Tag: Arabian Peninsula

Please pray for Christians in Qatar – World Watch List #20

Persecuted Church in QATAR (Wikipedia) – World Watch List #20 (Open Doors UK)

Qatar-mapPopulation: 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.

Qatar manPLEASE 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.

A typical Friday morning mass at the Catholic Church in Qatar
A typical Friday morning mass
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, Continue reading “Please pray for Christians in Qatar – World Watch List #20” →

Please pray for Arab people

August 27 | Arabian Peninsula – Please pray that the Word of God will be spread across the Peninsula. Pray that people will desire to read it and will find copies to read. Pray that Bibles will be distributed or will be sold in stores where they are available.
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The winds of social change are sweeping over the Arabian Peninsular – the “natives are restless” and governments are stressed. Political and religious forces are vying for supremacy. The mood is tense making distributing Bibles and sharing faith in Christ even more perilous. And yet… the work goes on.
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“But the word of God continued to spread and flourish.” (Acts 12:24)