A recent report by Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) sounds the alarm on the escalating persecution of Christians worldwide, with a troubling shift in Islamist violence from the Middle East to Africa.
The 2024 edition of “Persecuted and Forgotten? A Report on Christians Oppressed for their Faith” reveals that countries like Burkina Faso, Nigeria, Mozambique, and others are now hotspots of extremist violence. Militant Islamist groups are terrorizing Christian communities, forcing mass migration and destabilizing entire regions.
Recent reports reveal alarming trends in Christian persecution worldwide. In India, attacks on Christians rose to 720 in 2023, up from 599 in 2022. China holds up to 10,000 people imprisoned for their faith. Syria’s Christian population drastically declined from 1.5 million to 250,000 since 2011, while Iran saw Christian detentions increase from 59 in 2021 to 166 in 2023. Iraq’s Christian population now stands at fewer than 200,000, just 0.46% of the country’s population.
Globally, Nigeria ranks 8th in the 2024 Global Terrorism Index. North Korea considers Christians enemies of the state, and Pakistan’s blasphemy laws have targeted 2,120 individuals since 1987. Saudi Arabia prohibits conversion from Islam to Christianity, and Burkina Faso’s Islamist insurgency has displaced over 2 million people.
Despite these alarming trends, Archbishop Bashar Warda of Iraq emphasizes that Christians can rebuild their lives after persecution. The ACN report highlights resilience and hope in the face of adversity.
The international community must acknowledge and address the growing persecution of Christians in Africa and beyond. Support for vulnerable communities, advocacy for religious freedom, and prayer are crucial in the face of escalating violence.