MidnightWatcher – Prophecy in Motion

By Luiza Oleszczuk, Christian Post – “The eviction of a Christian congregation from a private villa used for worship gatherings for the past seven years has some observers speculating whether Kuwait’s Islamist politicians are beginning to actively target non-Muslim groups.

An American contractor for the U.S. Army in Kuwait, also a Christian, contacted The Christian Post in mid-April, saying that The Lighthouse Church (TLC) he attends was having difficulty renewing its lease. The man, who asked to remain anonymous for security reasons, said the lease was then suddenly terminated without explanation.

A villa church tied to the TLC congregation was later told by the landlord it had to pay an exorbitant fine each month to use a facility it had been renting, according to the Christian contractor. Church leaders reportedly decided not to argue and moved out.

Both congregations, affiliated with the National Evangelical Church in Kuwait, have found temporary meeting places, but leaders fear they will be unable to find permanent homes.

‘The question is whether there will be further problems with other community branches, and whether we will be able to find other locations,’ the contractor told CP. ‘It is strange to realize that I have just been the victim of religious persecution. I also realize that I have some fear for my personal safety here.’

The Christian contractor suggested that the rising Islamic tendencies in Kuwait’s policy might be to blame for the congregations’ alleged eviction.” Read more.

Flashback: Kuwait: Islamists Experience Overwhelming Gains in Parliamentary Elections, Women and Liberals See Dismal Losses – “Kuwait has become the fourth Arab country in as many months to see overwhelming gains for Islamists and dismal losses for liberals in parliamentary elections. It also saw a new exclusion of women from the 50-seat parliament after none of the 23 women candidates, including the four incumbents, could secure enough votes to win even though women made up around 54% of the voting bloc. Overall change to the parliament composition over the latest one, which was dissolved in December following bitter clashes with the government, was about 54 per cent as 27 new lawmakers made their way to the green seats. The Islamists have now 22 seats from the Salafist and Muslim Brotherhood movements as well as independent MPs.” Read more.

Flashback: Allah’s Law Has Spoken: Kuwaiti Parliament Unanimously Approves Death Penalty for Those Who Insult Allah, Mohammed or His Wives – “MP Adel Al-Damkhi proposed to the government Sunday to establish ‘a center to treat negative phenomena alien to Kuwaiti society.’… Al-Dallal added the legal committee also unanimously approved amendments to the Penal Code pertaining to blasphemy. The amendments stipulate the death penalty for those who publicly insult [Allah] Almighty (Divine Entity) or Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) or his wives.” Read more.