Afghan Christians worship in secret
Converting from Islam to Christianity is no longer a criminal offence in Afghanistan, but believers with Muslim backgrounds still risk ostracism and mob violence. They must worship in secret.
A recent convert to Christianity, Ahmed, who asked that his real name not be used out of fear for his security, has begun to join the hour-long church services at the Kabul Afghanistan International Airport (KAIA) base most Thursday evenings.
Even without consorting with Westerners, Afghan Christians face consequences for practicing their faith.
Months ago, Ahmed’s parents, having discovered he had become a Christian, threw him out of the house, tossing his clothes into the street behind him. Later, they forced him into marriage with a relative from Kunduz, hoping this might return him to the ways of Islam.
His young bride, he admits, has no idea of the truth. She thinks he is at work. He leaves home, walking down the potholed Kabul road, boarding one bus, then another – always looking over his shoulder.
Almost three years, Abdul Raman was threatened with death for becoming a Christian. International publicity forced the government to allow him to flee to safety in Europe.
Abdul Rahman was fortunate. Taliban have kidnapped and murdered several Christians in the past two years.
Capt. Scott Jensen, who leads Protestant services at the KAIA coalition base, says several Afghans have contacted him and expressed interest in the Bible.
At the end of a recent service, Capt Jensen offered this benediction.
“Let us pray for the Christians in the underground church and for a day to come in which there is freedom of religion in Afghanistan – and each and every person can practice what they believe,” he ends.
Bowed heads are lifted, and the congregants shake one anothers’ hands. “May peace be with you,” they say. “May peace be with you,” Ahmed responds.
Peace be with you, Ahmed.
Christians are believed to number only 500 to 800, compared to over 30 million Muslims. There are no official churches in Afghanistan.
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