Persecuted Church in QATAR (Wikipedia) – World Watch List #20 (Open Doors UK)
Population: 1.9 million (90,000 Christians)
Main Religion: Islam
Government: Republic
Source of Persecution: Islamic extremism/Dictatorial paranoia
The state religion is conservative Islam and nearly all Qatari citizens are Sunni or Shia Muslims. Christian worship is only allowed in designated religious complexes, of which there are only two at the moment, which makes them easier to control and monitor. Many expat labourers are denied access to these complexes as they live too far away or are prevented from attending by employers. A Muslim who converts is considered an apostate and may face the death penalty. Foreign workers who evangelise non-Muslims are frequently deported.
PLEASE PRAY:
- Thank God that a new Christian complex is to be completed this year and other places of worship are being built
- For printed and digital Bible resources in Qatari and Asian languages to become available
- That foreign Christians will have opportunities to share the love of Jesus
PERSECUTION DYNAMICS
Christianity entered Qatar in the early centuries AD, before being driven out. Over the past 100 years, expats (including Christians) have arrived. Public worship of religions other than Islam was prohibited until recently. There are some Christian places of worship. Most Qataris are unhappy with this, yet no explicit opposition has been displayed.
at Catholic Church in Qatar
There is, however, a flip side – as Christian worship will only be allowed in a designated religious complex, there is a risk of ghettoisation. The concentration of Christian activities in one spot provides opportunity to control and monitor Christians.
There are more than 100 informal fellowships gathering in homes and generally tolerated by authorities. The Qatari Constitution declares that ‘freedom to practice religious rites shall be guaranteed’ yet in reality, expat Christians are restricted. The government prohibits proselytizing of non-Muslims and foreign workers who evangelize are frequently deported. Fear is a significant factor and a Muslim who converts is considered an apostate and may face the death penalty.
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What Life Is Really Like For Christians In Qatar
This tiny country along the Arabian Peninsula is home to the Al Jazeera news agency, well developed with the lowest illiteracy rate in the Arab world and in 2022 is planned to be home to the World Cup. Qatar has a small indigenous population and there are actually more foreign workers than native Qataris. In the mix of all of this are Christians, who face a great deal of persecution. The following is an exclusive interview with a Christian who is able to tell us what life is really like for Christians in Qatar.
What is daily life like for a Christian in Qatar?
The largest part of the body of Christ in Qatar are actually Christian migrant workers from countries like the Philippines, Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka and Pakistan.
Many of them live in labor camps (yes they are really called labor camps). They work from the early morning to late at night, sometimes seven days in a week. After work, they return to their labor camp where they eat and sleep.
The working conditions are very harsh; the construction sites, where many of them work, are unbearably hot in summer where temperatures can easily exceed 122 degrees Fahrenheit (50° C). It is not uncommon that people die from heat stroke or exhaustion.
Christian fellowship inside labor camps is prohibited and needs to be done in secret.
Female migrant workers who work in Qatari homes are vulnerable to sexual abuse and other forms of physical abuse. Just like most places on the Arabian Peninsula, the position of women is weak and they’re at the mercy of capricious protectors, who are mostly Muslim men. As for the daily life of local Qatari Christians; there are a few and they tend to keep their faith a secret (while trying to live according to Biblical guidelines).
The Peanut Gallery 