The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was founded in 1932 by King Abdulaziz as an absolute monarchy ruled by the House of Saud. It is the 12th largest country in the world. Islam's two holiest cities of Mecca and Medina are located in the west of the country. The ultraconservative Wahhabi sect within Sunni Islam was a major feature of Saudi society until the 2000s. In 2016, the influence of the Wahhabi sect was restricted, and the governments began westernization policies. Oil was discovered in 1938 and it has since become the world's third-largest oil producer. Saudi has a high-income economy and is the only Arab country to be part of the G20 major economies. It has one of the world's youngest populations, with approximately 50% of its population of 32.2 million being under 25 years old.
Country Stats
Capital City: Riyadh
Government: Unitary Islamic absolute monarchy
Major People Groups: 90% Arab, 10% Afro-Arab
Population: 32,175,224
Religion: 94% Muslim, 4% Christian (expatriates), 1% Hindu, 1% unaffiliated/other
Government: Unitary Islamic absolute monarchy
Major People Groups: 90% Arab, 10% Afro-Arab
Population: 32,175,224
Religion: 94% Muslim, 4% Christian (expatriates), 1% Hindu, 1% unaffiliated/other
Praise God that He has brought some Saudis to believe in the Lord Jesus. Saudi converts face extreme pressure. Many live out their Christian faith in secret. If discovered, men are likely to be forced out of the home. Some are beaten. Some are imprisoned. Women converts are usually isolated and abused within the home and risk being killed to ‘restore’ the family honor.
How to Pray
- Praise God for those Saudis who have come to faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
- Pray that the Lord will preserve the faith of our Saudi brothers and sisters, especially those facing persecution
- Pray that the Holy Spirit would prepare the hearts of Saudi people to repent and believe in the Lord Jesus.
- Pray that many will come to faith through the faithful witness of courageous believers.
