January 2024 Persecution Magazine

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JANUARY 2024
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INTERNATIONAL CHRISTIAN CONCERN
Hotspots on the Horizon
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PREDICTING AREAS PRONE TO HEIGHTENED
INTERNATIONAL CHRISTIAN CONCERN
PERSECUTION IN 2024
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INTERNATIONAL CHRISTIAN CONCERN

Contents
JANUARY 2024
ON THE COVER
A Hindu Sadhu sitting in the temple,
Kathmandu, Nepal. Radical Hindu ideology is
making its way across the border from India
into Nepal, spelling bad news for Nepalese
Christians.
Photo: hadynyah/iStock
FEATURES
10
ECHOES OF
INTOLERANCE
14
TEARS ON SACRED
GROUND
16 18
BALANCING ACT
THE PARADOX OF
YOUTH
Tracing the influx of
radical Hinduism in a
once-tolerant society.
The heartbreaking plight
of Eritrea’s persecuted
Christians.
Christians navigate a fragile
state of peace among
neighbors in Mindanao.
Promise and peril in
Africa’s future.
RECURRING
04
06
08
22
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Persecution | JANUARY 2024
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STAFF
Publisher Jeff King
Managing Editor Alex Finch
Editor and Designer Hannah Campbell

Hotspots on the Horizon
As 2023 wrapped up, we launched ICC’s annual Persecutors of
the Year report, naming and shaming many of the year’s worst
violators of religious freedom. Among the “dis-honorees” were
many countries that are notorious for abusing their citizens or turning
a blind eye to persecution, including North Korea, Iran, and China,
among many others.
Now, with 2024 upon us, we are turning our eyes to the year ahead.
What hot spots for persecution do we see on the horizon?
Among the returning offenders is the tiny nation of Eritrea, commonly
referred to as the “North Korea of Africa.” While the nation’s non-state
sponsored Christian community operates in secrecy, those who are
found practicing their faith are subject to arrest, torture, and sometimes
execution at the hands of their own government.
Moving north to Nepal, we see a concerning trend unfolding. Fueled
by the spread of radical Hindu ideology from neighboring India, the
foundation of religious freedom and historical tolerance seems to be
crumbling.
Further east, religious and political tensions are colliding in Mindanao,
the southernmost island of the Philippines, leading to great instability
and persecution. While the island remains predominantly Christian, a
large Muslim majority is pushing for the adoption of Sharia law.
Take a trip through the pages ahead to learn more about this year’s hot
spots and how ICC is serving in these regions.
It’s our hope that you will join us throughout the month to pray for our
brothers and sisters in these nations.
Thank you for your continued concern and God bless.
God bless you!
JEFF
Jeff King, President
International Christian Concern
Author: The Last Words of the Martyrs and
Islam Uncensored
PERSECUTION.ORG 3

ICC Newsroom
YOUR SOURCE FOR PERSECUTION NEWS
Christian Church
Bombed in Sudan
A church was bombed in Omdurman,
Sudan, leaving multiple communities
devastated. The Church of Savior, which
stood for 81 years, has been shared
amongst two communities. In an attack
believed to be related to the ongoing
violence in Sudan, the bombing left the
roof in ruins and the inside completely
burned, including all the Bibles and
hymnals.
This incident is one of many church
bombings in 2023. Since former President
Bashir was removed from power in 2019,
Sudan has been in a stat of flux, increasing
in April 2022 when the two leading forces
split clashed.
Christian Killed in His
Home by Muslim Extremist
Farhan ul-Qamar, a 20-year-old
Christian man in Pakistan, was shot
and killed in his home by a Muslim
extremist claiming hatred toward both
Christians and Jews.
The killer, identified by police as
Muhammad Zubair, broke into the
home on the night of Nov. 9 and fatally
shot ul-Qamar three times. After the
murder, he held the family hostage for
nearly an hour, refusing to allow them
to call for help. Doctors later told the
media that he could have been saved if
help had arrived sooner.
Zubair’s violence seems to have
worsened in recent weeks, escalating
in response to the current conflict in
Israel and Gaza. He has a reputation
that, even after hearing three shots
fired in the home, neighbors remained
inside for fear of being his next victims.
Other Christians in the village have fled
their homes with the same fear, in an
attempt to remove themselves from the
community for their own protection.
Zubair is currently in police custody after
being arrested in his home shortly after
the incident and his case is still waiting
for resolution. The family of the victim
is currently seeking financial assistance
to secure legal representation. Without
this, the murderer may be set free.
War Escalates, Tatmadaw
Loses More Control
Fighting in Myanmar is escalating
quickly, posing the biggest threat to the
Tatmadaw’s control of Myanmar since
they took power in a ruthless coup in
2021. In early December, indigenous and
pro-democracy forces launched numerous
offenses against the Tatmadaw in specific
states. One Myanmar political and military
analyst claims that the Tatmadaw is
actively collapsing across the country.
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Persecution | JANUARY 2024

VISIT OUR WEBSITE, PERSECUTION.ORG, FOR THE LATEST NEWS
ONLINE FEATURE
Beaten Down,
But Not Forsaken
As the Israel-Hamas war ensues,
the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF)
has surrounded Gaza City’s
center to remove Hamas’ military
and governance control over
the territory. With casualties
mounting (more than 11,000 at
the time of writing) and fighting
centering around Gaza’s main
hospitals, many difficult questions
surround the rising civilian
casualties and how this tragic war
will unfold in the coming weeks
for Palestinian civilians living in
the densely populated strip.
Persecution Continues Against Algerian Christians
The Algerian government continues its
crackdown on churches in the North
African nation of 42 million people. House
churches can now only have a maximum of
ten people per gathering.
In 2022, Algeria closed at least 16
churches, as a continuation of closures
since COVID-19 lock downs in 2020.
Government officials have limited house
church gatherings to 10 people, and several
Algerian church leaders were sentences to
prison in early November 2023.
Algerian Christians’ right to peaceably
gather for religious meetings must
be upheld, even in political turmoil.
Christianity in Algeria has a long history,
and a distinction must be made by the
Algerian government between peaceful
practice of Algerian Christians’ faith and
political movements in the region.
Four Killed in Philippines Church Bomb
On Sunday, Dec. 3, a bomb killed four
people and injured 54 others at a Catholic
mass service in Marawi, Mindanao, the
southernmost region of the Philippines.
The bomb exploded during the mass held
at a local university gymnasium. Islamic
State terrorists quickly took responsibility
for this terrible act, claiming retaliation
for the 11 militants killed in a military
operation on Friday in Maguindanao del
Sur.
Read more about ICC’s analysis on
Mindanao on page 16.
Amid all characteristics and
coverage on the clash of
worldviews and politics underlying
the Israeli-Palestinian conflict,
including this current escalation
of the conflict, the Gazan Christian
community, often found stuck in
the crossfire of conflict, is often
not known or acknowledged in
media coverage. So, who are the
Christians of Gaza, what is their
suffering in the current conflict,
and what does their future look
like through this dark hour?
To read the full feature article,
visit our website at www.
persecution.org/beaten-downbut-not-forsaken,
or scan the QR
code with your mobile device.
PERSECUTION.ORG 5

West Watch
ISSUES INVOLVING CHRISTIANITY IN THE WEST
ICC Contributes to USCIRF
Report on Anti-Conversion Laws
The United States Commission on
International Religious Freedom
(USCIRF) has released a report on
anti-conversion laws prepared by
International Christian Concern (ICC).
ICC researchers Jay Church, McKenna
Wendt, and Colton Grellier, together with
USCIRF, outlined global restrictions on
changing one’s religion. The report found
46 countries with anti-conversion laws,
amounting to almost 25% of countries
globally.
Around the world, governments restrict
the right to religious freedom by limiting
their citizens’ ability to convert. ICC
researchers named four categories of
anti-conversion laws: apostasy laws,
anti-proselytism laws, laws concerning
interfaith marriage, and laws relating to
identity documentation.
Of most concern are apostasy laws, which
explicitly prohibit the public renunciation
of one’s religion or belief. These laws exist
in seven countries, including Brunei and
Yemen, where converting to Christianity
could mean a death sentence.
Laws against proselytization, or sharing
one’s faith, try to limit the growth of
minority religions like Christianity. These
laws range from banning missionary
activity to restricting individuals from
encouraging others to leave their religion.
Of all the laws found in the report,
anti-proselytism laws had the highest
number, with 33 countries prohibiting
proselytization.
Laws on interfaith marriage are used to
regulate or restrict conversion. These laws
prohibit members from different religions
from marrying – or require one to convert
to another religion to marry. In countries
like Algeria and Malaysia, Muslim women
are restricted from marrying a non-
Muslim man.
Finally, some governments use identity
documentation to restrict individuals from
changing their religion on state-issued
papers or records. These laws can compel
individuals to reveal their religion or assign
them a religion without the individuals’
consent. They also allow governments
to deny individuals identification
documentation based on religion.
Through the USCIRF report, ICC
researchers aimed to paint a more
complete picture of the global legal anticonversion
landscape. Hopefully, this
report will not only shed light on the issue
of legal barriers to conversion but also
encourage governments worldwide to
reconsider the limits they are placing on
their citizens’ right to conversion.
To read the full report, visit www.uscirf.
gov/publications/anti-conversion-lawscompendium.
Christian Parliamentarian Found Not Guilty in Finland
In a win for religious freedom, the Helsinki
Court of Appeals found Christian Member
of Parliament Päivi Räsänen and Lutheran
Bishop Juhana Pohjola not guilty. The two
had been accused of inciting hate-speech
after sharing their beliefs on biblical
marriage.
Räsänen, who expressed her beliefs on
social media, was facing charges under
a section in the Finnish criminal code
titled “War Crimes and Crimes Against
Humanity.” Pohjola faced charges for
publishing a booklet on biblical marriage,
which Räsänen wrote almost 20 years ago
Despite Räsänen and Pohjola having been
acquitted by a lower district court in
March 2022, the prosecution continued
with their agenda of censoring Christian
beliefs – a battle that has proven costly for
them as this most recent decision ordered
the prosecution to pay tens of thousands
in fees to cover the costs for Räsänen and
Pohjola.
The prosecution has a deadline of January
15 to appeal, should they decide to
continue their fight.
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Persecution | JANUARY 2024

POCKET POLICY
Photo: GoFundMe Fundraiser Page
Preacher Shot on
Arizona Street Corner
A Christian church leader is in critical condition after being shot in
the head while preaching on a street corner in Glendale, Arizona.
Hans Schmidt, 26, was sharing the Bible through a megaphone on
public property when the incident occurred. Schmidt, who also
serves as the outreach director at Victory Chapel First Phoenix, had
engaged in such street preaching on numerous occasions.
Authorities are still trying to determine if the shots came from
someone in a car or a passerby on the street – and the suspects are
still at large. However, witnesses say that a group of individuals had
driven by before the shooting occurred, yelling hateful comments at
Hans and threatening him to “get off the street.”
Victory Chapel First Phoenix, where Hans is employed, shared that
“Hans was taken to the ER where they discovered he had been shot
after conducting a CT scan. He began seizing and was intubated.
There has been some movement; however, physicians are uncertain
how much is voluntary and began draining fluid from his brain. He
remains in critical condition. Please continue praying.”
Hans is a husband and father to two young children. He previously
served as a military combat veteran as well. ICC prays for a
miraculous recovery of Hans and that the perpetrators be brought
to justice swiftly.
RENEWING THE CALL
CPC Designation
for Nigeria
In January 2023, U.S. Representative Chris H.
Smith (R-NJ) introduced House Resolution 82
into congress, pushing for the re-designation
of Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern
(CPC). This was after the U.S. Department of
State left Nigeria off its CPC list in late 2022.
Each year, the U.S. State Department is
tasked with designating countries where
the government engages or tolerates
“particularly severe violations of religious
freedom” as a CPC in accordance with the
International Religious Freedom Act of 1998.
These designations make a global statement
and justify the United States government in
acting against such countries.
Nigeria has been recommended for CPC
designation for 14 years by the United States
Commission on International Religious
Freedom (USCIRF) and recommended as a
Special Watch List Country for seven years
prior, as outlined in their annual reports.
However, the state department has only
ever designated Nigeria as a CPC in 2020. It
is vital that members of congress sign the H.
Res.82 and recognize the immense hardship
faced by those in Nigeria for decades.
The State Department’s designations for
2023 were not announced before the
printing of this month’s magazine.
As of December 1, Hans still remains in critical condition. His
perpetrators are still unknown.
ICC UPDATE TO THOSE ON CAPITOL HILL
If you’d like to stay informed about ICC’s advocacy work and
policy recommendations, subscribe to our monthly newsletter,
The Capitol Dispatch at www.persecution.org/icc-advocacy
PERSECUTION.ORG 7

Your Hands and Feet
ICC PROJECTS MADE POSSIBLE BY OUR SUPPORTERS
MIDDLE EAST
Reviving Dreams by Rebuilding
Moller’s Restaurant
RESTORE: LIVES & COMMUNITIES
Moller’s heart swelled with gratitude as he gazed at the
transformed state of his restaurant in Qaraqosh, Iraq.
Once a shattered dream amid the ravages of war, it now
stood vibrant and hopeful.
“The restaurant will be awesome with the brand-new
equipment that you provided me with. Thank you ICC!”
Moller expressed. “I used to knead the dough by hand
which took a long time and effort, but now I have a
big dough mixer, which will help me in making more
quantities.”
Having been displaced in 2014 during the ISIS invasion,
Moller’s return to Qaraqosh wasn’t without its challenges.
He left school to support his family, worked in a restaurant,
and finally, dared to open his own. But food prices soared
in Iraq, and sustaining his business became an uphill battle.
Yet Moller insisted on staying.
ICC continues to support Christians who are returning
to former ISIS-strongholds. For Moller, we helped him
develop his restaurant with the necessary equipment so
he and his family can be sustained for years to come.
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Persecution | JANUARY 2024

Persecuted,
Not Forgotten
Aisha was born into a Muslim family
and married at 15. She faced hardship
when her husband took on three
other wives, stopped supporting their
children, and began abusing alcohol in
2020.
Masika’s Journey of Perseverance
as a Disabled Refugee
AFRICA
Masika, a 10-year-old Christian girl in Beni, Democratic Republic of the Congo
(DRC), has faced tremendous challenges as a disabled refugee. Her family’s world
shattered when Islamic extremist rebels from the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF)
attacked their community, killing 22 villagers, in an attempt to continue their
mission to wipe out Christianity from the country. Carried on her mother’s back
while fleeing, she suffered convulsions and slipped into a coma, leaving her
unable to walk.
In the midst of seeking refuge in Beni, Masika’s mother cares for her family of
five while her father labors tirelessly to put food on the table. ICC provided a
wheelchair for Masika along with food and clothing for the entire family.
“This is beyond our understanding,” said Masika’s mother. “We thank ICC for the
goods they brought to our child. So we say God continue to bless ICC. And we say
to ICC to continue to help other people because we are facing insecurity in the
Eastern DRC. May God bless you abundantly.”
A friend advised her to embrace
Christianity for peace, and she
converted in February 2023. Her
husband reacted by giving her an
ultimatum to denounce Christ or leave
their home. She chose her newfound
faith, was physically removed from
the house in April. She found shelter
with her Christian friend. However,
her family and husband’s threats of
violence leave her in a precarious
situation.
ICC helped Aisha set up a retail shop
to sustain her and her young children
so she could escape the dangerous
threats coming from her family.
“Thank you God and my Jesus for what
You have done for me. Thank you, ICC,
for this wonderful work and for not
forgetting us who are persecuted,” she
expressed. “I have no words to express
my happiness, but all I can say is thank
you so much, and may God bless you.”
PERSECUTION.ORG 9

ECHOES OF
INTOLERANCE
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Persecution | OCTOBER 2023

HOTSPOT: NEPAL
TRACING THE INFLUX OF
RADICAL HINDUISM IN A
ONCE-TOLERANT SOCIETY
By ICC’s South Asia Regional Team
Nepal, renowned for its cultural richness and historical
tolerance, is grappling with an alarming surge in
religious persecution. This surge, largely fueled by the
infiltration of radical Hindu ideology from neighboring
India, has sparked concerns about the eroding fabric of
religious freedom and tolerance in the country.
UNPACKING NEPAL’S RISING PERSECUTION
Historically, Nepal has prided itself on a legacy of religious
tolerance, despite constraints on proselytization and
conversion, which remained in place until the constitutional
monarchy transition in 1990. But recent incidents reflect a
stark departure from this narrative.
What’s caused the rise of persecution recently? Government
anti-conversion laws, societal pressures from non-Christian
majorities, and harassment by authorities against Christians
and other religious minorities have collectively contributed
to the escalating persecution in the nation.
The primary catalysts behind this surge lie within Nepal’s
legal framework, particularly in the ambiguous and
restrictive legislation governing religious conversion and
proselytization. Provisions within Article 26(3) of the
Nepalese Constitution and Chapter 19 of the Muluki Ain
grant authorities sweeping powers to target minority
religious groups under the guise of preserving decency and
morality.
PERSECUTION.ORG 11

BUT WE ARE NOT OF THOSE
WHO SHRINK BACK AND ARE
DESTROYED,
To add to that, reports from the U.S. Department of State have underscored the influx of
radical Hindu nationalism from India, further worsening tensions. Civil society groups confirm
financial support flowing in from India to local Hindu nationalist groups, strengthening
nationalism for the religious majority and further dividing the country along religious lines.
FACING ADVERSITY
Nepal’s situation stands distinct from neighboring countries like Pakistan and India, where
religious persecution against Christians and other minorities has long been a grave concern.
All of Nepal’s religious minorities, particularly Muslims and Christians, find themselves
targeted by a surge of physical attacks and community-level ostracism. Such assaults not only
jeopardize their safety but also impede their livelihoods, as community boycotts devastate
their businesses, compelling some to relocate.
The government response, marred by frequent harassment and criminal charges against
religious minorities, has failed to ensure the protection of the religious minorities’ rights.
Despite some instances of acquittal, cases often linger for years, instilling fear and inhibiting
the free expression of faith.
HOPE IS NOT LOST
Amid these challenges, however, local NGOs and human rights organizations have shown
resilience, fostering interfaith cooperation and amplifying voices against the growing number
of persecution incidents. An interfaith coalition’s historic gathering in Kathmandu brought
together diverse religious leaders and government officials to address religious freedom
concerns.
While the international community’s attention on Nepal’s religious persecution remains
limited, it’s pivotal to recognize the urgency of this issue.
The rise in intolerance not only threatens the religious diversity that has long defined Nepal,
but also erodes the foundational values of tolerance and coexistence.
As the echoes of intolerance reverberate across Nepal, it is imperative for both local and
global stakeholders to unite, advocate, and stand in solidarity against the forces undermining
the nation’s once-cherished values of religious harmony.
BUT TO THOSE WHO HAVE
FAITH AND ARE SAVED.
HEBREWS 10:39
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Persecution | JANUARY 2024

PERSECUTION.ORG 13

TEARS ON
SACRED GROUND
The heartbreaking plight of Eritrea’s persecuted Christians
By ICC’s Africa Regional Team
A
man broke down and wept openly at a church in
Ethiopia. The pastor of the church asked the man
what caused his anguish. Distraught, the man
revealed that he is an Eritrean Christian who had
just fled Eritrea as a refugee. While attempting to cross the
border between Ethiopia and Eritrea, he and his son were
separated. After three weeks of searching refugee camps,
he received the worst news any parent can get: his son was
shot and killed by Eritrean border guards.
“I came to Ethiopia to take my son away from persecution.
Now I must continue on without him,” cried the grieving
father.
Unfortunately, this story is all too common for Christians
living in Africa’s most repressive country. While no one
knows the exact number of believers living in Eritrea,
one thing is known for certain: they are among the most
persecuted on the planet.
AFRICA’S MOST REPRESSIVE REGIME
Eritrea is a small but strategically located nation in the
Horn of Africa. After 30 years of war with Ethiopia, Eritrea
officially became an independent country in 1993. Since
independence, the country has been ruled by President
Isaias Afwerki, the former leader of the independence
movement. After initially leading the country toward
democracy, the Afwerki regime became increasingly
repressive to stay in control. His regime only allowed people
to worship within one of the official state religions which
include four denominations of Christianity. Within these
official state religions, the Afwerki regime exercises near
complete control significantly curtailing any real religious
freedom in Eritrea.
In 2002, the Afwerki regime attempted to help its
international image regarding religious freedom by allowing
religious groups outside the official state religions to
register with the government to worship legally. To register,
religious communities must provide detailed financial
and membership information, as well as background on
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Persecution | JANUARY 2024

HOTSPOT: ERITREA
all their activities in Eritrea. The 2002 declaration began a
series of raids where Eritrean officials arrested Christians
on foundationless grounds. At the end of 2005, there was
an estimated 1,750 Christians held in prisons and military
camps. Currently, the estimate of prisoners without a trial
or even a crime charged to their name is approximately
500, with hundreds more imprisoned with charges such as
blasphemy or apostasy.
Since the 2002 registration requirement came into
existence, no religious group has passed the registration
process. For now, all religious activity outside of the highly
regulated official state religions is still illegal. Christians
caught conducting religious activities, even something as
simple as a Bible study at home, can be arrested, subjected
to torture, and possibly executed under charges of treason.
“Eritrea remains one of the worst examples of statesponsored
repression of freedom of religion or belief in
the world...Eritrean authorities conducted waves of doorto-door
searches and arrests of individuals because of their
religious identity, and increased oppression of Pentecostal
and Evangelical Christian communities,” said Thomas Reese,
USCIRF Commissioner.
PERSECUTION.ORG 15

groups began rebelling forcefully against
American influence in the Philippines, Marcos’
strict rule, and the growing numbers of
Christians in Mindanao. As a result, groups like
the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF),
the Muslim Independence Movement, and
the New People’s Army (communist) emerged
and began causing havoc, particularly against
Christians since the 1960s.
Today, Christianity is the predominant faith in
Mindanao. However, many Muslims continue
to call for Mindanao to adopt Sharia law.
Many Muslim groups push for Mindanao to
leave the Philippines nation-state and join
with their Muslim neighbors, Indonesia or
Malaysia. Muslim extremists continue to
fight running battles with the government,
terrorizing local communities and targeting
Christian pastors and churches.
In 2014, militant terror organizations in
Mindanao, like the Abu Sayyaf Group and the
Dawlah Islamiya-Maute Group, joined forces
with the Islamic State (IS) from the Middle
East, unleashing a new wave of terror in
the region. This directly led to the terrorists
seizing Marawi City in 2017 (displacing
400,000 people), the establishment of the
Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim
Mindanao to be separate from the rest of
Mindanao and the Philippines, and a steady
program of violence against Christians.
Balancing Acts
Christians navigate a fragile state of peace
among neighbors in Mindanao, Philippines
By ICC’s Southeast Asia Regional Team
Mindanao is a beautiful yet difficult land where complex religious and
political issues collide to bring instability and persecution to many
Christians.
Mindanao is the southernmost island region of the Philippines. Home
to more than 27 million people, Mindanao has a large Muslim population, with
one-quarter of locals following Islam. Islam took root here in the 13th century.
Christians began arriving in large numbers to Mindanao in the 1960s and 1970s
under Ferdinand Marcos’ iron regime. This led to increased tensions with local
indigenous groups and established Muslim factions forming and growing. These
For Christians in Mindanao today, there
remains a real sense of fear as the political
and religious turmoil keeps Mindanao in an
unsettled state. In December 2023, IS claimed
responsibility of a bombing in a Catholic
service held at Marawi State University which
killed four people and injured more than 50
others. This heinous bombing came after
increased operations from local police and
military against Muslim militant groups linked
to IS.
Christians continue to face violence and
harassment, with many driven out of Muslimmajority
areas like Bangsamoro. As of
February 2023, more than 120,000 Filipinos
remain displaced because of armed conflicts
and crime in Mindanao.
Additionally, Mindanao’s huge natural
disaster-prone part (typhoons, earthquakes,
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Persecution | JANUARY 2024

HOTSPOT: MINDANAO
eruptions) constantly adds another layer of severe hardship for locals. Families
and communities in Mindanao live in a fragile peace; an environment of instability
and insecurity, especially with the strong presence of Muslim extremist groups and
ongoing political, religious, and ethnic conflicts.
ICC is identifying ways to serve and support local Christians. In December 2023, we
supported local church planters working in an extremely dangerous environment
in northern Mindanao. We provided Bibles for new followers of Jesus facing death
threats and other challenges from family and community members and a motorbike
to help the church planters navigate their mission field.
We will keep working with local Christians, develop new partnerships, and seek more
opportunities to strengthen the local Mindanao church to persevere amidst this
persecution.
ICC is watching the state of Christians in Mindanao closely.
Christians in the Southeast Asia region face massive obstacles with ongoing wars,
the strong presence of Muslim radicals and Marxist governments, and gigantic
humanitarian, political, and religious pressures. However, the situation in Mindanao
has all the ingredients for heightened and harsh persecution and will, in our view, be
a growing hot spot of persecution again in the near future.
We provided Bibles for
new followers of Jesus
facing death threats
and other challenges
from family and
community members
and a motorbike to help
the church planters
navigate their mission
field.
PERSECUTION.ORG 17

The Paradox of Youth
PROMISE AND PERIL IN AFRICA’S FUTURE
By Greg Cochran, Ph.D., ICC Fellow
A quick Google search of the phrase “Youth Movement” yields millions of links to an unimaginable number of
causes trying to lay claim to the next generation: Youth for Scouting, Youth for Palestinians, Youth for Jews, Youth
for Civil Rights, Youth for the Environment, and Youth for Africa. Reading through the links is more tedious than
watching a boring movie with a joyless companion. It takes so long!
Why do people hunger for a youth movement? Most likely, the hunger reflects a hope to see their own movements
have a future. As Thomas Bergler writes in his book “The Juvenilization of American Christianity,” people are
concerned about “what they need to do to appeal to ‘the young people’ and to remain viable….” Obviously,
Bergler has church ministries in view, but the strategy for all movements is the same: appeal to youth. Youth
appeal drives entire industries like entertainment, fashion, and sports, and potentially drives noble causes like
education, Christian ministry, and political reform movements. Everyone who cares about a cause also cares
about that cause continuing into the future. So, youth appeals.
18
Persecution | JANUARY 2024

HOTSPOT: THE SAHEL
PERSECUTION.ORG 19

EMERGING OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES
The continent of Africa is currently pregnant with a massive youth
movement. Given the demographic outlook of African nations,
marketers will likely be targeting Africa more in the future.
Currently, people living on the continent of Africa make up 17.89%
of the world’s population. However, Africa keeps growing younger.
By 2050, more than 40% of the children in the world will be born
and living in Africa. Thus, Africa represents a disproportionate
opportunity for youth movements—particularly in those African
nations across the Sahel. Across Africa, 19 of the 20 “youngest”
nations in the world reside. And 14 of the 20 youngest nations are
located in the Sahel.
The fact that Africa is about to experience a global youth
movement is not in dispute. As noted in an earlier article, Africa
is the youngest continent; by 2050, it will be the only “youthful”
continent. Yet, what might be disputed is whether this impending
youth movement is a good thing. Is this growing African youth
movement good and desirable?
Maybe. It depends. If marketers in the U.S. accurately assess
the value of youth, then Africa is primed to succeed in the next
century. But what if the marketers are a little misguided or shortsighted?
What if the vitality of a movement isn’t determined by
youth but by something more critical than age?
THE YOUTH MOVEMENT’S CROSSROADS
Like a timid kid in a classroom of bullies, these questions want
to raise a hand to get the teacher’s attention. And like a good
teacher, Silvana Taska has noticed the questions. Writing a brief on
behalf of the Project on Middle East Political Science (POMEPS),
Taska explains that Yemen had a unique opportunity for political
reform fueled by dozens of youth movements. As a result of this
mobilization of youth, Yemen’s revolution lasted longer than most
of the movements at the same time across the Middle East. Taska
points out the particular vulnerability of youth and, thus, youth
movements. The youth movement in Yemen—like other youth
movements—dissolved predictably in one of two directions.
Taska says, “Lack of employment and increasing poverty further
pushed youth activists to two opposite actions: demobilization or
taking up arms.”
Taska’s study is instructive for the coming youth movement across
Africa’s Sahel.
First, the existing political order doesn’t relinquish power easily.
Youth movements historically have dissolved and demobilized
into the existing political order. Political power brokers understand
the value of youth and, thus, absorb them into their own agendas,
repaying with a seat at the table or with the promise of having
a voice in the movement. Will the African youth movement
dissolve into the existing political order? What will that dissolution
produce?
The second direction in which youth movements dissolve is
more troubling—as youth are absorbed into violent extremist
movements. Given the recent trend of violence across the Sahel,
the coming youth movement may arrive with ominous overtones.
According to the Africa Center for Strategic Studies, militant
Islamist group-linked fatalities have reached an all-time high
earlier this year across the Sahel.
For the political opportunist, the coming youth movement offers
hope for the renewal and longevity of the movement. For the
militant extremist, the coming youth movement represents
the hope for new recruits. The current situation in Borno state,
Nigeria, is instructive on this point. Babagana Zulum, governor
of Borno state, recently made this startling remark: “We have to
stop the younger ones from being recruited into Boko Haram and
ISWAP; otherwise, in the near future, the entire Nigeria will be
wiped off the map.” In this instance, youth is a danger, not an
advantage.
Because of the vulnerability of those displaced persons in Borno
state, violent extremist groups prey upon young, hungry recruits.
These recruits aren’t necessarily hungry for violence. They’re
just hungry. Violence has produced extreme poverty for these
displaced Nigerians. In at least four areas of Borno state, poverty
has reached beyond the crisis stage to the IPC Phase 4 emergency
level. Youthful energy and the threat of starvation make for fruitful
extremist recruiting.
YOUTH, CONDITIONS, AND GOVERNANCE
What Zulum’s statement signifies for the future is that youth alone
is not enough to sustain a good movement. If any good movement
goes forward, it does so by youth and by the conditions necessary
for youth to thrive. What conditions allow youth to thrive?
Strong families, faith in the God who created and sustains all
things, access to private property, entrepreneurial opportunities,
education, jobs, and a predictable rule of law. Many of these
conditions are currently in flux in Nigeria and Borno state.
In Borno state, violence, poverty, corruption, and predation
dominate. Governor Zulum is leading an ambitious effort to get
control of the situation, but many are critical of his actions. He aims
to close the refugee camps in the area and move the internally
displaced residents back to their original villages. His efforts are
highly controversial. He maintains that the refugee centers create
dependency and predation—dependency on NGO’s supplying
food and other necessities. By predation, he means the predatory
recruiting by ISWAP and Boko Haram in the areas where refugees
are most vulnerable. Maybe Zulum’s strategy is too ambitious or
is moving too fast. His point is still one that should be heard. A
youth movement with the wrong conditions could actually hasten
the demise of Nigeria and other African nations.
Christians—particularly Christians in Nigeria—should continue to
have strong marriages, strong families, and strong churches in the
spirit of Christ’s command to “let the little children come and do
not forbid them; for such is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew
19:14). Both the Old Testament and the New Testament affirm the
value of a Christian household, including children (Deuteronomy
6, Psalm 127, Ephesians 6). Christians have an opportunity and an
obligation to invest in families, children, and youth discipleship
strategies, which include youth leader development. While it
may seem that other political matters are more urgent, the
real existential crisis in Nigeria and across the Sahel might be
determining how to welcome a healthy youth movement. May
the Lord grant this movement to be an awakening rather than a
darkening, a revival rather than a repeat of the violence to the
poverty cycle.
20
Persecution | JANUARY 2024

PERSECUTION.ORG 21

Crowns of Courage
HIGHLIGHTING THOSE WHO HAVE SACRIFICED EVERYTHING FOR CHRIST
A Martyr Who Taught
Forgiveness to His People
Father John epitomized the living essence of
the Gospel teachings, exemplifying the divine
commandments of loving one’s adversaries
and bestowing blessings upon them. His
humanitarian stances and good relations with people
of all religions and sects distinguished him and made
him trustworthy and reliable for everyone in his
community.
Born to Christian parents in a poverty-stricken village
in Damascus, Father John’s life was entrenched in
faith and service. As a devoted husband and a revered
priest in a local church, he became a pillar of hope,
especially during the turbulent times of conflict that
ravaged Syria. Most Christians sought him to mediate
for them to get back their kidnapped children from
ISIS militants.
The group of extremists kidnapped a promising
young Christian doctor from Father John’s village.
The perpetrators demanded an exorbitant ransom
of $700,000 – an insurmountable sum for the
impoverished family. The family turned to Father John
in the hopes of having their son returned.
Driven by an unyielding love and a profound sense
of duty for his community, Father John fearlessly
embarked on a perilous negotiation with the
kidnappers. Through arduous efforts, he managed
to reduce the ransom to $350,000, a slightly less
daunting sum but still an impossible burden for the
impoverished villagers.
The doctor’s family sold their lands and homes, hoping
to get their son back. Carrying the money, Father John
went to meet the kidnappers in the hope that he
would return with their son. He overlooked the blind
hatred for Christians – let alone Christian priests – that
characterizes these extremist groups.
However, the kidnappers callously seized Father John,
escalating their demands for an increased ransom.
Cut off from his community, Father John endured
unspeakable torture and indignities at the hands of his
captors.
“Did they offer him food or drink, or even vinegar
mixed with myrrh?! How many blows and lashes did
he taste?! Was he subjected to spit and insults like his
Master?!” Said one community member.
Tragically, what was anticipated as a triumphant
homecoming turned into a nightmare.
Instead of the priest and the doctor returning home,
their lives were unjustly ended at the hands of their
captors. The villagers’ hopes were shattered, their
fears realized as the bodies of Father John and the
doctor were callously discarded on the roadside,
bearing the grotesque marks of torment and brutality.
The villagers were devastated. This was not the
first time that Father John was asked to mediate in
kidnappings and thefts. He had succeeded many times
in releasing kidnapped people because he was a cleric
who was trusted and loved by everyone.
This time, he did not complete his work but returned
to his family slaughtered. And while all he wanted was
to help set free the kidnapped people, this time, he
was the victim.
“May God have mercy on you, Father John,” they
lamented, acknowledging his unwavering commitment
to forgiveness even in the face of such heinous
brutality. “Just as you taught us to forgive, may we too
extend forgiveness to those who brought such sorrow
upon you.”
22
Persecution | OCTOBER 2023

“Bear with each other and forgive
one another if any of you has
a grievance against someone.
Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”
- COLOSSIANS 3:13
PERSECUTION.ORG 23

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