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Every year, Open Doors publishes a report that is not just a list of numbers – it is a cry for help, the voice of those who weep in silence and in hiding, because their faithfulness to their beliefs is considered a crime. The World Persecution Index is a testimony not only of extraordinary courage but, above all, of unimaginable suffering faced by Christians in countries where faith can be a death sentence. Year after year, the same countries appear at the top of this dark list – North Korea, Afghanistan, Somalia – places where the sun of hope struggles to break through the dark clouds of persecution.
In North Korea, where the cult of the leader stands above all else, Christianity is seen as a threat to the regime, and being a Christian means living in constant fear for one’s life and the lives of loved ones. Possessing a Bible, praying, or talking about faith can lead to accusations of „anti-revolutionary thoughts.” Families are torn apart, children are raised in fear, and any form of expressing one’s faith can end in torture, imprisonment, or even death. It is a country where any hope for religious freedom is crushed by a totalitarian regime.
Afghanistan, after the Taliban took power, has become one of the most dangerous places in the world for Christians. Converting to Christianity is considered apostasy, which under Sharia law means a death sentence. Christians, especially those who have converted from Islam, must live in hiding, constantly fleeing from the imminent danger. Prayers are whispered, and every act related to faith is a risk of death. This is a country where the most precious thing a person can possess – faith – is treated as the gravest crime.
Somalia, controlled by extremist groups like Al-Shabaab, offers Christians nothing but death. Belonging to the Church is not only forbidden but is also a death sentence. Christians must hide their faith to survive. Locals and those who come to Somalia live in secrecy because otherwise, they face brutal death, kidnapping, or forced conversion. Crimes against believers – assassinations, kidnappings, tortures – are commonplace, all aimed at erasing any trace of Christianity in the country.
These three countries are just the tip of the iceberg. Each one represents hundreds, perhaps thousands, of people who fight every day to believe in something that gives them hope, but at the same time, puts their lives at risk. These are not just numbers – these are human lives, full of fear, pain, but also unwavering faith.
The World Persecution Index is not just a report. It is a cry that should stir our hearts. This is not just someone else’s problem – it is our problem. In a world where we have access to information, we cannot allow the suffering of those fighting for the right to practice their religion to be forgotten.
It’s worth asking ourselves: what can we do? How can we help those who risk their lives every day for what they believe in? It is a call for solidarity, for action, for prayer. Every gesture of support matters, and our empathy can be their hope.
The World Persecution Index reminds us that faith is not just something that provides a sense of security and peace – it is also a struggle for basic human rights, like the freedom of religion. This document should move everyone who believes in human dignity and the right to express one’s spirituality without fear. After all, can we remain indifferent when others pay the highest price for something that is so natural to us?
