Arab media highlights Houthi crackdown on Yemen's Christian converts
Voices in Arab media have been criticizing the escalation in Houthi oppression of Yemen’s minorities, highlighting the organized persecution of Muslim-background believers.
An article published in Aawsat on Wednesday announced, “After the deportation of the Jews and the Baha'is... the Houthis oppress the converts to Christianity.” The article outlined the systematic arrest and persecution of Christians, particularly in Sana’a, which is controlled by the Houthi terror group in Yemen.
Quoting local sources and legal statements, they said that dozens of Christians had been arrested in just the last few weeks.
The National Council of Minorities in Yemen (Al-Majlis) called the arrests a “dangerous escalation,” saying that the arrested Christians were "citizens who have no guilt other than their religious affiliation, in flagrant violation of the principles of human rights and international treaties that guarantee freedom of thought, conscience and belief."
Al-Majlis said the terror group that "[after] eradicating the Jewish presence in Yemen, and deporting the symbols of the Baha'i community, during the past years, directed its repressive mission towards the followers of the Christian religion, within the framework of an organized policy based on religious exclusion and targeting religious and intellectual diversity."
The "continued international silence will encourage more violations and deepen the tragedy of the Yemenis," the statement read.
Religious minorities have consistently suffered persecution in Yemen as the country has been under strict Islamic rule for centuries. Jewish people were persecuted and expelled in waves since the 17th century, most notably in the mid-20th century, reducing a once 50,000-strong population to fewer than five Jewish people living in the country today. Those of the Baha’i faith are considered heretics and have also experienced severe persecution, but now attention is being turned to the many who have put their faith in Jesus.
Yemen is 99.9% Muslim with only 0.1% Christian, according to the Christian database on global Christianity, Operation World. However, many have been finding faith in recent years: “Amidst the terrible suffering, Yemenis are finding life in Christ through radio, Bible distribution, careful witness, and dreams and visions from the Lord! Believers meet secretly and only in small groups. They often face dangerous opposition.”
One such Yemeni convert is John Ghanim, who found political asylum abroad and now serves as a Christian influencer, sharing his faith with millions back in his homeland via the internet. As he often says, “My videos go where I can’t.”
“It is an extremely difficult time in Yemen,” Ghanim told ALL ISRAEL NEWS. “As an evangelist, I have seen people put their faith in Jesus Christ, but the environment for believers – especially those from Muslim backgrounds – is incredibly hard. Many face three layers of pressure: rejection and threats from family; hostility from society; and intimidation or arrest by authorities. Yemen is unstable and divided, controlled by different forces in different areas, including the Houthi militia.”
Ghanim continued, “The Bible reminds us of our unity in Christ: ‘If one part suffers, every part suffers with it’ (1 Corinthians 12:26). Our hearts are with the families affected, and we urgently ask the global Church to pray for protection, wisdom, and endurance. Even in this suffering, we will not lose hope – we believe God can use this situation for His glory, strengthening His people and drawing others to Himself.”
Jo Elizabeth has a great interest in politics and cultural developments, studying Social Policy for her first degree and gaining a Masters in Jewish Philosophy from Haifa University, but she loves to write about the Bible and its primary subject, the God of Israel. As a writer, Jo spends her time between the UK and Jerusalem, Israel.
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