9. Libya
Region
Africa
Christian population
35 500 (0,5%)
Main relegion
Islam
Main threats
• Islamic oppression
• Clan oppression
• Organised corruption and crime
The absence of a single central government to impose law and order has made the situation for Christians precarious. The level of violence against Christians in Libya is categorised as “very high”.
Since the arrest of several Libyan Christians in March 2023, different authorities have stepped up their monitoring of Christian activities on the internet. Libyan Christians who are from a Muslim background face intense pressure from their families and community to renounce their faith. All practice their faith in secret.
Foreign Christians, mostly from other parts of Africa, are targeted by various Islamic extremist groups and organised criminal gangs. These groups traffic and kidnap foreign Christians and demand ransoms, or force believers into hard labour. Their Christian faith makes believers more vulnerable to such abuse. Each year, many migrant Christians are believed to die at sea while trying to reach Europe or die from abuse in detention camps.
Total score
91%
Pressure
96.9%
Violence
63%
please pray
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Ask God to make a breakthrough – that the rule of law could come to this nation that has been mired in chaos.
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Pray that the very few Christians could follow Jesus in safety and find fellowship.
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Ask God to protect migrant Christians, who can be targeted both for their faith and their work status.