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Saudi Arabia 

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Leader: King Abdullah
Government: Monarchy

Religion: Islam
Population: 28 million (1.25 million Christians)

Rashid* is a Saudi Arabian student who attended a Western university and surrendered his life to Christ after his roommate shared the gospel with him.

Excited about his newfound faith, Rashid returned home and shared the good news of Jesus with his loved ones. But he chose a public venue to tell one relative about his decision. A bystander reported Rashid to Saudi religious police, who threw him into jail.

Rashid’s cell mate, Tareq*, kept staring at him. At last Tareq spoke: “You’re the man I’m supposed to talk to.”

But Rashid shook his head. “I don’t think so. I’ve been just thrown in jail for my belief in Jesus.”

Tareq, however, pleaded with Rashid: “In my dreams a man was shown to me. It was your face. You have something to tell me.”

So Rashid shared the gospel with Tareq, who eagerly received Jesus into his heart.

There is no provision for religious freedom in the constitution of this Islamic kingdom. All citizens must adhere to Islam and conversion to another religion is punishable by death. Public Christian worship is forbidden; worshippers risk imprisonment, lashing, deportation and torture. Evangelising Muslims and distributing non-Muslim materials is illegal. Muslims who convert to Christianity risk honour killings, and foreign Christian workers have been exposed to abuse from employers. Despite this, converts are responding to Christian TV programmes and to dreams and visions from God.

Pray:

• Ask God to protect Christians who boldly share their faith despite the risks
• For isolated believers who face rejection and persecution from their families
• That God will continue to draw people to Himself through satellite TV, radio and supernatural dreams.

World Watch List

Categories: Christian persecution