Calls for prayer for Afghanistan as Christians warn of 'dangerous time'

Chaos outside the airport at Kabul as desperate Afghans attempt to flee. (Photo: Sky News)

Open Doors is asking Christians to pray after the Taliban seized control of Afghanistan.

Afghanistan is ranked number 2 on the Open Doors World Watch List of the 50 places where Christians suffer the greatest persecution for their faith. The country is second only to North Korea.

The non-profit, which supports persecuted Christians around the world, said Afghanistan is home to a "small group of secret believers" for whom levels of vulnerability have "increased tenfold". 

It said it is closely monitoring the situation as it called Christians around the world to join together in "urgent prayer" for the country. 

"It's a heartbreaking day for the citizens of Afghanistan and an even more dangerous time to be a Christian," said Brother Samuel, Open Doors Field Director for Asia.

International Christian Concern said the fall of Kabul has "sparked a wave of new religious freedom concerns across the Middle East".

Claire Evans, ICC's Regional Manager, said the dramatic events of the last few days marked a "turning point" for religious freedom across the entire region.

"The atmosphere throughout the Middle East region has changed with the fall of Kabul to the Taliban," she said.

"The Middle East had just entered the recovery stages following the defeat of ISIS, an ideology predicated on the genocide of religious minorities.

"Now those same terrorists feel empowered by the Taliban's resurrection and success in Kabul.

"When ISIS captured new territory, Middle Eastern governments largely condemned it.

"Now, particularly in the case of Turkey, we see similar activities openly legitimized. This is potentially a significant turning point for religious freedom across the Middle East.

"We are watching the Middle Eastern response closely and with great concern."

News
What we can learn from Mary of Bethany
What we can learn from Mary of Bethany

Dear reader, what would it look like for you to be a Mary of Bethany in this day and age?

Why the world needs more women like Dullari
Why the world needs more women like Dullari

In the UK, gender equality conversations often focus on pay gaps or female representation in leadership, but in Nepal the struggle is far more basic. It is whether a girl can go to school, whether a woman can seek medical care without permission from her husband, and whether she can live in her own home without fear.

Fresh drive to reach 100,000 girls with anti-trafficking programme
Fresh drive to reach 100,000 girls with anti-trafficking programme

An international charity has committed to reaching 100,000 girls worldwide who are at risk of human trafficking. 

The story of the Bible’s female leaders
The story of the Bible’s female leaders

8 March is International Women’s Day. In the Bible we can read about the roles that many women played in leadership and ministry. This is the story …