How many Christians are there in Comoros?
There are around 4,700 Christians in Comoros. They comprise just 0.5% of the country’s population of 926,000.
How are Christians persecuted in Comoros?
The majority of the people in Comoros follow Sunni Islam, which was instituted as the state religion in 2018. Sunni Muslims are the only ones allowed to participate in public religious celebrations, and Comoros does not have an official process to register non-Sunni religious groups.
Christians are forbidden from sharing the gospel, and any distribution of Bibles or religious materials to a Muslim is illegal. There are many reports of local communities ostracising individuals suspected of converting from Islam to Christianity, which forces many converts to keep their faith a secret. Any Christian who evangelises can face legal consequences, including a fine and up to a year in prison.
In some parts of the country, extremist groups are active and threaten believers.
Meet 'Titus'
“I felt this was a test of my faith in Christ, but it turned out to be faith-strengthening.” Titus (name changed), who house was burned down three days after he became a Christian
What’s life like for Christians in Comoros?
Christians who convert from Islam are the most likely to face severe persecution from family and community. Women and girls who convert to Christianity from Islam can face disinheritance, forced marriage to a Muslim or divorce if they are already married. They are also vulnerable to being trafficked, as Comoros is known to be a hub for human trafficking.
Men who convert to Christianity can face enormous pressure from their families to return to Islam. They may be denied equal treatment in the home, verbally abused, and in some cases, even denied food. If a man is married and his faith is discovered, his wife might divorce him and kick him out of their home. These men may also find themselves out of work as employers tend to favour Muslims.
How can I help Christians in the region?
Please keep praying for your brothers and sisters in Comoros. Your prayers make an enormous difference to those following Jesus no matter the cost.
Open Doors works through local partners to strength the persecuted church in the East African islands through discipleship and economic empowerment projects.
Dear God, we pray for our brothers and sisters in Comoros. As they risk pressure and family rejection because they follow You, we ask You to help them see they aren’t alone. Give them encouragement, fellowship and a sense of belonging. We pray for safety and hope. And we ask You to open up the country of Comoros, that it might be a place where the gospel can flourish. We ask this in Your Son's name, Amen.
