11Saudi Arabia

The majority of the Christians in Saudi Arabia are foreigners who temporarily live and work in the country. Most of these workers come from low- and middle-income countries, and there are numerous reports of migrant workers being abused and being subjected to horrific working and living conditions. The Covid-19 pandemic made this even more obvious, as spikes in infections tended to centre in migrant communities where following covid protocols is difficult.

Christian foreign workers can be targeted for their faith, since it’s another way to abuse a worker. Foreign Christians are heavily restricted from sharing their faith or gathering for worship, and any actions outside of the norm can lead to detention and deportation.

The few converts who are Saudi Arabian are usually forced to live out their faith in secrecy, risking violence, divorce and more. Nevertheless, there have been some Saudi Christians in recent years who’ve been bold enough to share their faith, at great risk to their lives.

What changed this year? Christian persecution has gotten worse in the last year. The country remains an extremely difficult place to be a Christian, especially for any native Saudi who finds Jesus.