Christian Persecution In The Modern Era: A Continuing Crisis

 

Christian persecution is not limited to history. Despite developments in global human rights, millions of Christians continue to face discrimination, violence, and oppression in various parts of the world, especially in Islamic countries. The modern era is marked by more sophisticated, state-sanctioned, and extremist-driven persecution, particularly in regions like the Middle East, Africa, and Asia.

Middle East and North Africa: Post-ISIS Challenges and Regional Extremism:

One of the most severe episodes of modern Christian persecution occurred with the rise of ISIS in Iraq and Syria. During 2014–2017, ISIS forced over 200,000 Christians to flee northern Iraq, destroying homes, churches, and communities​. Even though ISIS has largely been dismantled, Christians in Iraq and Syria remain vulnerable, with slow rebuilding efforts in towns like Qaraqosh and Mosul. Hungary’s “Hungary Helps” program, among others, has assisted in rebuilding homes and churches, but the process is still fraught with insecurity​.

In regions like Egypt, Christians, especially Copts, face routine harassment, church bombings, and mob violence. Attacks on Christians have persisted, particularly in rural areas, despite government efforts to combat Islamist extremism.

Sub-Saharan Africa: The Epicenter of Jihadist Violence

Sub-Saharan Africa has emerged as one of the deadliest regions for Christians in modern days. In countries like Nigeria, the extremist group Boko Haram and ISIS affiliates in the Sahel region have carried out systematic violence against Christians, killing thousands. The August 2024 massacre in Barsalogho, Burkina Faso, left nearly 400 civilians dead, most of them Christians.​

Boko Haram’s campaign of terror against Nigerian Christians continues to cause massive displacement and loss of life.

Asia: State-Sanctioned Oppression and Extremist Violence

Pakistan: Blasphemy Laws and Mob Violence

In Pakistan, Christians are a tiny minority, constituting less than 5% of the population, yet they face severe persecution. The country’s controversial blasphemy laws have frequently been used to target Christians. Even unsubstantiated accusations can lead to lynchings, mob violence, and lengthy imprisonments. The recent case of Nazir Maish (Lazarus), a Christian man of 73 years who was killed by a mob for allegedly burning the Quran on 25th May 2024, grabbed international attention to Pakistan’s blasphemy laws, though thousands of similar cases persist.​

Attacks on churches and Christian communities are common, and many Christians live in fear of reprisal. Despite international pressure, Pakistan’s legal framework continues to leave religious minorities vulnerable, as extremists often use these laws to settle personal scores or target marginalized groups.

India: Rising Hindu Nationalism

In India, rising Hindu nationalism under the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has led to a surge in violence against religious minorities, especially Christians. Radical Hindu groups, encouraged by political protection, have carried out attacks on Christian communities, accusing them of forced conversions. According to reports, churches have been burned, pastors attacked, and Christians forcibly re-converted to Hinduism.

In July 2024, the High Court in Kerala upheld religious freedom by allowing citizens to change their religion on official documents, a move seen as crucial in a country where religious identity is increasingly politicized​.

However, in rural areas, Christians are often ostracized, denied access to community resources, and even physically attacked for practicing their faith.

Iran: Targeting Christian Converts and Ethnic Minorities

Iran, a theocratic state governed by Sharia law, is notorious for persecuting Christian converts, especially those from Muslim backgrounds. While ethnic Christian minorities like Armenians and Assyrians are allowed to practice their faith under strict regulations, Muslim converts face imprisonment, torture, and even execution. In 2024, the election of Masoud Pezeshkian as Iran’s new president brought no significant change to the status of Christians. Pezeshkian’s government continues to uphold harsh measures against Christian converts, and underground churches are frequently raided by security forces​.

Reports have documented that many Christians in Iran, mainly converts, are arrested under charges of “acting against national security,” a vague term often used to suppress religious minorities. The case of Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani, who was arrested and sentenced to death for apostasy, reflects the ongoing dangers for Christians in Iran.

International Efforts to Address Persecution:

Despite the alarming situation, global efforts to address Christian persecution have been inconsistent. Christian Organizations have been at the forefront of providing aid, raising awareness, and advocating for persecuted Christians. Countries like Hungary have taken bold steps, mainly through the Hungary Helps initiative, to support persecuted Christian communities in the Middle East directly​.

However, broader international responses have often been muted due to political sensitivities and concerns over disrupting diplomatic relationships with countries where persecution is rampant. The U.S. State Department’s Office of International Religious Freedom and the European Union have documented abuses and sanctioned governments, but much more needs to be done to provide comprehensive protection for Christians worldwide.

Original source: https://ecspe.org/christian-persecution-in-the-modern-era-a-continuing-crisis/