Djibouti Factbook
Djibouti is a hot and
barren land. Islam is dominant, and few
evangelicals are
known. However, Christians are granted the rare
freedom of openly evangelizing the Muslim majority.
Djibouti is located on
the eastern coast of Africa. It is a small enclave of land between Ethiopia
and Somalia. It holds a strategic position on the western
side
of the southern tip of the Red Sea across from Yemen
on the Arabian Peninsula. Much of the world's shipping passes by Djibouti. The land is entirely desert -
purportedly the hottest place on earth.
The population of Djibouti is approximately
500,000. There are two primary people groups: the Somali who are
associated with Somalia, and
the Afar who are associated with Ethiopia. Recent history is filled with conflict
between these two groups.
The economy is quite poor. The land is unsuitable for agriculture and
has few natural
resources. However, Djibouti's strategic position
provides income through shipping and a large French military
base.
Djibouti gained
independence from France
in 1977. The Somali's dominated the government until forced to accept a
multi-party democracy in 1992. Although
strongly
Muslim, the people are granted a significant amount of religious freedom.
Over 90% of the people are Muslim. Christians account for most of the remaining 5%, but are almost entirely Roman
Catholic or Eastern Orthodox. Few
evangelicals are known. Pray for
the few Somali and Afar believers because they face strong social
pressures.
Djibouti is unusual
because has such a high concentration of Muslims yet allows them to be openly evangelized. Pray that this opportunity would remain open
for years
to come. Pray for more missionaries to
preach the gospel. Pray for the
missionaries
ministering in Djibouti. This is a difficult land in which to work
because
it is so hot and barren.
Pray for a revival among the Muslim
people. The people of Djibouti maintain strong ties to Ethiopia
and Somalia. Pray for opportunities to influence both of
these
countries through ministry here, particularly because Somalia
prohibits Christian evangelism.
Copyright 2006 by Brad Garrison
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