Movement in the Middle East
Effective from June 1, Regional Headquarters for The Salvation Army in the Middle East (Kuwait, UAE, Bahrain and Oman) officially relocated from Kuwait to Bahrain. Kiwi officers Majors Doug and Janet Newman were responsible for the move, with approval and support from International Headquarters (IHQ).
‘It’s always been the desire of IHQ, as well as the Middle East Region of The Salvation Army, to register as an independent Christian church,’ explains Doug. ‘And while there is a Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) where all the Gulf countries work together, each one is individually run and has their own views on accepting different faiths and practices’.
The Salvation Army in the Middle East Region was initially set up in Kuwait because of the support work and presence established during the Gulf War years. However, it has not been possible for churches across the board in Kuwait to obtain visas and there is no indication of when that might change.
During a meeting with Kingdom of Bahrain officials in 2022, The Salvation Army was invited to relocate and formally register as a church and charity. In Bahrain there is a centre for ecumenical cooperation and sharing called, King Hamad Global Centre for Peaceful Co-existence. Doug reports that the goal of the king is to create a harmonious, inclusive religious community.
‘There are Hindu temples here and Jewish synagogues, as well as Christian worshipping communities including Catholic and Protestant expressions. Not only can we worship openly in Bahrain as The Salvation Army, but we will have access to multi-entry visas which means we can expand our community work,’ says Doug.
There is a lot of trafficking in the Middle East, and Bahrain is not exempt. ‘People are desperate,’ says Janet. ‘They come from other countries where they can’t support their families, lured by the promise of a job with a big income. Many are tricked and left in worse situations than what they left. There are plenty of opportunities to be The Salvation Army in Bahrain.’
Doug explains that the Government of Bahrain is supportive of this kind of work and therefore welcoming of The Salvation Army.
Currently, there is only one other Salvation Army couple working across the four countries of the Middle East Region. Registration would make reinforcement possible and enable a stronger, more sustainable regional structure to be implemented.
Doug and Janet were previously the corps officers of Kuwait Corps as well as Regional Leaders for the Middle East Region. Now, local leaders have been warranted and empowered in Kuwait, meaning Doug and Janet can focus on bigger picture goals for the whole region.
‘It’s important to us that all expressions of The Salvation Army in the Middle East Region—regardless of what country they are in—are listened to and feel heard, cared for and supported,’ affirms Janet.
