September 2021 Persecution Magazine

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With the Taliban retaking control of Afghanistan, the Afghan Church faces an existential threat and many difficult decisions in the face of extreme persecution. By William Stark This month marks the 20th anniversary of the September 11th attacks on New York City and Washington, D.C. Like so many, I can still remember where I was and what I was doing when I heard the news. I also remember how the attacks introduced the country of Afghanistan into my personal knowledge. My first impressions were not positive. Fast forward 20 years and my relationship with Afghanistan has dramatically changed. Instead of being an unknown country, far away and full of people to be feared, Afghanistan has become a country I care for deeply, both professionally and personally. In my time with International Christian Concern, I have had the opportunity to travel to Afghanistan and serve the country’s persecuted Christians. This has been both a challenging and rewarding experience, as Afghanistan is among the world’s worst persecutors of Christians. Afghanistan’s Christian community is almost exclusively comprised of converts from Islam. Some estimate the Christian population to be between 10,000 and 12,000, making it the country’s largest religious minority group. However, due to extreme persecution, the Christian community remains largely closeted and hidden from the public eye. Their status as converts makes Afghan PERSECU ION.ORG INTERNATIONAL CHRISTIAN CONCERN PERSECU ION.ORG INTERNATIONAL CHRISTIAN CONCERN 14 PERSECU ION.ORG SEPTEMBER 2021 INTERNATIONAL CHRISTIAN CONCERN
AFGHANISTAN Christians direct targets for persecution by both extremist groups and society in general. In Afghanistan, leaving Islam is considered extremely shameful. Believers can face dire consequences if their conversion is discovered. In many cases, known Christians must flee the country or risk being killed. It is my interactions with this persecuted community that reversed my initial impression of Afghanistan. Their willingness to sacrifice everything for Jesus has left me humbled and counting my own blessings. A Threat to the Afghan Church This month, however, also brings the beginning of a new, existential threat for the Afghan Church. By September 11, 2021, all US troops and NATO allies will be withdrawn from Afghanistan PERSECU ION.ORG INTERNATIONAL CHRISTIAN CONCERN 15
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September 2021 Persecution Magazine

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