North Africa is just eight miles across the Mediterranean from Spain. It was once a protectorate of France. Consequently the most-spoken language in the country is French. It is home to over 33 million people and is slightly larger than California.

Prayer Points

• North Africans have a pride in their country as a center for Islamic learning and heritage. Less than 5% of the population have ever met a Christian or heard the gospel. Only 1 in 10,000 people have a relationship with Jesus.

• Since 1975 North Africa has occupied the Western Sahara and continues to fight a war there with Saharawi liberation movement. The Sahara war has deeply affected the country - the unemployment rate is high and millions of North Africans leave to find work in Europe.

• Sunni Islam is the state religion and the government is committed to preserving Islam as the religion of all North Africans. Any Muslims converting to Christianity face persecution

• Pray that there would be greater freedom for Christians to share their faith and protection for Muslims who want to find out more about Christianity.

[Sources: Operation World and CIA World Factbook]

- From October 2006 Mosaic