DESIGNATION: Restricted

OVERVIEW: Kuwaitis have amassed significant wealth from their national oil reserves. As a result, few find it necessary to work. They generally outsource most of their work to foreigners in the country. A portion of these foreigners have a heart to reach Kuwaitis with the gospel, despite the risk to their jobs and residency status. There is a sharp divide between the younger, more progressive generation and the older, more traditional generation. Many young Kuwaitis who reject Islam are open to new ideas.  

MAJOR RELIGIONS: Nearly all Kuwaitis are Sunni Muslims. Foreigners have brought the gospel to the country, but churches are allowed only on designated compounds.

PERSECUTOR: Christian converts from Islam are opposed by their families and the community.

WHAT IT MEANS TO BE A CHRISTIAN IN KUWAIT: Authorities in the country are not sympathetic to Christian converts. The small handful of Kuwaiti believers focus on evading persecutors and keeping their faith secret. If discovered, they may be raped, beaten or killed. A small number of converts to Christianity have been accepted by their families and are able to attend church.

ACCESS TO BIBLES: Access to Bibles is severely restricted. Most prefer to access Scriptures online because of the danger involved in owning a Bible.

VOM WORK: VOM aids those who have been persecuted and is involved in training local believers in evangelism and discipleship.