PRAY FOR OMAN
– That God will strengthen converts to withstand pressure to renounce their faith.
– For Omani Christians to be able to worship freely.
– That migrant workers experiencing abuse for converting will find a community of faith.
“Believers might be mocked, or the family will find other ways to shame the believers.”
– Daniel*, a believer from the Arabian Peninsula
Country
Profile
- Region
- Middle East
- Sources of persecution
- Islamic Oppression
- Population
- 5,412,000
- Christian population
- 196,000
- Religions
- Islam
- Leader
- Sultan Haytham bin Tariq Al Said
- Score
- 69
What’s Life Like For Christians?
Omanis who convert to Christianity face pressure from family members and wider society to renounce their faith. As part of the government’s tight control of public life, all religious organisations must be registered with the authorities.
Persecution for converts can include physical, mental, and emotional abuse, job loss, and family expulsion. Disinheritance and losing custody of their children is common. Most Omani converts keep their new faith hidden.
Expatriate Christians can enjoy considerable freedom in Oman, as long as they avoid sharing their faith with Muslims. Despite the freedom given to expatriates, there are caveats. Those who come from Muslim backgrounds can experience pressure from within their own national or ethnic communities, where they’re likely to be living.
Meanwhile, church services are strictly monitored to record any political statements and if any Omani nationals are attending. Evangelistic activities among Muslims are forbidden. The online activities of both Christians and churches can also come under the scrutiny of the authorities.
Who Is Most Vulnerable To Persecution?
Omani society is still very tribal and levels of pressure on Christians tend to be heightened in rural areas, where social and family control is generally higher. As an ultra-conservative society, male figures exert significant control over the lives of women and girls, who are not expected to have their own religious beliefs. This often results in female converts being isolated from the wider Christian community.
What Does Open Doors Do To Help?
Open Doors supports the body of Christ on the Arabian Peninsula by organising prayer, distributing Scripture resources, and training believers and pastors.
