May 14, 2025
In 2024, persecution against Christians reached staggering levels worldwide. According to Open Doors’ World Watch List 2025, over 4,476 Christians were killed for their faith—averaging more than 12 per day—while thousands more were imprisoned, and nearly 7,700 churches or Christian institutions were attacked or destroyed. In total, more than 380 million Christians globally face high levels of persecution, particularly in Africa and Asia, where one in five and two in five believers, respectively, suffer harassment, violence, or worse. The top 50 most dangerous countries for Christians are ranked annually, with the worst offenders marked by “extreme” persecution, including nations like North Korea, Somalia, Yemen, Nigeria, and Iran.
While North Korea tops the list due to its brutal regime, the majority of the most severe persecution—nearly 70% of the worst countries—occurs in Muslim-majority nations or under Islamic rule. These include Somalia, Yemen, Libya, Sudan, Nigeria, Pakistan, Iran, Afghanistan, and Saudi Arabia. In these countries, Christians face systemic violence, social ostracism, imprisonment, torture, and even death for practicing their faith or converting from Islam. Despite vast differences in culture, wealth, and governance among these nations, the common thread tying them together is the influence of Islamic law or ideologies that view Christianity as a threat. This persecution is not driven merely by individual regimes but is deeply rooted in societal, religious, and legal frameworks, making it widespread and enduring.
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SOURCE: Prophecy News Watch