Are there christians in libya

Without a single central government, much of Libya is effectively lawless, adding to the violent persecution and pressure felt by Christians in the country.

While migrant Christians are allowed to practise their faith in Libya, many have paid the ultimate price; In 79 Ethiopian and Eritrean refugees were kidnapped by IS militants and 30 of them were killed.

Believers who share their faith publicly risk arrest and violence. Please give strength and perseverance to those who cannot publicly praise You or have any semblance of church life. Please keep praying for your brothers and sisters in Libya. Your prayers make an enormous difference to those following Jesus no matter the cost.

Back to The Problem. Reuters reports that the victims had been abducted from their homes by gunmen who were specifically targeting Christians, although no group claimed responsibility for the "execution-style" killings ibid. Corroborating information could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.

On 3 January , 13 Egyptian Coptic Christians were abducted in Sirte from a residence by unknown gunmen ibid. A witness interviewed by the Associated Press AP indicated that the gunmen had gone from room to room to separate the Christians from the Muslims before abducting them ibid.

In addition, Salafists and other militant Islamists have targeted Christians, Christian churches and Christian cemeteries. St John, 11 Jan. Media sources have also reported attacks on Christian churches in and , including the following:.

In Benghazi, unknown gunmen reportedly assaulted and injured two priests at a Coptic church Reuters 3 Mar. In , at least a dozen armed men attacked and damaged gravestones and a cross at a war cemetery for Commonwealth soldiers in Benghazi, and a video of the incident was posted online BBC 4 Mar.

Sources note that while Libya's interim constitution protects religious freedom, it also designates Islam as the state religion and Sharia law as the principal source of legislation ECLJ , 1; US 28 Jul.

The US International Religious Freedom Report for notes that although there is no law prohibiting proselytizing,. Some Christians accused of disseminating religious material have reportedly been charged with crimes of "instigating division" and insulting Islam or the Prophet Muhammad, charges that could carry a maximum sentence of death.

In contrast, other sources indicate that proselytizing was illegal under the Gaddafi regime and that the prohibition remains in place St John 11 Jan. In an interview with the Guardian, Benghazi lawyer and human rights activist Bilal Bettamer expressed his opinion that proselytizing is "disrespectful" and indicated that the maximum penalty is death The Guardian 17 Feb. Sources report that in March , four Christian foreign nationals were detained by officials on charges of proselytizing and distributing Christian literature The Guardian 17 Feb.

Sources indicate that the interim government is limited in its capacity to enforce laws Al Jazeera 28 Aug. The International Religious Freedom Report highlights the authorities' limited ability "to prevent violent extremist groups from taking advantage of the post-revolution security vacuum to attack religious minorities" 28 Jul.

World Watch List Children's pack: prayer passport, stickers and map. World Watch List What if? A taste of our Top 10 film. Get involved Your support helps persecuted Christians continue to courageously follow Jesus. Support persecuted Christian children. Sign up for the Christmas prayer webinar 2 Dec. New church resources for Christmas. Meet courageous Rafif and Sele.