Afghanistan (MNN) — Tomorrow marks four years since Afghanistan shifted to Taliban control following the chaotic withdrawal of U.S. troops.
Despite international scrutiny, Islamist rule remains entrenched as the Taliban enforces strict Islamic laws, erases religious freedom, and shows little intent to ease restrictions. Nearly half of Afghanistan’s population — around 23 million people — now require humanitarian aid to survive, with widespread food insecurity, poverty, and insufficient resources.
Nehemiah with FMI says, “Over the last few years, since the Taliban have been in power, the situation has gotten worse in Afghanistan. The situation has fallen apart dramatically.”
FMI receives continual reports from partnering indigenous pastors and Gospel workers in Afghanistan and Pakistan. More about that here.
Believers expected more persecution under Taliban rule, but surprisingly, “Taliban are not going after Christian workers in Afghanistan,” Nehemiah reports.
Instead, “they are hunting down other religious (groups) or sects within Islam. So even Shias are being severely persecuted.”
However, Gospel workers did confirm that women face severe pressure. “Women are restricted from most employment,” Nehemiah says.
“The girls are banned from secondary schools and universities, depriving them of the opportunity to pursue knowledge and a future career. For many families, this has extinguished hope for generational progress.”
Photo is a representative stock image courtesy of ArmyAmber via Pixabay.
Afghan Christians persevere
Though they work in secret, FMI walks in lockstep with Afghan pastors. “We support (workers) financially, and we provide them with Bibles in their language, Pashto and Dari Bibles,” Nehemiah says.
“We collaborate with other missionary organizations and [send our partners] evangelistic tools.”
Ten Afghan leaders gathered recently with FMI for updates and fellowship. “It was a wonderful time,” Nehemiah says.
“We spent a few days together, and we [reviewed] the situation, what happened previously, and they named this conference, [the ‘Reemergence] of Ministry in Afghanistan,” he continues.
“They are re-emerging in Afghanistan, and we have very, very high hopes. We believe that God is going to do a lot of miracles, spiritual miracles.”
Keep Afghanistan in your prayers. “I would request our listeners to please pray for the Taliban that they find hope and salvation in Jesus Christ, because the only solution for Afghanistan is in Jesus Christ,” Nehemiah says.
“Pray for the leadership of [FMI’s] Afghan team and the people who work there, that they can lead their pastors and the ministry in a very positive way.”
Help Afghan Christians through FMI here.
Header image depicts Afghan Christians who escaped to Pakistan with help from FMI in 2021. (Photo courtesy of FMI)
