39Mozambique

Although Mozambique fell two places on the World Watch List, persecution slightly worsened. 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. Militants have explicitly attacked 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 or 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.

Meet Ernesto

“I said: ‘Yes, I’m a Christian.’ They started laughing – they laughed and laughed, then they asked for a knife.”

Ernesto* (not his real name), a Christian attacked in Mozambique.

What does Open Doors do to help?

Open Doors supports the Church in Mozambique through cross-cultural ministry training and persecution-preparedness training, and works to strengthen the Church’s prophetic voice.