There is a growing gap between Saudi’s large youth population and the aging monarchs. The majority of the population is under thirty and the youth culture has changed radically under the influence of satellite TV, the internet and social media. Young people are longing for more freedom, especially for women, and do not want to be restricted by the religious police. There is also a considerable degree of youth unemployment which leads to widespread social discontent. These factors could drive young people toward radical Islam. On the other hand, social discontent is not new and has been bought off with large sums of money in the form of allocations. Social dissatisfaction has been there for at least twenty years, including the civil disobedience of for instance women driving. Moreover, the internet revolution has also reached Islamic leaders: several imams have twitter accounts and are being followed by many. The number of Christian converts from Islam and other religions is increasing, along with their boldness in sharing their new faith.
This week, from September 11 to September 15, Muslims are celebrating Eid al-Adha. This major holiday for Muslims is also known as the ‘Feast of Sacrifice’.
This major holiday for Muslims can be a reminder for Christians around the world to stop and pray for Muslims and Christians in the following ways:
While churches are strictly forbidden in Saudi Arabia and converting to Christianity is punishable by death, God continues to bless the Body of Christ in this closed country.
After having more and more doubts about Islam, Saudi Muslim Mohammed* began looking for truth online. This is the remarkable story of Mohammed entering God’s Kingdom and the crucial role that Christians have in this process via the internet.
Pray for those that are suffering by reading the latest prayer requests from persecuted Christians around the world.
Advocate for persecuted Christians by sending the 2016 World Watch List to President Obama.
