PRAY FOR COMOROS
– Ask God to protect Christians who have recently converted out of Islam.
– Pray that secret Christians would feel connected to their global family.
– Pray that the government would ease their restrictions on Christians.
WORLD WATCH LIST
Comoros
#45Those who convert from Islam face severe persecution from family and community.
bottom“Barely three days after I decided to follow Christ, my house was burned down. I was only able to rescue my laptop. All I had was the clothes on my back. I felt this was a test of my faith in Christ, but it turned out to be faith strengthening.”
– Titus*, believer from a Muslim background
Country
Profile
- Region
- Africa
- Sources of persecution
- Islamic Oppression
- Population
- 926,000
- Christian population
- 4,700
- Religions
- Islam
- Leader
- President Azali Assoumani
- Score
- 66
What’s Life Like For Christians?
The majority of the people in Comoros follow Sunni Islam—instituted as the state religion in 2018. Christians are forbidden from sharing the gospel, and any distribution of Bibles or religious materials to a Muslim is illegal. Sunni Muslims are the only ones allowed to participate in public religious celebrations, and Comoros does not have an official process to register non-Sunni religious groups.
There are many reports of local communities ostracising individuals suspected of converting from Islam to Christianity, which forces many converts to keep their faith a secret.
Men often in with their in-laws after they’re married, which means that many male converts are dependent on their extended families for support. In this situation, his wife’s family has the power to put tremendous pressure on a convert to return to Islam, in some cases, leading to converts being denied food or even being kicked out of home.
Converts can also experience discrimination in the workplace. Employers favour Muslims, and many Christians are out of work. Any Christian who evangelises can face legal consequences., including a fine and up to a year in prison. In some parts of this small country, extremist groups are active and threaten believers.
Who Is Most Vulnerable To Persecution?
Christians who convert from Islam are the most likely to face severe persecution from family and community. Female converts from Islam are kept under close watch by their families and can face disinheritance, shunning, forced marriage to a Muslim, or divorce if they are already married. Christian women and girls are especially vulnerable to discrimination, house arrest, harassment, and abuse. They are also vulnerable to trafficking, especially, as Comoros is known to be a hub for human trafficking.
What Does Open Doors Do To Help?
Open Doors works through local partners to strength the persecuted church in East African islands through discipleship and economic empowerment projects.
