Church in Chains, 23 November 2021
Hamed was the founder of an NGO that employed fellow Christians in Afghanistan and for 20 years his organisation oversaw many humanitarian projects. When the Taliban took over they hunted him, ransacked his organisation’s office and stole the money on hand. Shai Fund was able to keep Hamed and his family in a safe house until it was able to evacuate them from Afghanistan.
The withdrawal of remaining Western troops in August and Taliban’s return to power shocked the world with reports of summary executions soon after the takeover. Taliban fighters went from house to house to search for members of specific groups, including Christians.
As apostasy is a crime punishable by death under Sharia law, the estimated 5,000 to 12,000 Afghan Christians are at extreme risk of being targeted with deadly violence. Many have left or are trying to leave the country, some heading toward the mountains despite the approaching winter.
On 14 November Shai Fund reported that since the fall of Kabul, it has evacuated over 9,000 Afghans fleeing the Taliban and is also assisting those still in the country in safe houses with practical support.
Shai Fund is a Christian organisation that supports those affected by war, conflict, disaster, persecution and exploitation by partnering with local communities to provide urgent aid, practical support and humanitarian assistance.