Serving Persecuted Christians Worldwide - Home - Open Doors UK & Ireland

Over 365 million Christians face persecution and discrimination - that's one in seven believers worldwide. You can stand with believers counting the highest cost for following Jesus.

Get involved

Your support helps persecuted Christians continue to courageously follow Jesus.
Together, we can reach those where persecution hits hardest.

World Watch List

Open Doors’ annual ranking of the countries where Christians face the most extreme persecution.

World Watch List Map
World Watch List Map
Levels of persecution:
  •   Extreme
  •   Very High
View country profiles
2024 ranking
  1. North Korea
  2. Somalia
  3. Libya
  4. Eritrea
  5. Yemen
Explore the list

Prayer and praise

Please pray
Pray that each persecuted Christian woman or girl would be seen, valued and empowered to fulfil her God-given potential.
Give thanks
That God is using Open Doors partners to equip persecuted Christian women with livelihood projects so they can support their families.
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Subscribe to our monthly email to hear stories of courageous faith from the field and hear how you can make an impact for persecuted Christians.

Courageous Christians

These women are bravely following Jesus despite enormous opposition, or raising support and awareness for the persecuted church. This is the worldwide family of Christians

Sara Iraq
Sara was rejected by her father and told she was worthless - all because she chose to become a Christian.
Meet Sara
 
Xuan Vietnam
Xuan (name changed) faces persecution for her faith and her gender, but her passion for Jesus means she keeps taking risks to help others know Christ.
Meet Xuan
 
Simin Iran
Simin (name changed) from Iran has experienced hostility from the authorities, her workplace and even her own family. She perseveres in serving Christian women.
Meet Simin
 
Aisha Nigeria
Aisha’s village was attacked by Fulani militants, and she was brutally attacked. Open Doors trauma care is helping her see change.
Meet Aisha
 
Ji Ho N. Korea
Ji Ho’s (name changed) dad was taken away by North Korean secret police after they found a Bible buried in their garden.
Meet Ji Ho
 
Ani Syria
Ani in Syria was targeted for her faith and her gender. In one of the latest Prayer News videos, she shares her story of persecution and hope.
Meet Ani
 
Leah Nigeria
Leah Sharibu was kidnapped by Islamic militants six years ago. Because she refused to denounce Jesus, she has yet to be released.
Meet Leah
 
Aminah East Africa
When Aminah’s husband discovered she’d converted to Christianity, he beat her and then isolated her from her new community. She is still standing strong.
Meet Aminah

 

Get involved

Your support helps persecuted Christians continue to courageously follow Jesus.
Together, we can reach those where persecution hits hardest.