Quote:
Originally Posted by AtLastHome
Thinking about how it is for someone in a Muslim country that is Christian. I have a neighbor/friend thsat is saudi and his family has always been Catholic. his children were not allowed to attend university (or receive free higher education) as Muslim children are. They were educated mostly in Egypt and the US.
Now, the entire family is here (took many years for him to be re-united with his wife and children- very long complex story) and of course, people in general in the US see assume this family is Muslim. He mamages a small store near me and has had quite a few threats. So have his kids (younger ones attending HS here).
What I feel is just plain anger at times about the kinds of nonsense ignorant people engage in. He and his family are saudi- THEY MUST BE MUSLIM! His family has been Christian (as I said) for generations.
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From Wikipedia: Accurate religious demographics are difficult to obtain in Saudi Arabia[1] but 85 to 90% of citizens of Saudi Arabia are Sunni Muslims, who predominantly subscribe to the Government-sanctioned interpretation of Islam, while 15 to 10% of citizens are Shi'a Muslims[1].
AtLastHome, I'm just playing devil's advocate, but..... Saudi is a theocracy. Islam is the official and only religion. That you came up with one actual Saudi Christian is astonishing. That this single Christian family remained in Saudi at all is even more phenomenal. There are lots of foreign workers in Saudi who are Christians and they aren't allowed to bring in bibles or conduct public church services. There is not one single church in the entire country. That's what ya get when there's an official state religion. I'm sure your Christian friend also had to pay a special gyzia tax and may not have been considered a citizen of saudi, but a "guest". I'd be curious to know.
Saudi is unique in this manner. Even Iran has enclaves of Christians and Jews who are treated well, although they are a small minority. I was surprised to learn that a sizable number of Israeli Jews from Iran have made "reverse" aliyah and gone back to Iran -- so it can't be all that bad for them.
We don't have to agree, but it's their country. As long as no non-Muslim is forced to remain in Saudi against their will, it's their business. No non Muslim is allowed to enter Mecca at all.
Not a lot different than the Vatican in some ways. How many Jews and Muslims live in Vatican City? Israel, of course, also comes to mind. A percentage of ethnic Christians are tolerated, but as second class citizens at best. Each to their own.