Bahrain
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Bahrain, Arabian Peninsula
Population: 708,573
Political Leader: King Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa
Religions: Islam 82.3%, Christianity 10.4%, Hinduism 6.3%, Other 1%
Persecution Ranking: No. 50
Number of Terrorist Groups: 1
Acts of Terrorism: 18; Casualties: 13
Percent of Corruption: 43%
% of People in Poverty: Not Ranked
Location:
Bahrain, officially the Kingdom of Bahrain, is a borderless island country in the Persian Gulf and is the smallest Arab state. Saudi Arabia lies to the west and is connected to Bahrain by the King Fahd Causeway (officially opened on November 25, 1986), and Qatar is to the south across the Gulf of Bahrain. The Qatar–Bahrain Friendship Bridge being planned will link Bahrain to Qatar as the longest fixed link in the world. Bahrain is a generally flat and arid archipelago.
Terrorism:
In 2006, the government of Bahrain enacted important legislation to combat terrorism and its financing. In August, Bahrain enacted its first law specifically criminalizing terrorism. The law, officially titled "Protecting Society from Terrorist Acts," enumerated the types of crimes considered to be terrorism and established punishments, ranging up to and including the death penalty. The law criminalized conspiracy to carry out an act of terror, although it did not specify a precise penalty of imprisonment or fine.
In August 2006, King Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa signed amendments to an anti-money laundering law that specifically addressed terror financing. These amendments criminalized the undeclared transfer of money across international borders for the purpose of money laundering or in support of terrorism. Anyone convicted under the law of collecting or contributing funds, or otherwise providing financial support to a group or people who practiced terrorist acts, was subject to imprisonment and/or fine.
Bahrain actively monitored terrorist suspects. In September 2006, security services arrested eight Bahrainis on suspicion of planning possible terrorist activities. During the interrogations, several of the suspects admitted they intended to travel to Afghanistan to fight allied forces. But the prosecutor general did not have enough evidence to charge them under the counterterrorism law and released them on bond.
Religion:
Muslims make up 82.3% of Bahrain’s population, while Christians comprise only about 10.4%. The constitution states that Islam is the official religion and that Shari’a law is a principal source for legislation The constitution, though, provides for freedom of conscience, the inviolability of worship, and the freedom to perform religious rites and hold religious parades and meetings, but the government has placed some limitations on the exercise of this right.
Challenges for Christians:
Bahrain is ranked No. 50 among nations that are the worst persecutors of Christians based on Open Doors 2007 “World Watch List.”
Prayer Points:
- Pray for the government of Bahrain to be steadfast in combating terrorism and its financing. Pray for Bahrain to continue to actively monitor terrorist suspects.
- Islam is the official religion and the main division is between the Sunni Muslims, who are the ruling minority and the majority of the population, who are much poorer Shi’a Muslims. Pray for Bahrain to abolish Shari’a law.
- The smallest and most densely populated Arab state, Bahrain has more social than in other Arab state; alcohol is freely available and women don’t have to wear the veil. Pray that there would be even more political and religious freedom in Bahrain.
- Bahrain has the largest Arab Christian community in the Gulf states―most of whom are from other countries. No evangelism to Muslims is allowed. Pray that Christians would be able to have the courage to sensitively share their faith with others.
Sources: 24-7 Prayer, Operation World, Wikipedia, Country Reports on Terrorism 2006, International Religious Freedom Report 2007, Open Doors |
