Tunisia

What does persecution look like in Tunisia?

Christians in Tunisia are subject to increasing surveillance by the authorities. Believers who are monitored can be arrested and questioned and have their homes searched.

For the first time, authorities made unprecedented arrests of foreign Christians. They falsely use ‘human trafficking’ charges to justify harassment and group foreign Christians along with undocumented sub-Saharan African migrants. Many of these believers have lost their jobs, faced racial abuse from their communities, or have fled.

Due to hostility, Tunisian converts feel forced to conceal their faith, leading to isolation as they are unable to gather for worship and mutual support.

Who is most vulnerable to persecution?

Christian converts from an Islamic background are the most vulnerable, particularly from their own families and communities. Converts living in the south face the most difficulties, as the area tends to be more conservative. Islamic militants are also active in the southern border areas and, given the opportunity, target Christians.

Meet "Faya"

"We can all be separated by persecution and struggles, but we are all united by our identity in Christ."

"Faya" a believer in Christ.

What has changed this year?

Pressure and violence both rose slightly in Tunisia. further increased. Several Tunisian and foreign Christians were arrested and questioned.  

Converts to Christianity continue to face hostility, pressure and legal challenges from their families and communities.

In 2021, President Kais Saied implemented a successful power grab and has since been taking an increasingly authoritarian approach to leadership. The 2022 constitution gave significantly more powers to the president and weakened the role of parliament. This means the president determines the religious rights of his people.

What does Open Doors do to help Christians in Tunisia?

In cooperation with local partners and churches, Open Doors is supporting the church in North Africa through the following initiatives:

• Leadership: We organise leaders’ retreats, leadership training and mentoring.
• Discipleship: We provide face-to-face visits and offer discipleship training and persecution-preparedness training, as well as distribute Bibles and Christian literature.
• Ministry: We offer trauma-counselling, training to women, legal aid to persecuted Christians and practical support. We also organise women’s groups.
• Livelihood: We offer microloans to start small businesses, provide vocational training and offer medical and other types of practical help.

How can you pray for Tunisia?

• As protests continue against one-party rule, pray that God would bring about freedom for His people in Tunisia to practise their faith.
• Converts from Islam can face substantial persecution. Ask God to protect these believers.
• While foreign Christians are often allowed to worship freely, Tunisian Christians don’t share that same freedom. Pray that followers of Jesus would find fellowship and grow in discipleship.