The Christian Solidarity Podcast

Ep. 7 | Is violence in Nigeria driven by resources or religion?

If Muslims are killed as well as Christians in Nigeria, why is there so much concern about targeted persecution of Christians? What suggests that religion directly drives the attacks as well as resources? Part 2 of this conversation with CSI partner Hassan John steps back from the individual experiences of Nigerian Christians to look at the roles played by key groups, both inside and outside Nigeria. In this final episode of Season One on the Christian Solidarity Podcast, host Abi McDougal hears from CSI partner Hassan John about: - the connections between radical Islamist groups like Boko Haram, Fulani militants, ISIS/ISIL, JNIM, and government sympathizers - how the victims of perpetrators that pose little immediate threat beyond Nigeria receive minimal international attention or support - the suppression of reporting and how the narrative of climate-driven resource conflict is more palatable to the West - the Church witnessing the truth of their suffering in the power of the gospel - the power of the global body of Christ praying for and supporting Christians facing persecution Listen to Part 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v9YvVdr1PSE&list=PLK_v1-8Z8xWWBOb-ixnNO2-rDSwLVPFym [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v9YvVdr1PSE&list=PLK_v1-8Z8xWWBOb-ixnNO2-rDSwLVPFym] ---------------------------------------------------- Produced by Christian Solidarity International Theme music by Matt & Katie Gustafson ---------------------------------------------------- Related resources: For a breakdown of seven key indicators showing that Christians are particularly targeted for their faith: https://www.csi-int.org/news/are-christians-in-nigeria-targeted-for-their-religion/ [https://www.csi-int.org/news/are-christians-in-nigeria-targeted-for-their-religion/] For more background on how Islamist militants' attacks vary by region, listen to Episode 3 on the Christian Solidarity Podcast: https://www.csi-int.org/news/podcast-is-the-violence-in-nigeria-driven-by-resources-or-religion/ [https://www.csi-int.org/news/podcast-is-the-violence-in-nigeria-driven-by-resources-or-religion/] To learn about CSI's other partnerships and advocacy work, visit our website: https://www.csi-int.org [https://www.csi-int.org] Chapters 0:00 Intro 2:10 Limited international attention means little support 7:46 Chibok schoolgirls' abduction 12:02 Radical Islamic networks 19:03 Hope in Christian witness under persecution 28:38 Conclusion

Ep. 6 | Is violence in Nigeria driven by resources or religion?

A social media post by U.S. President Trump on November 1 sparked international debates over whether the violent displacement and death ravaging Nigeria stem from religious antagonism or are simply the results of a conflict over resources driven by climate change. Which is it? In Part 1 of this conversation on the Christian Solidarity Podcast, host Abi McDougal talks with CSI partner Hassan John about what the crisis actually looks like on the ground. Hassan shares his firsthand experiences from years of responding to massacres and abductions in Nigeria and discusses how religious tensions fuel the violence. This episode delves into the harrowing experiences of Christians in Nigeria facing persecution, particularly from radical Islamist groups like Boko Haram and Fulani militias. It explores the tactical patterns observed in the attacks; the complex interplay of ideology and historical context in the ongoing conflict; personal stories of loss, and God's continued presence in the midst of suffering. The discussion highlights the responses of Christian communities to existential threats, emphasizing the need for awareness and action from the international community. ----------------------------------------------- Produced by Christian Solidarity International Theme music by Matt & Katie Gustafson ----------------------------------------------- Related resources from CSI on Nigeria: https://www.csi-int.org/project-countries/nigeria/ [https://www.csi-int.org/project-countries/nigeria/] For more background on how Islamist militants' attacks vary by region, listen to Episode 3 on the Christian Solidarity Podcast: https://www.csi-int.org/news/podcast-why-is-nigeria-the-deadliest-place-for-christians/ [https://www.csi-int.org/news/podcast-why-is-nigeria-the-deadliest-place-for-christians/] To learn about CSI's other partnerships and advocacy work, visit our website: https://www.csi-int.org [https://www.csi-int.org] 0:00 Intro 1:45 Meeting Hassan John 3:06 The risk of genocide: Attack patterns 7:16 Personal stories of suffering 11:40 Farmer-herder conflict or jihad? 20:09 How are Christians responding? 24:24 Stories of bold faith 27:10 Outro for Part 1

Ep. 5 | Why is Suleiman Khalil in prison in Syria?

⚠️ Tell Syria's foreign minister to release Suleiman Khalil: https://www.csi-int.org/campaigns/suleiman-khalil/ [https://www.csi-int.org/campaigns/suleiman-khalil/] On this episode of the Christian Solidarity Podcast, host Abi McDougal talks with CSI's Director of Advocacy Joel Veldkamp about the story of Suleiman Khalil, a Christian from Syria. As mayor of the town of Sadad, Khalil led the town's defense against an attack by the Islamic State in 2015. Following the collapse of the Assad dictatorship, Khalil was arrested without charge and has been jailed under the new jihadist-led government without access to a lawyer or his family. The conversation explores the context of Syria's long civil war, the heroic actions of Suleiman as a former mayor, the circumstances surrounding his arrest and imprisonment, and the current situation for Christians in Syria. Abi and Joel discuss advocacy and action to support Suleiman's freedom, as well as the broader implications for religious minorities in the region. ----------------------------------------------- Produced by Christian Solidarity International Theme music by Matt & Katie Gustafson ----------------------------------------------- Related resources from CSI: Side event at the UN Human Rights Council on July 1, 2025: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zNMDCULlWzw&list=PLK_v1-8Z8xWV1S9froq_z59SmSwqmhoWj&index=22 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zNMDCULlWzw&list=PLK_v1-8Z8xWV1S9froq_z59SmSwqmhoWj&index=22] ------------------------------------------------ To learn more about CSI's partnerships and advocacy work, visit our website: https://www.csi-int.org [https://www.csi-int.org] Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Suleiman Khalil's story 01:58 Suleiman Khalil: Christian, mayor, hero 08:52 The current situation for religious minorities 12:23 CSI's efforts to free Suleiman Khalil 17:30 A test case for Syria's future freedom 19:15 Closing: Speak out

Ep. 4 | Do the people of Nagorno Karabakh still want to return?

After the ethnic cleansing of the entire population of Nagorno Karabakh, Azerbaijan called the ethnic Armenians' departure "voluntary." But what exactly led the people of Nagorno Karabakh to leave? And why -- and how -- do they now want to return home? On this episode of the Christian Solidarity Podcast, CSI's director of advocacy Joel Veldkamp speaks with Artak Beglaryan, former human rights ombudsman for the Republic of Nagorno Karabakh. Beglaryan details the context of the 2023 blockade, the tortuous escape, Azerbaijan's ongoing intimidation and oppression, and the need for international support facilitated by the Swiss Peace Initiative. ------------------------------------------------ Produced by Christian Solidarity International Theme music by Matt & Katie Gustafson ------------------------------------------------ Related resources from CSI: Side event at the UN Human Rights Council on September 29, 2025: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tQ5a1BJDImk [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tQ5a1BJDImk] Statement at the UN Human Rights Council on October 1, 2025: https://www.csi-int.org/news/csi-calls-on-un-to-support-swiss-peace-initiative-for-nagorno-karabakh/ [https://www.csi-int.org/news/csi-calls-on-un-to-support-swiss-peace-initiative-for-nagorno-karabakh/] To learn more about CSI's partnerships and advocacy work, visit our website: https://www.csi-int.org [https://www.csi-int.org]

Ep. 3 | Why is Nigeria the deadliest country for Christians?

Nigeria is the deadliest country in the world to be a Christian. But about half of Nigerians identify as Christian, and the persecution is not perpetrated by the state. What has made Nigeria so dangerous? In this episode of the Christian Solidarity Podcast, Abi McDougal and Joel Veldkamp introduce the dire situation for Christians in Nigeria. The discussion explores the historical context of persecution, the nature of violence against Christians, and powerful stories of faith from Nigerians impacted. The conversation highlights the different regional trends of violence seen in the northeast versus the Middle Belt. In outlining the situation of the northeast, Joel shares the story of Father Alphonsus Afina, a local leader in Borno State who was kidnapped by Boko Haram, in the context of targeted attacks on clergy. Looking south toward the Middle Belt, they recount how Fulani militants have carried out series of deadly attacks on Christian villages in Plateau State during what Joel calls "slow-motion ethnic cleansing." Joel and Abi also touch on the history of ethnic hierarchies in the country, the entanglement of colonialism and missionary work, and the international response to these issues. ------------------------------------------------------------- Produced by Christian Solidarity International Theme music by Matt & Katie Gustafson ------------------------------------------------------------- Related resources from CSI on Nigeria: https://www.csi-int.org/project-countries/nigeria/ [https://www.csi-int.org/project-countries/nigeria/] To learn about CSI's partnerships and advocacy work, visit our website: https://www.csi-int.org [https://www.csi-int.org]