45 Comoros

Persecution Type
  • Islamic oppression (Strong)
  • Dictatorial paranoia (Medium)
Christian population

4,700

Government

Federal Presidential Republic

Main Religion

Islam

Leader

President Azali Assoumani

What does persecution look like in Comoros?

The majority of the people in Comoros follow Sunni Islam—instituted as the state religion in 2018. Christians are forbidden from sharing the gospel, and any distribution of Bibles or religious materials to a Muslim is illegal. Sunni Muslims are the only ones allowed to participate in public religious celebrations, and Comoros does not have an official process to register non-Sunni religious groups. There are many reports of local communities ostracizing individuals suspected of converting from Islam to Christianity, which forces many converts to keep their faith a secret. Any Christian who evangelizes can face legal consequences, including a fine and up to a year in prison. Finally, in some parts of this small country, extremist groups are active and threaten believers. 

What changed this year?

Comoros held a position among the top 10 countries in the early years of the World Watch List. In recent years, it has consistently recorded scores surpassing 60 points. There is no difference this year, as the country continues to be an extremely difficult place for believers, particularly those who have converted from Islam. 

How can I pray?

  • Pray for Christians who have come to a saving knowledge of Christ out of Islam. Ask God to protect them.
  • Ask God to give secret Christians the knowledge that they belong to a global family. Ask Him to help them meet even one other Christian this year.
  • Pray that the government of Comoros will ease their restrictions on practicing the Christian faith and will treat all religions fairly.

45

Comoros

Comoros

World Watch List Rank 45
World Watch List Score 65.98 /100
Last year’s rank 53
Persecution Type Islamic oppression (Strong), Dictatorial paranoia (Medium) 
Leader President Aazali Assoumani 
Population 907,000 
Christians 4,600 Data source: Johnson T M and Zurlo G A, eds, World Christian Database (Leiden/Boston: Brill, accessed April 2022) 
Main Religion Islam
Government Federal presidential republic 
Region
Persecution Level Very High Persecution

In Comoros, choosing to leave Islam to follow Jesus is so risky that those who do so have little option but to keep their faith secret. In fact, it can even lead to prosecution. It is illegal for followers of any religion except Islam to evangelise, so any Christian who shares their faith could face legal consequences. This will likely involve a fine and up to a year in prison. In some parts of the country, extremist groups threaten believers with violence.

What changed this year?

Comoros has returned onto the World Watch List top 50 because of an increase in pressure by the government and local communities, as well as a rise in reported incidents of violence. The government has said publicly that there is only freedom of religion for foreigners living in the country, not Comorians.

The country was in the top ten of Open Doors’ World Watch List for a period in the 1990s and in the top 20 for several years after that. Despite the recent increase in opposition, the situation for Christians in the country is better than it was some 20 years ago.

How do we help?

Open Doors works through local partners to strength the persecuted church in East African islands through discipleship and economic empowerment projects.

PRAY FOR COMOROS

Pray for all Christians that are forced to keep their faith secret to have access to fellowship and discipleship

Pray for those facing pressure and persecution for their faith to feel the Holy Spirit empowering them to stand strong
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