PRAY FOR COMOROS
– Pray for those rejected by their families and communities to find hope.
– Pray for Christians to be able to worship openly.
– Pray that the government would ease their restrictions on Christians.
WORLD WATCH LIST
Comoros
#42Those who convert from Islam face severe persecution from family and community.
bottom"I found Christ at a young age. I never allowed for anything to take me away from Him–no matter the challenges."
– – Nura*
Country
Profile
- Region
- Africa
- Sources of persecution
- Islamic Oppression
- Population
- 868,000
- Christian population
- 5,500
- Religions
- Islam
- Leader
- President Azali Assoumani
- Score
- 67
What’s Life Like For Christians?
Comoros’ state religion is Islam, and it’s illegal for a person to share about any faith other than Sunni Islam. Any foreigner suspected of evangelising can be deported, while local Christians who preach Christianity will be prosecuted. Christian worship (and any non-Islamic form of worship) cannot be carried out in public. Christians can only legally worship in three designated churches. Converts from Islam can face significant pressure, as can anyone who is found to have Christian materials in their possession.
In late 2023, the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom put Comoros on its ‘special watch list’, demonstrating that the country’s restrictions on religious minorities–including Christians–are internationally significant. The nation’s presidential election in early 2024 was marred by violent protests; the victor is the same leader who has been in power since 2016, suggesting that little will change for Christians in Comoros. The country remains a very difficult place for followers of Jesus.
Who Is Most Vulnerable To Persecution?
Converts from Islam face the severe persecution, as leaving the Muslim faith is a crime. Christian women and girls in Comoros risk abduction and forced marriage, particularly within their own communities. Male Christian converts can often experience extreme pressure from their family to return to Islam. They may experience verbal abuse, even denied food. Often their wives are pressured to divorce them and expel them from the home.
What Does Open Doors Do To Help?
Open Doors works through local partners to strengthen the persecuted church in East African islands through discipleship and economic empowerment projects.
