How are Christians persecuted in Saudi Arabia?
- It’s very risky to become a Christian in Saudi Arabia. It’s illegal to leave Islam, and new believers will also face intense opposition from their families and communities. They can be pressured, disowned, locked away, beaten, or even killed to restore the family’s ‘honour’.
- Most Saudi Christians tend to follow their faith quietly and secretly. Some even choose not to tell their own spouse or children about their faith, for fear that extended family members or school staff could discover they have left Islam.
- There are no legal church buildings or meetings. But secret believers have become bolder in recent times, sharing their Christian faith with others on the internet and Christian satellite TV channels. Though Saudi Christians caught doing this have faced serious repercussions.
- Most Christians living in Saudi Arabia are temporary workers from other countries. They are forbidden from sharing their faith with local Saudis, and gathering for worship is restricted. Breaking these rules can get them detained and deported.
- There are reports that instances of rape and sexual assault are commonplace across Saudi Arabia for the thousands of non-Saudi housemaids across the country who are non-Muslim, including Christians.
Why are Christians persecuted in Saudi Arabia?
- It’s illegal to leave Islam, and in a shame/honour culture, bringing ‘shame’ on the family by converting to Christianity is considered the worst thing a person can do.
- In Saudi Arabia’s male-dominated society, Christian men pay a considerable price if their faith becomes known. The strict Islamic society means that any deviation from standard behaviour is quickly observed.
- Women and girls have an extremely limited voice. They are under constant monitoring and surveillance by their family and local community. With very little privacy, it is a struggle for women to practise the Christian faith even in secret.
Who is particularly vulnerable in Saudi Arabia?
- Converts from Islam are most in danger of persecution, both from the authorities and the people around them. This is likely to be worse in more rural areas, where communities and families have more control over individuals’ lives.
What has changed in Saudi Arabia in the past year?
- School textbooks have been further reformed to remove problematic content about non-Muslims. At the same time, public practice of non-Muslim religions remains prohibited, and religious minorities continue to be discriminated against.
- Saudi Arabia has risen one place on the World Watch List this year, though the persecution score remains unchanged.
- In large cities, there has been greater tolerance for Christmas decorations and festivities in some public areas in recent years, reflecting a gradual shift towards cultural openness.
How can I help Christians in Saudi Arabia?
- Please keep praying for your brothers and sisters in Saudi Arabia. Your prayers make an enormous difference to those following Jesus no matter the cost.
Open Doors supports the body of Christ on the Arabian Peninsula by organising prayer, distributing Scripture resources, and training believers and pastors.
please pray
Heavenly Father, give strength to our brothers and sisters who are following You but living at risk in Saudi Arabia. We pray that instead of being at risk from their families, their families will become soft-hearted and ready to meet You as well. Protect those who are bravely sharing the gospel online and on TV, and may Your message reach many more Saudis who are searching for You. Protect and bring justice for the most vulnerable, especially Christian women. Amen.
