Moving to Saudi Arabia. Can you guide me?

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matjam

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I got a job offer from Saudi Arabia and will be moving to Jeddah soon. I go to mass every day and want to continue it for the rest of my life. As you know public expression of religion other than Islam is prohibited there. However, I came to know that exceptions are made for certain American compounds, where they have chapels and daily mass. Do you know if there is an opportunity for me to attend daily mass there(Jeddah, Saudi Arabia)?
 
Maybe you should speak with other people who work for the company you do and see how living their non-Muslim faith plays out.
 
You might have to go to a country around there if you want to go to Mass. My sister used to live in Bahrain, it’s not a big deal there. Saudi Arabia did allow a Coptic Orthodox celebration of Mass there, but this was an exception, it would be nice if they would allow it, you know, again.[](https://www.christianpost.com/news/first-ever-coptic-mass-held-in-saudi-arabia-one-of-worlds-most-restrictive-regimes.html
 
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I would have to advise you against taking the job. Our first duty is to God, and SA’s laws are so radical that you won’t be able to practice our common faith. Other jobs will come along, ones that won’t require you to reject God or face imprisonment at the least.
 
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How does a church get planted somewhere that hates it? Is it only up to full-time missionaries to be in the vanguard?

Life without the sacraments is a difficult choice; and someone who is not ordained maybe should avoid those places where the faith is really oppressed, unless they are going there to spread the gospel.
 
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matjam said:
I got a job offer from Saudi Arabia and will be moving to Jeddah soon. I go to mass every day and want to continue it for the rest of my life. As you know public expression of religion other than Islam is prohibited there. However, I came to know that exceptions are made for certain American compounds, where they have chapels and daily mass. Do you know if there is an opportunity for me to attend daily mass there(Jeddah, Saudi Arabia)?
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Why would you want to take a job in a country where you would be immediately arrested if you were seen just making the sign of the cross.
There is no Mass there. Theoretically non-Muslims can practice their religion in their homes but even that has been violated and Christians have been arrested in their homes.
Find a job in another country.
 
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I grew up in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia as my Dad worked for an oil company. Our company in particular hosted both a non-denominational Protestant church service and a weekly Catholic mass for its employees.

What you are able to experience in terms of availability of mass will vary greatly depending on the company you work for and the compound in which you’ll live. I have no current knowledge but I would highly doubt daily mass would be available.

I do think the company I was associated with received a much greater level of tolerance than others would. I do recall that in the kids programs, they were very strict about us not taking worksheets and other religious materials out in case we lost them and found their ways to Muslims and would jeopardize the tolerance we had.

I also think it’ll be hard to figure out what is available ahead of time as the official rule is that all non-Islam faiths are prohibited. What happens on an employer or compound basis may vary a little or lot but I doubt anyone would be willing to talk about it before you get there.
 
I can never understand why any American or catholic would want to move to Saudi Arabia, not even for money!
They are the world’s largest state sponsor or terror! They indoctrinated, provided terrorists, funded, trained and provided full logistics for 9/11! The are responsible for ISIS and all the destruction of Christianity in the Middle East & the terror attacks world wide.
They hate Catholicism & Christianity, to think otherwise is very naive!
 
Honestly, this is the advice I would give to my friend or family member. I’ve met many medical professionals who worked in these countries. While the money was excellent, they left because they lived in fear and it took a great toll on them.
 
I am sorry you are moving there. No doubt, the money will be good. But working for a country that denies freedom of religious expression is not a good thing. I will pray for you. 🙏🙏🙏
 
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