Muslim Imams in a southern city are using social media platforms to call for a public demonstration against Christians. They are objecting to the existence of Christians calling them “infidels” and “apostates.”
The demonstration has been approved by the authorities for 7 April 2025. Christians in Mauritania request prayer for believers in this area, and their families, especially those who attended the funeral of a recently deceased church member.
That man, a converted Christian, had a motorcycle accident in a different city and died in hospital on 1 April. The following day his body was transported to his city for burial. Some Muslim leaders told his family not to bury him as he was consdiered an “apostate.”
Several local web-based newspapers reported the incident, calling the group a “Christianization cell”. The story went viral, with the main church leader, who lead the funeral, especially targeted.
Late in 2023, this city witnessed the arrest of a large number of church leaders, and their family members, in what became a national case. Christian activities were debated in Parliament,with several ministers vowing to take action against the expansion of the church. Those detained Christians were released in early 2024.
Since then, they have faced challenges in the communities where they live, including threats against them and their families, compelling some of the leaders to temporary relocate. Christians are being attacked in the streets, both verbally and physically. Children are violently attacked in school. Leaders are being excluded from involvement in local social development NGOs.
Recently, the main leaders have been receiving serious death threats from individuals connected to militants from the neighbouring Sahel countries.
Mauritania has one of the harshest apostasy laws, with death as the only punishment. There have been prior violent demonstrations against individuals considered to be anti Islam.
Prayer Points
Christians in Mauritania urge us to pray:
- That Christians and their families will know the presence of Jesus, His comfort and His strength in these difficult times
- That they will have wisdom and the guidance of the Spirit in how to deal with the hate campaign and violent threats.
- For the incitement against, and attempted intimidation of, Christians to be unsuccessful. For divine protection for Christians and their families
- That authorities and local political leaders cease their continued incitement of hate and intimidation.
- For tolerance towards Christians in the country and conviction from the Holy Spirit for those who incite hate against them
