Mauritania

The government restricts the evangelisation of Muslims and the distribution of non-Islamic religious materials. Conversion to another religion is punishable by death, although no such sentences have been carried out by the state recently. In 2008 there was an increase in the activity of Islamist groups and it was reported that they were threatening to kill Christians. The media are portraying Christians very negatively. In Mauritania, it is extremely difficult to be a Christian. Pressure on Muslim background believers remains high, coming from family, tribe members and leaders of local mosques. It is impossible for Mauritanian Christians to register their churches, so they must meet in secret.

Examples of Persecution:

• In 2010, a young woman was killed by her father and brothers because she refused to return to the Muslim faith.
• In late 2010, three believers were arrested after their names appeared on an Islamic website.

Open Doors is: providing Scriptures, literature and audio/visual materials to believers and assisting with micro credit for secret believers who face difficulties because of discrimination or job loss

Please Pray:

• That after the military coup which toppled the elected president in August 2008 there will be a peaceful return to genuine democracy
• That iwth many people nomadic and very poor, the few indigenous believers will grow in wisdom and perseverance.
• For a greater openness to the Gospel. Ask God to reveal himself to those who are seeking the truth