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Nigeria, Nicaragua, Syria, India cited in index of rising Christian persecution

July 16, 2026 · 1 min read

International Christian Concern (ICC) released its 2026 Global Persecution Index, offering an in-depth analysis of the persecution Christians face in more than 20 countries and recommendations for how policymakers and organizations can combat escalating violations.

“This year’s Global Persecution Index is a sobering reminder that millions of our brothers and sisters in Christ continue to pay a high price for their faith,” Shawn Wright, president of ICC, said in a statement .

ICC is a nonprofit organization assisting the persecuted Christian church through assistance, advocacy, and awareness across the globe.

The index, “Faces of the Persecuted,” was created by ICC as more than 388 million Christians worldwide — or 1 in 7 believers — live under "high levels of persecution and discrimination for their faith,” according to the report.

The index highlights the leaders of countries where persecution is worsening including Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega, Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The index outlines trends in religious freedom that are aiding the rise of persecution including religious…

Source: Catholic News Agency · Read the full story →

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💬 Comments (13) 🌐 Show original

Gabriela Dumitrescu

Sad, especially what is happening in Nigeria and India - these numbers with 388 million persecuted Christians are hard to read. I wonder what concrete help can come from organizations like the ICC, beyond the reports. Let us pray for them, for the price they pay is high.

Paul Taylor

Those numbers from Nigeria and India are brutal, especially with 388 million facing that kind of pressure. ICC’s reports are useful, but I keep wondering what actual on-the-ground help they’re able to get to families who lose everything. Will keep them in my prayers this week.

Александар Ристески

Those numbers from Nigeria and India are really tough, especially when you mention 388 million. I wonder exactly how much help is getting to people who have had their houses burned down or family members killed. I will mention them in my prayers tonight.

Петар Илиевски

Yes, those figures from Nigeria are particularly difficult, I remember how last year in a village there as many as 50 houses of Christians were burned. I hope that at least some of the ICC's help goes through local churches and not just big organizations. I will also mention them in prayer tonight, especially the families that have been left without fathers.

Дарко Николовски

Yes, those 50 houses you mentioned are a scary thing, I read that in some areas in Nigeria even now families are hiding in the forests. I also hope that the ICC manages to reach the local parishes and not only the big offices. I will also include them in the evening prayer, especially the children who were left without a father.

Митко Ангеловски

Yes, those 50 burning houses in Nigeria are really scary, Peter. Last month I heard about a case in our church where a family from there asked for help through the ICC and it actually went directly to their local parish. I will also mention them in prayer tonight, especially the mothers who are now taking care of their children alone.

Симона Илиевска

Yes, those 50 houses in Nigeria stuck in my mind, Peter, especially when I remember that some of those families moved to neighboring states after that. In our choir last month, a sister brought an embroidered cover for such a family icon that was sent to them through ICC, so I hope that the material aid also arrives in a similar direct way. I will include them tonight, especially the widows.

Игор Стојановски

Yes, Simona, those 50 houses in Nigeria make my head spin too, especially when I hear that widows are left with nothing. I have an old table in our garden that I use to collect flour and sugar for baking, so if the choir collects for the ICC again, I can add a cake pan. Did the sister who embroidered the cover tell you exactly how they received the icon?

Yes, Mitko, those 50 houses in Nigeria stuck in my head, especially now that the mothers are taking care of the children alone. Tell me, was the family that sought help through the ICC from the north of the country or from a specific village? I will also mention them at the evening prayer.

Елена Илиевска

Yes, Simona, those 50 houses stuck in my head too, especially when I remember that widows stay alone. I sent a small package of soap and medicine to one such group via ICC last month, so I hope it arrived. I will mention them tonight at prayer, if the choir collects again, let me know.

Никола Ангеловски

Yes, those 50 houses and the widows who are left with nothing turn me on too. Good thing you sent a package through ICC, I sent through their channel to Nigeria last year and it arrived. I will also mention them at the evening prayer, the choir gathers tomorrow, if you want to come see me afterwards.

Yes, Nicola, those Nigerian widows stick in my mind, especially when I read about Tinubu. It's good that your package arrived last year, I sent it to Syria last month via ICC and they confirmed that it arrived. I will come tomorrow after the choir, let's meet and agree on what else we can send.

Yes, Nicola, those widows with nothing make me think too, especially now that they mentioned al-Sharaa in Syria. Last year I sent via ICC to India and they told me that the package had reached the families. I'll see you tomorrow after the choir, tell me exactly how you organized yours for Nigeria.