Is Christianity allowed in Saudi Arabia?

As no faith other than Islam is permitted to be practiced openly; no churches, temples, or other non-Muslim houses of worship are permitted in the country although there are nearly a million Christians as well as Hindus and Buddhists - nearly all foreign workers - in Saudi Arabia.

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Can Christians go to church in Saudi Arabia?

Saudi Arabia is a highly conservative Islamic nation and other religions cannot be practised openly. No official churches of any Christian denomination are allowed and it remains one of the few countries in the world where church buildings are forbidden.

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Can I bring a Bible to Saudi Arabia?

Religion. The public practice of any form of religion other than Islam is illegal; as is an intention to convert others. However, the Saudi authorities accept the private practice of religions other than Islam, and you can bring a religious text into the country as long as it is for your personal use.

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Can you wear a crucifix in Saudi Arabia?

Saudi Arabia follows a fairly conservative form of Islam which is strictly enforced and practiced. The public expression of other religions is forbidden by law including the wearing of religious jewellery, including the crucifix.

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Does Dubai allow Christianity?

Christians are free to worship and wear religious clothing, if applicable. The country has Catholic, Eastern and Oriental Orthodox along with Protestant churches. Although Christian women can marry Muslim men freely, marriage between Muslim women and non-Muslim men is forbidden.

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Can You Be a Christian in Saudi Arabia? | Expats Everywhere

25 related questions found

Can I wear a crucifix in Dubai?

In Dubai you will have no problem if you are wearing a Crucifix around your neck ect. No problems with the crucifix at all.

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Is Christianity allowed in Qatar?

The law restricts public worship for non-Islamic faiths. It prohibits non-Muslim religious groups from displaying religious symbols, which includes banning Christian congregations from advertising religious services or placing crosses outdoors where they are visible to the public.

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Can you go to church in Saudi Arabia?

Christians and other non-Muslims are prohibited from entering the city of Mecca and the central district of Medina, i.e. in the vicinity inside of King Faisal Road, "1st Ring Road". There are also Christian communities on expatriate compounds, including Catholic services in the Aramco compound in Dhahran.

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Is pork allowed in Saudi Arabia?

Saudi law prohibits alcoholic beverages and pork products in the country as they are considered to be against Islam. Those violating the law are handed harsh punishments.

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Is Tattoo allowed in Saudi Arabia?

Saudi Arabia – tattoos are illegal due to Sharia Law (foreigners with tattoos must cover them and they should remain covered until the person leaves the country) Afghanistan – tattoos are illegal and banned due to Sharia Law.

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Are condoms allowed in Saudi Arabia?

Hospitals and schools are often reluctant to distribute government information about the disease because of strong taboos and the stigma attached to how the virus can be spread. For example, condoms are legal, but until recently, they were rarely available anywhere other than certain hospitals or medical supply stores.

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Can you drink alcohol in Saudi?

Consuming alcoholic beverages is strictly prohibited in Saudi Arabia. Therefore, the short answer to your question is no. Due to the fact that Islamic law forbids the manufacture, distribution, and use of alcoholic beverages, drinking alcoholic beverages is against the law in this country.

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Which 20 countries are not allowed to enter Saudi?

All nationals traveling from the following 20 countries are barred entry: Argentina, Brazil, Egypt, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Lebanon, Pakistan, Portugal, South Africa, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom and the United States.

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What happens if you practice Christianity in Saudi Arabia?

Most Christians in Saudi Arabia are migrants. There are a few Muslim-born Christians, and conversion from Islam is punishable by death. Church buildings are forbidden and so Christians meet in house churches, which are frequently raided. Christians may be arrested, imprisoned, tortured and deported for their faith.

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Is Christianity allowed in Iran?

The law prohibits Muslim citizens from changing or renouncing their religious beliefs. The constitution states Zoroastrians, Jews, and Christians (excluding converts from Islam) are the only recognized religious minorities permitted to worship and form religious societies “within the limits of the law.”

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Is Christianity Legal in Pakistan?

Conversion to other faiths than Islam is not prohibited by law. Muslims who change their faith to Christianity, are subject to societal pressure. Extremely controversial were the blasphemy laws, which made it treacherous for non-Muslims to express themselves without being accused of being un-Islamic.

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Are tampons illegal in Saudi Arabia?

Can I buy tampons? Yes, they can be found in some pharmacies or grocery store personal care product aisles.

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Can you smoke in Saudi Arabia?

Smoking in Saudi Arabia is banned in airports, workplaces, universities, research centers, hospitals, government buildings, all public places, places involved with tourism, and in and around all places associated with religion, education, public events, sporting establishments, charity associations, all forms of public ...

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Do you have to wear hijab in Saudi Arabia?

No, it is not a must for women to wear a Hijab in Saudi Arabia. However, people from all walks of life are expected to dress modestly by covering their entire bodies. Women should not expose their legs, shoulders, chest area, and waist, but donning traditional clothing is not mandatory.

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How many Christians are there in Saudi Arabia?

According to Boston University's 2020 World Religions Database, the population includes approximately 31.5 million Muslims, 2.1 million Christians, 708,000 Hindus, 242,000 atheists or agnostics, 114,000 Buddhists, and 67,00 Sikhs.

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Are there Catholics in Dubai?

There are around 20 churches including Protestant, Catholic, Orthodox and Anglican. Which is the oldest church in Dubai? St Mary's Catholic Church is the oldest church in Dubai. It was established in 1967.

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Is there Christianity in India?

South India is home to about half of the Christians in the country, and Christians make up a relatively large share of people in India's more sparsely populated Northeast, where the vast majority of Christians belong to tribal communities.

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Can I bring my bible to Qatar?

Restrictions on religious freedom

Individuals and religious institutions are allowed to import Bibles and other religious items for personal or congregational use. Christian religious literature, with the exception of Bibles, is readily available in English in local bookstores.

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What was Qatar called in the bible?

During the latter part of the Christian era, Qatar was known by the Syriac name 'Beth Qatraye'. A variant of this was 'Beth Catara'. The name translates to 'region of the Qataris'.

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Are there churches in Iran?

Some Persians subsequently converted to Protestantism and their churches still exist within Iran (using the Persian language).

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