Kuwait
After the Confusion of Languages at Babel, Shem’s son Arphaxad and his descendants, who still spoke the original language, probably Hebrew or Aramaic, populated most of the Middle East: Israel, Arabia, Iraq, Jordan, Nth-Africa Syria, Yemen and Oman. And as we read from secular history below, Arabian families moved to, and established today’s Kuwait. Arabs, as the Bible clearly indicates, are a mixture of descendants of 1) Ishmael, Abraham and Hagar’s child, 2) descendants of Abraham’s and Keturah’s children Zimran, Jokshan, Medan, Midian, Ishbak and Shuah, and 3) descendants of Abraham’s son Isaac and Rebekah who’s twins Esau and Jacob already fought in her womb indicating the bitter struggles between Arabs and Israel.
The origin of the city of Kuwait, and of the State of Kuwait, is usually placed at about the beginning of the 18th century, when the Banū (Banī) ʿUtūb, a group of families of the ʿAnizah tribe in the interior of the Arabian Peninsula, migrated to the area that is now Kuwait. The foundation of the autonomous sheikhdom of Kuwait dates from 1756, when the settlers decided to appoint a sheikh from the Ṣabāḥ family (Āl Ṣabāḥ). During the 19th century, Kuwait developed as a thriving independent trading community. Toward the end of the century, one ruler, Abd Allāh II (reigned 1866–92), began to move Kuwait closer to the Ottoman Empire, although he never placed his country under Ottoman rule. That trend was reversed with the accession of Mubārak the Great, who came to power by assassinating his brother ʿAbd Allāh, an act of uncustomary political violence in Kuwait. Ottoman threats to annex Kuwait prompted Mubārak to cultivate a close relationship with Britain. An 1899 treaty basically granted Britain control of Kuwait’s foreign affairs. Following the outbreak of WW I (1914–18), Kuwait became a British protectorate.
Kuwaitis have amassed significant wealth from their national oil reserves. As a result, a great deal of labour is outsourced to foreigners in the country. This foreign-labour economy has created opportunities for foreigners who have a heart to reach Kuwaitis with the gospel, despite the risk to their jobs and residency status. There is a sharp divide between Kuwait’s younger generation, which includes many who reject Islam and are open to new ideas, and Kuwait’s older, more traditionally Muslim generation.
Nearly all Kuwaitis identify themselves as Sunni Muslims, even though many do not practice their faith. Many Christian foreign workers are present in Kuwait, but churches are allowed only on designated compounds
Christian converts from Islam are opposed by their families and communities.
Access to Bibles is severely restricted. Most prefer to access Scripture online because of the risks associated with owning a Bible.
Kuwaiti authorities are opposed to Christian witnessing and conversion. The small handful of indigenous Kuwaiti believers must exercise extreme care in disclosing their faith in Christ. If they are discovered and refuse to return to Islam, they may be disowned, beaten or killed. A small number of converts have been accepted by their families and are even able to attend worship services.
PRAYERS FOR Kuwait
- Pray that those forced to leave the country after becoming Christians will grow in faith.
- Pray that Kuwaitis who hear the Good News of Jesus Christ will put their faith in Him.
- Pray that persecuted believers who fled the country will be able to visit their families.
- Pray for the protection of Kuwaiti believers, who are meeting in increasing numbers.
- Pray that many young people seeking God will find Jesus Christ.
- Pray that Hadija, who fled her home because of threats, will grow in faith.
More Prayers
- Foreign ethnic minority groups form most of the workforce. Most are men from Arab lands who leave families for work. Workers also come from Asia (India, the Philippines, Indonesia, others) to provide housework and childcare for Kuwaiti Arab families. Many feel lonely, and receive unjust treatment. Pray for God to encourage the many Christians among them, and through them bring the love of Christ into the homes and lives of Kuwaitis.
- Kuwait’s material wealth has answered few problems. The government is divided between modernists and traditionalists. Islamist activity is increasing. Young people are frustrated and very bored. Materialism still holds powerful sway, since many have no greater vision about how to use their wealth for good. Pray that Kuwaiti leaders and people might embrace the Saviour.
- The Bidoon (literally “without”) are stateless Arabs originally from the Kuwait region, but now adrift in the Middle East. They are present in Kuwait in significant numbers. They have no known believers and almost no ministry to them.
- Expatriate Christians have a good reputation thanks to a hundred years of medical mission history. The churches have been allowed to grow, but evangelism of Muslims is illegal; pray for greater freedom or shrewder boldness in this regard. Pray that the rich diversity of congregations would be united in making the Kingdom of God manifest, rather than merely tending to their own interests. The pastors must lead the way in this regard. Kuwait’s Catholics, Orthodox, Anglicans and Protestants have formed the Fellowship of Christian Churches in Kuwait, for the purposes of working together to play a larger role in society and having a greater voice and impact therein. Advocacy on behalf of the poor and disadvantaged is a strong point of the Church’s presence in Kuwait. Pray also that indigenous Kuwaiti believers might be given the chance to increasingly take the lead in ministering the gospel to the peoples of Kuwait.
- Kuwaiti Arabs are increasingly exposed to Christians via travel, business contacts and studying abroad. This is particularly so for students; Kuwaiti students abroad are being reached so effectively that many families are now sending their children to study in Egypt, UAE, etc. in order to protect them from Christian witness. Pray that Christians might take advantage of these opportunities to share and demonstrate the good news and that it might fall on open hearts prepared by the Holy Spirit. Pray also for those Kuwaitis who hear and want to respond; cultural and familial pressures prevent many from following Christ.