Threat to Christians looms in Pakistan and Afghanistan
Following the fall of Afghanistan to the Taliban, there are fears of an increase in terrorist attacks against Christians in neighboring Pakistan. In Afghanistan itself there are reports of the Taliban targeting Christians and other religious minorities.
By ACN Staff
Security measures at a church in Lahore, Pakistan. (Credit: Aid to the Church in Need)
The Taliban takeover of Afghanistan has raised concerns about radical Islamism across the region, particularly amongst Christians. In neighbouring Pakistan, Church leaders are concerned about the threat of terrorist attacks on churches. At a meeting between senior Catholic and Protestant leaders in Pakistan it was agreed that security at churches on Sundays would be increased. It is feared that the Taliban-affiliated Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and other militant groups will be emboldened by the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan and launch attacks on churches.
Security guards at Sacred Heart Cathedral in Lahore, Pakistan. (Credit: Aid to the Church in Need)
The chief executive of the Human Friends Organisation and Pakistani human rights activist, Sajid Christopher, spoke to Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) about the current security threat and concerns. Mr. Christopher said the following:
“When the Taliban were in power before, there were a lot of terrorist attacks in Pakistan. There were terrorist organisations attacking churches and other Christian institutes. They clearly became targets. Now the Taliban are back, it will strengthen the TTP and other Islamist groups and so there could be attacks.”
This means that there will need to be an increase of security protocols at churches such as checking the identification of those entering church grounds by car, potential use of metal detectors and the increase of armed guards and police at churches to prevent them being stormed by armed terrorists.
Meanwhile the situation for Christians in Afghanistan itself is worrying. Many Christians were unable to be evacuated on the US-led airlift. The former US religious freedom ambassador, Sam Brown, warned about a genocide being carried out against Christians and other religious minorities in Afghanistan:
“It’s a deadly and catastrophic situation and could easily lead to genocide.”
Dr. Thomas Heine-Geldern. (Credit: Aid to the Church in Need)
There have been reports of members of the Taliban going door-to-door in Afghanistan looking for religious minorities, including Christians.
It has also been alleged that the Taliban have been checking people’s phones for digital copies of the Bible and have threatened to kill those who they do find with Bibles on their phones. In August, the executive president of ACN International, Dr. Thomas Heine-Geldern, expressed concern for religious freedom in Afghanistan following the Taliban take over:
“Our analysis, unfortunately, does not leave much room for hope. All those who do not espouse the extreme Islamist views of the Taliban are at risk, even moderate Sunni. The Shia (10%), the small Christian community, and all other religious minorities, already under threat, will suffer even greater oppression. This is a huge setback for all human rights and especially for religious freedom in the country.”
Over 99% of Afghanistan’s population are Muslims. There is a very small Christian minority, with the number of officially registered Catholics only being around 200. It is possible the number of Christians is higher than reported, as conversion to Christianity from Islam was illegal in Afghanistan even before the Taliban takeover. Over the coming months, please keep the Christians of Afghanistan and Pakistan in your prayers.