Page 7 - Persecution Trends Report 2025

Christians in general and evangelicals
in particular in these states closely
connected to Russia is Moscow’s
position that, unless churches are
Russian Orthodox, they are ‘agents of
western countries’ and their pastors
are ‘American spies’.
In 2024 there were no reported cases
of severe persecution of the type seen
in previous years but many Christians
had been subjected to ridicule, threats
of arson and even murder as well as
facing large fines.
SOUTHEAST
ASIA
MALAYSIA
‘It is our sincere opinion that the
persecution has increased, but due to
fear and threats most is kept silent and
does not come to public attention,’ said
our partners.
The reason for this increased
persecution is that Malaysia wants to
officially become an Islamic nation
and therefore needs to have a majority
Muslim population, they added.
They believe that in 2025 the strongest
pressure will come in the area of
business. Companies registered in
Malaysia must have a Muslim as a
partner (51 per cent); and to obtain a
halal certification costs significantly
more for non-Muslims. So to avoid
higher costs and taxes, many are
converting to Islam.
Christian businesses that are unable to
secure the loans or licences they need
to operate will be forced to close.
At the same time, hatred towards
Christians was ‘increasing on a regular
basis and the violence is not being
investigated or ever comes to court’.
Converts are continuously the target
of the authorities and face loss of
employment, rejection from family and
community and even imprisonment.
Our partners said: ‘There are
thousands of Muslims in Malaysia
who accepted Christ as Lord, but due
to Sharia they cannot go [openly] to
church and are forced to stay in hiding
and meet in house churches.’
IRAQ
IRAN
ALGERIA
EGYPT
MIDDLE
EAST AND
NORTH
AFRICA
IRAN
Iranian converts, particularly ministry
workers and leaders, are expected to
face increasing pressures in 2025, said
one of our partners working in the
country.
‘The very fear of persecution is a worry
as believers meeting in house groups do
not know if they are under surveillance
or not. These pressures have led to an
exodus of some believers [and ministry]
workers from Iran (mainly to Turkey)
and this exodus is likely to continue in
2025.
‘Persecution is on the increase because
the authorities are aware of the growth
in the number of converts and house
churches and are determined at all
costs to stem this. In fact their overall
goal is to exterminate the Persian-
speaking church and allow only
Christian minority groups to operate.
Longer prison sentences are being given
to some Christian workers [although]
some workers have been released.’
Others are on bail awaiting trial.
There is no doubt that the Government
is concerned by those becoming
Christians and as such is unwilling
to acknowledge converts’ rights. Last
year Christians involved in any form of
ministry were particularly targeted.
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‘Thankfully there has not been a wave
of persecution against those who have
converted – even though some of these
can face opposition from family or
harassment in their work or studies –
[but] there is obviously a campaign to
try to stop the spread of Christianity,
to arrest those who are leading house
churches and those who are involved
in evangelism and teaching.’
The demonstrations of 2022-23
under the banner of ‘Woman, Life,
Freedom’ were suppressed but
the ongoing controls, repression
and increased surveillance only
add pressure on believers, house
churches and Christian activity.
‘It will interesting to see if the new
President, Masoud Pezeshkian, who is
a reformist politician, can bring about
any meaningful changes and show a
greater level of tolerance.’
‘Christians are
an easy target’
Another partner working with
Iranian Christians in Turkey said:
‘In Turkey the rate [of persecution]
appears to have been steadily
increasing over the past couple of
years. This seems to have occurred
primarily as a policy of the Turkish
authorities to reduce the number of
refugees, but the increased Islamist
profile adds a specific dimension
against Christians.’
Many Iranian refugees who have been
living in Turkey for years are finding
it increasingly difficult to remain and
some are facing deportation back
to Iran.
‘Christians, especially those identified
as coming from a Muslim background,
are an easy target, both with
“informal” local persecution when