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
June 9, 2026 ICC News — Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has secured reelection in a closely watched parliamentary election, preserving his political mandate to continue peace negotiations with neighboring Azerbaijan and pursue closer ties with...
May 28, 2026 ICC News — The Egyptian government released an order last week granting legal status to 191 church buildings that previously lacked official recognition. In total, 3,804 churches and related buildings have been approved...
May 19, 2026 ICC News — Armenian Christian leaders and global religious freedom advocates are condemning Azerbaijan after satellite imagery confirmed the demolition of two Armenian churches in Stepanakert, the capital of the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region...
May 12, 2026 ICC News — By Dr. Greg Cochran, ICC Fellow The global spotlight shines brightly on the Strait of Hormuz as the world watches powerful actors vying for success, waiting to see how this...
May 11, 2026 ICC News — Attacks on churches are a harsh reality in many countries. But Saudi Arabia is not one of them. The birthplace of both Islam and Wahhabi radicalism, this country of more than 35 million people...
May 8, 2026 ICC News — According to reporting by Lebanon’s National News Agency (NNA) last week, the Israeli military demolished a Catholic monastery and a nuns’ school in a southern Lebanese border village. The destruction...
April 27, 2026 ICC News — Ahead of the June elections, Armenia’s ruling Civil Contract Party has published a political platform that calls for the removal of the Catholicos of All Armenians and outlines a politically led roadmap for restructuring the Armenian Apostolic...
April 22, 2026 ICC News — Midway through a 10-day ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel, hundreds of thousands of Lebanese civilians are returning to their homes and villages after being displaced by escalating violence between Hezbollah forces...
April 13, 2026 ICC News — An Egyptian Christian convert and internationally recognized prisoner of conscience, Said Abdelrazek, is facing an imminent court hearing that advocates warn could determine whether he lives or disappears into Egypt’s...
April 10, 2026 ICC News — While Syrian Christians usually celebrate Easter with parades and various children’s activities, no celebrations took place this year. Christians simply attended prayer meetings inside their churches. This follows an incident...
April 9, 2026 ICC News — After a period of relative peace — at least away from the country’s southern border with Israel — Lebanon has again found itself amid a bloody kinetic war. U.N. estimates...
April 1, 2026 ICC Fellows, ICC News — By ICC Fellow Dr. Greg Cochran What makes a home? Beyond the quality of neighborhoods and locations near good schools, houses currently for sale must compete for the attention of skilled buyers who are well-suited to scrutinize — buyers making...
April 1, 2026 ICC News — Kyrgyzstan’s Supreme Court ordered Pastor Pavel Shreider’s release from prison on March 25, changing his sentence to a fine equivalent to three months’ pay. He now has up to 30...
March 30, 2026 ICC News — In some parts of Egypt, it can feel like every village is a mob attack waiting to happen. Something as seemingly mundane as a disagreement over the price of...
March 25, 2026 ICC News — By ICC Fellow Lisa Navarrette Christianity has existed in modern Iran for nearly 2,000 years. Long before the rise of Islam, Christian communities were already flourishing in the Persian Empire. Over...
March 25, 2026 ICC News — By ICC Fellow Lisa Navarrette On Feb. 28, a moment unfolded that many believed would never come. Through Operation Epic Fury, Israel and the United States struck at the heart of...
March 23, 2026 ICC News — A decree issued in the Syrian capital of Damascus last week restricted the sale of alcohol, the latest incident hinting at increased religious conservatism under the leadership of Islamist president...
March 18, 2026 ICC News — Comprising about 10% of Egypt’s current population, Copts are the largest Christian community in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. Among the earliest of all Christians, the Copts...
March 13, 2026 ICC News — By Lisa Navarrette, ICC Fellow Persecution seeks to isolate, weaken, and erase. It destroys farms and businesses, blocks promotions, weaponizes laws, and fuels hostility. Yet across the world, persecuted Christians continue to rebuild....
March 12, 2026 ICC News — By Dr. Nathan Rostampour, Ekklesia Mission president and ICC board member Many of my friends have asked me, “Why are some Iranians dancing while war is unfolding in their country?”...
