PRAY FOR MOZAMBIQUE
– Pray that Christians would live boldly, despite the risk of attacks.
– Pray that Open Doors’ partners will reach more people in need.
– Pray for wisdom and compassion towards the traumatised and vulnerable.
WORLD WATCH LIST
Mozambique
#32Christians live with intimidation and daily threat of extremist violence.
bottom"Those evil people [al Shabaab] came and destroyed us. They put us in poverty, now we have nothing... They hung us out to dry. We had things, but when they arrived, they destroyed and burned it and left us in poverty.”
– Lorena
Country
Profile
- Region
- Africa
- Sources of persecution
- Islamic Oppression
- Population
- 33,089,000
- Christian population
- 18,589,000
- Religions
- Christianity
- Leader
- President Filipe Jacinto Nyusi
- Score
- 68
What’s Life Like For Christians?
Christians face persecution from the growing presence of Islamic extremists, particularly in the north, where fighters are enforcing a reign of terror. People either stay in the region under daily threats of abduction, or they flee their homes and communities.
Government restrictions on freedom of religion are strict, including bans on all religious influence in public educational institutions and cumbersome registration requirements for religious groups.
What Has Changed This Year?
In 2021, Mozambique entered the World Watch List top 50, and persecution has continued to worsen. This year, Mozambique has risen nine places on the World Watch List, reflecting the mounting pressure on Christians, particularly in the northern part of the country where jihadists operate.
Violence targeting Christians in the north has become more widespread and brutal. The presence of drug cartels in some areas is making the lives of Christians difficult – especially for churches who work with youth.
