Libya--Christian Persecution in Libya

persecution, Christian persecution, persecution in china, persecution in Vietnam, persecution,	persecution.org
	Serving the Persecuted Church: Support & Training of Underground Pastors § Humanitarian Aid § Advocacy for the Persecuted on Capitol Hill

News

Volunteer

Country Profiles

What Can I Do?

Prayer Requests

Africa: Libya

Country Report Last Updated: September 2002

Code: A-2

(Click here for a code description.)

(Click here for a list of ICC articles on Libya.)
List of Articles Last Updated: November 23, 1999

COUNTRY STATISTICS

Area: 1,759,540 sq km
Capital: Tripoli
Main Cities: Misratah, Benghazi
Population: 5,240,599 (includes large number of foreign workers)
Population Growth: 2.42%
Birth Rate: 27.67 births/ 1000 people
Death Rate: 3.51 deaths/ 1000 people
Infant Mortality: 28.99 deaths/ 1000 live births
Life Expectancy: 75.65 years

Religions: Sunni Muslim
Languages: Arabic, Italian, English
Ethnic Groups: Arab, Berber, non-nationals
Currency: Libyan dinar (LYD)
Exchange Rate: 0.5101 LYD = 1 USD
Total GDP: $45.4 billion
Per Capita PPP: $8,900
Imports: $7.6 billion
Exports: $13.9 billion

(Source:CIA World Fact Book 2001)

Religious Atmosphere: 96% of this country's people are Muslim. Only 3% are Christian and these are mostly foreigners

Extremist Groups:

No extremist groups have been cited for incidences of persecution in this country.

Government:

The current government is a totalitarian regime and does not support the freedom of religion. Even Muslim opposition groups are severely restricted.
Missionaries are not allowed to enter the country and proselytizing is illegal. The last missionary outpost was closed in 1960.
There is a government limit of one church per denomination per city.

Recent Actions:

In order to protect the safety of Christians in Libya, much information regarding recent actions must be kept confidential. If it sufficient to note that house church leaders have been arrested at various times and places.
August 2002 - It was reported that 14 students from the Nasser University in Tripoli were arrested for converting to Christianity. They were seen being transferred from one prison to another blindfolded and tied together. (Intercessors Network)
April 23, 1998 - Curd WallhSu'er, a German on vacation in Libya, was arrested for distributing Arabic tracts on a beach. It is known that he was held for four days, and, while it is assumed he has been released, that information is not available.

Prisoners:

Prisoners of conscience are not uncommon in this country. While it is known that many people are held for their religious beliefs, it is not known how many of them are Christians.

Suggested Actions You Might Take:

Pray for any Christians in Libya that they may be protected from harm and that the Christian message may be heard and received by all.
Write a respectful letter to one or more of the government officials listed below. Express your continuing concern for the safety and well being of the Christian community in Libya. Request information about what steps the government is taking to ensure their protection and freedom to practice their faith as laid out in the UN’s Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other international human rights documents.
Contact the elected national officials (Senators, Congressman etc.) for your area as well as the U.S. State Department and express concern for the well being of the Christians in Libya asking them to make an inquiry into their status.
Please keep us informed of any replies or results you may receive! Contact ICC by email at icc@persecution.org.

Official Contacts: *note: Libya does not have an embassy in the US

Colonel Muammar al-Qaddafi
Office of the President
Tripoli, Libya

Mohammed al Zanati
General Secretary
General Peoples Congress
Tripoli, Libya

General People's Committee of Foreign Liaison & International Cooperation
Tripoli, Great Socialist Libyan Arab People's Jumuhuriya
Tel: 011 218 21 333 4061 to 4069 or 360 0034
Fax: 011 218 21 333 3825

*We make every attempt to keep up with and reflect changes in the national government of Libya and the current human rights situation. We appreciate your feedback if you find any discrepancies in this information. You can contact us by e-mail at: icc@persecution.org. Thanks.

POSTED: September 10, 2002

ICC Articles on Libya:


*"Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves."*
International Christian Concern (ICC) 2020 Pennsylvania Avenue NW #941 Washington, D.C. 20006 1846	Tel: 1-301-989-1708 Toll Free in USA: 1-800-ICC-5441 Fax: 1-301-989-1709 E-Mail: icc@persecution.org Web: www.persecution.org
IMPORTANT NOTE: ICC is a registered IRS 501(c)(3) non-profit charity in the United States of America. Gifts are tax deductible for U. S. tax purposes.
*Copyright © 2006 International Christian Concern, Washington, D.C., USA. All rights reserved.*

Libya--Christian Persecution in Libya

Serving the Persecuted Church: Support & Training of Underground Pastors § Humanitarian Aid § Advocacy for the Persecuted on Capitol Hill

Africa: Libya

POSTED: September 10, 2002

ICC Articles on Libya:

Serving the Persecuted Church:
Support & Training of Underground Pastors §
Humanitarian Aid § Advocacy for the Persecuted on Capitol Hill