The church suffers from poor relations with Islam. Before the coming of Islam, Saudi Arabia had a large population who came to the aid of Muhammad during his exile. When Islam gained control some 1,300 years ago, Christians were expelled. Today Islam is the official state religion, and all other religions are prohibited. Pray for a return to good relation between Christianity and Islam that will permit Christianity and Islam that will permit Christian workers to enter the country.
Expatriate workers are unable to worship.
However, there are many underground, unofficial meetings that are usually ignored by the government. Pray that these small groups will continue to be tolerated and will become an effective base of witness and fellowship. Muslim converts face the harshest punishments. A Muslim who converts to another religion is considered an apostate and may be punished by death. The kingdom maintains a secret religious police force committed to the maintenance of traditional Islam.