Day 21
Qatar
Qatar will be attracting over a million sports fans for the World Cup football. The conservative Muslim nation may show little tolerance for the booze-fueled hooliganism. Qatar has sought to portray itself as welcoming to foreigners but traditional Muslim values remain strong in the hereditarily ruled emirate. Qatar’s judicial system, based on an interpretation of Islamic law, or Shariah, has drawn Western criticism for its tendency to favor prosecutors and police. The autocratic country says it will loosen up for the unprecedented influx of tourists. But fans should be mindful of Qatar’s laws and cultural customs, policies for alcohol, drugs, sexuality and dress code. Pray that this global event will open doors for mass evangelism. Pray for the players and spectators to give their hearts to Jesus during this Christmas season (The Bible, Isaiah 12:2).
Source:
https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/qatar-laws-customs-fifa-world-cup-8259852/
Qatar jumped 11 spots from last year’s World Watch List and has escalated to the 18th position. Severe violence against Christians rose sharply. Churches were forced to stay closed after COVID-19 restrictions. The Christian believers in Qatar face intense pressures daily for following Jesus Christ. Qatar is an absolute monarchy ruled by Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani the Emir. The State of Qatar, unlike many other Middle Eastern nations, has successfully avoided the unrest and violence of the Arab Spring. The peninsula nation bordering the Persian Gulf and Saudi Arabia was part of the Turkish-Ottoman Empire and then operated under British protection. Nearly 80% of the population is Muslim, and it is forbidden to criticize the ruling family or Islam or to share the Gospel. Many expatriates have been forced to leave the country as a result of speaking about Christ.
Day 21
Turkmenistan
When the president comes to visit, towns and villages are cleaned up, gardens tended to, houses painted, markets removed to make things look cleaner and more modern. Local residents complained that the effort to present a façade that isn’t the real life of working communities doesn’t endear the president and other officials to the community. While they struggle to make ends meet, the president is presented with an impression that the country is doing better than it is. Pray for honesty and reality to break through in this tightly controlled nation. Pray that the Son of God will shine His light into the darkness (The Bible, John 12:46).
Source: Turkmen Leaders’ Lavish Trips Don’t Sit Well With Civilians Mired In Poverty (Radio Free Europe)
Although a country with mighty oil and gas reserves, in the past two years its struggling economy has resulted in widespread food shortages. Turkmenistan is one of the most isolated and consolidated authoritarian regimes in the world. It lacks basic freedoms, judicial independence, and accountable institutions, and it discriminates against ethnic minorities. Turkmenistan’s dictator seeks to control every aspect of life. The government justifies its tough methods with a need to prevent an escalation of radical Islam. On the World Watch List persecution ranking, Turkmenistan fell from 19 to 25, however, the country is still one of the world’s most oppressive. Christians are often labeled as “extremists” and face persecution from authorities and local communities. There are only about 1000 Christian Believers in this nation.
