Christian Persecution in Yemen

Christian Persecution in

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YEMEN

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YEMEN

About Christian persecution in Yemen

The civil war which has raged in Yemen since 2010 dominates all aspects of life in this state. The warring northern-based Shia Houthi tribe are backed by Iran, and the southern Sunni tribes are backed by Saudi Arabia. The casualties have been horrific, leaving 150,000 dead, four million displaced, and more than 20 million in need of aid.

However, the church has grown in this situation, becoming one of the most effective distribution networks of aid. Persecuted Christians are entirely from a Muslim background. “Many have turned to Christ in the utter exhaustion of the chaos,” said one leader. Yemeni law mandates the death penalty for apostasy, however, and so the Christian community keeps a very low profile. Some Christian leaders have been murdered in recent years, and another was subjected to torture when he was hanged for seven hours a day for a week, though he did not die.

Yet the country is surprisingly open, and MBB communities run satellite channels to bring encouragement to people and explain the claims of Christ. Yet they are subject to constant slander and pressure.

Leadership:
President Rashad al-Alimi
Government:
Transitional
Population
32.1 M
Christian pop.
Thousands

“Every week a Christian leader is ‘outed’ as an enemy of the state. The subtext is, ‘if you meet them, kill them.’”

A BELIEVER IN YEMEN

History of Christianity

Christianity came early to this region but was wiped out by Islamic invasions. During the period of British rule, churches were built, but these have all closed now. Extreme Salafi Islam has held sway in the country for some decades, and with a ruinous ongoing civil war beginning 2010, there has been no chance for traditional Christianity to gain a foothold.

But there is a sizable community of converts from Islam—in fact, maybe even larger than in the rest of the Gulf. They are reckoned to number between 2,000 and 4,000 and are well known for their work in relief and education. Out of Yemen’s nearly 33 million population, roughly 22 million are hungry. Christianity in action is proving a powerful form of outreach, but Christians must keep a low profile.
History of Christianity

About Christian persecution in Yemen

The civil war which has raged in Yemen since 2010 dominates all aspects of life in this state. The warring northern-based Shia Houthi tribe are backed by Iran, and the southern Sunni tribes are backed by Saudi Arabia. The casualties have been horrific, leaving 150,000 dead, four million displaced, and more than 20 million in need of aid.

However, the church has grown in this situation, becoming one of the most effective distribution networks of aid. Persecuted Christians are entirely from a Muslim background. “Many have turned to Christ in the utter exhaustion of the chaos,” said one leader. Yemeni law mandates the death penalty for apostasy, however, and so the Christian community keeps a very low profile. Some Christian leaders have been murdered in recent years, and another was subjected to torture when he was hanged for seven hours a day for a week, though he did not die.

Yet the country is surprisingly open, and MBB communities run satellite channels to bring encouragement to people and explain the claims of Christ. Yet they are subject to constant slander and pressure.