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GlobalPrayerGuide

United Arab Emirates
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Overview:

There are few known Christians among Emirati Arabs. But many foreign-national workers, who compose a significant segment of the country’s population, are Christians. Foreigners are allowed personal religious freedom but not the freedom to share their faith with Muslims. Similarly, churches cannot share the gospel with Muslims or do anything that the government views as undermining its power and control. Although it can be difficult to form close relationships with Emirati families, Christian workers faithfully reach out to them and the many migrants from restricted nations living in the UAE, including Pakistanis, Persians and Afghans.

Major Religion:

Nearly all Emiratis are Sunni Muslims. However, the population includes foreign workers from numerous nations, and many are Christians.

Persecutor:

Emirati Christian converts from Islam are persecuted primarily by their immediate family members, and the government restricts evangelism.

What It Means To Follow Christ In The United Arab Emirates

Only a few Emiratis are known to have converted from Islam to Christianity. While they enjoy a degree of freedom in meeting covertly for worship, if their faith is discovered, they lose their jobs, homes, spouses and children. Christian converts can also be prosecuted for apostasy, which is considered a crime.

Access To Bibles

People in the UAE have access to the Bible through the internet, various churches and expatriate Christian workers in the country. Give Bibles

VOM Work

VOM provides support to Christian converts from Islam and supports follow-up work for Arabic-language outreach in the country. Give to VOM’s Global Ministry

Prayer Requests:

  • Praise God for Christian workers who share the gospel with Emiratis and foreign workers from restricted nations.
  • Pray that Emirati Christians will find fellowship that helps them grow in faith.
  • Turning from Islam to Christianity is considered a crime. Pray for the courage of new converts.
  • Pray that God will comfort those who are rejected and persecuted by their families for following Christ.
  • Praise God that Emiratis have access to the Bible via the internet and other means.
  • Use Colossians 3:15 as a guide to pray for the peace and encouragement of Emirati Christians.