Mauritania is staunchly Islamic; Christian activities are severely restricted.
bottom"I struggled a lot because of our Islamic culture and these wrong beliefs about the value of women and my image in God’s eyes. We suffer from discrimination everywhere.”
– Naasima
Mauritania is staunchly Islamic, and Christian activities are severely restricted, making it difficult for Christians to express their faith. For those who convert from Islam, it’s almost impossible.
Christianity is viewed as a negative Western influence, and Christian converts face severe hostility both from the authorities and from their families. Apostasy is legally punishable by death. Converts risk expulsion from the family home and loss of livelihood; they may even be forced to leave the country. The presence of Islamist groups also constitutes a threat to those who leave Islam.
Baptisms can only be carried out secretly, but many converts are reluctant to do this, fearing the awful consequences of discovery.
Although the growth of the internet and social media helps converts to connect with other Christians, this is still fraught with difficulty due to slow technological development in many regions as well as a lack of privacy within families.
Evangelism is strictly forbidden and can lead to prosecution. Christian activities are restricted to designated places of worship. Most Christians in Mauritania are from Sub-Saharan Africa, and they can face racial and faith-based discrimination in employment.
In Mauritania’s tribal society, women are subject to the authority of their fathers and husbands. Christian women who have converted from Islam are thought to have brought shame to their families. This can lead to house arrest, bullying, forced marriage, or divorce.
Christian men who come from a Muslim background are also deemed to have brought shame on their families, and the consequences can be severe including ostracism, expulsion, physical abuse, and charges of apostasy.
– For believers to find ways to meet and grow in faith with a Christian community.
– That all people will be able to follow the religion of their choosing.
– That God protects His people from extremists and brings political stability.
Open Doors works with local partners and churches in North Africa to provide leadership and discipleship training, livelihood support, legal aid, trauma counselling, Bibles, and pastoral care.
