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Although Mozambique fell two places on the World Watch List, persecution slightly worsened. Mozambique’s Cabo Delgado province is the epicentre of violence against Christians. In this northern region, Christians are targeted by Islamic extremists, including some affiliated with the Islamic State group. Militants have explicitly attacked Christian communities – burning churches, destroying homes and killing civilians.
Some converts from Islam in the northern part of Mozambique keep their faith a secret due to the risk of abduction or execution, and potential rejection from their families and communities. Christians in the southern region experience less pressure for their faith, but believers everywhere can face opposition if they speak out against government policies.
Believers living in northern Mozambique – and particularly converts from Islam – are at risk. Insurgent groups hope to establish an Islamic caliphate, and Christian communities stand in the way of that goal. For that reason, Christians face abduction, execution, displacement and attack, simply for following Jesus. Extremists want to cripple and ultimately eradicate the church in this region.
"I said, ‘Yes, I’m a Christian.’ They started laughing – they laughed and laughed, then they asked for a knife."
"Ernesto", a Christian attacked in Mozambique.
Violence increased in Cabo Delgado province; Christians were brutally murdered, homes were destroyed, and churches were burned. With the departure of some peacekeeping forces, observers fear the violence will continue to spread.
Open Doors supports the church in Mozambique through cross-cultural ministry training and persecution-preparedness training, and works to strengthen the church’s prophetic voice.
Lord, the stories from Mozambique are horrific. The burden on Christians seems more than any person can bear. And yet we know that Jesus has already carried and conquered the most unimaginable burden of all. We ask that Jesus’ presence would be with those who suffer in Mozambique, and that somehow You would redeem the suffering of Your people there. God, we ask for protection, for resilience and for hope. We ask this in Jesus’ mighty name. Amen.
