Mauritania Facts
Score:68/ 100Region:AfricaPersecution Type:Islamic oppressionPersecution Level:Very HighPopulation:4,661,000Christians:10,000Main Religion:IslamGovernment:AuthoritarianLeader:President Mohamed Ould Cheikh Ghazouani
Profile of Persecution
Violence 1%Church Life 81%National Life 82%Community Life 78%Family Life 84%Private Life 83%
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Faith at constant risk
For Christians in Mauritania, public worship carries a constant threat. Even churches that are largely tolerated have to be careful so they aren’t accused of proselytizing Muslims, and for Christians who converted from Islam, public worship is often impossible. In Mauritania’s tribal culture, leaving Islam is not only religious betrayal, but also betrayal of the tribe and family. Believers from Muslim backgrounds will often keep their faith secret. Because the extended family is often necessary for survival, it is a huge risk for a Mauritanian to become a Christian. If their faith is discovered, they may lose not only their status in their community but also their citizenship.
Conversion from Islam is also illegal. Criticism of Islam in this northwestern African nation can carry the death penalty, though this law has been largely symbolic so far. For these reasons, public and collective acts of worship are particularly difficult. Christian migrants from sub-Saharan Africa or aid workers who make any expression of faith risk being prosecuted for attempted proselytization. Baptisms must often be carried out in secret. Mauritania may be an increasingly dangerous place for Christians, as there is fear radical Islam may be on the rise.
Mauritania rose one point and one rank on the 2020 World Watch List compared to 2019. The total score increased slightly due to an increase in the scores for pressure, showing how hostile against Christianity Mauritanian society has become. Mauritania’s low score for violence may well be due to a lack of reporting that makes its way outside the closed country.
How Christians are suffering
Christian persecution is threefold in Mauritania. Collective acts of worship are particularly difficult for Christians due to the restrictive environment that makes it impossible for believers (especially converts from Islam) to openly meet and hold worship services. Any expression of faith by non-Mauritanian Christians (such as migrants from sub-Saharan Africa or aid workers) also carries the risk of being perceived as attempted proselytization of Muslims and leads to prosecution. Family and societal pressure is especially intense for Christians with a Muslim background. And Christians also face the risk of attacks from militant groups such as al-Qaeda in the Maghreb (Northwest Africa).
Examples
Baptisms can only be carried out in secret and many converts from Islam are reluctant to be baptized, fearing discovery and charges of apostasy being brought against them.
Converts that are discovered by their families often feel pressured into leaving the country.
The Catholic Church (being the dominant Christian denomination) is allowed to renovate the interior of churches. However, the renovation of the exterior of Catholic churches and the construction of churches belonging to other denominations are prohibited.
All churches, including the Catholic Church, must operate carefully to avoid accusations of proselytization.
Population and number of Christian statistics: Johnson T M and Zurlo G A, eds., World Christian Database (Leiden/Boston: Brill, accessed April 2019).
Pray for Mauritania
Amnesty International reports that “arbitrary arrests and detention, torture and other ill-treatment, and the systematic ban of peaceful gatherings are commonplace in Mauritania, exacerbated by the authorities’ denials.” Pray President Ghazouani and his regime answers calls to prioritize respect for all human rights.
According to Al Jazeera, hundreds of thousands of people are at risk of going hungry in the coming year in Mauritania and Senegal due to a lack of crops. Pray that people are spared from famine. Pray that Christians are not discriminated against and are able to get aid.
Baptisms can only be carried out in secret and many converts from Islam are reluctant to be baptized, fearing discovery and charges of apostasy.
The overall political, economic and social situation in Mauritania makes the country conducive for the rise of radical Islam. Pray against an insurgency and that these radical Islamists would come to know the Savior they persecute.
Mauritania Photo Gallery
Stories from Mauritania March 6, 2020 A ‘living death’: How Christian women experience persecution A new 2020 Open Doors in-depth report focusing on gendered persecution surfaces some disturbing realities for Christian women and girls in the top 50 countries where women are highly persecuted for their decision to follow Jesus. Read More + READ MORE January 15, 2020 Every day, 8 Christians killed for their decision to follow Jesus In-depth research for Open Doors' 2020 World Watch List shows that at least eight Christians, largely in Sub-Saharan Africa, die at the hands of persecutors (extremists, family members and state authorities) each day. Read More + READ MORE May 21, 2019 In Africa, Christians Are in the Flames of Persecution—and On Fire for Jesus Throughout sub-Saharan Africa, Christians are being held, feet to the flames, and told to deny Christ. Read More + READ MORE