Afghanistan is #11 on Open Doors’ World Watch list, an annual ranking of the 50 countries where Christians face the most extreme persecution.
In Afghanistan, openly practicing your Christian faith is virtually impossible. Since the Taliban took control of the country, conversion is punishable by death under Islamic law. Women also face extreme human rights violations, and opportunities for them to work or learn have become nearly impossible.
Example story:
As a child, this man learned about Christ from his mother, and he became a devoted Christian. They had to keep their faith a secret. One day, the Taliban captured his hometown and raided his home, among many others. His other family members were murdered, leaving only him and his mother. During their search, the Taliban found Christian books and materials, so his mother was terrified of the consequences to the two of them. She sent him to the airport so he could escape the country. The Taliban began to hunt for him. They tortured his mother for information regarding his whereabouts, but she refused to betray him. However, one day the calls stopped, and he never heard from his mother again.