Niger Christians are asking for prayer as the country continues to face turbulence.
Mission organisation Open Doors UK says people should pray for the safety of the churches, and especially believers who have converted from Islam.
Local believers also request prayers that religious leaders will use their influence wisely and advocate peace and democracy. As en went to press, the situation in Niger remained fluid following a coup by the National Council for the Safeguarding of the Fatherland [CNSP] – a military junta – in the face of ongoing opposition by other local countries represented by ECOWAS (the Economic Community of West African States).
Niger is 99% Muslim. A very small percentage of its 26million people are Christians – just 65,300 (0.3%), according to Open Doors. The organisation adds: ‘In the last few years, the country has seen a series of attacks by Islamic militants. Pressure has also increased in all spheres of life, as Christians face increasing difficulties to live according to their faith while living in Islamic communities.’
