Jerry Dykstra
Open Doors
Today marks the fifth anniversary of the uproar in Tunisia that started a wave of protests, riots and government upheaval across the region that become known as the Arab Spring. What was initially received with optimism—that the regional turmoil would lead to more democratic societies and increased freedoms for residents—has actually produced a mixed bag of social changes. Unfortunately, the results for Christians in the regions have been overwhelmingly negative.
While the protestors who began the riots were young people fed up with economic inequality and the ruling elites, those who swooped into the power vacuum had very different agendas. Islamic extremists capitalized on the instability of the region to seize power. In countries like Syria, Iraq and Yemen, the unprecedented violence held horrific consequences for Christians. Today, virtually all personal rights have been rescinded and Christians have been the targets of violence and murder. Women and girls of the region have become victims of human trafficking, forced marriages and sexual slavery.
“The prediction that the Arab Spring would lead to greater freedom for minority voices in Arab nations has, sadly, not panned out,” said Open Doors President and CEO David Curry. “To the contrary, the overall impact of the Arab Spring on Christians in the region has been catastrophic.”
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