A Scarce Presence: Exploring The Christian Community In Afghanistan

Afghanistan is an Islamic state, with most citizens following Islam. Sunni Muslims constitute between 84.7% and 89.7% of the population, while Shia Muslims make up between 10% and 15%. Other religions are followed by 0.3% of the population, including Christians, who are forced to keep their faith hidden. While it is difficult to know the exact number of Christians in Afghanistan, estimates range from 10,000 to 20,000.

Christians in Afghanistan are persecuted and face threats to their lives

Afghanistan is an Islamic state, with most citizens following Islam. The country's religious minorities face official discrimination and societal abuses. The Afghan law does not recognize confessions other than Islamic ones. The constitution states that Islam "is the religion of the state" and that “no law can be contrary to the beliefs and provisions of the sacred religion of Islam.”.

The Taliban, who took back power in September 2021, have stated that the country is an Islamic emirate whose laws and governance must be consistent with Sharia law. The Taliban's ideology and system of government solidify their view that non-Muslims are disloyal enemies and infidels, which they use to justify killing and violence.

Since the Taliban retook control of the country, Christians have been in "extreme danger". Many have fled and sought asylum, while those who remain in the country have gone into hiding. The Taliban falsely claims that there are "no Christians" in Afghanistan.

The persecution of Christians in Afghanistan is multi-faceted. Christians face societal and official pressure, which may lead to confiscation of property, imprisonment, or death. Apostasy, the act of renouncing Islam, is punishable by death. Christians in Afghanistan must therefore conceal their faith in public or risk severe punishment and discrimination. They are forced to live, work, and identify as Muslims.

The Taliban has also attempted to cut contact between Afghan citizens and any Western groups, and has practically eradicated on-the-ground relief efforts by NGOs. The Taliban is working to completely erase Christianity or any religious minority from the country. Many Christians have gone underground to avoid being kidnapped by the Taliban “courts”. The Taliban is offering financial compensation to anyone who reports on Christians, which has created an even higher security threat to believers.

The treatment of Christians in Afghanistan is arguably worse than that of other religious minorities. Unlike Hindus and Sikhs, the Taliban regards Christians as apostate Muslims. Historically, Afghan criminal code has required that apostates should be punished according to Sharia law by either imprisonment or execution.

The Taliban's takeover has worsened the situation for Christians

Afghanistan has long been a dangerous place for Christians, but the Taliban's takeover in 2021 has worsened the situation. The Taliban's extreme interpretation of Islamic law, coupled with their view that non-Muslims are disloyal enemies, has led to increased persecution and violence against religious minorities, including Christians.

The Taliban falsely claim that there are no Christians left in Afghanistan, but it is estimated that there were between 10,000 and 12,000 Christians in the country before the Taliban takeover. The vast majority of Afghan Christians are converts from Islam, and leaving Islam is considered extremely shameful in Afghanistan. As a result, Afghan Christians face dire consequences, including death threats, torture, and forced disappearance if their conversion is discovered.

Since the Taliban takeover, Christians have been forced even further underground, with many going into hiding or fleeing the country to escape persecution. Those who remain must keep their faith secret, as practicing any religion other than Islam is illegal in Afghanistan. The Taliban have reinstated their Ministry for the Propagation of Virtue and Prevention of Vice, which enforces a stringent interpretation of Sharia law, further restricting the freedoms of religious minorities.

Christian converts are particularly at risk of persecution and violence under the Taliban regime. The Taliban consider Christian converts to be apostates, which is punishable by death under Sharia law. There have been reports of Taliban militants conducting door-to-door searches for Christians and making threatening phone calls to known Christians. Additionally, the Taliban have restricted access to education and employment for religious minorities, further marginalizing and repressing these groups.

The situation for Christians in Afghanistan is dire, and the Taliban's takeover has only worsened their plight. Those who remain in the country must keep their faith secret or risk severe consequences. Many have fled to neighbouring countries, such as Pakistan and Iran, in search of safety and religious freedom. The international community has imposed heavy economic sanctions on Afghanistan, but there has been little improvement in the situation for religious minorities.

Christians in Afghanistan are forced to practice their faith in hiding

Christians in Afghanistan are facing a dire situation where they are forced to practice their faith in hiding. The Taliban's return to power in 2021 has resulted in increased persecution and a crackdown on religious minorities. With their strict interpretation of Sunni Islam, the Taliban have denied the existence of Christians in Afghanistan and claimed that there are “no Christians” left in the country. However, it is estimated that there are thousands of Christians in Afghanistan, mostly comprising converts from Islam.

The situation for Christians has deteriorated since the Taliban takeover. Previously, Christians already faced challenges due to societal restrictions and a hostile legal environment, which made it difficult to practice their faith openly. The Taliban's return to power has exacerbated these issues, with Christians now facing threats, violence, and even death if their faith is discovered. The Taliban have gone door-to-door in search of Christians and those practicing other faiths, and Christian converts have received threatening phone calls. As a result, Christians have been driven further underground, with many forced to conceal their faith and live in constant fear of exposure.

The consequences of being identified as a Christian in Afghanistan are severe. Believers may face disownment, torture, forced admission to psychiatric hospitals, or even death. The surrounding society and family structure offer little to no support for religious freedom, and the government upholds a rigid stance against it. This has forced Christians to keep their faith a secret, or risk facing dire consequences.

The underground Christian community in Afghanistan faces significant challenges in practicing their faith. There are no public churches in the country, and Christians often practice alone or in small congregations, meeting in private homes. The production of printed materials contrary to Islamic beliefs is prohibited, further restricting their ability to express their faith openly. Additionally, the state automatically considers all citizens to be Muslims and subjects them to Islamic jurisprudence, making it difficult for Christians to officially recognize their religious identity.

The situation has led to an exodus of Christians from Afghanistan, with many seeking refuge in neighboring countries or further abroad. Those who remain in the country face immense political and social pressure and are forced to practice their faith in hiding. They know that if their faith is discovered, they will likely face severe consequences. The few remaining Christians in Afghanistan are determined to continue practicing their faith secretly, despite the constant risk of danger and oppression.

The international community has recognized the plight of Christians in Afghanistan and has provided support through organizations like Open Doors, which works to strengthen and pray for Christians in the country. However, the situation remains dire, and Christians in Afghanistan continue to face extreme danger and persecution.

The number of Christians in Afghanistan is estimated to be between 1,000 and 20,000

Afghanistan is an Islamic state, with most citizens following Islam. Given that Christians have been forced to keep their faith hidden, it is difficult to know the exact number of Christians in the country. However, the number of Christians in Afghanistan is estimated to be between 1,000 and 20,000.

The US State Department estimates that there are between 2,000 and 3,000 Christians in Afghanistan. They believe that most of these people converted to Christianity while living outside of Afghanistan. Other estimates put the number of Christians in Afghanistan at between 10,000 and 12,000, or between 15,000 and 20,000. A 2015 study estimated that there were 3,300 Christians in the country.

There are no public churches in Afghanistan, and Christians practice their faith either alone or in small congregations, meeting in private homes. This makes it even more difficult to estimate the number of Christians in the country.

The Afghan government does not recognise any of its nationals as non-Muslims. Apostasy, the act of renouncing Islam, is punishable by death. As a result, Christians in Afghanistan must conceal their faith in public, or risk severe punishment and discrimination. Since the Taliban took control of the country in 2021, Christians have been forced even further underground, with many choosing to leave the country.

Despite the dangers, there are reports of a secret underground community of Afghan Christians living in the country. This community is said to meet in private homes and is estimated to include between 500 and 8,000 individuals. With the Taliban's harsh suppression of journalism and restrictions on foreigners, it has become increasingly difficult to get reliable reports on the religious situation in Afghanistan.

Christians in Afghanistan are not legally recognised and are considered Muslims by the state

Afghanistan is an Islamic state, with most citizens following Islam. The country's constitution establishes Islam as the state religion, and it is stipulated that no law can be contrary to the beliefs and provisions of Islam. The state automatically considers all citizens to be Muslims and subjects them to Islamic jurisprudence.

The Afghan government does not legally recognise any of its nationals as non-Muslims. The Islamic Republic of Afghanistan did not recognise any Afghan citizen as Christian, except for expatriates. The Taliban falsely claims that there are "no Christians" remaining in Afghanistan.

Christians in Afghanistan are forced to conceal their faith in public or risk severe punishment and discrimination. Apostasy, the act of renouncing Islam, is punishable by death, imprisonment, or confiscation of property. The Bible is available online in Pashto, but Afghan Christians secretly practice their faith in private homes.

The exact number of Christians in Afghanistan is unknown, but it is estimated to be in the thousands. Many Christians have fled the country since the Taliban takeover in 2021, and those who remain are in hiding. Christians in Afghanistan are not legally recognised and are considered Muslims by the state. They face societal and official discrimination, and their religious freedom is severely restricted.

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