A Christian woman from Eritrea has died after nearly three years in a military prison, according to Open Doors Nederland. Local partners in the Horn of Africa reported her death, with burial occurring in late September. Exact details regarding her arrest remain unknown. The organization states that hundreds of Christians have been imprisoned without trial for over two decades due to their faith. The UN and human rights groups accuse the Eritrean government of severe rights violations, including torture and detention in shipping containers. Open Doors continues to advocate for the release of seven imprisoned church leaders held without charge.
Translated from NederlandsAlso reported by 2 outlets
The Council of Churches in the Netherlands, representing five million Christians, has called on local congregations to help house asylum seekers. Due to a tight housing market, approximately 19,000 status holders are staying longer in reception centers than necessary, creating a bottleneck. Stegeman, speaking for the council, invites churches to commit to hosting a family for three months. He suggests using unused church buildings, parsonages, or rented holiday homes. The goal is to move families out of overcrowded reception centers into warm, temporary accommodation while permanent housing solutions are found. The initiative is rooted in biblical traditions of hospitality.
In a city in India, a man helps children from slums attend school. He slept on the streets as a child and begged for food. Through a Christian support group, he has helped over ten thousand children get an education. After finding faith in Jesus, he started an organization in 2001. Now, one thousand children receive education annually. He visits families to encourage schooling. A former student graduated university and works as an accountant. Many slum children in India still lack school access.
Christians in northeastern Democratic Republic of the Congo face severe hardship due to Allied Democratic Forces attacks and an Ebola outbreak. Human rights group APDEF reports hundreds of deaths and thousands displaced in Ituri and North Kivu provinces. Pastors report that churches have closed, homes burned, and families forced to flee. The violence disrupts farming and education, leaving communities dependent on host families. This crisis compounds the health emergency, as insecurity hinders Ebola containment efforts in the region.
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Illustrative photo, not from the original report · Photo by Dylan Shaw on UnsplashPersecuted church
A Cuban evangelical pastor was arrested in early June after joining protests against power outages and the government. He was released in September pending trial, though he must report to authorities twice weekly. His case highlights the worsening humanitarian crisis in Cuba, which includes severe electricity shortages, food spoilage, and fuel deficits. According to Open Doors Nederland, this pressure has led some Christians to join peaceful demonstrations. The outlet also notes that over 200 incidents of religious persecution were recorded in Latin America during June and July 2026. The pastor maintains his innocence while facing ongoing legal charges.
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Prominent lawyers have filed a petition in a high court in India to challenge the constitutional validity of the state's amended religious freedom law. The legislation, modified recently, has led to increased hostility against Christians, including threats, evictions, and church closures. A local partner of Open Doors states the changes primarily target Christians and violate constitutional rights. The court granted the state government three weeks to respond to the petition, which seeks a temporary suspension of the new provisions. The case highlights ongoing tensions regarding religious liberty in the Indian state.
According to Open Doors Nederland, Christians in India face severe persecution despite constitutional guarantees of religious freedom. The article attributes this worsening situation to the rise of the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its Hindutva ideology, which views non-Hindus as traitors. Anti-conversion laws are frequently misused to harass believers and disrupt church services. Violence is widespread, with reports of attacks on pastors, their families, and displaced communities in states like Manipur. The outlet states that social media rumors further fuel discrimination and economic exclusion for Christians, who are often among the poorest citizens.
Armed jihadists attacked a village in Burkina Faso, killing a youth leader and a church leader during a prayer service. The wife of one victim survived the incident. Previously, the community relied on continuous prayer for protection against extremist violence rather than forming armed defense groups. Local partners provided trauma care to the survivor following the attack. The event highlights the ongoing security crisis in the region and the vulnerability of Christian communities despite their faith-based approach to safety.
Militant Islamist groups in central and southern Mali are coercing Christian congregations to pay the jizya tax. Local sources report that villages face threats of violence or closure if they refuse. Some churches have sold crops and livestock to raise funds, with one denomination paying over $100,000 recently. These groups, including JNIM and ISGS, control rural areas where state protection is weak. Pastors report severe economic hardship and restrictions on worship. This situation has caused displacement and increased insecurity for the Christian minority in this West African nation.
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Violence in Nigeria surged significantly in late 2025, with kidnappings rising by 153% and murders by 51% compared to the previous year. This data, cited in a report on religious freedom, highlights severe instability in northern and central regions. Armed groups, including Boko Haram and Fulani militants, are primarily responsible for the attacks. In response to mass abductions, the president declared a state of emergency. The United States designated the nation a Country of Particular Concern regarding religious freedom. The ongoing conflict has displaced nearly four million people, creating a humanitarian crisis that disproportionately affects vulnerable communities.
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Tram, a 37-year-old woman in Vietnam, was evicted from her home by her husband Thang and his family after she converted to Christianity ten years ago. Thang, who remained with his ancestral religion, viewed her refusal to participate in traditional ancestor worship ceremonies as a humiliation. The conflict escalated from verbal abuse to physical violence, resulting in Tram and her four children being forced out. Tram sought refuge in her father's dilapidated house but continues to face harassment. Despite the abuse, she refuses to divorce Thang, hoping he will eventually accept Jesus. This case highlights the severe social and familial persecution faced by converts in the region.
A Christian woman in northern Laos seeks justice after her husband was murdered. He converted to Christianity three years ago and shared his faith, angering villagers who opposed his abandonment of local spirit rituals. He was found dead with a gunshot wound. Local authorities classified the death as a homicide but require payment to launch an investigation, which she cannot afford. Additionally, she was fined for an illegal weapon found near the body. Open Doors partners are providing financial assistance to her and her three children during this difficult time.
Christians in Mali endure severe persecution from jihadist groups and an authoritarian military junta. Since recent coups, the regime has suppressed opposition while extremists expand control. Jihadists attack places of worship, plunder property, and force believers to pay special taxes or flee. The crisis is exacerbated by organized crime and corruption. Many Christians have been displaced, and those remaining live under constant threat of violence, abduction, and forced conversion. The Christian community remains marginalized and vulnerable across the nation, facing systemic oppression and insecurity.
Data indicates that Christians in Nigeria face severe religious persecution, with daily killings averaging nine victims. Although authorities often blame general banditry, statistics reveal Christians are significantly more likely to be killed or kidnapped than Muslims in affected areas. Militant groups explicitly target believers for elimination or forced conversion. Advocacy groups urge global recognition of this crisis, highlighting that the nation ranks among the top countries worldwide for Christian persecution, demanding international attention and protection for vulnerable communities.
On Saturday, September 26, Christians across the Netherlands will participate in the Walk of Hope, a silent march through Utrecht. Organized by groups including Open Doors and ChristenUnie, the event aims to raise awareness for the 388 million Christians facing global discrimination. The walk starts at Utrecht Central Station at 11:00 AM and ends at Moreelsepark. According to the organizers, the initiative highlights the solidarity of Dutch believers with those suffering for their faith. The program features speeches and testimonies from Christians in Iran and Nigeria. This follows a successful first edition in Amsterdam last year, which drew hundreds of participants.
In a village in Burkina Faso, a pastor’s congregation relied on continuous prayer for protection against extremist violence. For years, the settlement remained safe while surrounding areas were attacked. Recently, armed jihadists entered the village after the pastor left. They killed two young church leaders inside the church. The pastor returned to find the bodies and suffered severe trauma. Open Doors partners provided trauma care to help him recover. The incident highlights the ongoing security crisis in the region and the personal cost of the conflict on local Christian communities.
Open Doors partners in Nigeria provided trauma counseling to a widow whose village was attacked by radicalized Fulani herders. The militants killed her husband and sons. She survived by hiding in a bathroom with her daughter and mother-in-law. The organization reports that she now receives support to process her grief and learn about forgiveness. She participates in a support group for widows to find encouragement and strength. The outlet states that the aid aims to help victims cope with the violence and its lasting psychological effects.
A Christian woman in Nigeria escaped armed Fulani herders who attacked a church gathering. She had been held captive for over four months, during which she gave birth under harsh conditions; the newborn died shortly after. She fled with her surviving children, but her youngest daughter succumbed to illness during the dangerous trek to safety. The mother and son carried the child’s body to reach safety. While she and two children survived, twenty other believers remain held by the militants, suffering from severe malnutrition and a critical lack of medical care.
A Christian mother in a village in southern Egypt has found new hope after attending a church prayer meeting. Facing heavy burdens as a caregiver for her disabled husband and raising five children, she felt overwhelmed by decisions regarding her daughters' marriages. After praying for guidance, she connected with local Open Doors partners who provided discipleship training. This support helped her navigate family pressures, including preventing a forced conversion marriage for her second daughter. Her entire family is now active in the church, with the woman expressing gratitude for the spiritual renewal and strength she received through this community support.
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