Countries with Significant Restrictions on the Bible
Many countries regulate religious materials under broader laws (e.g., blasphemy, public order, or anti-proselytizing statutes). Restrictions often apply to specific regions, minority groups, or contexts (e.g., proselytizing or importing materials).
While exact numbers can vary and are subject to change, several countries have laws or practices that restrict or prohibit the possession, distribution, or importation of Bibles. Here’s a list of countries where such restrictions are known to exist:
1. Afghanistan: Converting to Christianity can result in severe punishment, including death. Bibles are not sold publicly, and Afghan Christians must practice their faith in secrecy.
2. Algeria: The government imposes strict regulations on non-Muslim worship and materials, including Bibles.
3. Bhutan: Distribution of religious literature is restricted, and proselytism is illegal.
4. Brunei: Importing Bibles is banned, and Christians must be cautious when accessing electronic versions of Scripture.
5. Central African Republic: Ongoing conflict has led to targeted attacks against Christians, affecting their ability to access Bibles.
6. China: The sale and distribution of Bibles are limited to officially sanctioned churches, and online sales have been restricted. The state-owned Amity Press is the only publisher allowed to print Bibles not intended for export.
7. Comoros: The importation of religious materials is restricted, and proselytizing is illegal.
8. Djibouti: While the constitution provides for freedom of religion, societal pressures and government restrictions limit the distribution of Bibles.
9. Egypt: Christians face restrictions on religious materials, and there have been instances of Bibles being confiscated.
10. Eritrea: The government recognizes only certain Christian denominations; others face severe persecution, and Bibles have been confiscated.
11. Iran: Converting from Islam to Christianity is considered apostasy and can lead to severe punishment, including death. Christians often face arbitrary arrests, and Bibles in Persian are prohibited.
12. Iraq: Christians face persecution, and access to Bibles is restricted in certain areas.
13. Kazakhstan: Religious literature is subject to censorship, and unregistered religious activity is illegal.
14. Kuwait: Importing religious literature is restricted, and proselytism is illegal.
15. Laos: The government restricts the distribution of religious materials, and Christians face persecution.
16. Libya: Importing and distributing Bibles is illegal, as is evangelism.
17. Malaysia: Bibles in the Malay language are required to be stamped with a disclaimer “Not for Muslims.” The use of the word “Allah” in Malay Bibles is prohibited, and authorities have seized Bibles in the past.
18. Maldives: Importing Bibles is an offense due to local Islamic laws.
19. Mauritania: The distribution of non-Islamic religious materials is restricted, and proselytism is illegal.
20. Morocco: The government restricts the distribution of non-Islamic religious materials, and proselytism is illegal.
21. Myanmar (Burma): Christians, particularly in certain regions, face restrictions on religious materials and activities.
22. Nepal: Anti-conversion laws are used to target Christians, and distributing Bibles can lead to imprisonment.
23. North Korea: Possessing a Bible is a serious crime that can lead to imprisonment or execution. The government views religion as a threat to its ideology.
24. Oman: Importing religious literature is restricted, and proselytism is illegal.
25. Pakistan: Blasphemy laws are used to target Christians, and distributing Bibles can lead to severe punishment.
26. Qatar: Importing religious materials is restricted, and proselytism is illegal.
27. Russia: In 2015, Russia banned the importation of the Jehovah’s Witnesses’ New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures.
28. Saudi Arabia: The distribution of non-Muslim religious materials, including Bibles, is illegal.
29. Somalia: The country does not recognize any religion other than Islam and converting to Christianity can be lethal and Bibles are illegal.
30. Sudan: Christians practice in secret, and it is illegal to own a Bible.
31. Syria: Ongoing conflict has led to targeted attacks against Christians, affecting their ability to access Bibles.
32. Tajikistan: Religious literature is subject to censorship, and unregistered religious activity is illegal.
33. Tunisia: The government imposes restrictions on the distribution of non-Islamic religious materials.
34. Turkmenistan: Religious literature is heavily censored, and unregistered religious activity is illegal.
35. United Arab Emirates: Importing religious materials is restricted
36. Sri Lanka – post-2019 attacks, some evangelical groups face scrutiny
37. Bangladesh – Anti-conversion laws in some regions; Bibles occasionally targeted
38. Vietnam – Bibles require government approval; unauthorized printing is illegal.
39. Tajikistan – Banned “extremist” literature; Bibles sometimes included.
40. Azerbaijan – Unregistered religious texts can be seized.
41. Uzbekistan – Strict censorship; unregistered religious texts (including Bibles) are confiscated.
42. Yemen – Proselytizing or distributing non-Islamic texts is illegal.
Important Context
– Restrictions ≠ Total Bans: Most countries listed regulate Bibles under anti-proselytizing, blasphemy, or censorship laws rather than outright bans.
– Regional Variations: Restrictions may apply only in certain areas (e.g., Aceh in Indonesia).
– Private vs. Public Use: Some countries (e.g., Gulf states) allow private Bible use by expatriates but ban public distribution.
Last modified: April 9, 2025
