Pray for Comoros

Comoros is an archipelago island nation in the Indian Ocean.
It is located off the eastern coast of Africa, between northeastern Mozambique
and northwestern Madagascar.

Moroni is the capital.
The population is about 790,000.

FACT
The name 'Comoros' derives from the Arabic word 'qamar' which means 'moon.'

HISTORY
The islands were first settled in the 8th century by Africans and Arabs.

Over the centuries, the islands were settled by a succession of diverse groups
from Africa, the Persian Gulf, Indonesia, and Madagascar.

Portuguese explorers first visited in 1505.

The islands were colonized by France in the 19th century.

Comoros finally became independent in 1975.
One island, Mayotte, decided to stay with France.

Comoros has seen 19 attempted coups since 1975.

DEMOGRAPHICS
98%  Sunni Muslim
2%   Catholic
0.1% Evangelical

CONDITIONS
Agriculture, fishing, hunting, and forestry, is the leading sector of the economy.

Comoros is on the world's poorest countries.
Economic growth and poverty reduction are major priorities for the government.

The country is heavily dependent on foreign grants and technical assistance.

There have been frequent tensions among the islands.
The rest of the islands still claim Mayotte as part of their territory.
Tension exists on two smaller islands who want to be separate.

Due to the internal disputes, the government lacks a cohesive strategy to attract
foreign investors.

Unemployment is very high.

The islands suffer from overcrowding.

Comoros has an inadequate transportation system and few natural resources.

Only 50% of the population is literate.

SPIRITUAL CONDITIONS
Most of the population is Muslim.

A new constitution guaranteeing religious freedom was adopted in 2001.

A constitutional referendum passed in 2009 stated that Comoros was an Islamic state,
but Sharia (Islamic law) has not yet been implemented.

There has been an increase in Muslim fundamentalists.   

Occult movements are also gaining ground.

Some occult movements are winning over Christians, causing disunity in churches.

There are fewer than 200 Christian nationals in this country.
However, the small underground church is growing - albeit at a slow pace.

There are only three church buildings in Comoros and only noncitizens may use them.

There are no official churches for Comorian people.

Christians are forbidden to witness in public.

Those who come to faith in Christ from a Muslim background face many difficulties.

Persecution against Christians generally takes the form of social discrimination.

In some areas, local authorities limit the practice of Christianity.

Many are still unreached

SUFFERERS
One believer who left Islam had his travel documents revoked.

In 2006, authorities arrested believers in a Bible study and discovered
Christian materials.
Four of the believers were sentenced to three months in prison but were
released after six weeks.

Christian workers reported being verbally attacked at a local mosque
for leading Friday prayer meetings.

During Ramadan one of the local believers was jailed for five days for not
fasting and praying as required by Islam.

PRAYER NEEDS
Pray that the economy improve.
Pray for those suffering from unemployment.

Pray that political tensions be settled peacefully.

Pray that literacy improve.

Pray that Sharia (Islamic law) not be introduced to these islands.

Pray that Christians have the wisdom and discernment to resist the influence
of occult movements.

Pray that Christians will make good use of opportunities to reach out to the lost.