Jordan
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Jordan Facts
Score: 65 / 100
Region: Middle East
Persecution Type: Islamic Oppression
Persecution Level: Very High
Population: 9,904,000
Christians: 130,000
Main Religion: Islam
Government: Parliamentary Constitutional Monarchy
Leader: King Abdullah II
Profile of Persecution
Violence 18%
Church Life 73%
National Life 69%
Community Life 71%
Family Life 78%
Private Life 78%
Persecution of the converted
Converts to Christianity from Islam experience a great deal of persecution from all parts of Jordanian society, usually beginning at home—which can include serious violence and even killing. Tribalism is strong in Jordan, and ethnic group leaders also try to force converts to renounce their new faith. The same is true for Islamic leaders, who consider converts to still be Muslims. Radical Islamic movements are a source of persecution for Christians and Jordanians of other religious faiths (including Muslims).
Government officials monitor the churches and ministries of Christians active in evangelization and pressure them to stop these activities. Historical churches fear that any form of evangelization will result in a backlash affecting all Christians.
How Christians are suffering
Most Christians in Jordan belong to the Orthodox and Roman Catholic denominations. Overall, they enjoy a relatively high level of religious freedom but experience discrimination in employment and restrictions against public preaching. An open testimony of faith by a Christian with a Muslim background can lead to beatings, arrest and killing. Believers active in evangelism and/or helping converts can face Christian persecution through threats and obstruction in daily life as well.
Examples
In August 2018, ISIS sympathizers planted a bomb at a music festival in the majority Christian town of Fuheis. Police found stockpiles of explosives intended for further attacks.
A small number of Christians with a Muslim background were reportedly arrested for reasons directly or indirectly related to their faith.
Some converts were allegedly physically abused or suffered death threats from family members. Reportedly, a number of converts had left their houses and were forced into hiding or seeking another place to live either inside or outside the country. Several foreign missionaries were also forced to leave the country because of their Christian activities.
Pray for Jordan
Jordan Photo Gallery
Stories from Jordan
August 28, 2017
A Jordanian Boutique Clothes Refugees with Dignity
Between 2014-2016, as ISIS’ destructive presence spread through the country of Iraq, many Iraqi Christians fled to neighboring countries in…
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July 21, 2017
Tensions Rise Among Christians in Jordan
The day after the murder of a prominent Jordanian writer on trial for blasphemy, Christians and other minority groups protested…
+ READ MORE
May 2, 2017
Sharing God’s Love with Muslims in Jordan Is a Dangerous Task
Sharing Christ’s love among Muslims in rural Jordan can be a lonely and dangerous task.
+ READ MORE
LOAD MORE STORIES
DOWNLOAD COUNTRY REPORT DOWNLOAD FULL REPORT
Jordan Facts
Score: 65 / 100
Region: Middle East
Persecution Type: Islamic Oppression
Persecution Level: Very High
Population: 9,904,000
Christians: 130,000
Main Religion: Islam
Government: Parliamentary Constitutional Monarchy
Leader: King Abdullah II
Profile of Persecution
Violence 18%
Church Life 73%
National Life 69%
Community Life 71%
Family Life 78%
Private Life 78%
Persecution of the converted
Converts to Christianity from Islam experience a great deal of persecution from all parts of Jordanian society, usually beginning at home—which can include serious violence and even killing. Tribalism is strong in Jordan, and ethnic group leaders also try to force converts to renounce their new faith. The same is true for Islamic leaders, who consider converts to still be Muslims. Radical Islamic movements are a source of persecution for Christians and Jordanians of other religious faiths (including Muslims).
Government officials monitor the churches and ministries of Christians active in evangelization and pressure them to stop these activities. Historical churches fear that any form of evangelization will result in a backlash affecting all Christians.
How Christians are suffering
Most Christians in Jordan belong to the Orthodox and Roman Catholic denominations. Overall, they enjoy a relatively high level of religious freedom but experience discrimination in employment and restrictions against public preaching. An open testimony of faith by a Christian with a Muslim background can lead to beatings, arrest and killing. Believers active in evangelism and/or helping converts can face Christian persecution through threats and obstruction in daily life as well.
Examples
In August 2018, ISIS sympathizers planted a bomb at a music festival in the majority Christian town of Fuheis. Police found stockpiles of explosives intended for further attacks.
A small number of Christians with a Muslim background were reportedly arrested for reasons directly or indirectly related to their faith.
Some converts were allegedly physically abused or suffered death threats from family members. Reportedly, a number of converts had left their houses and were forced into hiding or seeking another place to live either inside or outside the country. Several foreign missionaries were also forced to leave the country because of their Christian activities.
Pray for Jordan
- Pray for wisdom and courage for believers to be true disciples as a small minority in a Muslim-dominated culture.
- Pray that the international community would support Jordan in integrating religious freedom into security policies aimed at countering religiously motivated radicalism and terrorism.
- Pray for Christian converts interrogated by police and abused by family members. Pray the Lord would provide protection and healing.
- Pray that Muslims would be overwhelmed by the love of their Christian neighbors and begin to ask questions that draw them toward Christ.
Jordan Photo Gallery
Stories from Jordan
August 28, 2017
A Jordanian Boutique Clothes Refugees with Dignity
Between 2014-2016, as ISIS’ destructive presence spread through the country of Iraq, many Iraqi Christians fled to neighboring countries in…
+ READ MORE
July 21, 2017
Tensions Rise Among Christians in Jordan
The day after the murder of a prominent Jordanian writer on trial for blasphemy, Christians and other minority groups protested…
+ READ MORE
May 2, 2017
Sharing God’s Love with Muslims in Jordan Is a Dangerous Task
Sharing Christ’s love among Muslims in rural Jordan can be a lonely and dangerous task.
+ READ MORE
LOAD MORE STORIES
