Yemen

Information about Yemen

Main religion: Islam

Governance: Republic of

Capital: Sana'a

Population: 28.25 million

Number of Christians in total: Estimated 2,000

Number of convert Christians: Estimated 1,200

How are Christians harassed, discriminated against and persecuted?

Civil war has ravaged Yemen since 2015, challenging the small convert church in the country. The Sunni Al-Qaeda movement and the Shia Houthi movement are fighting for power in the country and suppressing the church. Yemen is a predominantly Muslim country and it is not possible for non-Muslims to hold positions in the public sector, thus Christians are excluded from serving in government, working with the police etc. Church leaders in the country can receive harsh prison sentences without trial if caught and can even face public execution as Yemen is one of the countries that still practices capital punishment.

The convert church has tripled during the civil war

Many majority populations view Christians with skepticism, and convert Christians are under social pressure. Some have suffered martyrdom. However, the war has caused Christian converts to be dispersed across the country, resulting in a paradoxical growth during persecution and civil war. It is estimated that the number of Christian converts has increased three to five times since the outbreak of the war.

What does the Danish European Mission do

The Danish European Mission's donors ensure that emergency aid in the form of basic food and a water collection system can be distributed to Christians who not only spend the aid on themselves, but also help the poorest and most vulnerable in their community. Local Christians play a vital role in providing aid to the weak, regardless of race, religion or political beliefs.

New project: Al-Beshara

Al-Beshara, which runs a media work in the Middle East, has now become associated with the work of the Danish European Mission.