World Watch List 2010:

#6. Afghanistan

To be a Christian in Afghanistan is still extremely difficult, particularly because the constitution is based on Islamic principles. Furthermore, Islam is the state religion and laws cannot contradict the beliefs and provisions of Islam. This reporting period was harsh for the Christians as the influence of Islam increased with the expansion of Taliban influence in many provinces.

The Taliban threatened expatriate workers, Christian aid workers and local Christians. The social pressure from family and society is still immense for Christians. Local people who didn't hide their Christian conversion often received threats of violence and even death against themselves and their families. The threats were intended to produce anxiety, fear and to force believers to renounce their new faith. In some cases, new believers were harmed and Christians were kidnapped.

Furthermore, Christians faced discrimination at school, at work and when working with authorities. Consequently, most Christians do not publicly express their belief or feel free to attend groups of believers coming together. As far as we know, contrary to last year, nobody has been killed for their faith. Despite all harshness, Christianity is still growing in Afghanistan.

About the Church (Persecution: Oppression)

The constitution states "no law can be contrary to the beliefs and provisions of Islam." Blasphemy and apostasy are capital crimes.
Most Christians are secret believers unable even to own a Bible.
If exposed, Christians face fierce reprisals from family, community and the Taliban, including expulsion from their homes, verbal and physical abuse, intimidation, beatings, loss of employment, imprisonment and even death.
There is no visible Church; yet the Church continues to grow. The number of Christians is not exactly known, estimates vary between 3.000 and 10.000.
Most pressure against local Christians comes from within their family and social network.
Groups of believers in different regions of the country are meeting together in fellowship. Some believers are moving forward in ministry opportunities. A few Afghans are reaching out to each other.
More than two thirds of Afghans over the age of 15 cannot read or write. Because of illiteracy, seekers and believers throughout the country are listening to Christian radio programs and requesting materials. It's very difficult for them to receive materials.
In places where the Taliban dominate local rule, they have been known to harass Christians. Pressure from the Taliban movement increased during 2009.
Approximately 40% of the population is unemployed.

Examples of Persecution:

In previous years: In July 2007, 23 Korean Christians were kidnapped, of whom two were killed. A Western Christian aid worker in the capital Kabul was killed in Oct. 2008 because she was spreading Christianity. The Open Doors World Watch List, 2009
Not many situations of persecution are brought out into the open through publication. From trusted sources in the country, we know that most of the persecution occurs through family members, house owners, employers or through the police. Several people had to find refuge in another town or nearby country because of the pressure on them and their family. As soon as people are known as Christians, they face physical abuse, discrimination in the workplace or harassment from the police. During a normal traffic control, police found Christian materials on an Afghan man and he was physically beaten by the police.
Several expatriate and national Christians have been the target of vicious telephone and email threats.

Role of Open Doors:

Open Doors partners with other organizations in providing Scriptures, literature and audio/video materials.
Open Doors partners with other organizations in the production, broadcasting and follow up of Christian radio programs in various languages spoken in Afghanistan.
When appropriate relief or micro credit is provided for secret believers who face difficulties because of discrimination or job loss.

Key Statistics:

About one in five children dies before their fifth birthday. Afghanistan has one of the highest maternal mortality rates in the world, nearly one in 50 births.
Most people lack access to safe drinking water and sanitary facilities. Disease, malnutrition, poverty are widespread.
A survey of the Afghan government shows that as many as 66% of the population suffers from some mental affliction, from anxiety to severe depression.
About 42 percent of the country's estimated 27 million people live on less than $1 a day, according to the US Agency for International Development (USAID).
There are about 1 million widows who have no source of income and are reduced to begging on the streets. Many are illiterate and employment is almost impossible to attain.
More than two thirds of Afghans over the age of 15 cannot read or write.
51% of the population uses the radio as main information source.
Afghanistan still produces 92 % of the world's supply of opium.
There are an estimated two million drug users in Afghanistan, which is more than 7% of the total population.
Average life expectancy is 44 years.

Prayer Points:

For those trying to provide training, resources and support for this hidden Church
For Christians staying in the country trying to establish viable livelihoods and build up the body of Christ
That persecutors will be impacted by the love of God.