Afghanistan Now Tops Open Doors' World Watch Persecution List: 'Tracking Christians, Killing Christians'

Stephen Little : Jan 21, 2022
CBN News

The ministry reports it's especially difficult for Christian women in those nations because they face kidnapping and forced marriage to Muslim men.

[CBN News] One in seven Christians worldwide faces persecution for their faith in Jesus. That's about 360 million people. (Screengrab image)

Each year, Open Doors USA publishes its list of 50 countries where Christians face the worst persecution.

For 20-years, North Korea has topped the list. But this year, there's been a seismic shift as Afghanistan has taken its place as the world's worst persecutor.

Speaking on CBN's Global Lane, Open Doors President and CEO David Curry explained why.

"It's the number one perpetrator of violence and pressure and discrimination against Christians in the world. North Korea hasn't gotten better, Afghanistan's gotten worse—the violence, the tracking of Christians, the killing of Christians, this is, unfortunately, I'm afraid, what we can expect from Afghanistan in the future," Curry said.

Seven of the top 10 countries on the Open Doors World Watch List experience some level of Islamic radicalism. (Screengrab image)

The ministry reports it's especially difficult for Christian women in those nations because they face kidnapping and forced marriage to Muslim men. Subscribe for free to Breaking Christian News here

At this moment in history, Open Doors ranks the following locations as the top 10 worst spots for Christians: Afghanistan, North Korea, Somalia, Libya, Yemen, Eritrea, Nigeria, Pakistan, Iran, and India.

CLICK HERE to see all the top 50 countries on the World Watch List, as well as resources on how to support and pray for persecuted Christians.