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The absence of a single central government to impose law and order has made the situation for Christians precarious. The level of violence against Christians in Libya is categorised as ‘very high’. Since the arrest of several Libyan Christians in March 2023, different authorities have stepped up their monitoring of Christian activities on the internet. Libyan Christians who are from a Muslim background face intense pressure from their families and community to renounce their faith. All practise their faith in secret.
Foreign Christians, mostly from other parts of Africa, are targeted by various Islamic extremist groups and organised criminal gangs. These groups traffic and kidnap foreign Christians and demand ransoms, or force believers into hard labour. Their Christian faith makes believers more vulnerable to such abuse. Each year, many migrant Christians are believed to die at sea while trying to reach Europe, or die from abuse in detention camps.
Christians are in danger everywhere in Libya, but particularly where violent Islamic extremists are active. The few converts from Islam are also extremely vulnerable and are forced into the shadows. Migrant Christians from sub-Saharan Africa face discrimination for their ethnicity. If their faith is discovered, they are in even greater danger.
Libya fell by five positions on this year’s World Watch List, mainly due to a decrease in verifiable violent incidents. But it remains incredibly dangerous for anyone to follow Jesus, and most Christians in Libya are forced underground. Anyone caught sharing their faith will face arrest and imprisonment, and Christians risk violence if discovered.
In cooperation with local partners and churches, Open Doors supports believers in North Africa through leadership and discipleship training, trauma counselling, prayer and livelihood assistance.
Lord, it seems like the situation in Libya never improves. We grieve for our brothers and sisters who risk death just for following Jesus, and we lament with them that the situation is so dire. We know You are a God of hope who can accomplish the impossible, so we boldly ask You to bring about a change this year. Bring Libyans to the knowledge of Your saving love and grace and help Libyan Christians find safe fellowship. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
