3 Libya
What does persecution look like in Libya?
Libya continues to be a place with very little political stability. Much of the country exists in a sort of perpetual anarchy, ruled over by militias linked to the official government (in the West of the country) or by the Libyan National Army (in the East), with strong Islamist influences in both cases. Due to lawlessness, Christians can easily be targets for violence and death.
Converts from Islam face the most intense and violent pressure from their family and community. They risk house arrest, attack, abduction, sexual violence and murder. It is incredibly dangerous for converts to meet together to worship, and church life is almost non-existent.
Even Christians who aren’t Libyan or converts are at risk. Christians from other parts of Africa are targeted by extremist groups. Christians have been kidnapped and, in a few high-profile incidents, brutally murdered. Christians from Sub-Saharan Africa—many of whom come to Libya as displaced people trying to get to Europe—face additional risk. Because of their lack of official status, they can be kidnapped and trafficked, and extremist groups target these believers, as well.
What changed this year?
Libya continues to be one of the most dangerous places in the world to be a Christian. And this year, the violence against believers rose. It’s clear there is no safe part of Libya for any believer. Allegiance to Jesus is enough to result in pressure and violence.
How can I pray?
- Libya remains deeply unstable, and parts of the country have little rule of law. This leads to danger for God’s people. Pray for stability and that order will come to Libya.
- Ask God to protect migrant Christians. Pray they would be protected from militant extremists.
- Pray that God would help His people be able to find fellowship with one another. Ask God to give the Libyan church the ability to meet.
Libya
Libya
World Watch List Rank | 3 |
World Watch List Score | 88.46 /100 |
Last year’s rank | 4 |
Persecution Type | Islamic oppression (Very strong), Organized corruption and crime (Strong), Clan oppression (Strong) |
Leader | Interim Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Mohammed Dbeibah |
Population | 7,041,000 |
Christians | 35,400 Data source: Johnson T M and Zurlo G A, eds, World Christian Database (Leiden/Boston: Brill, accessed April 2022) |
Main Religion | Islam |
Government | In transition |
Region | Middle East North Africa |
Persecution Level | Extreme Persecution |
What changed this year?
How we help
PRAY FOR LIBYA
Pray that God would break the power of the organised criminal gangs exploiting vulnerable people
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