Day 13
DECEMBER | 2023
United Arab Emirates
PRAYER FOR THIS COUNTRY
The United Arab Emirates plans to maintain diplomatic ties with Israel. International outcry over the toll of the war in Gaza is mounting. The UAE hopes to have some moderating influence over the Israeli campaign while safeguarding its interests. It has established diplomatic ties with Israel under the U.S.-brokered Abraham Accords. That paved the way for other Arab states to forge their relationship with Israel by breaking a taboo on normalizing relations without the creation of a Palestinian state. UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for an end to the violence. Pray that the mediation effort of UAE with Israel will yield good results. Pray for the Emiratis to look to Jesus Christ and have their efforts blessed. (The Bible, Psalm 90:17).
Source:
MORE ABOUT THIS COUNTRY
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is a united federation of seven states. The wealthiest of them is Abu Dhabi. The country did not feature in the Open Doors Persecution Index for 2023. Open Doors, however, list the country at 54. However, it is not the same case for the native Muslim who converts to Christianity. Conversion from Islam is punishable by law. Those who reveal their faith face imminent persecution from family, employers, friends, and the government. The UAE has a massive immigrant population. They are allowed to practice their Christian faith without any repercussions.
CHIEF OF STATE
President Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nuhyan
HEAD OF GOV.
PM Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum
POPULATION
5,780,000
CHRISTIANS
8%
EVANGLICAL CHRISTIANS
1.4%
DOMINANT RELIGION
Sunni Islam
PERSECUTION RANKING
Not Ranked
REFUGEES
633
LIFE EXPECTANCY
76.96 yrs
LITERACY RATE
77.9%
POPULATION BELOW POVERTY LINE
19.5%
Day 13
DECEMBER | 2023
Nepal
PRAYER FOR THIS COUNTRY
Praise God for young Christian Believers participating in a year-long discipleship program. They serve in remote parts of the country as part of their program. They share their faith, are involved in distributing literature, and running Bible study groups. Pray that they will know God’s presence this Christmas season. Pray they will not feel alone or isolated but will experience the joy of fruitfulness in their ministry. Pray that the people they have been sharing with will choose to accept Jesus as their King and Lord (The Bible, Revelation 17:14).
Source: Christian workers in the region
MORE ABOUT THIS COUNTRY
Nepal saw a significant drop in the Persecution Rankings in 2023. It is not ranked in the top 50 on the Open Doors Index this year. The change is due to no government backing for radical Hindu outfits in Nepal. However, Christian Believers continue to face persecution from the society in general. Persecution is high for Hindu converts who live in rural areas. While the urban areas of Nepal are more tolerant, radical groups have a heavy presence in the outskirts. Nepal also saw a marginal economic upturn that reduced the percentage of the population who live below the poverty line. Nepal inked twelve new agreements with China despite the recent map controversy with its Communist neighbor to the north.
CHIEF OF STATE
President Ram Chandra Poudel
HEAD OF GOV.
PM Pushpa Kamal Dahal
POPULATION
30,899,443
CHRISTIANS
1.8%
EVANGLICAL CHRISTIANS
Unknown
DOMINANT RELIGION
Hinduism
PERSECUTION RANKING
Not Ranked
REFUGEES
18,905
LIFE EXPECTANCY
72.67 yrs
LITERACY RATE
71.2%
POPULATION BELOW POVERTY LINE
15.1%
