PRAY FOR YEMEN
– That peace will finally come to Yemen.
– For courage and hope among Yemeni believers who face violence and death.
– That underground church leaders find strength and stamina to serve God’s people.
“Not a single year has passed without a major incident. Each time the church is left shaken and gripped by fear.”
– Yemeni believer
Country
Profile
- Region
- Middle East
- Sources of persecution
- Clan oppression,
Islamic oppression,
Dictatorial paranoia - Population
- 36,000,000
- Christian population
- Very Few (According to Open Doors estimate)
- Religions
- Islam
- Leader
- Chairperson, Presidential Council Rashad Muhammad al-Alimi
- Score
- 93
What’s Life Like For Christians?
The dangers facing Christians in Yemen continue to escalate in an unrelenting tide of conflict, extremism, and economic collapse.
The indigenous church consists mainly of converts from Islam who must practise their faith in absolute secrecy. Discovery can be deadly as apostasy is legally punishable by death. Believers are punished in other ways, including through divorce and separation from their children. Yemen’s fragmented, weak rule of law only increases dangers for Christians.
Non-Islamic groups cannot formally register with the authorities, and non-Muslim places of worship haven’t been authorised for years. Most non-Yemeni Christians have fled the country because of the danger, with many registered churches either ransacked or destroyed. It means that Yemen’s native Christian population is comprised mostly of converts who must gather in secret and at enormous risk.
While all Yemenis suffer under one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises, Christians are particularly vulnerable. Emergency aid is typically distributed through mosques to local Muslims who discriminate against those not considered devout Muslims.
Who Is Most Vulnerable To Persecution?
Christians throughout Yemen are in danger. In the south, fragmented governance and Islamic extremist groups put believers at risk. And in the Houthi-controlled northwest regions—home to some 80% of the population—pressure is particularly severe. These areas are heavily policed, dissent is brutally repressed, and suspected Christian converts face surveillance, arrest, and torture.
What Does Open Doors Do To Help?
Open Doors supports the body of Christ in Yemen by raising prayer, distributing aid, training pastors and believers, giving livelihood support, and offering shelter and protection to persecuted believers.
