Christianity in Mauritania is the second most common religion in Mauritania , after Islam . According to the United Nations Universal Periodic Review, the number of Christians in the country in 2015 was about 5,000, or 0.26% of the total population. According to the US Open Doors organization, the number of Christians in Mauritania in 2017 was 10,100. Most of the Christians in the country are expats.
Christianity in Mauritania is represented by two directions - Catholicism and Protestantism. There are about 4,500 Catholics in the country, which is 1% of the total population. The Diocese of Nouakchott of the Roman Catholic Church operates with six parishes and temples in Nouakchott, Nouadhibou, Atar, Zouerate and Rosso. There are several Protestant communities in Mauritania. The number of Protestants is approximately 200-400 people.
Despite strict laws prohibiting the preaching of Christianity, the number of Christians in Mauritania is growing. The number of ethnic Moorians professing Christianity is from 400 to 1000 people.
Persecution of Christians
In addition to preaching Christianity, the laws of Mauritania also prohibit the distribution of Christian literature and the baptism of Muslims. Bibles in the country are rarely printed. Official persecution by the state includes the arrest of Moorish Christians due to their religious beliefs and the closure of churches. Transition from Islam is punishable by death.