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The Persecution of Christians can be historically traced from the first century of the Christian era to the present day. Christian missionaries and converts to Christianity have both been targeted for persecution, sometimes to the point of being martyred for their faith, ever since the emergence of Christianity.

The persecution of Christians has continued to occur during the 21st century. Christianity is the largest world religion and its adherents live across the globe. Approximately 10% of the world’s Christians are members of minority groups which live in non-Christian-majority states. The contemporary persecution of Christians includes the official state persecution mostly occurring in countries which are located in Africa and Asia because they have state religions or because their governments and societies practice religious favoritism. Such favoritism is frequently accompanied by religious discrimination and religious persecution.

Malaysia is included in the US State Department’s “special watchlist” of countries in which the government allows or engages in “severe violations of religious freedom”.

“Malaysia is a very interesting situation for Christians because it completely depends on your ethnic background as to how you will be treated.” A Chinese Christian probably doesn’t have any trouble in Malaysia, but a Malay Christian faces intense persecution.”

It’s acceptable for people from a Chinese or Indian background to follow Christ. However, Malay society considers Islam an intrinsic part of its identity.

“If you are an ethnic Malay and you say, ‘I’m following Jesus Christ’, you will have all kinds of problems.”

“Some are taken to reconversion centers where they try to talk you out – or force you out – of being a follower of Christ and force you back to Islam.”

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