Last year, the world was left in shock as the previously dormant Taliban Islamist movement violently erupted, regaining control of Afghanistan.

The world watched as thousands of Afghans, many Christians, fought desperately to flee the country in an effort to preserve their lives.

Now, a year after the takeover, many Afghan Christians are still in the fight for their lives.

Though the media has moved on, many still endure relentless persecution and discrimination every day…and they need help.

The Underground Church

One year ago (August 12, 2021) the US military troops evacuated Afghanistan, leaving the Taliban motivated by the long-awaited victory.

Now that they were in charge, they had access to the personal data of every citizen in the country. To those who had faithfully registered themselves as Christian, this meant they now wore a target on their backs.

Basking in their victory, the Taliban immediately began to hunt down and persecute Christians and United States workers left back in the country.

It was only by the grace of God and the help of some at-risk organisations that many were able to escape.

One such organisation is The Shai Fund, founded in 2014 and committed to helping persecuted religious minorities around the world.

In an interview with The Voice of the Martyrs, Charmaine Hedding, president of The Shai Fund, described the intense process her organisation went through to get Afghan Christians to a safe place.

It was immediately after the takeover that Hedding and her team rushed into action to save as many Christians as possible.

On the day the US troops were being evacuated, The Shai Fund, in partnership with Mercury 1, had arranged to have their own planes arrive at the scene to welcome Christian refugees.

The nerves were high. They recalled at one point even receiving a warning that seven suicide bombers were coming from the mosque to the airport, forcing them to relocate quickly.

Unfortunately, not everyone could be saved.

Even though The Shai Fund was able to retrieve many Christians using their planes, they still had the issue of getting permission to land.

“Some countries wouldn’t even give us permission to fly over their country, much less land,” Hedding shared.

It was only after an agreement was made with the United Arab Emirates that they were able to finally land their planes.

But, the Taliban’s pursuit of Christians has not ceased and The Shai Fund still continues to help the underground Afghan church in every way it can.

They’re currently in contact with several underground churches and safe houses, waiting for the perfect opportunity to get them out of the country.

But the clock is always ticking as just some weeks ago a few of these safe houses were raided violently by Taliban soldiers.

“The church in Afghanistan is on their knees being beheaded for their faith,” Hedding shared, “..If we don’t continue to pray, they will perish.”

But, even amid the persecution, several Christians have stated that they will not stop doing God’s will of sharing the gospel and encouraging their brothers and sisters in the faith.

Many other heroes have emerged during this time, including Brazillian President Jair Bolsonaro and his wife, who readily accept the Christian refugees when they manage to escape.