And the Saudi's Are Our Allies?
By
Jerry Dykstra - June 12, 2003
Because the holy city of Mecca is within its borders, Saudi Arabia considers itself the
guardian of Islam and requires all citizens to be Muslim. Any Saudi citizen who
converts to Christianity faces the death penalty, which can be by public
stoning or beheading. Non-Saudi citizens living in the nation are not allowed
to practice any other religion openly. Because of this stifling blanket of
repression, Saudi Arabia is the second-worst nation
for persecution. Only a handful of native Saudis are Christian, and they
worship in complete isolation and fear. Non-native Christian guest workers from
other countries have also been imprisoned, beaten and deported for practicing
their faith. Within the past 18 months, at least 14 expatriate Christians have
been jailed and deported.
[Who said Islam is a "peaceful
religion"?]
We need to pray for freedom
of religion to come to Saudi Arabia and for the Holy Spirit to encourage the
believers who worship with shades drawn and doors bolted.
Jerry
Dykstra is the Media Relations Coordinator for Open Doors with Brother Andrew
and may be reached by calling (616) 915-4117 or via e-mail at: jerryd@odusa.org.