Written by: Open Doors SA
Article source: JOY! Magazine
Yemen is one of the most dangerous places in the world to follow Jesus. Islam is the national religion, and Sharia law is the source of all legislation. Meanwhile, a ten-year civil war has pushed the country to a perilous state. Half the population faces hunger, 4,5 million people are displaced and some areas are controlled by extremist groups such as the Houthis, al-Qaeda and Islamic State.
Yemen has a very small number of Christians and is in the third position on Open Doors International’s 2025 World Watch List, which ranks the 50 countries where it is the most dangerous to be a Christian. The country has jumped two positions higher on the list in the past year – from number 5 in 2024 to number 3 in 2025.
Sharing the Gospel with others in Yemen is extremely dangerous.
Tribal punishment for conversion
The Yemeni society is strongly Islamic, conservative and tribal, and the tribal punishment for denouncing Islam can be death or banishment. Most believers who know that following Jesus continues to be extremely dangerous, come from Muslim backgrounds.
As Islamic and state law forbids conversion from Islam, Christians must keep their faith secret or risk severe repercussions from their families, the authorities or radical Islamic groups. This can include divorce, loss of custody of children, arrest, interrogation and even death.
The humanitarian crisis caused by the civil war has also exacerbated the pressure on believers. While some relief aid is available, this is mostly distributed through local Muslim groups and mosques, which are alleged to be discriminating against anyone not considered a devout Muslim.
Zahra relies on the Lord’s strength for courage to live out her faith in a hostile environment.
Relentless persecution
In this hostile environment, life is unbearably hard for Zahra*, a Christian woman from Yemen. She has faced immense danger and tragedy for her faith. Growing up in a Christian family, she endured relentless persecution since childhood. However, her journey has been marked by her courage to live out her faith in a hostile environment while mentoring others and relying on God’s strength.
As an adult, Zahra went into full-time ministry. She and Anis* were mission partners in Yemen. He ministered to the men while Zahra served the women. She loved their work – and it was extremely fruitful!
Killed for his faith
But one day, Anis received a threatening message. A week later, he was shot by extremists in his own home in front of his children.
After Anis was assassinated, Zahra was overwhelmed by fear and grief. “The words coming through on my phone shook me to my core: ‘Anis has been killed.’ I was shocked. For a month, I didn’t go out,” she said with tears in her eyes. “Would I be next?”
Growing underground Church
Despite the threats, Zahra continued her ministry, sharing the Gospel with women in Yemen. “We live among wolves, and we know that,” she says. “I have chosen this way, and I know the trials that come with it. Jesus took my pain, suffering and guilt. Now it is my turn to carry the cross.”
Today, Zahra is one of a handful of people who dare to share the Gospel with Yemeni women. Knowing that Open Doors and its partners stand with her makes the difference – and the underground Church is growing.
“God has put me in this place”
“I know that sometimes, when I enter a house to share the Gospel with a woman, I may not come back out,” she says. “But I believe God has put me in this place to impact the lives of those women, to bring hope and reflect the true light of Christ amid the horrific situation we live in.”
She added: “I am determined to stay here despite the risks, because I believe everyone deserves to hear about God’s love. I am encouraged when I see how the Church in Yemen is growing, even in secret! We dream with God, and we know there are Christians here living for our Lord.”
The gifts and support of Open Doors and its partners strengthen Zahra to minister to women, and it gives her the courage to keep sharing Jesus. They also provide leadership coaching to Zahra – she is on a two-year course with Open Doors – and supply food, medicine, safe houses, trauma healing and discipleship training to Yemeni believers.
*Names changed due to the extreme risk.
This article is featured in the Feb/March issue of JOY! Magazine, which is now on sale nationwide! Pick up your copy from any leading supermarket, or read a digital version of this issue here: joygifts.co.za/product/joy-magazine-feb-march-issue-2025/
Click here to KEEP UPDATED on the latest news by subscribing to our FREE weekly newsletter.
> Please support Christian media and journalism in South Africa. Help us to spread the Word of God and take a stand for the truth by making a donation to our ministry. We appreciate your support. Click here to take hands with JOY! Magazine.
Date published: 14/02/2025
Feature image: Zahra knows that she can be killed for following Jesus in Yemen, but despite the danger, she continues ministering to women.
DISCLAIMER
JOY! News is a Christian news portal that shares pre-published articles by writers around the world. Each article is sourced and linked to the origin, and each article is credited with the author’s name. Although we do publish many articles that have been written in-house by JOY! journalists, we do not exclusively create our own content. Any views or opinions presented on this website are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of the company.
