USA (MNN) — The Washington DC based human rights group, International Christian Concern, has just released its annual Hall of Shame awards, listing the world’s top ten persecutors of Christians.
The report suggests that the source of persecution against Christians is shifting from nations with Communist governments to Islamic nations.
While the unrest in Iraq has put additional pressure on Christians, forcing many out of the country, radical Islam has gained a foothold in the Horn of Africa through anarchy in Somalia. This has contributed to a sharp rise in violence against Christians in Somalia and Ethiopia.
In order, ICC has ranked the world’s worst persecutors as: North Korea, Iraq, Ethiopia, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Iran, Eritrea, China, Vietnam and Pakistan.
ICC’s President Jeff King says, “Persecution must and can be fought. Religious persecution must be named and shamed on an international level. Journalists need to speak out about Islam’s mistreatment of other religions, while concerned individuals should get involved in the fight by contacting their elected representatives and by calling embassies and requesting fair treatment for Christians overseas.”
Pray believers will remain strong while facing increasing violence in these nations.
