On Wednesday, January 11, 2017 at 9 a.m. ET, at the National Press Club in Washington, Open Doors USA will announce its 2017 World Watch List, a ranking of the top 50 countries where it is most dangerous and difficult to be a Christian. The Open Doors World Watch List is a global indicator of countries where human- and freedom-of-religion rights are being violated and countries are most vulnerable to societal unrest and destabilization.

Open Doors Calls on Trump Administration to Take Action

Open Doors met with the Trump administration in October and is continuing to engage with them on issues of religious freedom. They will recommend urgent steps for the administration to take within the first 100 days in office.

One of the most persecuted groups in the world, Christians were subject to kidnappings, imprisonments and executions in 2016.

For the past 14 years, North Korea has topped the list as the most dangerous place to be a Christian, but the Middle East continues to be an area of concern with its rising violence. The Islamic State and other Islamic extremist groups continue to target Christians with acts of violence and spread terror across the Middle East and Africa. A Pakistani Christian couple was burned to death, Asia Bibi remains in prison, and the killings of Christians in Nigeria saw an increase of more than 62 percent over the last year.

At the press conference, Open Doors USA President and CEO David Curry will release the 2017 World Watch List and provide an update on the persecution of Christians worldwide; Rep. Chris Smith, R-N.J., will provide remarks on his work in this area; Knox Thames, special advisor for religious minorities in the Near East and South Central Asia at U.S. State Department, will provide commentary on religious freedom; and Edward, a persecuted Christian from Syria, will share firsthand experience.

“The Open Doors World Watch List discloses where Christians are being violently targeted specifically due to their faith,” said Curry. “It highlights for Americans where our prayers and resources are of greatest need to support those living without the privilege of freedom of religion like we have.”

opendoorsusa.org

Coming soon the 2017 World Watch List!

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Steve Patterson

A Christian Blogger that enjoys blogging about the Bible, Theology, God, Jesus Christ, Christian Music, Family, Cats, Odd Holidays, sewing and much more. I have been blogging since 2004, however, I have been blogging on Courageous Christian Father since 2012. I enjoy listening to Christian Music. I am married with 1 daughter, 2 step-sons and a step daughter.

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