Persecuted Church in LIBYA – World Watch List #17 (Open Doors UK)
LIBYA (Wikipedia) –
Population: 6.5 million (35,000 Christians)
Main Religion: Islam
Government: Transitional government
Source of Persecution: Islamic extremism
During Gaddafi’s reign, the main source of persecution was the government and its secret services. Today opposition comes from the family, community and fanatical armed groups. But it is still forbidden to import Arabic Scriptures or to evangelise. There is no central government and the rule of law is absent, so Islamist extremist movements like the Salafists are able to perpetrate violence upon believers. Because of the civil unrest, 75 per cent of expat Christians have left the country.
PLEASE PRAY:
- For strength for secret Christians; they are forbidden from meeting together
- For a stable government that rules wisely and with justice
- Give thanks that Christian programmes on TV, radio and the internet are generating growing interest in the Christian faith.
PERSECUTION DYNAMICS
Under Gaddafi’s rule, conditions for Christians were extremely harsh and Libya did not even have a real constitution. The feared and omnipresent secret police made sure restrictions on church activities and distribution of literature were enforced and evangelism criminalised. Muslim background believers were always at risk from their families and most Libyan Christians were afraid to meet as any kind of religious gathering was forbidden. Expats were allowed churches but Libyans were not allowed to attend.
The revolutions in Egypt and Tunisia gave Libyans the courage to fight Gaddafi, but despite this leading to Gaddafi’s death, it is feared that the future will be worse. Because of the unrest, an estimated 75 per cent of expat Christians have left the country. The National Transitional Council, who took over after Gaddafi, have repeatedly announced their intent to implement a ‘democracy according to Sharia’ in Libya, in which all citizens are already considered Sunni Muslim by law.
The main sources of persecution today are family, community, fanatical armed groups and, to a lesser extent, the government. To import Arabic Scriptures remains strictly forbidden and proselytising and missionary activity is officially prohibited. Many Libyan Christians are fleeing their homeland. It is unlikely that the situation will change, even with a new constitution.
ANECDOTAL REPORT / REQUEST FOR PRAYER:
Sherif is Egyptian, running a bookshop in Benghazi, in the East of Libya. He was arrested on February 10th and has been detained since then. During his detainment he has been physically abused, while there is no official charge against him, nor has he appeared before court.
Recently, some Egyptians and three non-Arab workers have also been arrested. Libyan police officials have expressed that they have been arrested on suspicion of proselytising, although no formal charges have been submitted against them.
Just recently, Libyans celebrated the second anniversary of the revolution that toppled Muammar Gaddafi. Under the rule of Gaddafi the situations for Christians was already extremely harsh and foreign workers often faced intolerance. The new central government still does not have control over the numerous armed groups and the social unrest and intolerance is yet at a very high level.
Please pray for their release and that they are well treated during their arrest. Pray that the Spirit will give wisdom to family, friends and others close to them (and also when they are in contact with the authorities on the release of the prisoners).
The Peanut Gallery 
Will pray for Sherif and the 3 other workers and for Libyans to see the great light who has come to all men.
Thank you.