In Yemen, a nation ranking high on persecution lists, a believer has chosen to remain despite severe risks. The region has seen increased arrests and torture of Christians. This individual refuses to leave fellow believers behind, even anticipating personal arrest. He prepares by memorizing scripture to share his faith while imprisoned. According to Open Doors, he views his presence as essential for spreading hope in a country suffering from decades of conflict and darkness, prioritizing spiritual witness over personal safety.
Translated from NederlandsAlso reported by 1 other outlet
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Illustrative photo, not from the original report · Photo by Joas Ottervanger on UnsplashPersecuted church
A Christian advocacy group urges the Dutch government to address escalating violence in Nigeria, where believers are disproportionately targeted by militant factions. Reports indicate systematic attacks and displacement in specific northern regions. The organization calls for diplomatic engagement with Nigerian authorities and international bodies to demand accountability and humanitarian aid. Additionally, the group plans a global signature campaign to pressure world leaders into protecting persecuted Christians across Africa, highlighting the urgent need for international intervention and support for affected communities.
Christians in Syria face renewed fear following anti-Christian graffiti on church walls in various cities. These threats reference a deadly attack on a church in a specific district. The unrest follows the fall of the former dictator and the rise of a new group. A woman from a northern city describes ongoing conflicts and economic hardship. Meanwhile, violence in a southern region has forced families to flee, with women seeking safety in the capital. Open Doors reports that these events deepen trauma for the Christian community in the region.
Islamic extremists from al-Shabaab attacked a Christian village in northern Mozambique. At least twenty Christians were killed, two churches were destroyed, and approximately 2,000 residents fled. The Mozambique Defence Forces withdrew, allowing the violence to escalate. Open Doors reports that the group issued a prior warning targeting Christians. This incident is part of a broader pattern of systematic jihadist violence in the region, where hundreds of thousands have been displaced. Local sources claim the government is suppressing information about the attacks.
Chinese authorities arrested nearly thirty leaders from an underground church network and over ten members of another congregation in a northern city between October 9 and 12. Reports indicate the founder and others face charges for illegal internet use, potentially linked to new religious regulations. While some members were released, many remain detained. The crackdown highlights increasing pressure on unregistered churches that refuse to join the state-controlled Patriotic Three-Self Movement. Families received official notices confirming the arrests and ongoing legal proceedings against the clergy and congregants.
Christians in Syria face heightened fear following threats on church walls in various cities. This insecurity intensified after an Islamist group took power in late 2024, ending the previous regime. Reports indicate that ongoing conflicts between government forces, Kurds, and Druze communities have led to extrajudicial killings and family separations, particularly in specific regions. Many believers are fleeing to safer areas due to financial crises and violence. These attacks exacerbate trauma for a population already suffering from years of war, forcing many to seek refuge in urban centers away from the immediate danger zones.
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Illustrative photo, not from the original report · Photo by BEN ELLIOTT on UnsplashPersecuted church
A US president announced that Nigeria would return to the list of countries of special concern, citing statistics from Open Doors regarding violence against Christians. The organization reports that thousands of Christians were killed in the country between October 2023 and September 2024 due to their faith. While other agencies provide lower figures, Open Doors argues that religion remains a decisive factor in the conflict alongside ethnic and economic tensions. A joint statement by Dutch organizations emphasizes the need for protection and justice for victims, rejecting attempts to minimize the severity of the ongoing persecution in the region.
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Security agents abruptly closed a planned Christian gathering in a city in Cuba, citing orders from the Communist Party. Instead of dispersing, hundreds of believers moved into the street, turning the censorship into a large public worship service. Independent journalists and pastors reported that the event, originally intended for 900 people, grew to involve around 3,000 attendees. A Baptist pastor stated the incident highlights systematic violations of religious freedom in the country. The government has not provided a reason for the cancellation, continuing its long-standing suppression of unregistered religious activities.
Open Doors reports that Christians displaced by drug cartel violence in a southern Mexican region suffer severe mental and physical trauma. Recently, over 200 residents of a specific village were held hostage after refusing to join criminal groups. A psychologist notes that symptoms like headaches and sleep disorders stem from this persecution. The victims now live in makeshift shelters without basic care. This case highlights how organized crime targets believers who resist recruitment, causing deep psychological distress that manifests physically. The group says recovery requires addressing these emotional wounds while providing humanitarian aid.
In a city in Cuba, hundreds of Christians continued worshipping in the street after authorities shut down a planned indoor service. The Communist Party ordered the closure of the event at a local venue without explanation. Instead of dispersing, the attendees began singing hymns and praying publicly. What started as a gathering for 900 people grew into an open-air celebration for approximately 3,000 individuals. Pastors and journalists described the incident as a spontaneous demonstration of faith that bypassed state censorship. The event highlights ongoing restrictions on religious freedom in Cuba, where the government frequently intervenes in church activities to maintain control over public gatherings.
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Illustrative photo, not from the original report · Photo by Amir Shiri on UnsplashPersecuted church
Open Doors reports that at least 54 Christians have been arrested across various cities in Iran following recent tensions with Israel. This represents a sharp increase compared to the previous six months. Believers are often detained without clear charges, frequently accused of supporting Zionist forces. Meanwhile, societal unrest continues to influence the region, with some women turning to Christianity. Local church leaders describe intensified persecution and increased pastoral care efforts for the families of those imprisoned, highlighting the growing vulnerability of the Christian community in the country.
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Islamic State-linked Allied Democratic Forces attacked communities in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo in early September 2025. The group killed more than 70 Christians in one village and over 30 in another. According to Open Doors, the attacks targeted worshippers at a wake and farmers in the Lubero region. At least 100 people were abducted, and many homes were burned. Church leaders report that victims were primarily Catholic. The violence has forced many residents to flee their villages. Open Doors condemned the unimpeded violence and urged the government to protect civilians in the region.
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In northern Nigeria, a woman was kidnapped by armed herders shortly after her wedding. She endured abuse before being released when captors mistakenly believed she was having a miscarriage. Upon returning home, she faced severe trauma and community stigma regarding her daughter, who has developmental delays. According to Open Doors Nederland, she eventually sought help from a counselor at a trauma center. Through counseling and faith-based support, she learned to forgive her attackers and reconcile with her child. The outlet highlights this case to illustrate the ongoing violence against Christians in Nigeria, which ranks seventh on the World Watch List.
In Ethiopia, a Christian man lost his home and businesses when radical Muslims attacked his village to drive out Christians. According to Open Doors Nederland, 215 homes were burned and 375 families fled. The man, who converted from Islam, faced isolation and threats. With help from local partners, he received trauma care and financial support to rebuild. He now holds onto hope despite ongoing social exclusion and safety concerns for his children. The incident highlights rising tensions between religious groups in the region.
India is tightening anti-conversion laws, severely limiting Christian worship. In several regions, house churches are banned, with gatherings labeled as proselytizing. Some states propose life sentences for alleged conversions, including via digital media. Others have enacted strict penalties, leading to immediate arrests and attacks on congregations. Open Doors partners report increased violence and false accusations against pastors. These measures, driven by Hindutva ideology, contradict constitutional rights and restrict religious freedom for minorities across multiple states.
In Sri Lanka, Christian pastors face increasing pressure from Buddhist communities and local authorities. Pastor Nimal in central Sri Lanka defended his legal church building against demands from officials and neighbors who claimed it disturbed the peace. Meanwhile, Pastor Sirimal in the north faced a large protest led by a Buddhist monk after his house church grew. The monk accused the pastor of running an illegal religious center, prompting demonstrations at his home and the regional secretary's office. Open Doors reports that these pastors receive support through training programs to cope with persecution. Christians remain a vulnerable minority in the predominantly Buddhist nation.
Open Doors reports that violence against Christians in Sub-Saharan Africa has evolved into a strategic campaign rather than random incidents. The organization highlights several nations in the region as epicenters of jihadist terrorism. Director Marc de Graaf states that attacks specifically target churches and communities, with women facing distinct forms of persecution such as kidnapping and rape. In one northern Nigerian state, militant herders have killed hundreds and displaced thousands. Open Doors is providing emergency aid and launching a petition to urge international bodies to protect victims and hold perpetrators accountable by 2026.
In Laos, a man was arrested and detained for five days after converting to Christianity. Local authorities and villagers pressured him to abandon his new faith, citing Buddhist and animist traditions. Following his release, facilitated by a local leader, he and his family were forced to leave their village. Open Doors partners provided emergency aid and temporary housing in a nearby district. The incident highlights the severe persecution faced by converts in the Southeast Asian nation, which ranks 22nd on the Open Doors persecution list.
A coalition including Open Doors urges the immediate release of seven Christian leaders detained in Eritrea for over two decades. The campaign, launched recently, calls on the Eritrean government and Western officials to apply diplomatic pressure. These men, including three Orthodox priests, were arrested without formal charges or trials. They are reportedly held in a facility in the capital. The coalition argues their indefinite imprisonment violates international treaties and the national constitution, highlighting the severe restrictions on religious freedom in the country.
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