World View: Tunisia
A brief look at what our Christian brothers and sisters are facing in other parts of the world. This information comes from Voice of the Martyrs
On Africa’s Mediterranean coast between Algeria and Libya is the small Arab country of Tunisia. With desert in the south and lush fertile farm land in the north, it is a land of striking extremes.
Considered the most liberated of Arab nations, it is a place where the pursuit of wealth is the chief goal of its population. In a backlash to the fundamentalism that once ruled it, it is almost as secular as any western nation. The more militant ideas of Islam are actually outlawed. It is considered to be open and progressive.
On the other hand, according to its constitution, all laws have to be founded in the teachings of Islam, and the president has to be Muslim. While small amounts of foreign minorities are aloud, only the Catholic church is recognized by the government, Christian evangelists are not welcomed.
Of the 10.4 million people in the country, only about 0.22% of the population claims to be Christian. The US state department estimates that only a few hundred natives have converted to Christianity. Many of those will return to Islam due to the oppression they face.
Though not outlawed by the government, Christianity is not welcomed in this nation. It is illegal to distribute Christian literature, and the government does nothing to stop the actions of the population when they act out against the Christians. While almost all other religions are given total freedom, Christianity is still held at arm’s length.
Be praying that the few native believers can have the strength to keep moving ahead; that they will not lose faith, no matter how hard things get. Pray that the Gospel will continue to spread.
