
The harassment of religious groups, by government or others, is at its most widespread since records began, the latest study by the Pew Research Center has found.
Pew has been tracking hostility and harassment towards religious groups for 15 years. Its latest study, published in December, found that harassment of religious groups occurred in 192 of the world’s 198 countries/territories in 2022, which represents an increase on its 2021 figure of 190.
The report ranks countries by the level of government restrictions on religions, including limitations on preaching and bans on conversion, as well as the attitudes and actions of other groups/individuals towards religions, expressed through hate crime and physical violence.
The countries with the worst restrictions and religious violence, according to the report, were Egypt, Syria, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iraq, with Israel, India and Nigeria close behind.
Christians were harassed in 166 countries (cf 160 in 2021), Muslims in 148 countries (cf 141) and, Jews in 90 countries in 2022, (cf 91).
Let us pray for those facing harassment because of their religion.
Heavenly father, we hold before you those who are being harassed and persecuted for their faith. Help them to remain committed to speaking truth and living with love for others. Help all who are mistreated that they might be freed from the shame that is thrust upon them by others, and find their dignity. As we remember the victims, so we pray for the perpetrators, that they may find common humanity with those they are persecuting, and in every case of abuse, may see the face of your son, our saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen.
Read the report on Pew Research´s site here. Read the Church Times article here.