KUWAIT - DESTRUCTION OF CHURCHES

SUMMARY: In February 2012, an Islamist member of parliament in Kuwait threatened to draft a law to remove all churches and prevent construction of new churches. This is consistent with the attitude in the Kuwaiti Parliament, which is considering implementing strict Shari’a law.

Kuwaiti MPs call for ban on construction of churches
Photo: arabianbusiness.com

On February 17, 2012, Member of Parliament Osama Al-Monawer stated that he would be presenting “a draft law to remove all churches from Kuwait because Kuwait is an Islamic country where churches are not permitted to be built.”

Responses from inside and outside Kuwait have been mixed. One source quoted in Al-Jardah suggested that Monawer was speaking only of a moratorium on new churches. Another said “the demolition of churches is totally unacceptable as it is against the Kuwait Constitution.”

The Deputy Chairman of Kuwait Graduates Society, Dr. Bader Al-Dehani pointed out that “according to Article 6 of the Constitution, Kuwait is a democratic state and some Kuwaitis are Christians who have the right to practice their chosen religious beliefs.”

Some believe Monawer’s threat comes in response to a report in January 2012 that a member of the Kuwait royal family had become a follower of Jesus.

When a Kuwaiti delegation mentioned the proposed law to the Grand Mufti (the highest authority in Sunni Islam) in Saudi Arabia, he declared that since Kuwait is part of the Arabian Peninsula, “it is necessary to destroy all churches in it.” He based this on the hadith (saying of Muhammad) on his deathbed: “There are not to be two religions in the [Arabian] Peninsula.”

The Grand Mufti then called for the destruction of “all the churches in the region.”

Kuwait is number 30 on the Open Doors World Watch List 2012 of the world’s worst persecutors of Christians. WIN partners pray for Kuwait on Day 3 of the Window International Network Praying Through The Window 9: Global Terrorism and World Religions prayer calendar.

PRAY FOR:

• greater religious freedom in Kuwait. Pray for efforts by the Parliament to enforce Shari’a law to fail. Pray for the constitution to be adhered to and for Christians to be allowed to practice their faith. (The Bible, Psalm 55:9)
• this attempt to destroy churches to end in failure. Pray that there will not be a domino effect in the Middle East. (The Bible, Psalm 21:11)
• the Lord to open Kuwaiti eyes, unstop their deaf ears, and soften their hearts to the Gospel. (The Bible, 2 Corinthians 4:4)
• every member of the royal family to have an encounter with Jesus Christ, accepting Him into their hearts as Savior and Lord of their lives. (The Bible, 1 Timothy 2:1-4)
• the Lord to strengthen and encourage Christians in Kuwait. Pray for unity in the Body of Christ in this nation. (The Bible, Joshua 1:7; Ephesians 4:3)
• the Lord to build His Church in Kuwait and for the gates of hell not to prevail against it. Pray for Him to add to the church daily with Kuwaitis as well as expatriates (non-Kuwaitis living in Kuwait). (The Bible, Matthew 16:18; Acts 2:47)
• the Gospel to be proclaimed freely throughout this nation. Ask the Lord for a great harvest of souls in Kuwait. (The Bible, Colossians 1:22,23)

SOURCES: Brethren Assembly News, Open Doors, ASSIST News

Prayer moves the hand of God. Once there is sustained, strategic, and informed prayer in the 10/40 Window, we will witness massive numbers of unreached people coming to Christ. Pray that it will happen in our generation. - Beverly Pegues