Islamic extremists in central Mali have issued an ultimatum to local Christians, demanding they support jihadist forces or flee. Pastors were told to provide fighters, pay money for mercenaries, convert to Islam, or close their churches. A pastor stated the threat is unprecedented in scale, as militants now control the area and impose taxes. The group is likely JNIM. In response, a church coalition urged prayer and fasting, with gatherings held in the capital. An Open Doors director highlighted the intense fear among believers facing impossible choices under jihadist rule.
Translated from Nederlands
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Illustrative photo, not from the original report · Photo by Sadiq Ahmad on UnsplashPersecuted church
Following the resignation of the prime minister in Bangladesh, widespread violence has erupted against religious minorities. The interim government was sworn in to restore order. According to Open Doors Nederland, over 400 people have died in recent clashes. Police stations were looted, leaving communities unprotected. Radical groups and opportunistic criminals have attacked Christians, burning homes and occupying churches. Converts from Islam are identified as the most vulnerable group, facing specific threats from radical elements. The outlet reports that rumors of an Islamic state have fueled attacks on those who do not fit this narrative, resulting in significant vandalism and displacement of minority populations.
Seven Christian families in a village in Bangladesh were barred from using the community's only clean water well after converting from Hinduism. Locals used water access as pressure to force them back to their former faith, harassing them and destroying their containers while forcing them to drink from a polluted pond. Open Doors intervened by installing a new tube well to provide safe drinking water. The group states this aid aims to alleviate persecution and ensure the families have access to essential resources amidst rising social hostility.
Open Doors reports that Cuba continues to violate religious freedom, particularly around Easter. Authorities denied several Catholic parishes permission to hold traditional Good Friday and Easter processions. Church leaders remained largely silent due to fear of reprisals, especially in areas affected by recent protests. A representative of Open Doors states that heavy suppression affects both churches and dissenting voices. The organization notes that restrictions increased before Easter to demonstrate government hostility. Christian Solidarity Worldwide documented 622 violations in 2023, noting that clergy providing humanitarian aid faced harassment and fines. The Cuban Observatory for Human Rights recorded 936 government actions against religious freedom last year.
Open Doors released its 2023 annual report, stating that persecution of Christians intensified globally in both scope and severity. The director described the year as exceptional due to natural disasters in several regions, as well as civil war in a specific country. The organization noted rising violence in multiple nations, alongside church closures in another country. Despite these crises, support for the organization grew. Financial benefits increased significantly. The group distributed millions of Bibles and provided training to millions of believers, significantly expanding its presence ministry compared to the previous year.
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Illustrative photo, not from the original report · Photo by Levi Meir Clancy on UnsplashPersecuted church
Open Doors founder Anne van der Bijl met Hamas leader Ismael Haniyeh in Lebanon in 2009 and gave him a Bible. The organization shares this story to highlight Van der Bijl’s commitment to reaching people in the Middle East, including those viewed as enemies. According to the outlet, he believed in showing Jesus’ love rather than fostering hostility. Open Doors states that this encounter reflects their ongoing support for the persecuted church in Gaza and their prayers for peace between Jews and Palestinians. The group emphasizes that Van der Bijl sought friendship with adversaries, believing in the power of God’s word to transform hearts.
The Malaysian Advisory Council for Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism and Taoism (MCCBCHST) has condemned a TikTok video by preacher Firdaus Wong. Wong advised that minors can informally convert to Islam and register later, suggesting they pray secretly until age 18. The council labeled this an immoral and illegal plan. They requested ministers to address the issue in cabinet. S. Shashi Kumar of the Global Human Rights Federation also criticized the advice as unethical, noting it encourages deception against parents. A local Open Doors partner highlighted the vulnerability of young people to such conversion attempts.
A former militant claims that a young Christian woman, abducted from a school in northern Nigeria years ago, has married two group leaders and has two children. She was among many girls taken after refusing to renounce her faith. The ex-fighter states her first husband died in an airstrike and she later married a commander linked to ISWAP. These allegations remain unverified, though previous reports mentioned her children. Her family has long sought her release from authorities. The claims highlight the ongoing dangers faced by believers in the region.
Open Doors reports a significant increase in violence against Christians in India during the ongoing parliamentary elections. Attacks include physical assaults, false arrests, and property damage, particularly in regions like Punjab, Telangana, and Manipur. Extremists have targeted pastors, students, and schools, often with impunity. The group attributes this surge to political rhetoric and the promotion of Hindutva ideology. Nearly one billion voters are participating in the polls, but the situation remains dangerous for the country's Christian minority, who face forced conversions and community displacement.
The Belgian parliamentary commission investigating sexual abuse within and outside the Church approved 137 recommendations today. Led by Sophie De Wit, the group proposes appointing a commissioner for sexual boundary violations and establishing a new expert center. The report also calls for improved compensation for victims, a 24-hour support hotline, and a national day of remembrance on November 18. Additionally, it urges religious authorities to ensure abuse dossiers follow perpetrators during transfers. The Belgian bishops welcomed the neutral reporting point but clarified that the Church initiated earlier reforms before parliamentary pressure.
A Christian family in Guinea has been living in hiding for four years following the murder of their father, a pastor, in 2020. The man was killed by a mob of radical Muslims in southern Guinea after he tried to prevent them from burning down his church. According to Open Doors, the remaining family members are now separated and constantly on the move to avoid being targeted by extremists. Police have not made any arrests despite the investigation. The group provides trauma counseling and pastoral support to the daughter, Malu, who is now pursuing university studies while coping with the loss of her father.
A prominent pastor in Eritrea has died in prison after serving over two years of his sentence. Arrested in 2021, he was held in a high-security facility. The cause of death is unknown, though he likely suffered from diabetes and conditions linked to long-term imprisonment and torture. He leaves behind a wife and five children. Eritrea has restricted unregistered religious activities for decades, with many Christians detained without trial under the current administration. Reports highlight the ongoing persecution of unregistered church members in the country.
Local sources report that Myanmar’s military junta burned over 400 homes and five churches in a village within the Sagaing region. The attack targeted a settlement inhabited exclusively by Christians. Military forces had been patrolling the area since April, clashing with local militias. Eyewitnesses state that soldiers used heavy machinery to flatten remaining structures and fired artillery at a school. A local partner reported that nearly all houses were destroyed, forcing residents to flee for safety. Following the incident, nearby villages in the northern part of the region were evacuated by military order. Myanmar ranks 17th on the Open Doors World Watch List for Christian persecution.
A Christian woman in Iran has been sentenced to two years in prison and a travel ban. Authorities accused her of endangering national security due to contact with foreign Christian groups. She was baptized abroad, and images of the event appeared on social media. Iranian police arrested her earlier this year. She had returned to Iran to care for her elderly parents. The judge stated she knowingly took the risk by returning after engaging in Christian activities overseas. Her case highlights the dangers faced by Iranian Christians who return from abroad. The ruling was issued at a prison in the capital. (Source: Open Doors Nederland)
Vietnam has strengthened state oversight of religious activities by adopting measures similar to those used in China. According to Open Doors researcher Thomas Müller, Decree 95, effective March 30, allows the government to more easily shut down religious organizations and monitor funding. Additionally, Guideline 24 aims to protect national security by restricting civil society and human rights groups. The Vietnamese human rights organization Project 88 warns that these rules may increase discrimination against ethnic and religious minorities, particularly the predominantly Protestant Hmong people. Authorities have already listed two Hmong political organizations in the US as terrorist groups, viewing their religious activities as political threats.
Pastor Nimal in Sri Lanka faces an anonymous petition organized by local Buddhist monks. The petition, circulated on April 3, aims to oppose his ministry and threatens to disrupt church services. According to Open Doors, monks have previously monitored gatherings and spread rumors that Nimal uses violence to convert Buddhists. This follows earlier anonymous letters accusing the church of plotting against Buddhism. To address noise complaints, partners helped soundproof the church building. The incident highlights rising tensions in a country where Buddhists form the majority.
Belarusian authorities have extended the detention of Pastor Alyaksandar Zaretsky by two weeks. The evangelical leader was arrested on February 23 in northeastern Belarus. Initially sentenced to fifteen days for alleged extremist material, a court in Chashniki added another fifteen days on March 5. The charge stemmed from his request for church members to pray for Ukraine and those imprisoned. Open Doors researchers state this reflects the government's intent to make life difficult for non-Orthodox Christians. Belarus, a Russian ally, ranks 75th on the Christian persecution list this year.
Hardline Islamist candidates won parliamentary elections in Iran, severely damaging hopes for the Christian minority. An Open Doors researcher noted exceptionally low voter turnout, with nearly 60 percent of eligible voters abstaining. The Guardian Council disqualified numerous candidates, including former presidents, ensuring only regime loyalists remained in office. This researcher warns that the hardliner-dominated government will likely continue persecuting the estimated 1.2 million Christians in the country. A recent joint report highlights the severe risks faced by arrested believers, who fear retaliation if they publicly identify as victims of state-sponsored religious persecution.
Female Christian inmates in a prison in Nicaragua face harsh penalties for praying aloud, according to Christian Solidarity Worldwide. The women have been denied outdoor access, their Bibles confiscated, and they endure physical abuse during interrogations. This treatment aligns with UN experts' designation of Nicaragua's government actions as crimes against humanity. Since 2018, President Daniel Ortega and Vice President Rosario Murillo have suppressed opposition, leading to the exile of nearly one million citizens and the imprisonment of clergy. Open Doors reports that these systematic human rights violations severely impact the local church community.
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