top of page

#24 in Christian persecution, Mauritania


SCORE

70.40

REGION

Africa

PERSECUTION TYPE

Islamic oppression

RELIGION

Islam

PERSECUTION LEVEL

Very High

POPULATION

4,908,000

CHRISTIAN

10,900

GOVERNMENT

Presidential Republic

LEADER

President Mohamed Cheikh El Ghazouani

PROFILE OF PERSECUTION

Violence 0.9/16.7

Church Life 14.1/16.7

National Life 14.0/16.7

Community Life 13.1/16.7

Family Life 13.9/16.7

Private Life 14.3/16.7

How the scoring worksDownload country dossier with in-depth research

What does persecution look like in Mauritania?

It is illegal in Mauritania to convert from Islam to another faith. The restrictive environment makes it impossible for Christians (especially converts from Islam) to openly meet and worship together. Any expression of faith by non-Mauritanian Christians (such as migrants or aid workers) also carries the risk of being seen as proselytizing Muslims and can lead to prosecution.

What has changed this year?

Little has changed in Mauritania from the standpoint of persecution. Any deviation from Islamic belief is strongly opposed nationally, in communities and through family pressure.

Who is most vulnerable to persecution?

Pressure on converts from Islam to Christianity can be very high, particularly in rural areas where tribal and family ties are especially strict. Violent Islamic extremist groups, like al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) and Movement for Unity and Jihad in West Africa (MUJAO), are particularly active in the country’s eastern border regions.

What does Open Doors do to help?

Open Doors works to support believers in North Africa through distributing Christian literature where possible, providing training and organizing socio-economic development projects and advocacy support.

Population statistic: Johnson T M and Zurlo G A, eds., World Christian Database (Leiden/Boston: Brill, accessed April 2021).

Pray for Mauritania

  • Pray for the secret believers of Mauritania as they seek to worship God. Their conversion is illegal, and their danger is real. Pray for the secret believers of Mauritania as they seek to worship God. Their conversion is illegal, and their danger is real.

  • Pray for a new openness toward religious expression among government officials. Ask God to open their hearts.Pray for a new openness toward religious expression among government officials. Ask God to open their hearts.

  • Pray that God would provide creative ways for believers to find and support each other in their difficult walk of faith.

Stories from Mauritania

January 18, 2021

13 Christians murdered for following Jesus—every day

Read More -

March 6, 2020

A ‘living death’: How Christian women experience persecution

Read More -

January 15, 2020

Every day, 8 Christians killed for their decision to follow Jesus

Read More -

2 views0 comments

Recent Posts

See All

Jonah 4:11 (NIV) Should I not be concerned about that great city? God is most concerned about those we spurn and reject. This verse is in the story of Jonah when the prophet was so mad at God's mercy

bottom of page