. Former government officials and civil servants, as well as religious minorities, endure intense governmental and societal pressure and scrutiny. They face regular raids on their homes by the Taliban and frequently receive threats against their jobs and families.

The Taliban has also restricted women's rights to education and employment, creating an incredibly difficult situation for Christian women.

Christians in Afghanistan are offered asylum in other countries

Christians in Afghanistan are a small community, and almost all are converts from Islam. The exact number of Christians in Afghanistan is unknown, but estimates range from 500 to 20,000. The Taliban falsely claims that there are "no Christians" in Afghanistan, and Christians in the country are in ""extreme danger". Many have fled and sought asylum in neighbouring countries, while those who remain live in hiding from Taliban sweeps.

The Taliban's return to power in 2021 has resulted in a rapid deterioration of religious and civil liberties in Afghanistan. The regime has stated that the country is an Islamic emirate whose laws and governance must be consistent with Sharia law. Christians in Afghanistan face intense governmental and societal pressure and scrutiny, regular raids on their homes, threats against their jobs and families, and a lack of access to educational opportunities. They are also offered financial compensation by the Taliban for reporting on other Christians.

Given the persecution faced by Christians in Afghanistan, many have sought asylum in other countries. Pakistan has taken in more than 1.5 million Afghan refugees and asylum seekers, while Iran and Germany have also welcomed significant numbers. Turkey currently hosts 140,000 displaced Afghans, and Canada, Austria, Finland, and the United Kingdom have also provided asylum to Afghan Christians.

The United States has also assisted in the relocation of vulnerable members of religious minorities from Afghanistan. In addition, various faith groups in the U.S. have united to help receive and resettle Afghan refugees. These groups include Jewish refugee resettlement agencies, Islamic organizations, conservative and liberal Protestant churches, and prominent Catholic relief organizations. They provide a range of support, from food and clothing to legal assistance and housing.

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