Children reading graphic version of the Bible - Photo: VOMC

Afghanistan

Afghanistan is no stranger to struggle, going back to the beginning of their history. The Soviet invasion in 1978, and pullout a decade later, brought no peace. Islamic factions engaged in jihad (or holy war) and the Taliban, which follows an extreme form of militant Islam, gained control in 1996. The Taliban's takeover of the country imposed a deviant expression of strict Wahhabist Islam, particularly devastating for Afghanistan's women.

When the Taliban fell in 2001, the country's economy improved largely because of the infusion of international assistance. Despite some progress, Afghanistan is extremely poor and highly dependent on foreign aid. Political stability remains a challenge, as the government has been unable to negotiate peace with members of the Taliban who remain in control within various areas of the country.

In 2004, Afghanistan held its first democratic elections and instated a new constitution which declares, "The religion of the state of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan is the sacred religion of Islam." Followers of other religions may exercise their faith and perform religious rites "within the limits of the provisions of law." However, the constitution also says, "No law can be contrary to the beliefs and provisions of the sacred religion of Islam."

By the second centure, the Gospel of Christ reached Afghanistan. Though the Christian faith was once more prominent in the country, most Afghans today have never heard the Gospel, do not know a Christian, and have been raised since birth to pursue an unquestioned allegiance to Muhammad's teachings. As a result, this ancient Central Asian country is full of cultural and religious opposition to Christianity, making it a very difficult arena for any church presence and activity.

Life for Christians

Afghans who are followers of Jesus cannot worship openly. As there are no physical church buildings in the country, they must worship by gathering in homes or other small venues. Evangelism is forbidden, so Christians and spiritual seekers are highly secretive regarding their faith. Beatings, torture and kidnappings are routine for Christians in Afghanistan, and their lives are also at risk. Although many Christians have emigrated to neighbouring countries in order to worship openly, the Afghan house churches continue to grow.

August 2021 Update

We are watching the changing situation in Afghanistan closely. While we wait to get a better understanding of how these changes will impact the Christian Afghan community, please keep them in your prayers. Updates will follow as we learn more.

  • Current Ministry Projects

    VOMC works with ministry partners to provide Afghan Christians with evangelistic and discipleship radio broadcasts to equip followers of Jesus to present the Gospel in a specialized, culturally relevant, and context-sensitive way. VOMC is also helping our ministry partners to translate scripture into the Dari language.

    Project Funds: Underground Church, Relief & Development, Bible

  • Country Information

    Designation
    Persecuted

    Population
    37,466,414 (July 2021 est.)

    Ethnicity
    Pashtun, Tajik, Hazara, Uzbek and others

    Religions (%)
    Islam (99.7), Christianity and other (0.3)

    Government type
    Taliban takeover August 2021

    Leader
    President (vacant)

    Legal system
    Mixed legal system of civil, customary, and Islamic law

    Source: CIA World Factbook

  • Pray for Afghanistan

    Pray for the protection of these Afghan believers, and for the consistency of their witness, as God continues to build His church according to Matthew 16:18 ("the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it"). In addition to protecting them from physical danger and harm, ask God to insulate these minority Christians from the spiritual oppression surrounding them. May these dedicated followers of Christ mature spiritually and grow in both faith and number.

Afghanistan News

  • Taliban Orders Strict Sharia Punishments
    Haibatullah Akhundzada
    Haibatullah Akhundzada
    Photo: Wikipedia

    When the Taliban took control of Afghanistan in August 2021, they promised moderation and justice for all. Regrettably, they have demonstrated something very different, as the rights of women, freedom of the news press, and fair treatment of religious minorities have been brutally repressed. In a recent development, Taliban leader Haibatullah Akhundzada ordered all judges to impose strict Sharia punishments for crimes committed within the country. While the exact list of applicable crimes has not been defined, expected punishments include amputations, public lashings and executions by stoning.

  • Light in the Midst of Darkness
    Video link: Interview with Shoaib Ebadi
    Watch the video interview with Shoaib Ebadi.

    When the Taliban gained control over the governance of Afghanistan a year ago, many organizations were forced to shut down their in-country operations and thousands of believers decided to leave because of the suffering they knew would be coming as a result. Many other Christians, however, chose to remain in the country to be witnesses for Christ despite the severe danger.

  • Currently Ranked Most Dangerous Country for Christians
    A Taliban member - Photo: Voice of America
    A member of the Taliban.
    Photo: Screenshot from Voice of America

    Each year, the Open Doors International organization publishes a list of the 50 countries where it is most difficult to follow Jesus. For the past 20 years, North Korea has topped that list due to the oppressive rule of the Kim dynasty (see the North Korea country report for more details).

    In the most recent report, which was published this January, a shift in ranking has clearly taken place. Afghanistan is now at the top of the list, designating it as the most dangerous country to be a Christian. According to Open Doors, the change is not because of improvements in North Korea. On the contrary, the level of persecution in the so-called "Hermit Kingdom" has increased. However, with the return of the Taliban to power, the already oppressive nation of Afghanistan has become so dangerous for Christians that it is now considered the most perilous nation in the world.

  • Report Highlights Dire Conditions for Religious Minorities
    Taliban fighters
    Pray that the Lord will draw Taliban members to Himself.

    The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) has stated that Christians and other religious minorities in Afghanistan face "dire consequences, including death, if discovered by the Taliban" for openly expressing their beliefs. Since most Afghan Christians are converts from Islam, all Christians are considered "apostates" by the Taliban – a crime that is punishable by death.