Persecution Stories<h2>Coronavirus is a new crisis for persecuted believers in Syria</h2>
<div class="feature_image"><a href="/news/stories/syria-coronavirus-qamishli/"><img alt="Rikiya" src="/news/stories/syria-coronavirus-qamishli/syria-covid-469.jpg" /> </a></div>
<p>You might remember Pastor George in Qamishli, Syria. Open Doors shared his story last autumn, when Turkish armed forces entered the north east of Syria.</p>
<p>Thousands of you prayed for and supported Pastor George and his congregation and the many persecuted Christians who had to flee their homes.</p>
<p>Now, a new crisis has come to Qamishli: coronavirus</p>
<p><a href="/news/stories/syria-coronavirus-qamishli/">Read more</a></p>
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<div class="quote roboto">"Now is the time to stand by the people, support them and show Jesus’ love in difficult times."</div>
<div class="subquote roboto">- Pastor George, Syria
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uuid:0a69ee66-4481-4d4e-94ca-7e5f8f5c49fa;6372814680000000002020-06-19T07:00:00Zuuid:5f1335d2-13b2-ea11-a82a-000d3a2cff99;637582459270000000Colombian Christians expelled due to Covid-19<p>During the coronavirus pandemic, the persecution of Christians in Colombia has increased as believers are being blamed for the virus. </p>
2020-06-19T07:00:00Z2021-06-02T15:52:07ZRebecca Coatsworthuuid:77ff52fb-d7af-ea11-a82a-000d3a2cff99;6378356608300000005 ways Covid-19 is affecting North Korea<p>Officially, North Korea still claims to have had no cases of Covid-19. But experts think this is unlikely, and that coronavirus is having a severe impact on the country.</p>
2020-06-16T07:00:00Z2022-03-22T17:14:43ZSimon Thomasuuid:84ffeae0-1baf-ea11-a82a-000d3a2cff99;637582459270000000Over 80 people killed in Boko Haram attack2020-06-15T09:00:00Z2021-06-02T15:52:07ZRebecca Coatsworth<p><em>15 June 2020</em></p><p>Tragically, 81 people have been killed after the ISWAP faction of Boko Haram carried out a massive attack in the north-east of Nigeria.</p><p>The militants drove into Faduma Koloram village in Gubio district, Borno state, on Tuesday 9 June, opening fire on residents, who said the onslaught lasted for more than two hours. The Nigerian military said many women and children were among the dead. One survivor told CNN that the attackers had told the villagers they were going to deliver a religious sermon and asked them to hand over any weapons before they started firing. “Suddenly, they started shooting at will. Even children and women were not spared. Many were shot at close range,” the villager said.</p><p>It appears the attack may have come because the militants suspected residents of sharing information on the terror group's movements with security authorities. Nigeria's president instructed his military to ‘extract a heavy price’ from the suspected militants.</p><p>According to Open Doors contacts, it appears that no Christians were harmed in this attack, as they had already fled from the area because of the Boko Haram insurgency.</p><p>Violence in Nigeria, which is number 12 on the World Watch List, has only increased, largely due to Islamic extremist groups and militant Fulani herdsmen, who target Christian villages and communities. Nigeria remains the country where Christians are most likely to be killed for their faith. </p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://worldwatch.opendoorsuk.org/persecution/world-watch-list/nigeria/">What’s life like for Christians in Nigeria?</a></p><p>Please join us in praying for the village of Faduma Koloram and all those affected by this attack.</p><h2>PLEASE PRAY:</h2><ul><li>For the families of the 81 people who were killed, that they would know God’s comforting presence with them, and that they would receive the support and healing that they need</li><li>For the attackers, that they would be brought to justice, and that God would bring peace to Nigeria</li><li>That the Nigerian government would have the wisdom and resources to protect their people.</li></ul>uuid:2ae1a65d-f2ae-ea11-a82a-000d3a2cff99;637281636010000000Your support helps victims of Cyclone Amphan in Bangladesh<p>In the aftermath of Super Cyclone Amphan, many thousands of persecuted Bangladeshi Christians are desperate for urgent aid. Open Doors partners were already providing Covid-19 aid in the area, so could scale up distribution and support.</p>2020-06-15T07:00:00Z2020-06-19T11:40:01ZSimon Thomasuuid:43dc673f-baac-ea11-a82a-000d3a2cff99;637582459270000000"God's provision is always on time" - how your support is reaching persecuted Christians in Asia<p>Thanks to your continuing incredible prayers and support, persecuted Christians in Asia are receiving the aid they need during this Covid-19 crisis, many of whom have lost incomes due to national lockdowns and restrictions. If you’re struggling to keep track, here’s how Open Doors partners have been at work in Asia recently.</p>
2020-06-12T07:00:00Z2021-06-02T15:52:07ZRebecca Coatsworthuuid:1ecbb015-d3ab-ea11-a82a-000d3a2cff99;637281636010000000Iran: The underground church is sharing Christ’s love in Covid-19 crisis<p>Worshipping Jesus is risky at the best of times in Iran. In the coronavirus crisis, all face-to-face meetings between Christians ceased. But, thanks to your prayers and support, the underground church isn’t just surviving – they’re able to show God’s gene</p>
2020-06-11T07:00:00Z2020-06-19T11:40:01ZSimon Thomasuuid:8b2ada5c-49aa-ea11-a82a-000d3a2cff99;637281636010000000Yemeni Christians face the pandemic with lives of hope<p>With the country in ruins after years of civil war, Yemen is facing the challenge of coping with Covid-19. but Christians in the country are choosing to respond to the challenge with lives of prayer, faith and hope.</p>2020-06-10T07:00:00Z2020-06-19T11:40:01ZNick Pageuuid:0725bf86-d6a4-ea11-a82a-000d3a2cff99;637272999730000000Update: neglected Vietnamese Christians receive Covid-19 aid<p>In Vietnam, some Christians are being denied official aid when it is distributed by local authorities.</p>2020-06-09T10:00:00Z2020-06-09T11:46:13ZSimon Thomasuuid:1f6cf25a-af8f-ea11-a82a-000d3a2cff99;637582459260000000Update: Trinity's treatment in China has been postponed<p>Thanks to your prayers and support, Trinity (7), one of the children injured in the church bomb attack in Samarinda, Indonesia in 2016, has been receiving treatment for her injuries in China. However, the Chinese medical team who are working to help her recover have decided to postpone her treatment as it is causing her too much pain. </p>
2020-06-09T07:00:00Z2021-06-02T15:52:06ZRebecca Coatsworthuuid:fe5f6cc7-3ba7-ea11-a82a-000d3a2cff99;637281636010000000Indonesia: Your help is an answer to many Covid-19 prayers<p>Indonesian Christians are giving thanks to God for all who have supported them through this coronavirus crisis. Your help is an answer to their prayers. </p>
2020-06-05T07:00:00Z2020-06-19T11:40:01ZClaire Pageuuid:9968d3c5-b5a5-ea11-a82a-000d3a2cff99;6375824592700000003,000 Egyptian Christians without a church after illegal demolition<p>This Egyptian congregation had just finished building a new Sunday school room when their church was destroyed by local extremists.</p>2020-06-03T08:00:00Z2021-06-02T15:52:07ZRebecca Coatsworthuuid:28dd391a-a5a5-ea11-a82a-000d3a2cff99;637269517910000000Attacks during Covid-19: a letter from an Open Doors partner<p>An Open Doors partner in a Muslim-majority Asian country shares how Christians are being attacked during Covid-19 restrictions.</p>2020-06-03T07:00:00Z2020-06-05T11:03:11ZSimon Thomasuuid:5ab685b5-c2a1-ea11-a82a-000d3a2cff99;637269517910000000Sri Lanka and Covid-19: Christians help the neighbours who attacked them<p>Thanks to Open Doors supporters, a church in Sri Lanka that was attacked last September has provided food for its neighbours, including the attackers.</p>
2020-05-29T11:30:00Z2020-06-05T11:03:11ZClaire Pageuuid:2c19e322-c9a0-ea11-a82a-000d3a2cff99;637269517910000000Bangladesh: "You are a great friend in times of need"<p>Official aid often isn't reaching vulnerable Christians in Bangladesh. Thanks to the prayers and gifts of Open Doors supporters, our partners have been able to deliver vital food - and believers in Bangladesh share their heartfelt thanks.</p>
2020-05-29T07:00:00Z2020-06-05T11:03:11ZClaire Pageuuid:3fe3fad9-9da1-ea11-a82a-000d3a2cff99;637278964560000000“Each bag of rice brings hope”: an Open Doors partner in the Gulf shares her experience<p>Hana is an Open Doors partner in the Gulf. She travels and meets Christians who are desperate for food and aid, and are often overlooked when it is distributed - on top of the ostracism and persecution they already face.</p>
2020-05-29T07:00:00Z2020-06-16T09:27:36ZSimon Thomasuuid:a4fd1fa3-33a0-ea11-a82a-000d3a2cff99;637269517910000000Video: You answered Usha’s call for help<p>Open Doors partners in India were able to answer Usha's desperate phone call for help - now they've gone back to see how she and her community are coping.</p>
2020-05-27T10:00:00Z2020-06-05T11:03:11ZSimon Thomasuuid:482f30e9-ff9f-ea11-a82a-000d3a2cff99;637269517910000000Pentecost Prayers for the Persecuted Church<p>As we celebrate Pentecost together, it’s a good thing to remind ourselves: it all began in a house. Today, with so many of us still largely confined to our houses, this story has a special relevance. But we should remember that the house church has always been a powerful, dangerous, a revolutionary thing. And, in countries where meeting publicly as a Christian is banned, the Kingdom of God has not only survived in the house church, it has flourished and grown.</p>
2020-05-27T07:00:00Z2020-06-05T11:03:11ZNick Pageuuid:456820f0-379c-ea11-a82a-000d3a2cff99;637269517910000000Issam’s brother said “I won’t kill you”<p>When Issam in North Africa became a Christian, his family turned against him. But he stayed firm in his faith and now supports many new and isolated believers.</p>
2020-05-22T07:00:00Z2020-06-05T11:03:11ZSimon Thomasuuid:f1f86ea0-5b9b-ea11-a82a-000d3a2cff99;637835660840000000Is North Korea heading for another famine?<p>Experts on North Korea fear that the country is heading for another famine - like the one that killed 2-3 million North Koreans in the 1990s. The authorities refuse to confirm a coronavirus outbreak, but the borders remained closed.</p>
2020-05-21T07:00:00Z2022-03-22T17:14:44ZSimon Thomasuuid:b59a58b4-e399-ea11-a82a-000d3a2cff99;637274632680000000“I am overjoyed!”: Thank you from Nigeria<p>Thanks to your support, persecuted Christians in Naka, Nigeria, received essential aid just before the coronavirus lockdown. Pastor Sule sends his thanks.</p>
2020-05-19T08:30:00Z2020-06-11T09:07:48ZSimon Thomasuuid:ec1ec391-1f99-ea11-a82a-000d3a2cff99;637582459270000000Thousands of Christians in Asia are surviving the lockdown thanks to your support<p>Thanks to your incredible support and continuing prayers, Open Doors partners have been able to distribute vital food aid to Christians in Asia who have lost incomes due to national lockdowns and restrictions in response to Covid-19. Other means of support, such as training, ‘presence’ ministry and encouragement, are being provided over the internet for those with access to it.</p>
2020-05-18T07:00:00Z2021-06-02T15:52:07ZRebecca Coatsworthuuid:d8a16481-b080-ea11-a82a-000d3a2cff99;637582459260000000Sub-Saharan Africa and the coronavirus: “Your prayer is the most effective weapon to reach out to persecuted believers”<p>While many countries around the world are in the midst of or are starting to emerge from the worst of the coronavirus pandemic, countries across sub-Saharan Africa are just beginning to feel its impact – and many of the countries that are affected are places where Christians suffer some of the worst persecution in the world. The directors for Open Doors in West and East Africa ask for your continued prayers.</p>
2020-05-14T07:00:00Z2021-06-02T15:52:06ZRebecca Coatsworthuuid:5fedec7d-0c95-ea11-a82a-000d3a2cff99;637269517910000000Ramadan in Indonesia: ‘The perfect time to preach the Gospel'<p>Christians in Indonesia face persecution and violence. And it gets worse during Ramadan. But that doesn’t stop Christians like Samir, Sarwo and Lina trying to witness to their neighbours. “Ramadan is actually the perfect time to preach the gospel. It is easy to engage Muslims during this time and tell them about God’s salvation.”</p>2020-05-13T07:00:00Z2020-06-05T11:03:11ZNick Pageuuid:554933b9-e87f-ea11-a82a-000d3a2cff99;637261711800000000Coronavirus: crisis and relief in Asia<p>As coronavirus and the lockdown continue to have an impact across the world, this post updates Open Doors supporters on the needs, prayers and impact of support across Asia.</p>
2020-05-12T10:00:00Z2020-05-27T10:13:00ZSimon Thomasuuid:7a7718c7-6494-ea11-a82a-000d3a2cff99;637582459260000000Dangerous discipleship: "I thought I was the only believer in Yemen"<p>A secret resistance is growing in Yemen despite the ongoing war: the church. And it’s growing because brave individuals like Mohammad are hearing God’s call and stepping out in faith.</p>
2020-05-12T09:00:00Z2021-06-02T15:52:06ZRebecca Coatsworthuuid:827d993c-2f94-ea11-a82a-000d3a2cff99;637269517910000000Coronavirus: another crisis for Pastor George’s church in Syria<p>Pastor George's church in Qamishli, northern Syria, was badly hit by the crisis last autumn when Turkish forces invaded. The economy is still devastated - and coronavirus lockdown has hit them with another crisis. Please pray and support them.</p>
2020-05-12T07:00:00Z2020-06-05T11:03:11ZSimon Thomasuuid:fc75ffbf-1183-ea11-a82a-000d3a2cff99;637249662950000000Journey through Ramadan with Secret Believers<p><strong>Ramadan is the most sacred month of the year for Muslims.</strong> It’s a period of fasting and praying, reflection, and gathering together as a community. But for Christians in Muslim countries, Ramadan can be an isolating, even dangerous time. It’s especially hard for secret Christians who come from Muslim backgrounds. They must either hide their faith and pretend to follow Ramadan or reveal their faith and face ostracism, anger and even violence from their families and communities. So please will you pray with and support our persecuted brothers and sisters during this time? </p>2020-05-08T07:00:00Z2020-05-13T11:31:35ZNick Pageuuid:72c0db7b-5590-ea11-a82a-000d3a2cff99;637269517910000000Kabil trains secret believers in North Africa<p>In North Africa, Kabil runs discipleship programmes for new, often secret, believers - over a decade, thousands of believers have benefited. But he had a painful choice to make when he became a Christian.</p>2020-05-07T07:00:00Z2020-06-05T11:03:11ZSimon Thomasuuid:9bce067e-7690-ea11-a82a-000d3a2cff99;63726951791000000013 years in prison for Jesus: Dok’s amazing story of faith<p>Dok, in Laos, was imprisoned for his Christian faith. His wife didn't know where he was. But his testimony of God's faithfulness is extraordinay.</p>2020-05-07T04:00:00Z2020-06-05T11:03:11ZSimon Thomasuuid:7da20528-a68f-ea11-a82a-000d3a2cff99;637269517910000000Coronavirus in the Middle East and North Africa<p>How has coronavirus and the lockdown affected believers in the Middle East and North Africa?</p>
2020-05-06T13:00:00Z2020-06-05T11:03:11ZSimon Thomasuuid:80ee4491-2e48-ea11-a828-000d3a2cff99;637582459250000000UPDATE: Iranian convert Mary Mohammadi sentenced to 3 months in prison<p>Iranian convert Mary, a Christian rights activist in Iran, has been given a suspended prison sentence. Please pray for her and her family. </p>
2020-05-06T07:00:00Z2021-06-02T15:52:05ZRebecca Coatsworthuuid:8267e826-768f-ea11-a82a-000d3a2cff99;637269517910000000Ramadan in the Gulf: ‘Christians are often told to remain hidden'<p>This year, Ramadan runs from sunset on Thursday 23 April – Saturday 23 May . To help you pray during this time, for each week of Ramadan we are releasing stories about the experience of persecuted Christians during the fast. This week, Hannah*, an Open Doors partner in the Gulf region, shares her experience of what life is like for Christians during Ramadan, in a strongly Islamic region, where our brothers and sisters live under constant pressure.</p>2020-05-06T07:00:00Z2020-06-05T11:03:11ZNick Pageuuid:920cd735-7b8f-ea11-a82a-000d3a2cff99;637269517910000000Reborn in the womb of God: Eddie Lyle on self-isolation<p>In this excerpt from a new book, Eddie Lyle, President of Open Doors UK and Ireland, shares how a Syrian prayer and a Syrian monk have helped him in coronavirus self-isolation.</p>2020-05-06T07:00:00Z2020-06-05T11:03:11ZSimon Thomasuuid:2711ed39-ba8e-ea11-a82a-000d3a2cff99;637269517910000000Your support helps secret believers in the Middle East stay connected during Covid-19<p>Across the Middle East, online activities are more crucial than ever – because secret Christians are more isolated than ever. That’s why, through our partners, Open Doors is stepping up its online presence in this area with training, community and spiritual encouragement. Your prayers and gifts are vital to make this possible for all who need it.</p>
2020-05-05T07:00:00Z2020-06-05T11:03:11ZSimon Thomasuuid:daa062b0-1a8e-ea11-a82a-000d3a2cff99;637244628370000000Faith over Fear: New downloadable Psalm 91 talk for online services<p>Looking for a ready-to-use talk for your online service? 'Faith over Fear: Lockdown lessons from the persecuted church' is a new, free downloadable talk which you can use in any online church service or meeting. </p>
2020-05-04T07:00:00Z2020-05-07T15:40:37ZNick Pageuuid:97813dba-f08a-ea11-a82a-000d3a2cff99;637582459260000000Good news for Iranian prisoner Amin Khaki<p>Iranian Christians are thankful that Christian convert, Amin Khaki, has been informed by prison authorities that he is released after a 14-month sentence. Many Open Doors supporters prayed for Amin and sent messages of encouragement.</p>
2020-04-30T07:00:00Z2021-06-02T15:52:06ZRebecca Coatsworthuuid:95e47eef-ff89-ea11-a82a-000d3a2cff99;637582459260000000Ramadan in Africa: ‘My God has been sustaining me, so I fear nothing’<p>In week two of our stories from Ramadan, we meet Achiam, from Chad. Achaim knows all about isolation. Not only is she blind from birth, she has also chosen to follow Christ, making her an outcast among her own family and community. Find out how her faith is sustaining her. She says, “I know the end of this situation is not for tomorrow, but I also know my God will continue to sustain me." </p>
2020-04-29T06:30:00Z2021-06-02T15:52:06ZRebecca Coatsworthuuid:7f60a439-4e89-ea11-a82a-000d3a2cff99;637835660860000000What does Kim Jong-un's health mean for North Korea's secret Christians?<p>Rumours have recently been circulating about the health of North Korea’s leader, Kim Jong-un. But what does this mean for the country’s secret Christians?</p>
2020-04-28T07:00:00Z2022-03-22T17:14:46ZRebecca Coatsworthuuid:f477a9e4-5689-ea11-a82a-000d3a2cff99;637242058060000000Safe at home: strengthening girls and women at risk<p>During coronavirus lockdown, many women across the world face an increase in domestic violence. In many parts of the world, women are already vulnerable to persecution for their gender AND their faith - and the lockdown could exacerbate this.</p>
2020-04-28T03:30:00Z2020-05-04T16:16:46ZSimon Thomasuuid:bf7a46dd-6f88-ea11-a82a-000d3a2cff99;637242058060000000Beating isolation: social media throws a lifeline to secret believers<p>Islèm is a secret believer from North Africa. She found out about Jesus through social media - and has to keep her faith hidden from her family. Can you help isolated believers find fellowship?</p>
2020-04-27T07:00:00Z2020-05-04T16:16:46ZSimon Thomas