by Karen Faulkner, Worthy News Correspondent
(Worthy News) - Christians in Islamic Afghanistan are calling for “fervent” prayer as US, NATO, and Australian forces prepare to withdraw all troops by September, Vision Christian Radio radio reports. The US Open Doors watchdog group has rated the level of persecution against Christians in Afghanistan as ‘Extreme,’ even with the presence of US and allied troops in the country.
According to VCR, targeted killings against Christians have increased as the Taliban extended its control to 104 areas across Afghanistan. One believer told the International Prayer Council that locals have been devastated by the decision to remove all troops from the country. The Christian source added that the Afghan army needs help in defending the country against terrorist control.
"The withdrawal will make these vulnerable communities even more vulnerable. It's as simple as that," Michael Kugelman, Deputy Director of the Asia Program at the Wilson Center, confirmed at a hearing before the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF).
Accordingly, VCR reports that The International Prayer Council is requesting fervent prayer for Afghanistan, “that God would step in and save the nation from being governed again by terrorists.”
Afghanistan ranks 2 on the US Open Doors Watch List of top 50 countries which persecute Christians, following only North Korea.