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#39 in Christian persecution, Jordan


SCORE

65.68

REGION

Middle East

PERSECUTION TYPE

Islamic oppression

RELIGION

Islam

PERSECUTION LEVEL

Very High

POPULATION

10,320,000

CHRISTIAN

180,000

GOVERNMENT

Parliamentary constitutional monarchy

LEADER

King Abdullah II

PROFILE OF PERSECUTION

Violence 3.0/16.7

Church Life 12.5/16.7

National Life 12.3/16.7

Community Life 11.0/16.7

Family Life 14.0/16.7

Private Life 12.9/16.7

How the scoring worksDownload country dossier with in-depth research

What does persecution look like in Jordan?

Compared to Christians living in other Middle Eastern countries, most Christians in Jordan enjoy a relatively high level of religious freedom, but Christians from Muslim backgrounds in particular can encounter opposition. If a Christian from a Muslim background publicly declares their faith, this can lead to beatings, arrest or even death.

The state exerts pressure on all Christian communities, especially through monitoring. Unrecognized churches can face harassment by public authorities, particularly those that actively evangelize. Christians who actively share their faith, or help converts, can face hostility.

The presence of Islamic extremists, including returning jihadists from Syria and Iraq, continues to pose a threat to the Christian community.

Meet “Tareq”

“When [the leader of a Bible study group prayed with me], I felt the Holy Spirit being poured out into me. That moment changed my life. I used to be a bully, a troublemaker. But now I am a committed member of these groups, joining the Bible study meetings twice a week. I am a new creation now in Jesus Christ. I look more and more like Him.”

What has changed this year?

Despite dropping a place in the World Watch List, hostility toward Christians has marginally increased. There has been a rise in reported incidents of violence and less acceptance of public expressions of Christian faith, such as openly displaying Bible verses.

Who is most vulnerable to persecution?

The level of persecution is generally the same all over Jordan, although social control is likely to be higher in rural areas. The south of the country is also known to be more conservatively Islamic.

What does Open Doors do to help?

Open Doors works with local partners in Jordan to support Christians through training, relief aid and rehabilitation projects.

Number of Christians statistic is an Open Doors estimate

Pray for Jordan

  • Pray that Christians from Muslim backgrounds will be equipped, encouraged and empowered to stand strong and flourish in their faith.

  • Ask God opportunities to increasingly open up for Christians to tell others about Jesus.

  • Pray the Lord will continue to raise up new leaders to serve the Jordanian church.

Stories from Jordan

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 -

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