COUNTRIES OVERVIEW Persecuted and Forgotten? examines the challenges facing Christians in 18 countries. These are not necessarily the 18 most dangerous places in which to live if you are a Christian, but rather those countries in which the situation of the faithful has been of particular concern during the period under review. ACN (UK) has drawn on a number of sources including publicly available data and information from the local Church. While drawing on quantitative analyses (e.g., the Pew Research Center’s Social Hostilities Index), ultimately Persecuted and Forgotten? represents a qualitative analysis of the available data.
EGYPT
Restrictions on property ownership and the training of clergy remain unresolved, with sporadic attacks against Christian communities continuing. See p. 37. TURKEY
SYRIA
Despite positive state overtures to religious communities, Christian women continue to be abducted, new church sites remain a magnet for violence, and Christians still struggle for full equality in all aspects of society. See p. 16.
Although President Al-Sharaa’s transitional government assured Christians their rights would be recognized, evidence shows violence against Christians rose markedly and their numbers declined. See p. 36 .
MALI
The government expanded its crackdown on Christian groups. It has arbitrarily arrested, imprisoned and exiled Christian leaders and others. See p. 26. NICARAGUA Mali now ranks fifth globally for terrorist activity. Christians in areas under Islamist occupation face oppression including church burnings and religious taxes. Christians experience such severe persecution they are unable to live in many areas under jihadist rule. See p. 24.
BURKINA FASO
One of the main epicenters of Islamist violence in the Sahel, jihadist groups control at least 40 percent of the country, imposing extremist Islam. Christians have been targeted in the campaign to impose Islamist ideology. See p. 12.
NIGERIA
Christians in the northeast faced increased persecution including murders, abductions, and destruction of churches by jihadists. Attacks included beheadings and the forced displacement of thousands of Christians. See p. 25. MOZAMBIQUE
Christians have been targeted for mass attacks, killings and abductions as part of extremist violence. Increased attacks on mostly Christian settlements across the Middle Belt have contributed to more than 3.5 million IDPs across Nigeria. See p. 28.
4 | Persecuted and Forgotten?
Powered by FlippingBook