_________________
Sep 05: Morocco, Sahara
Morocco
Kingdom of Morocco
Africa
See Prayer Information
Geography
Area: 458,730 sq kmNorthwest corner of Africa. Fertile coastal areas in the north, Atlas mountains inland and Sahara Desert to the south and southeast. A further 252,000 sq km of former Spanish Sahara claimed and occupied by Morocco since 1975.
Population: 32,777,808 Annual Growth: 1.25%
Capital: Rabat
Urbanites: 56.7%
HDI Rank: 130 of 182 (UN Human Development Reports 2009)
Peoples
Peoples: 30 (80% unreached) All peoplesUnreached Peoples Prayer Card
Official language: Arabic. Berber is used in many homes. French widely used; English increasing Languages: 10 All languages
Religion
Largest Religion: MuslimReligion | Pop % | Ann Gr | |
---|---|---|---|
Christians | 29,000 | 0.09 | 1.3 |
Evangelicals | 4,774 | 0.0 | 4.6 |
Muslim | 32,738,475 | 99.88 |
Challenge for Prayer
Moroccan Islam faces serious division as the country increasingly polarizes between Islamists and moderates. The suppression of Christian activity is meant to forestall sectarian conflict desired by extremists in other African Muslim countries. The intensifying difficulties reflect the deepening fault line; most citizens are troubled by the implications and do not wish for religious violence. Islamism finds a fertile recruiting ground especially but not exclusively among the poor and frustrated young population. Pray for peace throughout the nation, and pray that those seeking to commit violence be stymied. Pray for the country’s leaders; may they navigate these troubled waters with wisdom and good decision-making.For an additional 8 Challenges for Prayer see Operation World book, CD-ROM, or DVD-ROM.
More Information
The Operation World book, CD-ROM, and DVD-ROM provide far more information and fuel for prayer for the people of Morocco.Western Sahara
Western Sahara
Africa
See Prayer Information
Geography
Area: 252,000 sq kmAlmost entirely desert, but has huge phosphate deposits, one of the world’s richest sea fishing areas and possibly large oil reserves beneath its territorial waters. Population An estimated 400,000.
Capital: XXX
Peoples
Peoples: 12 (83% unreached) All peoplesUnreached Peoples Prayer Card
Religion
Challenge for Prayer
Pray for a peaceful and fair resolution to decades of costly conflict.a) Morocco’s determination to remain is strengthened by their value as an Arab ally to France and the USA, and will only be entrenched by the likelihood of oil reserves offshore. The cause of the Polisario is remarkably enduring and strong. Pray for justice, for an equitable solution, and for the Saharawi people to be able to return to their homeland.
b) Where there are believers, God is breaking down enmity between those in opposition politically. Pray for the Church to model the reconciliation available in Christ, turning hearts away from attachment to futile political ambitions and toward a zeal for Jesus.
For an additional Challenge for Prayer see Operation World book, CD-ROM, or DVD-ROM.