Syria
Despite the recent celebrations celebrating one year since the toppling of longtime dictator Bashar al-Assad, Christians have faced a deadly wave of violence throughout 2025. The most harrowing example came on June 22, when a suicide bomber attacked Mar Elias Church in Damascus: after opening fire on congregants during Divine Liturgy, he detonated an explosive vest inside the church, killing at least 22 worshippers and injuring dozens more. One report documents a disturbing pattern: dozens of smaller scale, but still violent events – including vandalism of churches, desecration of cemeteries, forced displacement of Christian families, and threats/intimidation – across multiple regions like Hama, Homs, Tartus, Latakia, and Suwayda. Churches have had crosses knocked down, icons destroyed, and Christian cemeteries violated. As a result of rising insecurity, many Christian families report feeling insecure. In the recent election, only a single Christian was elected, according to media reports. While Christians are largely concentrated in cities such as Damascus and Aleppo, these areas did not choose a Christian representative. Although the new administration under Ahmed al-Sharaa has pledged to protect minorities and restore a sense of normalcy, these incidents – especially the church bombing – lay bare the fragility of those guarantees. In the face of such violence, for many Syrian Christians, the hope of a stable post-Assad era has become overshadowed by fear, grief, and uncertainty about whether they will ever truly be safe.
Please Pray for Christians in Syria, not only for their protection, but also for boldness in their witness and that they would be an integral part of the re-building of the nation.
Source: https://persecution.org/2025/12/08/one-year-after-assad-continued-uncertainty-for-persecuted-minorities-in-syria/
Genocide Concerns in Ethiopia
A possible genocide of the Tigray people is taking place in Ethiopia. While much attention was given to Ethiopia from 2020 to 2022, a period categorized as The Tigray War, the targeting of the Tigray people has not stopped. A U.N. report from October 2023 documented that crimes against humanity were still being committed, even though a peace agreement was signed in November 2022. More recently, New Lines Institute issued a comprehensive 120-page report in 2024. According to the report, crimes against the Tigray people can rightly be termed “genocide.” Who are the Tigrayans? Why such animus against them by Eritrea and Ethiopian forces? The Tigrayans are an ancient Christian community located in a strategic region of the Horn of Africa. “Tigray is not a footnote in history,” the Washington Times stated. “It is the cradle of African Christianity, the land of the Queen of Sheba, the Kingdom of Axum, and the Ark of the Covenant. Its rock-hewn churches, older than many European cathedrals, are among the holiest sites in the world. Today, those sanctuaries lie in ruins, deliberately shelled by Ethiopian and Eritrean forces. Priests and worshippers have been executed, and ancient manuscripts and crosses, stolen from monasteries, have been surfacing on online marketplaces.” Losing the Tigray people would mean erasing more than a millennium and a half of history. This genocide would mark a significant strategic loss as well, as the Tigray people occupy a region of the Horn of Africa notable for its trade routes. The Tigray people have historically valued and even fought for freedom, self-determination, and democratic ideals aligned with Western interests. Indeed, these values contribute to the animus against them. Given the strategic significance of the region, China, Iran, and Russia have armed and financed a portion of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s regime in Ethiopia.
Nigeria
More than 300 students and staff were abducted from St. Mary’s School, a Catholic School in Niger State on November 21st, 2025. This comes four days after 25 schoolkids were taken in neighboring Kebbi state. “Our hearts break, and we pray for the families affected by this latest tragedy,” Shawn Wright, the president of ICC said. “The government of Nigeria must do more to protect Christian communities after years and years of ineffectiveness and empty promises. Yes, it’s a complex situation in Nigeria, but Christians have suffered from extremists’ attacks while government officials and much of the world have looked the other way. Your people – the students, teachers, and families of St. Mary’s – are in grave danger. This brazen assault on the innocent highlights a systemic breakdown in basic protection of Christians and schoolchildren in Nigeria. You must act now.” Since then, security forces have rescued 100 students and 50 have escaped, but about 165 still remain missing.
The 25 kids from Kebbi state have also been returned.
Source: https://persecution.org/2025/11/22/more-than-300-students-and-staff-abducted-in-nigeria-icc-president-wright-issues-call-to-action/
Pakistan: Advocating Church Leader Assassinated
Pastor Kamran Salamat was widely respected for his ministry work and commitment to promoting interfaith peace. He served as pastor of a church in Islamabad, where he ministered faithfully and advocated for the rights of Christians in Pakistan. As a result of his ministry activities, Pastor Kamran was violently attacked in September and shot in the leg, leaving him seriously injured. Concerned for his safety, the church leader’s family encouraged him to move to Lahore. However, when the sense of danger persisted, the pastor relocated to Gujranwala with his wife and three children. Despite the distance, he remained devoted to his congregation, travelling to Islamabad each weekend to continue his ministry. Tragically, the pastor was also met with violence after relocating to his new residence. On December 5th, while leaving home to drive his daughter Numeer to college, Pastor Kamran was ambushed by an unknown assailant who was riding a motorcycle. Armed with a gun, the attacker opened fire, hitting the church leader in the wrist, ear and lower abdomen. In an act of bravery, Numeer struck the gunman with her father’s crutch, forcing him to flee. Although Pastor Kamran had been rushed to the hospital, he did not survive his injuries. Police have initiated an investigation, looking through available video footage and collecting other evidence. The search for the suspect continues while Christians across Pakistan demand justice. Reflecting on Pastor Kamran’s life, his brother-in-law, Pastor Shehzad Suleman, stated, “He was very brave and always said he did not care for his life while serving God – and today he has proved it.” The dedicated church leader is survived by his wife Salmina, daughters Numeer (16) and Arina (11), and son Ariel (14).
Source: https://www.vomcanada.com/persecution-stories.htm
Nicaragua: Imprisoned Lay Leaders Transferred to House Arrest
Christians in Nicaragua have been subjected to various forms of oppression and violence by the Sandinista government. In the summer of 2024, many religious leaders were arrested or deported, and numerous faith-based organizations were forcibly shut down. (To review previously published reports addressing the challenges believers are facing in this Central American nation, visit this page.) On August 10th, 2024, two laywomen – Carmen María Sáenz Martínez and Lesbia del Socorro Gutiérrez Poveda – were detained for their involvement with the Roman Catholic diocese of Matagalpa. Believed to be held at La Esperanza women’s prison, they were denied all contact with their family members and lawyers. For more than 15 months, their concerned loved ones received no news of the ministry workers’ conditions, nor did they know if the women were even still alive. In an unexpected development, Carmen and Lesbia were among a small group of prisoners who were recently released from imprisonment. Even though no charges have been laid against the two women, they were placed under house arrest on November 29th. While this remains an unjust situation, the transfer marks a significant improvement following their prolonged incommunicado detention and solitary confinement. Sadly, several other Christian leaders who are classified as “political prisoners” remain incarcerated across the country.
Source: https://www.vomcanada.com/persecution-stories.htm
China: 18 Church Leaders Formally Arrested
In October, Chinese Communist Party (CCP) authorities began a coordinated campaign against the Beijing Zion Church and its various campuses, detaining dozens of Christian leaders. (For more details, see our previously published report.) On November 18th, the Beihai Municipal People’s Procuratorate approved the formal arrests of 18 pastors and church staff members, charging them with “illegally using information networks.” If convicted, the believers could face up to three years in prison. These formal arrests initiate criminal investigations that will eventually lead to the trial of each apprehended church leader – a process that could take more than a year. Dr. Bob Fu, president of ChinaAid, describes the recent arrests as “a shocking milestone in the CCP’s full-scale war against Christianity in China.” Zion Church is one of the largest networks of unregistered churches in the country, with approximately 5,000 members spanning across more than 40 cities. In addition, an estimated 10,000 Christians view the services online. Jin Mingri, the church’s founder and senior pastor, happens to be among those arrested.
Source: https://www.vomcanada.com/persecution-stories.htm
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