Saudi Arabia Factbook

Saudi Arabia has fabulous wealth from oil but it is spiritually bankrupt. Islam is the only religion allowed. Christians meet in secret for fear of execution.

Saudi Arabia is located in the Middle East occupying most of the Arabian Peninsula. The land is almost entirely desert.

More than 23 million people live in Saudi Arabia. Native Saudis are Arab in origin, but there are a large number of foreign workers - mostly employed in the oil industry.

Oil was discovered in 1930. Saudi Arabia has the largest known oil reserves in the world. Oil exports have brought tremendous wealth to the government. This money has funded the building of infrastructure in the country. It has also funded the spread of Islam around the world by sending missionaries and building mosques.

Saudi Arabia is an absolute monarchy ruled by the Saudi royal family. The royal family is faced with a balancing act between the desire to maintain good relations with Western nations that are the biggest consumers of oil and the pressure of Islamic extremists. This balance has become increasingly difficult to maintain since the September 11th attacks on the United States.

Saudi Arabia is an Islamic state and home to the most holy Muslim sites. The government invests a great deal of effort suppressing all religions other than Islam. No other religions are allowed, even among expatriates.

It is estimated that several thousand Christians live in Saudi Arabia. They are almost entirely among the expatriate work force. Christians must meet in secret. Those found out receive punishments ranging from expulsion to execution. Any Saudi who renounces Islam receives the death penalty. Expatriates have very limited access to Saudis so witnessing is very difficult.

The Saudi government sponsors a large scale Islamic missionary effort. Pray that their program of exporting the darkness of Islam would be frustrated.

Pray for other means to reach Saudis with the gospel. Pray for ministries to the many Saudis living abroad. Christian radio and television is also widely available. Pray that some would come to Christ.

Copyright 2006 by Brad Garrison

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