Update: believer memorised scripture to prepare for arrest – now he’s been taken

The church in Yemen is facing an unprecedented crackdown, with more than 50 believers arrested in recent months – including one who memorised scripture in preparation for his inevitable arrest.

A believer in Yemen who said he wants to be a ‘walking Bible’, even in prison, is amongst the Christians detained in the recent crackdown in the country. 

“I will also be taken, there were vehicles with agents asking about me only a few days ago,” Majed* told Open Doors local partners towards the end of last year when the crackdown began. It was the last contact made with him.  

“Yes, it is a difficult season that we, as a church, are going through, but we are the children of the King of Kings. Jesus told us that in this world we will have trouble, but He also promised us victory in Him, and this is what keeps us, and myself included, going.” 

For Majed, that included preparing for the inevitable. “I know it’s coming. In the meantime, I’m trying to memorise as many Bible passages and verses as possible. I want to be a walking Bible, so that wherever I’m taken, I can share about Jesus. May we be mirrors of our Saviour, in the way we speak and act.” 

Vanished but undiminished 

When local partners spoke with Majed, he shed light on what those in prison would be facing – and what he would likely encounter, too.  

“People I know very well are currently in pain, probably being tortured. Some are also scared, sitting in the dark prison cells. In my country, especially in this region [a Houthi controlled area], when someone is taken, they could vanish for months – three, eight, or even more – and we might not know anything about them until they’re released.” 

Now caught, Majed’s passion for the gospel and his beloved country will stay undiminished, reflecting the remarkable courage of our Yemeni family amidst intensifying hostility.  

“God has called us to be salt and light, this is what I pray I can be,” he said. “May God use me. Just like He was with Paul and Silas in prison in Philippi, I know that He will be with me. And if He is with me, who can be against me? They can kill the body, yes, but I pray that the ministry does not stop, we need Yemen to be for Christ. May He reign over my country. 

“May God intervene, amidst the problems and pain, and may He comfort us. Even when we are caught, we pray the work will continue. Ask God to raise up others who will continue sharing His light with the Yemeni people, those living in the dark, they deserve to know Him.” 

A costly calling 

Prior to his arrest, Majid could have escaped, but he chose to remain, knowing that it could be immensely costly.  

“I could escape, but others can’t,” he shared. “My vision is to change Yemen, and I can’t do that from abroad. If we all leave, who will stay and continue? I can’t and won’t leave the people I love behind. 

“Yemen needs light, it has been living in darkness for decades. Pray that change may happen. Pray that what is happening now will open the eyes of my dearly beloved Yemenis. May they realise that there are Christians in Yemen who believe in Jesus. May our struggles push them to believe in Him.” 

Thank you for praying for our Yemeni family amidst this unprecedented crackdown. Majed’s unwavering faith is a testament to not only the strength of the church in Yemen, but also the impact of your faithful prayers. Please continue to keep them in your prayers.  

*Name changed for security reasons  

Please pray  

• That Majed would indeed be ‘a walking Bible’, that there will be opportunities to share with others what he’s memorised, and that he’ll be the mirror of his Saviour 

• For strength, protection and wisdom for all those imprisoned, and peace, comfort and hope for their family and friends  

• That this season of hostility will become an opportunity for Yemeni people’s eyes to be opened to the truth of Jesus. 

14 January 2025

Crackdown on Christians in Yemen 

“We were waiting for some brothers who were coming to attend planned training,” says an Open Doors partner who works with Yemeni believers. “We do not know where they are and we cannot reach them.” 

This is one of many similar stories that have taken place in the past couple of weeks. Christians in Yemen are facing an unprecedented crackdown by the Yemeni authorities. Since the beginning of 2026, the Yemeni church has witnessed a record number of arrest and imprisonments, with more than 50 people being taken into custody already.  

Once detained, these believers effectively go missing.  

Held without contact for weeks 

Trusted sources suspect that the arrested will be held in secret locations for several weeks while they are being investigated and interrogated. We know from previous experiences that they are likely to be harshly interrogated with possible torture. During this time, family members do not receive any updates or information, and lawyers are not permitted to intervene. Prayer is the best and only means to have any influence over what is happening behind the closed doors of Yemeni police. 

“Most of the people that I was always in contact with are now imprisoned,” shares an Open Doors partner. “Along with local Open Doors partners, those that we can still reach, we are trying to find ways to help. Pray for wisdom to avoid making the situation worse.”  

Threats against Christians are circulating on social media and distributed as physical flyers. It seems that new alliances are joining forces to continue the crackdown on ‘infidel’ Christians across the country.  

This crackdown is unusually ferocious, but these are threats that Yemeni believers have sadly long lived with. Yemen is number three on the Open Doors World Watch List, making it one of the most dangerous places in the world to follow Jesus. Choosing to convert to Christianity comes with the death penalty for apostasy, and believers can face death threats from their family and community, too.  

Please pray 

Although governing parties in this country place immense pressure on Christians, we pray that the Prince of Peace would grant His church in Yemen protection, wisdom and refuge amid the ongoing chaos. We pray that the authorities discover that Christians have no political agenda and are a blessing to the country rather than a threat. 

Please join the Yemeni church in praying: 

• That this aggressive wave would stop, and the prisoners are released immediately without any harm 

• That every brother or sister that has been captured and taken into custody will find grace in the eyes of prison guards and interrogators, and that they will experience God with them in their most difficult moments 

• For God to protect those that have not been captured, giving them courage and hope  

• For God’s peace to fill the hearts of those whose loved ones have been arrested, and that God would grant them the ability to forgive their persecutors 

• That the church in Yemen will be strengthened during this time and not be crippled by fear. May our Lord give extraordinary power and bravery to His church in this time of sorrow to reflect God’s love to those around them.