| Total Area: |
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2,170 sq. km
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Population:
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671,247 (est. July 2005)
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Ethnicity:
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Antalote, Cafre, Makoa, Oimatsaha, Sakalava
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| Language: |
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Arabic (official), French (official), Shikomoro (a blend of Swahili and Arabic)
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| Religion: |
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Sunni Muslim 98%, Roman Catholic 2%
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| Government Type: |
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Independent Republic
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| Capital: |
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Moroni
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| Population Below Poverty Line: |
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60% (2002)
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Persecution News
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No updates available |
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 Comoros is a small island nation in the Indian Ocean north of Madagascar, inhabited by Swahili people. It gained independence from France in 1975 and has since been plagued with attempted coups. The constitution of December 2001 guarantees freedom of religion, but Islam remains dominant in the country's politics as well as population.
There are less than three hundred Christians (0.8 percent) and they are forbidden to witness publicly. In many areas, local authorities restrict the religious practice of Christians. At various times they have been harassed by police and are denied many civil rights.
There are two Catholic churches and one Protestant church in Comoros, but the use of these buildings is restricted to non-citizens. Comoro citizens must worship in homes. Little recent information is available on the persecution of Christians. In late 1999 two Christians were imprisoned for possessing copies of the "Jesus" film in the local language. On the island of Anjouan, Christians have particularly faced opposition from local leadership. There remains widespread societal discrimination against Christians throughout the country.
Prayer Requests
- Pray that Christians will know the presence and blessing of God, as they meet in secret.
- Pray for opportunities to reach out with the Gospel of Christ, despite the severe restrictions.
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