Syria

The Church dates from the first century, and the Orthodox Church has a respected place in society. As long as Christians do not disturb communal harmony or threaten the government, they have freedom to worship. But the majority of the country is Muslim and the Church is restricted in its witness outside its own community. Muslim-background believers face rejection by family and friends, and churches are often afraid to receive them.

Examples of Persecution:

• In 2010, several evangelical churches and youth centres were closed by the government
• In Damascus, two Christian women were kidnapped.One jumped out of the moving car, but the other woman was taken and is still missing months later

Open Doors is: delivering Christian literature and providing leadership training, supporting outreach to minorities in the country and building bridges between the various Orthodox churches and the Protestant denominations by offering conferences

Please Pray:

• For wisdom for those involved in outreach to Muslims and the Druze people
• For churches helping to provide aid to the one million Iraqi refugees. Pray that many would be touched by the love of God
• That the government would have wisdom in responding to the many fundamental Islamic groups wanting to obtain influence.