Leaving Islam can cause legal issues and loss of status, children, or property.
bottom“Every day, God gives us opportunities to show His love to others.”
– Samuel*, a believer from Qatar
Local believers face extreme pressure from their Muslim families and community. The country doesn’t officially recognise conversion from Islam, which causes legal troubles and loss of status, child custody, and property.
However, most Christians in Qatar are foreigners who tend to be migrant workers. Foreign churches are often monitored by the government and limited to specific areas. Both indigenous and migrant converts risk discrimination, harassment, and police surveillance for their faith.
The risks faced by Christians, especially converts from Islam to Christianity, depend on the person’s national origin. Native Qatari converts are the most vulnerable to danger, while foreign Christians may be somewhat freer to worship, as long as they do so in ways the government can tolerate.
Violence against Christians has risen sharply in the last year, causing Qatar to rise 11 ranks on the World Watch List. Those who have left Islam to follow Jesus risk physical violence, or in the most extreme cases, honour killings.
– Pray that local believers who must follow Jesus in secrecy will know they are not alone.
– Pray for migrant Christians and ask that they would have courage to share the gospel.
– Pray that the monarchy would open their hearts to the truth of Jesus’ love and grace.
