September 2021 Persecution Magazine
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AFGHANISTAN<br />
Death is not the only punishment Paul foresees<br />
the Taliban using against Afghan Christians.<br />
“For more simple people, like farmers,<br />
they will be forced to revert to Islam,” Paul<br />
continued. “This will be done publicly and in<br />
a humiliating way. Some form of media will<br />
probably be involved. Christian properties will<br />
also be taken.”<br />
No Safe Place<br />
In addition to these threats, many Christian<br />
families fear for the safety of their children.<br />
“Many Christians fear the Taliban will take<br />
their children, both girls and boys, like in<br />
Nigeria and Syria,” Paul explained. “The girls<br />
will be forced to marry Taliban fighters and the<br />
boys will be forced to become soldiers. Both<br />
will be sent to madrassas to be brainwashed.”<br />
In the face of these threats, many Afghan<br />
Christians are in search of safety. For some, this<br />
means moving to a safer part of Afghanistan.<br />
For others, this means leaving the country.<br />
“There will not be a mass exodus from<br />
Afghanistan,” Paul explained. “Christians<br />
are spread out and it would be too difficult<br />
to organize. The exodus will be slow and<br />
gradual.”<br />
According to Paul, Afghan Christians can<br />
be divided into three categories. The first<br />
category represents known Christians.<br />
Paul believes these Christians must leave<br />
Afghanistan immediately or prepare to face<br />
severe persecution.<br />
The second category is comprised of people<br />
who become exposed as Christians. Once<br />
exposed, these people will also have to leave<br />
Afghanistan. The final category of people<br />
is comprised of Christians who can remain<br />
hidden. This group of people will hopefully be<br />
able to relocate to safer areas of Afghanistan<br />
and establish themselves and their families.<br />
“I have been telling people they need to be<br />
ready,” Paul said. “Their need to flee could be<br />
a sudden thing and they need to be at peace<br />
with their decision. They have to be at peace<br />
with leaving or they have to be at peace with<br />
staying and facing the persecution that will<br />
come.”<br />
Raising Up a New Generation<br />
Even after the decision to leave Afghanistan<br />
is made, however, many challenges still<br />
PERSECU ION.ORG<br />
INTERNATIONAL CHRISTIAN CONCERN<br />
17
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