Christians in Sélibaby have grave concerns for their safety and lives as the incitement of hate against them by prominent religious and community leaders continues. Following a demonstration against the existence of Christians in the area, a mob desecrated the grave and exhumed the body of a recently deceased Christian.
Christians in Mauritania request prayer for believers in this area, and their families.
The demonstration, approved by the authorities, took place on 7 April 2025. Threats against Christians were made on social media and during the demonstration, including to burn down Christians’ homes. The angry mob went to the cemetery, broke the tombstone of the deceased Christian and exhumed his body. The body was dragged in the streets and brought it to a village 20 km outside of Sélibaby, where it was reburied.
Tensions eased by evening, but social media posts describing Christians as infidels and apostates, urging “action” against them, intensified the following day. They called for a total ostracism of Christians. Some of the leaders have been warned by their clans and relatives, not to contact them. The situation remains volatile.
On 8 April authorities announced that security leaders in the area were fired after an investigation.
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.
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
- For divine protection for Christians and their families, that the death threats will not be implemented
- That they will have wisdom and the guidance of the Spirit in how to deal with the hate campaign and the ostracism.
- 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
