Yemen Officials Concerned Over Growing Christian Population
Christian missionary agencies are being credited with an increased Christian population in Yemen. A report from the Yemen Post cites research by Dr. Abdul Qawi Al-Tab’ee showing a growing organized Christian movement in the country. The Islamic World League is also said to have issued a report “warning” of the trend in Yemen and the influence of missions.
The American Presbyterians were the first into the country in 1941, followed by the Baptists after the change of government in 1964. Though strictly forbidden to share the Gospel during their relief work, it appears these missions are doing just that and even managing to hand out literature about the faith.
According to the article Researcher Warns Christianity Growth in Yemen, there are over 4,800 associations that work within Yemen. Many of these organizations are assisting the refugee camps located in the southern part of the nation.
The league attributed the success of Christianity campaign in Yemen to the absence of attention by Muslims together with the spread of poverty, unemployment, illiteracy, wars, racial and tribal discrimination.
According to media sources, missionary work in Yemen is made through international associations and organizations with interest in motherhood, childhood, handicaps, environment and tourism affairs together as well as private schools, language institutes and those organizations sending Yemeni students abroad.
Though some Christian missionaries have been killed over the years in Yemen, they are clearly providing much-needed services. Still, the article states, “This news comes in shock to a country known to be free from Christians as only very few Christian Yemenis exist in Aden, which officials say that they are not of Yemeni root.” A brief look at the headlines of the Yemen Post website will tell you why the faith is growing.
“Bread Prices Increase 100 Percent”
“Saudi Border Guards Arrest Yemeni Weapon Smugglers”
“Kidnappings Continue to Grow: Families Call for Action”
“Food Contamination Key in Cancer Increase.”
Those headlines are just from the front page. (March 3, 2008 Issue:19). A warning of the increase in Christianity from researchers and officials makes one wonder what the situation will be for missionaries in the near future. As war, refugee camps, economic woes and environmental crises continue, will Christians once again find themselves being exiled from the country, as occurred across the whole Arabian peninsula in the 7th century? Or, will they become bolder in sharing the Gospel along with the resources so desparately needed?
Image Source: Yemen - Sanaa, www.yemenshipping.com
christian, christian missions, Yemen, Yemeni christians, missionaries
March 12th, 2008 at 10:12 am
A christian brother who travelled to Yemen ministered to refugees from Sudan and Ethiopia there. He also taught us a song sung by them.
Yemen is a needy country
November 11th, 2009 at 5:06 am
After reading this post, i think i might be sticking around! Talk soon!