32Mozambique

Christians face persecution from the growing presence of Islamic militants, particularly in the northern region of Cado Delgado, where insurgents are enforcing a reign of terror. People either stay in the region under daily threats of abduction, or they flee their homes and communities and fend for themselves. Many are traumatised by the violence, and those who are forced into marriage or the militia are often plagued by shame or stigma.

In other parts of the country, Christians who convert from a Muslim or African Traditional Religion background often face pressure from their families to renounce their faith. Many Muslim families force suspected female converts to marry a Muslim man to keep them away from Christian activities. Married women face divorce and sometimes even losing custody of their children if they convert to Christianity.

In some areas, drug cartels persecute Christians and target church youth workers in particular. Tensions in the country are only exacerbated by government restrictions on freedom of religion, such as bans on all religious influence in public educational institutions and cumbersome registration requirements for religious groups.