How are Christians persecuted in Yemen?
- If someone is reported to be a Christian, they could face severe monitoring, arbitrary detention, torture, ill-treatment and even murder.
- Christian converts can face severe punishment from the community, including being disowned, disinherited, divorced and losing custody of their children, being banished or even murdered.
- Yemen continues to be torn apart by civil war, and the Christian minority are discriminated against in relief aid, which is mostly distributed through local Muslim groups and mosques.
Why are Christians persecuted in Yemen?
- Leaving Islam to follow Christ is seen as a huge betrayal of your native tribe, and you will be punished or face extreme pressure to renounce your new faith.
- The extremist Islamist Houthi group are increasing in power, and they are determined to eliminate Christians and uphold Sharia (Islamic law). There is no freedom of religion.
- Other regions are ruled by al-Qaeda and so-called Islamic State, which are equally brutal in trying to quash Christianity.
Who is particularly vulnerable in Yemen?
- All Christians are in danger in Yemen. Those in Houthi-held areas live under the strictest prohibitions against Christianity – with a high level of monitoring and spying, it’s very difficult for Christians to meet up in person and online.
- Christians trying to survive in places where al-Qaeda and the so-called Islamic State have power are also in danger of being discovered and killed.
What has changed in Yemen in the past year?
- Yemen rose by two spots on this year’s World Watch List. Increasing Houthi power and further radicalisation means dozens of Christian house churches can no longer meet.
- There is more fear than a year ago, and fewer opportunities to talk about Jesus. At least one believer was killed for his faith in 2024.
- But Yemenis disillusioned with Islam are searching for truth and finding out about Christ through online chats with secret Christians.
How can I help Christians in Yemen?
- Please keep praying for your brothers and sisters in Yemen. Your prayers make an enormous difference to those following Jesus no matter the cost.
Open Doors partners support the body of Christ in Yemen by raising prayer, distributing relief aid, training believers and pastors, and offering shelter, protection and livelihood support to persecuted believers and their relatives.
*Name changed for security reasons
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