#20 in Christian persecution, Quatar

[LoricaLady]

opendoorsusa

• Qatar
  World Watch List Rank: 20
  
  

Qatar
World Watch List Rank: 20


Qatar
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• Leader: Emir Sheikh Tamim
• Population: 2.3 million (210,000 Christians)
• Main Religion: Islam
• Government: Republic
• World Watch List Rank: 20
• Source of Persecution: Islamic extremism

Under Qatar's strict Wahabi Islam, converting from Islam to any other religion carries the death penalty.

Seen as apostates, Christian believers from a Muslim background (BMBs) are at serious risk if they openly practise their faith. Outward symbols of Christianity are banned, as is evangelism. Around 80 per cent of the population are migrant workers, predominantly from poorer countries. Though expat or migrant Christians are granted some freedom to worship, if caught evangelising to Muslims, they could be arrested and deported.

Read more about persecution in Qatar

Persecution in Qatar
Nearly all Qatari citizens are by definition Sunni or Shia Muslims, and the state religion is the strict Wahhabi version of Islam.

Qatar's government, made wealthy through the country's gas and oil reserves, exports fundamentalist Islam by financing Islamic militant groups reportedly in Iraq, Syria and Mali - some responsible for pressurising and persecuting Christians - and funding the building of Mosques in Europe and Africa.

Christians within the country face many restrictions. Only Muslims are allowed to worship in public. Evangelising to Muslims is forbidden, and converting from Islam to another religion carries the death sentence, although there is no record of such a sentence being carried out since the country gained independence in 1971.

Qatari citizens are vastly outnumbered by migrant workers - only 20 per cent of the population is Qatari. Migrant workers are treated almost like slaves; they face overcrowded and unsanitary living conditions in 'labour camps', violence and sexual abuse, and are frequently underpaid. Being a Christian can add to their vulnerability, and they are often under pressure to convert to Islam. However, there are a few Christian complexes in the desert where Christians are allowed to worship.

Muslims who choose to become Christians must keep their belief a secret; they risk being ostracised by their families and communities, physical violence or even honour killing if their faith is discovered. It is a great disgrace for a family if one of their members leaves Islam. Almost all Qatari believers become Christians abroad and usually do not return to Qatar out of fear.

However, the number of migrant Christians is growing; let's pray that the same will be true of Qatari believers, even if their faith is only known to them and God.

Please Pray

• Migrant workers are often treated as slaves. Pray that Christian migrant workers will be able to show the love of Christ to their employers
• That Christian converts would have boldness and discernment to share their faith with Muslim family members
• That BMBs would find ways to be discipled and have fellowship with other believers.

KEEP HOPE ALIVE. PRAY. SPEAK OUT.

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[DennisTate]

I admit that I may be lukewarm and Laodicean but........
there are a number of verses in the Koran that could be used to greatly increase cooperation...... and decrease persecution between Muslims and Christians.

The concept of hierarchy of scripture needs to be better understood by both Christians and Muslims.......

John 13:35

“By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”

When Christians, Jews and Muslims.... begin to love and cooperate with each other.......
Extreme skepticism and Atheism will take a serious hit......

 

[DennisTate]

Here is the writing that introduced me to these verses:

God's Peace Plan

Sura 29:46;

Dispute not…with people of the Book;

And say ye, "We believe in what hath been sent down to us [Qur’an]

and what hath been sent down to you. [Old & New Testaments]

Our God and your God is one,..."

Sura 2:136;

Say ye: "We believe in God,

and that which hath been sent down to us [Qur’an],

and that which hath been sent down to Abraham

and Ishmael and Isaac and Jacob and the tribes [Joshua],

and in that was given to Moses, and to Jesus,

and that which was given to the prophets, from their Lord.

No difference do we make between any of them."

There are many other instances in which Muhammad told his people that

the books of the Bible were confirmed. Again, one can argue theology, but

Muslims have a choice as to whether they wish to read the Qur’an for life or

for death. Making use of the Old Testament for a solution meant for the

members of both tribes currently in the Holy Land in no way places Muslims

in other lands under any constraints in their own land. The following passage

is quite specific regarding the value of the Old Testament—properly applied;

Sura 46:12;

But before the Koran was the Book of Moses, a rule and a mercy;

and this Book confirmeth it (the Pentateuch)—in the Arabic tongue—

that those who are guilty of that wrong may be warned,

and as glad tidings to the doers of good."

“glad tidings” to “doers of good”. Muslims are supposed to be “doers of good”.

Using Old Testament Law for the descendents of those it was originally given to

in the same land in which it was originally received doesn’t violate shariah in the

least. Muhammad recited a verse including a reference to David (from the Bible)


Sura 6:85;

And we gave him Isaac and Jacob, and guided both aright;

and We had guided…among the descendants of Abraham, David …”

David said something pertinent to the situation:

Psalm 19:9-11, David;

9…The ordinances of the LORD are sure and altogether righteous.

10 They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold;

they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the comb.

11 By them is your servant warned;

in keeping them there is great reward.”

And last, an Old Testament prophecy of particular interest for Muslims

throughout the Middle East from Isaiah…

Isaiah 19:25;

The LORD Almighty will bless them, saying,

"Blessed be Egypt my people, Assyria [Iraq] my handiwork,

and Israel my inheritance."

There is value for all people to make use of this wonderful tool for peace.

Without it, well, the next two passages sum up what Muslims will do.

The first passage explains how the situation in the Holy Land is seen by

Muslims worldwide and how it effects their relations with America.


Sura 60:7-9;

7 God will, perhaps, establish good will between yourselves

and those of them whom ye take to be your enemies:

God is powerful: and God is gracious, merciful.

8 God doth not forbid you to deal with kindness and fairness

towards those who have not made war upon you on account of your religion,

or driven you forth from your homes:

for God loveth those who act with fairness.



9 Only doth God forbid you to make friends of those who,

on account of your religion,

have warred against you,

and have driven you forth from your homes,

and have aided [America & the West] those [Israel] whom drove you forth:

and whoever maketh friends of them are wrongdoers."

 

[LoricaLady]

I admit that I may be lukewarm and Laodicean but........
there are a number of verses in the Koran that could be used to greatly increase cooperation...... and decrease persecution between Muslims and Christians.

The concept of hierarchy of scripture needs to be better understood by both Christians and Muslims.......

John 13:35

“By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”

When Christians, Jews and Muslims.... begin to love and cooperate with each other.......
Extreme skepticism and Atheism will take a serious hit......

The Quran asks Allah to destroy Chrisitians and Jews. That's exactly what the majority of these posts is about. All around the world that directive is being followed very seriously and way too often.

 

[DennisTate]

The Quran asks Allah to destroy Chrisitians and Jews. That's exactly what the majority of these posts is about. All around the world that directive is being followed very seriously and way too often.

True.... but there are many Muslims who may wonder if these Sura's quoted in post #4 should be used as foundational............
for the rest of their scriptures?