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Kuwait

  • Update: Kuwait leader rejects death sentence

    Kuwait's ruler has refused to pass a bill previously voted through by parliament that would allow Muslims who insult Islam to be put to death and would harshly penalize Christians and other non-Muslims.

    The bill seeking to institute the death penalty for Muslims who insult Allah, the Qu'ran, Muslim prophets or Muhammad's wives was passed with an overwhelming majority last May, and it stipulates that Christians and other non-Muslims will be given a minimum sentence of 10 years for the same offense (for more, click here).

    Kuwait's leader has the power to refuse the bill, but the elected parliament can overturn his decision with a two-thirds majority vote.

    Praise God that this bill has not been approved. Please pray that the Emir's decision will win the support of parliament and that this unjust law will not be passed. Pray that those who oppress Christians may experience repentance and salvation, just as Paul did (Acts 9:1-19).

    For more information on persecution in Kuwait, go to the Kuwait Country Report.
  • Update: Parliament approves death penalty for blasphemy

    A new law may soon allow courts in Kuwait to sentence those convicted of blasphemy to death. Muslims who insult Allah, the Qur'an, Muslim prophets, or Muhammad's wives may receive the death sentence if the bill, which was approved by 40 members of Parliament while only six opposed it, is approved by Kuwait's leader, Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah. Christians and other non-Muslim minorities will be sentenced to a minimum of 10 years for the same offense under the new law. Right now, blasphemy carries a sentence of one year and is defined as slander by Kuwait's penal code.

    The amendment was introduced soon after the arrest of a Shiite Muslim accused of cursing Muhammad on the social networking site Twitter. A parliamentarian said that incidents of blasphemy on social networking site are on the rise and the new legislation is "needed to deter them." The increased penalties for blasphemy follows legislation introduced earlier this year to prohibit the construction of churches and other non-Islamic places of worship (for more, click here).

    Please pray that Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah will not pass this bill into law. Please also pray that Kuwaiti believers will be emboldened to share the gospel despite threats of persecution. Pray that, despite increasing restrictions, believers will continue to meet together for worship and encouragement (Hebrews 10:23-25).

    For more information on persecution in Kuwait, go to the Kuwait Country Report.
  • Leaders try to halt church construction, strengthen blasphemy laws

    A Kuwaiti Member of Parliament (MP) is drafting a law banning the construction of churches and other non-Islamic places of worship, as lawmakers also attempt to bring in the death penalty for blasphemy laws.

    The MP, Osama Al-Munawer, at first said he planned to submit a draft law requiring the removal of all churches in the country, but later said existing churches could remain and that only new construction would be banned. A fellow MP who supports the law said, "Kuwait already has an excessive number of churches compared to the country's Christian minority." About 13 per cent of the population is Christian, although most are expatriates.

    Meanwhile new teeth are being given to Kuwait's blasphemy law. Todd Nettleton from our sister mission in the USA said, "Witnesses for Christ could face the death penalty if they would be accused and convicted of blasphemy, if this law passes the process and becomes approved."

    While the constitution protects freedom of belief, the constitution also says Islam is the state religion and Islamic law (Shariah) is an important source of legislation. Conversion from Islam to other religions is not permitted, and the government actively supports proselytism by Sunni Muslims. Although the first vote on this law has passed, another vote is required and the leader of the country will also have to sign off on it.

    Please pray that these laws will be struck down. Pray that increased opposition will result in increased boldness among believers (Acts 4:29-31). Pray that the spread of the gospel will only grow throughout the country, demonstrating to unbelievers in Kuwait that the God Christians serve and worship is the one and only true God with complete authority over all.

    For more information on persecution in Kuwait, go to the Kuwait Country Report.