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.
