Open Doors to Release Religious Freedom Abuser World Watch List

SANTA ANA, Calif., JOn Wednesday, Jan. 5, Open Doors will release its annual 2011 World Watch List of 50 countries that are the worst persecutors of Christians around the globe.

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For the past eight years, North Korea has topped the list. Last year Iran was No. 2 followed by Saudi Arabia No. 3. Several countries might climb up on the list, including Pakistan (No. 14 in 2010) and Iraq (No. 17 last year), due to increased persecution over the past 12 months. Major attacks on Christians occurred during the Christmas and New Year's holidays. In Egypt (No. 20 last year) at least 21 Christians were killed in a bomb blast on New Year's Day outside Saints Church in Alexandria. There were also killings of Christians in Iraq and Nigeria (No. 27 in 2010). The World Watch List ranks countries according to the intensity of persecution Christians face for actively pursuing their faith. It is compiled from Open Doors' indigenous contacts, field workers and persecuted believers based on answers to questions covering various aspects of religious freedom. The list helps Christians in the West to advocate and pray for persecuted believers worldwide. Christian Newswire

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