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 do we know about Simon of Cyrene?
What do we know about Simon of Cyrene?

Easter may have passed, but some figures in the story stay with us long after the day itself. One of those is Simon of Cyrene - a man who appears for only a moment, says nothing, and then disappears. And yet, his story carries lessons we can hold onto all year round.

There may not be a Christian revival, but Britain’s traditional churches aren’t doomed
There may not be a Christian revival, but Britain’s traditional churches aren’t doomed

There are good reasons to doubt that Britain is experiencing a Christian revival today – but that does not mean it is dying out.

Pastor preaches in Bristol city centre despite fears of arrest
Pastor preaches in Bristol city centre despite fears of arrest

A pastor has returned to street preaching in Bristol city centre just over four months after he was arrested for his comments on Islam and transgender ideology. 

The biblical backstory of Iran
The biblical backstory of Iran

Iran is back in the headlines. The word “Iran” does not appear in the Bible, but the names of preceding peoples and empires occupying that land today are written into the biblical narrative. This is the story …