13% of the Christian population live together in the fundamentalist Islamic State of Qatar
Open Doors announced in 2022 that there are 372,000 Christians in Qatar, or about 13% of the 2.8 million in population. Many of them are migrant workers, who are from the Philippines, India, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Africa, Europe, Central Asia, and the Arab countries, making up almost 90% of Qatar’s population. So, only about 10% are considered indigenous Qataris. The majority of Christians are Filipinos, Indians, and Lebanese. Among them, Filipinos (117,000people) are Catholics, and 87% of Christians are Catholics. In addition, Protestants and independent churches account for 8.2% of Christians, and the number of evangelicals is about 5,600, or 1.5%.
Qatar, like Saudi Arabia, is an intermediate form of monarchy that follows Sunni Islam and secularism, which is the root of Wahhabism. King Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani has ruled the country since 2013. In 2017, Qatar severed ties with Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Bahrain over issues such as alleged support for Islamic terrorist organizations and friendly relations with Iran. However, exchanges resumed through an agreement in 2021. Qatar remains wealthy due to its abundant oil and natural gas reserves, and in 2022, it completed large-scale construction of facilities and infrastructure for hosting the World Cup, benefiting from economic boosts related to the tournament and tourism.
According to Amnesty International’s 2022 human rights report, over 6,500 workers from Southern Asia, such as India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, have died in Qatar over the past 10 years. However, the Qatari authorities have not determined the cause of more than 70% of the deaths. According to Qatari law, compensation must be paid in the case of death due to work. However, if the cause of death is not properly investigated and work-related relationships are not confirmed, the employer may avoid compensation. Currently, there are approximately 2 million migrant workers from underprivileged countries in Qatar.
Encountering the King of Kings, the Lord of Lords, who grants eternal life!
Foreign Christians are required to worship in government-controlled facilities known as
“Religious Complexes,” where Qatari citizens are not allowed to visit these places. When Qataris convert to Christianity, they lose everything and face persecution. Qatar continued to be in Open Doors’ top 50 Christian persecution rankings, and the persecution worsened as it climbed from 38th in 2019 to 18th place in 2022.
Although sharing the gospel to Muslims is strictly prohibited, there are Christians who take great risks and preach to Qataris. Qatar’s Christian minority must meet other Christians in absolute secrecy. The online Bible is easily accessible and some people go to Bahrain to buy the hardcopy. Owning a Bible is not illegal, but if discovered, he or she will be under the pressure of his or her family.
Nevertheless, there are a small number of indigenous converts. They are under extreme pressure from Muslim families and communities. Being convicted of apostasy can cause the country to impose legal liability and confiscate status, child custody, and property.
According to the testimony of a Qatari convert, she initially thought about leaving her country out of fear that there would be no church to help her spiritually. However, while looking for a way out, she met a believer online who also lived in the Arabian Peninsula and introduced her to other believers living in that city. The two began having fellowship in their small group. This face-to-face connection was made possible thanks to modern technology and support through social media.
Open Doors also shared an interview with a Sri Lankan immigrant worker named Simon(pseudonym). Managing and supervising some projects related to the construction of the FIFA World Cup stadium, he met with some Christian workers and converted to Christianity. He said, “I never thought I would be a Christian in such a strict Muslim society. But it happened. ”Ahmed (pseudonym), another immigrant worker, said, “I was a Muslim. But God had a different plan for me. ”In an interview with Open Doors, he said, “We can’t approach people with the Bible. But we don’t need to because they’re coming to us. I have lots of religious conversations with my colleagues. They ask me a lot of questions. All we need to do is answer their questions. There is no one to stop this.”
He added, “Even when we don’t have the opportunity to share the gospel, people recognize that we are different. They feel deeply understood. This alone spreads (the gospel).” Immigrants from India, Nepal, and the Philippines face challenges such as mistreatment, unpaid wages, and unfair contracts. Many employers also illegally hold their workers’ passports. Pastor Samuel, a 30-year-old immigrant from the Philippines, works 11 hours a day for low wages and pastors at night. He shared his testimony, saying, “God led me to faith through the many challenges I faced during the immigration process.”
He explained, “All immigrant workers in Qatar endure a difficult life abroad, far from their families. I am sacrificing a happy and peaceful life with my family to provide them with a better future, ” adding that “immigrant workers often experience deep homesickness. However, the God of great mercy and wisdom is using this longing to draw them to Christ. Many Christians I have met in Qatar testify, ‘I came here to earn more money, but God had a greater plan.’ They have encountered the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords, who gives not just a better life but eternal life.”
》Prayer Points
1. In a small nation of 2.8 million people, 90% are migrant workers. Let us give thanks that 13% of them are Christians who have come to sow the seeds of the gospel. They are allowed to worship only within designated buildings in a specific area called a “religious complex.” Yet, let us praise God for hearing and answering the worship and prayers of hundreds of thousands in Qatar. Additionally, there has been significant evangelism among migrant workers. Many, through their lonely and challenging lives abroad, have not only earned a better life but have also encountered God, who grants eternal life. Let us pray that this revival continues to spread among them.
47 Very truly I tell you, the one who believes has eternal life. 48 I am the bread of life. 51 I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats this bread will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.” (John 6:47-48,51,NIV)
2. The indigenous Muslims of Qatar may belong to a wealthy and stable nation, but let us praise God, who stirs a spiritual thirst in each person. The Lord personally seeks out those with spiritual longing, revealing the gospel to them through dreams, visions, broadcasts, the Internet, and the Bible, leading them to faith. However, when these converts face persecution from their families, society, and the state, it becomes challenging for them to maintain their faith. Let us pray that new believers will be led and connected to a supportive community where they can be nurtured and grow strong in the truth and the Holy Spirit. Also, pray for their safety, and that the church in Qatar becomes a victorious one—praying, protecting converts, and spreading the gospel until salvation reaches their families and the nation of Qatar.
2 My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. 6 So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, 7 rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. (Colossians 2:2-3, 6-7,NIV)
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