Libya is overwhelming Muslim: only 0.5% of the population is Christian. It is effectively a lawless land where to be a Christian is to live a secret life of faith. Those who leave Islam to follow Jesus face immense pressure to renounce their faith. Their community ostracises them, and they can be left homeless, jobless and alone. Telling others about Jesus can lead to arrest and even violent punishment. Believers are further exposed to danger since Libya has no central government, so laws are not enforced uniformly. Targeted kidnappings and executions are always a possibility for believers. Women generally live secluded lives under strict family control, making it extremely difficult for women who convert from Islam to Christianity. If discovered, they can face house arrest, sexual assault, forced marriage and even so-called ‘honour-killing’. A Libyan man becoming a Christian can lose his job (men are the family providers), be mentally abused and excommunicated from the family.
Libya: dangers of being a Christian
Written by David Fletcher 10 Feb 2022Additional Info
- Pray: for God to protect Libyan Christians, encourage them, and strengthen their faith. Pray for a strong and fair government and protection for people of all faiths. (Acts 14:22a)
- More: www.opendoorsuk.org/persecution/world-watch-list/libya/
Tagged under