How are Christians persecuted in Oman?
- Believers who leave Islam to follow Jesus face the greatest impacts on their lives. They might be fired, disinherited, forcibly divorced, lose custody of their children or be expelled from their homes.
- Foreign-born Christians can lose their jobs or be deported by the government if they are accused of evangelising, and there have been many cases of believers detained for sharing the gospel.
- It is often the community in which believers live which determines how difficult it is to live out one’s faith. Some Christians bear the brunt of heavy persecution, whilst others can worship Jesus more freely.
Why are Christians persecuted in Oman?
- Many believe that Omani national identity must involve being Muslim – so leaving Islam for any other faith is seen as a betrayal, and comes with significant repercussions.
Who is particularly vulnerable in Oman?
- Converts from Islam who are native to Oman face the greatest pressures and harassment. Migrants tend to be permitted to follow Christianity if they don’t attempt to share the gospel with others.
What has changed in Oman in the past year?
- Even though Oman has fallen by six spots on the World Watch List in this past year, the persecution score hasn’t changed – the lower position is because of worsening persecution in other countries.
How can I help Christians in Oman?
Please continue to pray for believers in Oman. Your prayers are making an enormous difference for Christians courageously following Jesus.
Open Doors supports the Body of Christ on the Arabian Peninsula through organising prayer, distributing biblical resources and training believers and pastors.
Heavenly Father, we give You thanks that the Omani Sultan has allowed so many followers of Jesus to freely live out their faith. We pray for a similar openness to be extended to those Omani people who want to leave Islam to follow You. We pray they would find fellowship and be comforted when they lose loved ones or opportunities because of their faith in Jesus. We ask that You would be at work in Oman, blessing the monarchy and bringing more openness to every believer in the country. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
