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Afghanistan
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Under Taliban rule, Afghan Christians survive only in hidden, fragmented communities.
“Being a secret believer [in Afghanistan] is like walking on the edge of a blade. It’s full of caution, pain, but also hope and strength.”
Persecution Type
- Islamic oppression (Very strong)
- Clan oppression (Very strong)
- Dictatorial paranoia (Very strong)
- Organized corruption and crime (Strong)
Christian population
Thousands (estimate)
Government
Theocratic
Main Religion
Islam
Leader
Taliban Leader Haybatullah Akhundzada
What is persecution like in Afghanistan
Since the group retook power in August 2021, Christians have either fled the country or gone deeper underground. As far as the Taliban is concerned, it is not possible that any Afghan could be a Christian. Almost all believers are converts from Islam – and apostasy is considered punishable by death under Islamic law. To preserve their ‘honour’, families, clans and tribes feel obliged to deal harshly with those known to have turned to Christianity. Mere suspicion of conversion – such as avoiding mosque attendance – can trigger catastrophic consequences.
Given the immense risk of meeting with other believers, the church exists only in increasingly fragmented, secretive gatherings; this makes accurate assessment of their situation difficult. Those who have fled the country, or become Christians while living as refugees, have slightly more freedom, but also face intense challenges, including the threat of deportation.
What changed this year?
In the past year, an increasing number of Afghans who fled to Pakistan, Iran and other neighbouring countries have returned, often by force. They are likely to find increased suspicion and hostility on their return, because they are deemed to have betrayed their community and country by leaving. If a returnee is known as a Christian, they face another level of danger.
And in a further attempt to exert control, since coming to power the Taliban has intensified random inspections of mobile phones, searching specifically for religious content. The Taliban also periodically cuts off the internet in an effort to control access to social media. In response, believers have resorted to extreme measures: abandoning digital communications, using coded language, or relocating.