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Most people around the world will remember the vivid images from August 2021 as people desperately tried to flee Afghanistan under the rule of the Islamic extremist Taliban. It's been four years since the Taliban swept through Afghanistan and reasserted its authority across the country, and their grip on power has tightened as time has gone on.
When the Taliban first claimed full power, they pledged to be more moderate than their first regime in 1996-2001—but that pledge was proven to be mere wishful thinking. Under their leadership, girls over the age of 12 are not allowed to attend school. The UN estimates that around 1.4 million women and girls in Afghanistan are effectively banned from schooling. The Taliban also have carried out public executions, made political criticism illegal and detained 13,000 people in a single year for violations of morality rules.
"Being a secret believer [in Afghanistan] is like walking on the edge of a blade. It's full of caution, pain, but also hope and strength."
Samira*, Afghan secret believer
And, of course, Christianity is nearly impossible to practice openly in the country. Christians who convert from Islam reportedly experience "threats of violence, forced conversion and imprisonment," according to Human Rights Watch. The situation is so bad that Afghanistan currently ranks No. 10 on Open Doors' 2025 World Watch List. Christians have been forced to adapt to survive—which is what Samira* has learned to do.
"Being a secret believer [in Afghanistan] is like walking on the edge of a blade," she says. "It's full of caution, pain, but also hope and strength."
In addition to a lack of access to education, women and girls have gradually disappeared from playing any meaningful role in public life in many parts of the country. Samira is all too aware of the pain this causes women but for her and others like her, they have a hope that doesn't depend on who's in power. Coming to faith in Jesus was life-changing for Samira.
"When we discovered the truth and believed, something changed inside us," she explains. "It could start from studying, a dream or seeing good behavior. We decided to keep our faith hidden by praying quietly and reading the Bible alone. Inside, we have light. Outside, we face fear and darkness. But we are silent heroes."
For Samira, the Gospel of Matthew reminds her that she doesn't need to be seen in public for God to see her in secret and understand her suffering. She recites the powerful verse: "But when you pray, go into your room, close the door, and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you."
The danger Samira faces is very real. In Afghanistan, leaving Islam for another religion is a legal crime. If discovered, believers face many consequences. "There are many dangers: persecution, rejection by family or community, losing a job, and even threats to our life," she says. "But even with all this, we stay faithful, because we believe Jesus protects us."
There are many times when Christians in Afghanistan face pressure, fear or loneliness—after all, they can't publicly meet and worship together. On these occasions, they cry out to God and remember what He has done in their lives. This helps them to keep going. "Even if we can't go to church, we pray in our hearts and rooms," she says. "There is pain, yes but God is with us. Just like Joseph in prison or Daniel in the lions' den."
This small group of believers hold to the promises of Jesus and have hope that more Afghans will come to faith in Him in the coming years. Samira asks for Christians across the world to pray for her country. Here, she shares four requests:
*Name changed for security.
