The church in Turkey and Syria needs help

You can help women like Sahar from Iran see change.

Over 360 million Christians suffer persecution and discrimination. They follow Jesus, no matter the cost. With your help, we're bringing them resources and hope.

Get involved

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

Earthquake crisis appeal

Standing Strong regional events: book your place

Help women see change today

Syria and Turkey: Latest updates

Sahar from Iran: forced to leave home

World Watch List

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

Levels of persecution:

Extreme
Very High

1 in 7

Christians around the world are persecuted for their faith

80,000

North Korean Christians were given emergency food and medicine through Chinese networks

5,621

Christians were murdered for their faith last year

2,110

churches and Christian buildings were attacked last year

5,259

Christians were abducted last year

View country profiles

2023 ranking

North Korea
Somalia
Yemen
Eritrea
Libya

Explore the list

Latest stories

Syria | March 23, 2023

Ibrahim shares spiritual lessons he’s learning during the earthquake crisis

Iran | March 21, 2023

How Sahar from Iran is seeing change

Central Asia | March 21, 2023

Why Christians like Samil can face more persecution during Ramadan

Niger | March 21, 2023

Abducted Christian aid worker in Niger released after six-and-a-half years in captivity

Prayer and praise

Please pray

Pray for everybody affected by the earthquakes in Syria and Turkey as they mourn, and as they look to rebuilding and restoration for the long-term.

Give thanks

That Pastgor Nadarkhani from Iran is one of several Christian prisoners who has now been released - many Open Doors supporters have faithfully prayer for him for years.

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Courageous Christians

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

Sahar Iran

Sahar was forced to leave home because of her faith. She and her husband have reconciled – but had to flee Iran for safety.
Meet Sahar

Nadia Arabian Peninsula

Nadia (name changed) found Jesus when she was at her lowest ebb – now she sees the power of prayer at work in her life and the people around her.
Meet Nadia

Rebecca North Korea

Rebecca (name changed) is an Open Doors fieldworker taking extraordinary risks to support North Korean refugee women through secret networks in China.
Meet Rebecca

Esther DRC

Esther’s husband was murdered for his faith by Islamic militants. Open Doors partners have been supporting Esther and her children ever since.
Meet Esther

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

Jina Syria

Jina’s husband Rober was abducted for his faith – she hasn’t seen him since, and is raising their son Apo on her own. But Open Doors local partners are providing financial help and family. Meet Jina

Elizabeth Colombia

Elizabeth (6) is from Colombia. Her parents work at the Children’s Centre run by Open Doors local partners. “When it’s dark, Jesus makes sure I don’t fall,” she says.
Meet Elizabeth

Vian Iraq

Vian found trauma care at an Open Doors Centre of Hope after she had to flee so-called Islamic State. Now she's able to give that trauma support to others.
Meet Vian