North Korea (MNN) ― North Korea tops the Open Doors World Watch list for the fifth year in a row. The reclusive communist nation is followed by Saudi Arabia, Iran, Somalia and Maldives, unchanged from last year's List.
The annual list ranks countries according to the intensity of persecution Christians face for actively pursuing their faith. It's designed to draw attention to the world's 50 worst persecutors.
The list is compiled based on the answers to 50 questions covering various aspects of religious freedom from Open Doors' indigenous contacts, field workers and persecuted believers. The report reveals that conditions continue to deteriorate in many of these countries, although many of the believers say the Gospel is spreading.
According to the list, Yemen (No. 8 last year), Bhutan (No. 6 last year), Vietnam (No. 7 last year), Laos (same) and Afghanistan (No. 11 last year) now hold spots 6-10. Islam is the majority religion in six of the top 10 countries: Saudi Arabia, Iran, Somalia, Maldives, Yemen and Afghanistan. Three countries have communist governments: North Korea, Vietnam and Laos. Bhutan is the only Buddhist country in the top 10.
And, there's more sobering news: believers suffered more through 2006 in countries like Uzbekistan, Eritrea, Comoros, Iraq, northern Nigeria, Algeria, Mauritania, Turkey, Ethiopia and northeast Kenya. In No. 21 Iraq, there were reports of increased violence specifically targeted at Christians in addition to the daily violence.
Johan Companjen, President of Open Doors International says the list serves as a tool of awareness and action. Awareness first of the situation, and, he says, "Then we must pray and act to bring about change."
To about change means to be aware. However, that's one trend of note to Open Doors leaders. They wonder whether Christians in the free world are losing interest in the plight of persecuted Christians. Says Jeff Taylor, Vice President of Development and Communications, over the last decade, the situation has changed from only Christian media reporting persecution news to more secular press covering attacks on Christians in the name of human and religious rights violations.
Continue to pray for persecuted believers around the world, that their faith remains strong in spite of the test of their faith. Click here for the complete World Watch List 2007.
