Taliban Killing Afghans Who Have Copies of Bible on Their Phones
Taliban using 'spies and informants' to persecute Christian minorities
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Terrorist group the Taliban is murdering people in Afghanistan who are found with a copy of the Bible on their mobile phones, according to reports.
The news comes days after the Islamist terrorist organization seized leadership of Afghanistan following Joe Biden's troop withdrawal.
According to Christian non-profit SAT-7, the Taliban uses “spies and informants” to persecute Christian minorities.
SAT-7 North America President Dr. Rex Rogers told Religion News Service:
“We’re hearing from reliable sources that the Taliban demand people’s phones, and if they find a downloaded Bible on your device, they will kill you immediately."
“It’s incredibly dangerous right now for Afghans to have anything Christian on their phones. The Taliban have spies and informants everywhere."
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Other Christian nonprofits have also sounded the alarm highlighting how ruthless leadership under the Taliban is.
In a recent report, a Christian contact of one Release International partner described the situation as “dire."
RI is a Christian ministry that helps persecuted Christians around the world.
“Our brothers and sisters in Christ are telling us how afraid they are," said Micah, a name assigned to him to protect his identity.
"In the areas that the Taliban now control, girls are not allowed to go to school, and women are not allowed to leave their homes without a male companion."
Afghanistan is the second most dangerous place for Christians behind North Korea, according to the 2021 version of Open Doors’ World Watch List.
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Last year, Neon Nettle reported a woman in Uganda was left with severe burns after her Muslim father set her alight after discovering she had converted to Christianity.
Christian watchdog reported that Rehema Kyomuhendo was staying at her aunt’s home in Mbale District due to being unable to travel because of coronavirus restrictions.
The State Department documented widespread death threats against Christians in its 2020 Report on International Religious Freedom.
Christians also face legal persecution under the U.S.-backed government.
The "crime" of renouncing Islam for a different faith was punishable by death, imprisonment, or confiscation of property.
“According to Sunni Hanafi jurisprudence, which the constitution states shall apply ‘if there is no provision in the constitution or other laws about a case,’ beheading is appropriate for male apostates,” the report states.
“While life imprisonment is appropriate for female apostates unless the individual repents.”
Christians who were already being forced to conceal their beliefs are now under a much bigger threat after the Taliban seized control.
“Secret believers in Afghanistan are especially vulnerable. Prior to Taliban rule, they already had a very difficult time living out their faith, as they had to keep it secret from their families for fear of being shunned, or worse, killed,” said Brother Samuel, Open Doors Field Director for Asia.
“Now that the Taliban is in power, their vulnerability increases tenfold. It would be almost impossible to be a follower of Jesus in this country,” Brother Samuel continued.
“We are monitoring the situation, but this is the time for us to ask God to have mercy not only on His people but on this country as a whole.”
