Abi McDougal

The Christian Solidarity Podcast

News EN ↓ 7 episodes

On the Christian Solidarity Podcast, we tell the modern-day stories of the persecuted body of Christ. At Christian Solidarity International (CSI), we partner with local churches and Christian organizations to support religious freedom and human dignity for everyone. CSI's goal is to help followers of Christ, of all different traditions, stand together with those facing persecution. With a 24/7 news cycle, it can feel overwhelming to even know where to begin. In the Christian Solidarity Podcast, we dig into how politics, society, religious tradition, and history uniquely shape the challenges co...

Author

Abi McDougal

Episodes

Ep. 7 | Is violence in Nigeria driven by resources or religion? 22.01.2026 30:21

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 Niger...

Ep. 6 | Is violence in Nigeria driven by resources or religion? 12.12.2025 28:04

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 a...

Ep. 5 | Why is Suleiman Khalil in prison in Syria? 26.11.2025 21:34

⚠️ Tell Syria's foreign minister to release 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 20...

Ep. 4 | Do the people of Nagorno Karabakh still want to return? 16.10.2025 38:11

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 ombu...

Ep. 3 | Why is Nigeria the deadliest country for Christians? 02.09.2025 32:12

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 perse...

Ep. 2 | What is driving the violence in Syria? 02.09.2025 28:25

Violence in Syria has come in waves since Assad's dictatorship collapsed in December 2024. What is behind the new brutality? On the second episode of the Christian Solidarity Podcast, CSI's Abi McDougal and Joel Veldkamp look at dangers looming for Christians and other religious minorities in Syria. The conversation examines religiously motivated attacks under al-Sharaa's new regime and the Sunni...

Ep. 1 | What is next for Nagorno Karabakh? 02.09.2025 30:53

In this episode of the Christian Solidarity Podcast, host Abi McDougal talks with CSI director for public advocacy Dr. Joel Veldkamp about the ethnic cleansing of Armenian Christians from Nagorno Karabakh by Azerbaijan. They explore the historical context of the conflict, the implications of the Swiss Peace Initiative, and the ongoing advocacy efforts to support the displaced population. The conve...