Churches are burnt down, pastors are abducted, and many Christians are killed.
bottom“I said, ‘Yes, I’m a Christian.’ They started laughing. They laughed and laughed, then they asked for a knife.”
– Ernesto*, Christian attacked in Mozambique
*Name changed for security reasons
Although Mozambique fell two places on the World Watch List, persecution has slightly increased. Mozambique’s Cabo Delgado province is the epicentre of violence against Christians. In this northern region, Christians are targeted by Islamic extremists, including some affiliated with the Islamic State group. They explicitly attack Christian communities, burning churches, destroying homes, and killing civilians.
Some converts from Islam in the northern part of Mozambique keep their faith a secret due to the risk of abduction, execution, and potential rejection from their families and communities. Christians in the southern region experience less pressure for their faith, but believers everywhere can face opposition if they speak out against government policies. Church leaders are targeted by both extremists and the government, creating a leadership vacuum that leaves many congregations vulnerable and without pastoral care. With the departure of some peacekeeping forces, observers fear the violence will continue to spread.
Believers living in northern Mozambique, and particularly converts from Islam, are at risk. Insurgent groups hope to establish an Islamic caliphate, and Christian communities stand in the way of that goal. Because of this, Christians face abduction, execution, displacement, and attack simply for following Jesus. Extremists want to cripple and ultimately eradicate the church in this region.
– Christians were heavily impacted by 2025 attacks in Mozambique. Pray for families of those killed and for those displaced.
– That God protects Christians from violent attacks and to encourage them in their faith.
– That stability will return throughout Mozambique.
Open Doors supports the church in Mozambique through cross-cultural ministry training, and persecution-preparedness training, strengthening the church’s prophetic voice.
