Libya (MNN) — For believers in Libya, Christian community is a danger many are willing to forego.
Libya has been divided for over a decade. The previous regime led by Muammar Gaddafi for more than 40 years was overthrown in 2011. In the power vacuum that followed, rival governments arose in the east and west. Islamic law rules.
What is life like for believers? Riadh Jaballah, friend of Voice of the Martyrs Canada says, “The situation now in Libya is not stable. The church, it’s underground, and still individual.”
He explains that Christians say they prefer for security reasons to keep to their families or to themselves as individual followers of Christ.
They don’t say that without reason. Libya is currently number three on the World Watch List from Open Doors. Persecution comes from family as well as the government.
(Photo courtesy Voice of the Martyrs Canada)
“Christian(s) from Muslim background (have) no way to leave, practice their faith or change their faith,” Jaballah says.
It’s a sobering reminder for Christians who live in countries where they can freely gather and communicate.
Still, there is hope for Libyan believers.
Jaballah reminds us that Simon of Cyrene, who carried Jesus cross to Golgotha, was from a city in eastern Libya. Christianity also took root in Libya during the first centuries after Christ, whereas Islam came into existence much later in the seventh century AD.
“We don’t know we have this heritage of Christianity. It’s good to encourage our people all the time and remind them that we are Christian,” Jaballah says.
“We thank God for the social media and internet open(ing) many opportunity and open(ing) eyes (and) mind(s) to know about this heritage and to encourage each other and (break) the fear.”
Pray for Libyan leaders, that they would know and stand in the ancient roots of Christianity in their country. Praise God for how social media and the internet have helped connect Libyans with the hope of the gospel.
Finally, pray with Voice of the Martyrs Canada for Libyan believers to endure persecution faithfully for Christ.
“But we believe through these circumstances, God is here God is working, using many factors and many situation(s) to witness to Him,” Jaballah says.
Header image is a representative stock photo courtesy of M.T ElGassier/Unsplash.
