How many Muslims convert to Christianity each year?

Originally published in Global Christian Relief

In recent years, one of the most exciting trends in global Christianity has been the growing number of Muslims converting to Christianity. Stories from around the world point to a powerful spiritual awakening taking place in many Muslim countries. But just how many Muslims convert to Christianity every year? The answer may surprise you.

A surprising statistic: Six million per year in Africa alone

One of the most widely-cited claims comes from Sheikh Ahmad Al Qataani, a prominent Muslim leader. In a televised interview on Al-Jazeera in 2001, he stated that every hour, 667 Muslims convert to Christianity. That adds up to 16 000 per day, or approximately six million per year — in Africa alone. While the numbers have been debated, no one can deny the broader trend of conversions from Islam to Christianity.

These conversions are happening despite intense religious pressure, restrictive Islamic laws and the threat of persecution. From the Middle East to Central Asia and beyond, Muslims experience deep encounters with Jesus Christ, sometimes through dreams and visions that lead them to seek the truth of the Gospel.

Global patterns of Muslim conversion

Religious conversion is always a personal journey, but trends show that something significant is happening on a global scale. Here are some examples of where Muslims are converting to Christianity at a rapid pace:

• Sudan: Over five million conversions from Islam to Christianity have occurred since the early 1990s.
• Iran: In 1979, there were only 500 known Christian converts. Today, there are estimated to be over one million.
• Afghanistan: There were just 17 known Christians in 2001; now, there are over 10 000.
• Iraq: Since the early 2000s, over 5 000 Muslims have converted to Christianity, with many churches opening in Baghdad and Kurdistan.

These statistics suggest that millions of Muslims are turning to Christ across Muslim countries, often in secret because of the harsh consequences of converting from Islam.

Reasons behind conversions from Islam to Christianity

Why are so many Muslims converting from Islam? While the answers are deeply personal, they share some common threads:

1. Personal encounters with Jesus: Many testimonies describe dreams or visions of Jesus Christ. These experiences often happen in regions where the Gospel is not easily accessible, and they spark a deep desire to learn more.

2. Disillusionment with Islamic extremism: In regions plagued by religious violence and extremism, some Muslims have grown disillusioned with the brutality carried out in the name of Islam. This has led some to seek a different path—a path of peace and love, as found in the teachings of Christ.

3. Access to Scripture: Organisations like Global Christian Relief and Christian missionary groups have worked tirelessly to distribute Bibles, Christian literature and videos. In Egypt, the Arabic New Testaments have reached hundreds of thousands.

4. The Role of the Church: Christian churches have been instrumental in ministering to Muslim converts. In India, for example, the church and evangelical organisations report that tens of thousands of Muslims are coming to Christ every year.

5. The Witness of Christian love: Stories of kindness, compassion and forgiveness from Christian neighbors often touch the hearts of Muslims. In many cases, it’s not just theology that draws them — but love in action.

Challenges for Muslim converts

Converting from Islam to Christianity is rarely easy. In many Muslim countries, Islamic law considers such a move apostasy, which can carry the death penalty. Converts often face:

• Rejection by family and community
• Threats or acts of violence
• Loss of employment or housing
• Legal penalties, including imprisonment

Despite these risks, the number of Muslims who convert continues to grow. These brave Christian converts are willing to endure suffering for the sake of the Gospel, just as Jesus said in Luke 14:27: “Whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.”

Dreams and visions: A common testimony

A powerful and repeated theme in many stories of conversion is the experience of a dream or vision of Jesus. Whether it’s in Iran, Egypt or Indonesia, Muslims often report that Jesus appeared to them, spoke words of love and peace, and invited them to follow Him.

This aligns with the prophecy found in Joel 2:28: “In the last days, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions.”

These supernatural experiences serve as a catalyst for conversions of Muslims to Christianity in places where preaching the Gospel openly is nearly impossible.

The role of the global Church

The growth of conversions from Islam to Christianity challenges believers in the United States and other parts of the world to respond with support and prayer. The global Church — Catholic, Protestant and Orthodox alike — must stand in solidarity with those risking everything to follow Jesus.

Let us pray for the millions of Christian converts from Islam, asking God to strengthen their faith and embolden their witness so they may bring more into the Kingdom.

The bottom line: A movement of the Spirit

So, how many Muslims convert to Christianity every year? While estimates vary, millions are making this life-changing decision. Whether through personal encounters with Jesus, the witness of the Church, or disillusionment with extremism, the movement from Islam to Christianity is growing.

It is a story of courage, sacrifice and hope. As we hear these testimonies and see the number of Muslims turning to Christ, we’re reminded of God’s power to transform hearts — even in the darkest places. As the Gospel continues to spread, may we never stop praying, supporting, and believing in God’s promise: “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” (Romans 10:13).

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