Open Doors World Watch List 2025: The Top 50 – Rank No. 50 Jordan

​What does persecution look like in Jordan?
Most Christians in Jordan belong to Orthodox or Roman Catholic churches and enjoy a significant level of religious freedom. However, they can face employment discrimination and restrictions against public preaching. Converts from Islam risk beatings, arrest and even death for openly sharing their faith. Christians involved in evangelism or helping converts often face threats and daily obstructions.

Compared to other Middle Eastern countries, Christians in Jordan live in relative security under King Abdallah’s leadership, which tolerates and somewhat supports recognized churches. However, the state to some extent monitors
Christian communities and can harass unrecognized churches, especially those that evangelize. Despite Jordan’s image as a tolerant nation, radicalized Sunnis and returning jihadists pose a threat to Christians.

Who is most vulnerable to persecution?
The level of persecution in Jordan is generally the same all over the country, although social control is likely to be higher in rural areas. The south of the country is also known to be more conservatively Islamic.

Meet "Tareq"
I used to be a bully, a troublemaker. I am a new creation now in Jesus Christ. I look more and more like Him.
 
What has changed this year?
Although there’s no major shift in how Christians are treated in Jordan, more are now considering leaving due to concerns over political stability and severe economic issues, especially following the Gaza-Israel conflict, which has further strained Jordan’s economy. Meanwhile, there’s a noticeable trend toward greater Islamic conservatism and increased support for Hamas, driven largely by the civilian death toll in Gaza. This shift has spurred widespread boycotts of international brands and heightened the visibility of Islam, with some individuals distancing themselves from Christians, partly due to perceived neutrality of some on Israel. The state continued to monitor all Christian communities to some extent, with unrecognized churches facing possible harassment, especially those involved in mission work. Converts from Islam can face significant pressure, and that hasn't improved—or, thankfully, gotten worse. 

What does Open Doors do to help Christians in Jordan?
Open Doors supports the church in Jordan through local partners and churches. They provide training, relief and rehabilitation, and conduct research, while also raising prayer support for believers.

How can you pray for Jordan?

• Thank God that many Christians in Jordan are free to worship. Ask the Lord to make their worship a sign of light and hope for the whole region.
• Pray for converts from Islam in Jordan. Their faith in Jesus can make them a target for abuse and even attack.
• Ask God to bless the monarchy of Jordan and help them to see the hope of Jesus in the lives of Jordanian believers.

 
Persecution Type: Islamic Oppression, Dictatorial Paranoia, Clan Oppression, Denominational Protectionism
Christians:  170,000 (Open Doors Estimate)
Main Religion: Islam
Government: Parliamentary Constitutional Monarchy
Leader: King Abdullah II
 
Reference: Open Door’s World Watch List 2025: The Top 50. Open Doors International. USA: Authors.