PRAY FOR LIBYA
– That the rule of law is established in Libya and stability returns.
– That secret believers find a way to follow Jesus in safety and fellowship.
– For migrant Christians. Ask God to protect them from being targeted.
WORLD WATCH LIST
Libya
#9Libya remains incredibly dangerous for Christians. Most are forced underground.
bottomIt's too dangerous for any Libyan believer to share a quote.
Country
Profile
- Region
- North Africa
- Sources of persecution
- Islamic Oppression,
Clan oppression,
Organised corruption and crime - Population
- 7,038,000
- Christian population
- 36,300
- Religions
- Islam
- Leader
- Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh
- Score
- 87
What’s Life Like For Christians?
The absence of a single central government to impose law and order has made the situation precarious for Christians in Libya. The level of violence against them is categorised as “very high”. Since the arrest of several Libyan Christians in March 2023, authorities have stepped up their monitoring of Christian activities on the internet.
Muslim background believers face intense pressure to renounce their faith from family and community. All follow Jesus in secret.
Foreign Christians, mostly from other parts of Africa, are targeted by various Islamic extremist groups and organised criminal gangs. These groups traffic and kidnap foreign Christians, demanding ransoms or forcing them into hard labour. Their faith makes them more vulnerable to such abuse. It is believed that many migrant Christians die at sea each year trying to reach Europe or die from abuse in detention camps.
Who Is Most Vulnerable To Persecution?
Christians are in danger everywhere in Libya, but particularly where violent Islamic extremists are active. The few converts from Islam are highly vulnerable and forced into the shadows. Migrant Christians from Sub-Saharan Africa face discrimination for their ethnicity and even greater danger if their faith is discovered. Female converts to Christianity risk house arrest, domestic violence, sexual assault, forced marriage, and “honour killing”. Men face imprisonment, eviction, abuse, and even torture.
What Does Open Doors Do To Help?
In cooperation with local partners and churches, Open Doors supports believers in North Africa through leadership and discipleship training, trauma counselling, prayer, and livelihood assistance.
