Franklin Graham Calls Attention to Persecution of African Christians

Franklin Graham highlights a troubling reality: while the global focus shifts toward economics and politics, African Christians are facing brutal persecution and violence. Over the weekend, he urged the church community to pray for those enduring threats to their lives regularly.

“The news covers issues like tariffs, yet there’s a disturbing silence around the ongoing massacre of Christians by Muslim jihadists in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC),” Graham shared on social media.

He pointed out a tragic incident where 49 Christians were killed during a night prayer vigil in Commanda, a town in Eastern DRC. Eyewitness accounts reveal horrifying details; among the victims were at least nine children who were beheaded. This violence, attributed to the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) linked to the Islamic State, resulted in numerous deaths and displacements in July alone.

“Can you imagine the fear? This isn’t just a one-off event; it’s a continuing crisis,” Graham remarked. “Last year, more than 4,000 Christians were killed in Nigeria. In sub-Saharan Africa, over 16 million Christians fled their homes due to unimaginable violence. One individual stated, ‘The church is on the run.’”

In an earlier incident in February, it was reported that Islamic extremists believed to be associated with the Islamic State took 70 Christians from a church in Kasanga and brutally executed them. The violence often unfolds early in the mornings, primarily targeting Christian villages.

Even in June, over 200 Christian civilians, including children and the elderly, were reported killed by armed Fulani militants, underscoring the severity of the ongoing persecution.

“Pray for these Christians and join me in raising awareness,” Graham encouraged. He expressed gratitude that President Trump and his administration are condemning these acts and advocating for religious freedoms worldwide.