PRAY FOR TUNISIA
– That isolated converts will be able to connect with other believers.
– For God’s peace to be with those brave enough to gather.
– That the church will continue to grow and can one day worship freely.
WORLD WATCH LIST
Tunisia
#33Almost all Christians come from a Muslim background and make up a tiny minority.
bottom"We have resilience because we know who our Saviour is. I rejoice as more hardship makes young people come to Him."
– Aizah
Country
Profile
- Region
- Africa
- Sources of persecution
- Islamic Oppression
- Population
- 12,152,000
- Christian population
- 22,200
- Religions
- Islam
- Leader
- President Kais Saied
- Score
- 69
What’s Life Like For Christians?
Tunisia is 99% Muslim, leaving Christians as a tiny minority. Tunisian Christians are not recognised and do not have any officially recognised church buildings. Believers who convert from Islam to Christianity face a level of hostility that forces many to keep their faith secret. Gathering with other Christians brings risk of exposure due to monitoring by the Tunisian security services. If a believer’s faith is discovered, it can have a damaging impact on their daily life, including verbal and physical abuse, rejection by loved ones, and job insecurity.
Traditional churches such as the Roman Catholic and Orthodox churches, which largely serve foreign Christians, are officially recognised by the government and enjoy a relative amount of freedom, although public evangelism is not tolerated.
There are fears that persecution may worsen if President Kais Saied remains in power. Legislation is changing more and more towards the president’s interests and it is expected that the position of the church will continue to deteriorate under his rule.
Who Is Most Vulnerable To Persecution?
Converts living in the south are especially susceptible to hostility, as the Islamic population there tends to be more conservative. Female converts are specifically at risk. If a woman’s faith is discovered, this can lead to beatings, house arrest, forced marriage, divorce, and the loss of custody of her children.
Violent Islamic extremists are particularly active in the border areas to the south. They are likely to target believers, whether indigenous or foreign, if the opportunity arises.
What Does Open Doors Do To Help?
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.
