Persecuted Christians

Often individuals, families or communities are singled out and victimized because of their Christian faith. Violence towards Christians occurs in many different countries and in a variety of different forms.

In places like Sudan, Indonesia, Northern Nigeria, Iraq and parts of India, it can be large scale violence and virtual ‘ethnic cleansing’. In Central Asia and in other former communist states, a distinctly anti-christian sentiment remains. Christians often have to meet in secret and arrest, torture and other mistreatment by security forces is sadly too common. In many places violence is on a smaller scale, with individual incidents of murder, injury and destruction of property. Women and girls can often be very vulnerable in certain contexts. Legal harassment can be another concern, with blasphemy charges and apostasy laws being used against Christians generally and particularly converts from Islam.

Assistance from Barnabas Aid might cover funeral expenses, assistance to the families of Christian martyrs, safe houses, legal support for prisoners and victims of kidnapping, sexual abuse or forced marriages of minors. In cases of larger scale violence, help might include emergency relief, food and shelter, support to rebuild homes and churches.