Day 21
Qatar
Qatar Tourism has worked with a consortium of global industry experts to develop the ‘Qatar Host’ tourism training program. It is an engaging online learning platform that offers users the possibility to learn at their own pace on any device. The platform demonstrates how such frontline staff – who engage with visitors – may enhance the visitor experience and exceed expectations in every encounter. This will be useful to hotel concierge staff, mall security and restaurant waiters, with the relevant skills and knowledge to deliver Service Excellence to international and domestic visitors. The program will continue to expand, including more stakeholders to enhance service quality. Pray for the visitors to Qatar to share the gospel of Jesus Christ with Qataris and lead them to believe in Him (The Bible, John 11:45).
Source:
https://thepeninsulaqatar.com/article/01/08/2022/qatar-tourism-launches-qatar-host-tourism-training
Qatar is listed in 29th position in the World Watch report 2021 by Open Doors for Christian persecution. 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
Since Serdar Berdimuhamedov became president in March, there have been no changes to political freedoms and human rights. If anything, the situation has worsened for women and access to the internet made even harder. He did, however, sack his aunt who was running the Turkmenistan chapter of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent saying she was exploiting state benefits given to the charity. This has been interpreted as a positive sign that he is not entirely the same as his father, the previous president. Pray that God would do a new work in this man’s life, and create a genuine new beginning for the nation under his leadership (The Bible, Psalm 51:10).
Source: Turkmenistan Under Serdar: Has Anything Changed? (The Diplomat)
Although a country with mighty oil and gas reserves, the past two years its struggling economy has resulted in widespread food shortages. Turkmenistan makes its name as 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 by a need to prevent an escalation of radical Islam. Though Turkmenistan has a persecution ranking of only 19, the country is still one of the world’s most oppressive.
