Afghanistan Christians Fear Imminent Death

By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News

KABUL (Worthy News) – Minority Christians in Afghanistan enter 2023 amid fears that the ruling Taliban group will increase enforcement of “Sharia,” or Islamic, law.

Taliban officials claimed “there are no Christians in Afghanistan,” suggesting that every person who doesn’t adhere to the teachings of Islam is an apostate, well-informed Christians said.

The punishment for “apostasy,” the term used for abandoning Islam under Sharia law, is death.

The Taliban took control of Afghanistan in August 2021, promising more moderation and justice for all. “Regrettably, they have demonstrated something very different, as the rights of women, freedom of the news press, and fair treatment of religious minorities have been brutally repressed,” said advocacy group Voice Of the Martyrs Canada (VOMC).

“In a recent development, Taliban leader Haibatullah Akhundzada ordered all judges to impose strict Sharia punishments for crimes committed within the country. While the exact list of applicable crimes has not been defined, expected punishments include amputations, public lashings, and executions by stoning,” VOMC told Worthy News.

Such a severe penalty for Christian converts from an Islam background in Afghanistan is not unique to Taliban rule.

Back in 2006, an Afghan convert named Abdul Rahman faced calls for his death, but he was able to flee to Italy, where he was granted asylum. “However, the recently renewed requirement to impose Sharia punishments is due to increase the severity of penalties inflicted on Christian converts,” VOMC warned.

“So, even in these present times, the country of Afghanistan remains to be one of the most difficult places on earth to live for committed followers of Christ.“

VOMC, which closely followed the situation of Christians in Afghanistan, urged its supporters to “prayerfully uphold believers in Afghanistan whose lives are in imminent danger because of their faith in Christ.”

VOMC said it hopes they will be “greatly encouraged by the reassuring presence of the Lord, the promised “Prince of Peace.”

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