Attacks against Christians worldwide saw a troubling rise in 2024, with the Christmas season in particular marred by incidents in Germany, Myanmar, Pakistan, Nigeria, India, and Syria. The 2025 World Watch List (WWL) by Open Doors highlights the increasing persecution of Christians worldwide, particularly in conflict-ridden regions. Globally, over 380 million Christians face high levels of persecution or discrimination. The violence index is particularly severe in sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia, and parts of Southeast Asia, with Nigeria and Pakistan topping the list for violence.
Germany experienced a tragic incident on December 20 of last year at a Christmas market in Magdeburg, where a car was driven into a crowded area, killing five and injuring more than 200 others. The suspect, a Saudi doctor residing in Germany since 2006, had displayed threatening behavior in the past but did not align with the typical profile of extremist attackers. While attacks on Christians are not common in Germany, this incident underscores a broader trend of increasing hostility toward Christians across Europe, particularly since the German judge ruled that the attack did not constitute a terrorist attack. This decision has deepened concerns about the reluctance to recognize and address violence specifically targeting Christians in an increasingly hostile social environment.
Read Full Article »