Yemen, Arabian Peninsula
Population: 22,230,531
Christians: <1%
Dominant Religion: Sunni Islam
Persecution Ranking: 7th
Political Leader: President Ali Abdallah Salih
Religious Freedom in Constitution: Yes
With one of the world's highest population growth rates at 3.7%, the underdeveloped nation of Yemen struggles to improve living standards through developing health care, education, and basic services. Much of the population is tribal and lives in villages or on small farms. Often disputes are settled within tribes using traditional practices. Some of these people groups remain totally unreached with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The Yemeni constitution guarantees freedom of religion but it also declares that Islam is the state religion and that Sharia is the source of all legislation. The Yemeni government allows expatriates some freedom to live out their faith, but Yemeni citizens are not allowed to convert to Christianity (or other religions). Converts from Islamic background may face the death penalty if they are discovered. During the past year, several Christian converts were arrested and physically harmed for their faith.
