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Saudi Arabia has enormous oil wealth that produces twothirds of the government’s revenue. King Fahd, who ascended to the throne in 1982, died in August 2005 at the age of 84. His half-brother, Crown Prince Abdallah, was named as his successor.

Religion: Muslim 92.83%, Christian 4.54%, non-Religious/other 1.40%, Hindu 0.60%, Buddhist/Chinese 0.42%, Sikh 0.19%, and Baha’i 0.02%. Saudi Arabia is an Islamic state, committed to the role of custodian of Islam and its holiest sites. A massive Islamic missionary effort is coordinated by the Muslim World League in Mecca. Billions of dollars are spent every year to propagate Islam worldwide.

Ideological Influence: Islam

Head of State: King and Prime Minister Abdallah bin Abd al-Aziz Al Saud

Persecution: Saudi Arabia once had a large Christian population until 1,300 years ago. Islam gained control at that time, and all Christians were expelled. It has been reported that public relations firms in the U.S. have been hired by the country to help cover up its poor human rights record. Any person who does mission work or converts a Muslim faces jail, expulsion or execution. Even foreign Christians visiting Saudi Arabia are not allowed to meet together and worship.

Missionary Opportunity: Despite the threat of persecution, the followers of Christ press on, finding innovative ways to meet and encourage each other.

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CHRISTIAN WORLD NEWS 'Islam Weakening', So Saudis Jail Christians By Stan Jeter CWN Senior Producer Saudi prison officer admits, "We are afraid Islam is getting weak." CBN.com – A Filipino Christian who was jailed in Saudi Arabia is asking U.S. lawmakers to help protect the religious freedom of Christian foreigners living and working there. Dennis Moreno was one of an estimated 500,000 foreign Christians working in that Muslim kingdom, until Saudi police arrested him last August. He asked his Saudi interrogator why they took him to jail. Moreno said, "There are many criminals outside. Those who make whiskey, who gamble, do prostitution. There are many criminals, a lot of thieves. Why did you arrest us?" Moreno went on to say, "And he, Major Alamudi said, 'The government is afraid Islam is getting weak'." Moreno's voice still showed his astonishment as he replied to the major, "What?! To which Alamudi said again, 'We are afraid Islam is getting weak'." Moreno responded, "I said to him, that's not our problem, you raised up your own preachers." But, Moreno continued, "Even so, from that time on, they still forced us to name other Christian leaders and Saudi Christians." Moreno was one of 14 Christians jailed at that time. He had to wait seven months to be sent back to his home country, the Philippines. A smuggled camera captured his living conditions at the Breman Deportation Prison in Jeddah, which were cramped and deplorable. In with over 1,000 inmates, Moreno was on his feet for two days before finding a place to sleep. Moreno also says he witnessed Saudi guards beating three Ethiopian Christians who were kicked, suspended with chains and lashed 80 times with a steel cable wrapped in plastic. Moreno credits his release to the work of Washington-based International Christian Concern, and the American government. During his visit to Washington, Moreno warned Americans how Saudis are taught to hate all Jews and allies of Jews-especially Americans. He also expressed concern for the thirteen foreign Christians still held as prisoners in Saudi Arabia.