Throughout the Middle East and North Africa, Christians are heavily persecuted in a region where the church once thrived.
Many Middle Eastern countries, particularly theocracies like Iran, have laws and policies that restrict Christian practices and discriminate against believers. These can limit church construction and criminalize conversions to the faith. Social prejudices against Christians exist in many Muslim-majority nations. This often leads to discrimination, isolation, and violence against Christians. Radical Islamic groups further threaten Christians, with attacks on churches and violence against believers. ICC’s 2025 Global Persecution Index covered persecution trends in Azerbaijan, Egypt, Iran, and Saudi Arabia.
Amid the persecution, Christians in the MENA region faithfully follow Jesus and love their enemies. Read the latest news and project updates below.
Our Efforts
Despite economic and physical challenges, ICC church partners in Egypt continue to grow the flock in Jesus’ name. ICC grants help relocate new Christian converts who face danger and fund business opportunities for those who experience persecution.
Hope House programs are a lifeline for underprivileged Christians under age 18 facing persecution. Tailored to each country’s needs, they provide access to education, as a primary means of learning or through after-school support. More than academics, Hope House creates a safe, nurturing space where children can heal, grow, and build a future filled with hope.
Since the Syrian government collapsed to opposition groups in November 2024, Christians have been in danger. The fall of Aleppo and Homs displaced many, and the new government has shown a lack of willingness to protect religious minorities. ICC supplies medical aid, necessities, trauma training, and more.
In areas decimated by ISIS, families still struggle to recover nearly a decade later. ICC has worked tirelessly to help survivors rebuild their lives, from providing food and medical care to restoring homes and offering trauma counseling. We’ve helped families rebuild their businesses, sent children back to school, and supported local churches.
Generation Transformation (GT) equips the next generation of Christian leaders to rise above persecution. Through fully funded college and vocational training, GT empowers underprivileged students and young professionals.
ICC equips persecuted Christians in MENA with small business grants, restoring dignity, independence, and long-term sustainability. Many recipients have lost everything for choosing to follow Christ. These grants help them launch or expand businesses in fields like tailoring, farming, and carpentry, creating generational impact through economic sustainability.
Read more inspiring testimonies of faith
October 28, 2025 ICC News — Mina Khajavi, a 61-year-old Christian convert, was released from Iran’s Evin Prison on Oct. 20 after serving nearly two years in jail for activities related to her Christian faith. Khajavi,...
October 24, 2025 ICC News — Türkiye, formerly known as Turkey, is facing legal challenges after deporting foreign Christians and labeling them “national security threats.” Kenneth Wiest, an American Protestant, had lived in Türkiye with his...
October 16, 2025 — By Joseph Daniel, ICC Fellow I remember years ago when I filled out my first visa form in the Middle East, I paused at a line that startled me: “What...
October 10, 2025 ICC News — An Iranian court upheld the prison sentences for five Christian converts on Sept. 17. Each of the five believers will spend more than eight years in jail for activities related...
October 10, 2025 ICC News — Armenia (International Christian Concern) — In the city of Sumgait, Azerbaijan, government officials have refused to approve Peace Church’s application for official registration, thereby preventing the congregation from holding gatherings...
October 6, 2025 ICC News — First appearing in 1999, the U.S. Department of State maintains a Countries of Particular Concern (CPC) list that names countries for either engaging in or tolerating ongoing severe violations of...
October 2, 2025 ICC News — At one point, Mosul, Iraq, was home to more than 50,000 baptized Christians. Today, fewer than 70 Christian families live there. In his Sept. 24 message to diplomats and government...
September 30, 2025 ICC News — A few minutes after midnight on Tuesday, September 30, the New York Times published a breaking news story about a flight in the air on its way from Louisiana to...
September 26, 2025 ICC News — Several nations in the Middle East openly and legally condone the discrimination and persecution of Christians within their borders. Despite being the birthplace of Christianity, believers living in the region...
September 25, 2025 ICC News — Washington (International Christian Concern) — President Donald Trump announced last week that he would host Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan at the White House today. The visit, occurring on the...
September 19, 2025 ICC Fellows — By Linda Burkle, Ph.D., ICC Fellow Several years ago, while in Jordan, I had the privilege of participating in a feeding and grocery distribution program for Syrian refugees. We served...
September 18, 2025 ICC News — Syria (International Christian Concern) — News broke early Thursday that several of the seniormost U.S. diplomatic officials working on Syria were abruptly removed from their posts in recent days. ...
September 17, 2025 ICC News — Iran — Mehran Shamloui, a Christian convert, has been denied a retrial for his case by the Iranian Supreme Court. Shamloui was arrested in 2024 and sentenced to 10 years and...
September 16, 2025 — By Lisa Navarrette, ICC Fellow Throughout history, the Christian faith has testified to one undeniable truth: the gospel has the power to transform even the most hardened hearts. From Saul of...
September 5, 2025 ICC News — Turkey (International Christian Concern) — In recent years, persecution against Christians in Turkey has intensified. Following this trend, last year saw attacks on churches at both its start and end....
August 20, 2025 ICC News — 8/20/2025 Libya (International Christian Concern) — Amnesty International recently called for the convictions of 11 Christians convicted in Libya to be overturned, citing "grossly unfair" trials. The human rights organization...
August 14, 2025 ICC News — 8/14/2025 Armenia (International Christian Concern) — Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan met last Friday at the White House to sign a joint declaration that may...
August 6, 2025 — By Joseph Daniel, ICC Fellow "It is really disturbing to me whenever a Muslim customer at my office calls me a 'khawaga,' as if I am not an Egyptian, even...
July 30, 2025 ICC News — 7/30/2025 Egypt (International Christian Concern) — Egyptian authorities charged Saeid Mansour Abdulraziq, a Christian convert from Islam, with terrorism on July 22 after he requested his identification papers be changed from...
July 24, 2025 ICC News — 7/25/2025 United States (International Christian Concern) — Legislators introduced a bill on July 17 condemning the mass persecution of Christians in Muslim-majority countries and encouraging more U.S. involvement to protect...
