Egyptian Arab in Libya


Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge

Introduction / History

Ancient Egypt was one of the world's great civilizations. Dynasties of pharaohs ruled Egypt from 3200 B.C. to 341 B.C. Egypt fell to the Persian Arab Muslim conquest in 640 A.D. Arabs, who introduced Islam and the Arabic language to Egypt in the seventh century, ruled for the next six centuries. Ottoman Turks conquered the country in 1517.
After the completion of the Suez Canal in 1869, Egypt became an important transportation hub, but fell heavily into debt. To protect its investments, Britain seized control of Egypt from 1882 until 1914. They granted full sovereignty to Egypt after World War II. Migration from Egypt mainly started in the 1970s and 1980s.
Egypt is the most rapidly growing country in the Arab world, and with limited arable land, resources are overtaxed, and society is stressed. For that reason, there is a large Egyptian diaspora that has migrated to other parts of the world, especially Europe where they go as temporary workers. Libya has been a preferred destination for Egyptian workers – initially in education and administration in the post-war era but also now for more general labor. However, the long-lasting war in Libya is a hindrance. In general, Egyptians who migrate to other Arabic speaking countries like Libya do with the intension of returning to Egypt.
Libya was similarly under Ottoman rule, from 1551 to 1912 and subsequently occupied by Italy (1912-1943) and Britain and France before becoming independent in 1951. The discovery of oil in the 1950s radically changed the way of life in Libya. Now most of the population, who once lived in tents, have settled down in towns and cities along the coast and live in apartment blocks or homes.


What Are Their Lives Like?

As with most of the Libyan population, Egyptian Arabs tend live on the northern coastal strip. In times of unrest and economic hardship in Egypt, workers continue to migrate to Libya in search of a better future despite considerable risks; they often work on building sites, and in factories, restaurants and shops. After many years of stability, they often experience deportation and mistreatment due to conflict in Libya and tensions between the two countries. Many other Egyptians are migrants in transit whose journeys are facilitated by people smugglers across the Egypt-Libya border and from the Mediterranean coast.
Most of Libya's food is imported and subsidized by the state. Favorite foods include couscous, rice, noodles, lamb, chicken, olives, and vegetables.


What Are Their Beliefs?

Islam became the state religion of Egypt in 1980. The majority of Egyptian Arabs are either Shafi, Maliki or Hanafi Sunni Muslim. Egyptians who live in nearby Libya remain Sunni Muslim like the host country.
Copts brought Christianity to Egypt very early, where it remained for 1,000 years as the primary religion. Even today, the great majority of the Christian population are still members of the Coptic Church. Evangelical Christians are a small percentage in Libya.


What Are Their Needs?

A return to stability would help Egyptian Arabs, and other non-indigenous people groups, to feel more secure in Libya. Many have experienced poverty in Egypt, which has prompted migration into and through the country, and placed them at greater risk of exploitation. Considerable courage and resilience are needed to live and witness for Jesus in Libya. Open evangelism and missions work is not allowed; extremist groups have been known to persecute and kill expatriate Christians.
With a growing missionary vision, the Egyptian Church has the potential to reach both fellow citizens and people groups in neighboring countries for Christ. The Church is limited by lack of training opportunities, experience and funds. If additional resources are provided, church planters are willing to go.


Prayer Points

Pray that Egyptian Christ followers would become a mighty missionary movement to other Arab nations.
Pray for Egyptian Arabs to have spiritual hunger and a discernment that will lead them to the cross and the empty grave.
Pray for Egyptian Arab Christians to put their faith in the Risen Christ rather a religious institution.
Pray for stability so that Egyptians in Libya can experience a more settled life and be able to provide for themselves and their families.
Pray for courage for believers as they follow Jesus in a society where persecution is common and that their example will be inspiring for the Church in other lands.


Scripture Prayers for the Arab, Egyptian in Libya.


References

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Egyptian_diaspora


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Arab, Egyptian
People Name in Country Arab, Egyptian
Natural Name Egyptian Arab
Pronunciation ee-GYP-shun AE-rub
Alternate Names Egyptian Arab
Population this Country 648,000
Population all Countries 76,839,000
Total Countries 35
Indigenous No
Progress Scale 2
Unreached No
Frontier People Group No
GSEC 1  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed
People ID 11722
ROP3 Code 102879
ROP25 Code 300399
ROP25 Name Arab, Egyptian
Country Libya
Region Africa, North and Middle East
Continent Africa
10/40 Window Yes
Persecution Rank 3  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Country Libya
Region Africa, North and Middle East
Continent Africa
10/40 Window Yes
Persecution Rank 3  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)

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Ethnolinguistic map or other map

Primary Religion: Islam
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.50 %)
8.00 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
91.00 %
Non-Religious
1.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Arabic, Egyptian (648,000 speakers)
Language Code arz   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Arabic, Egyptian (648,000 speakers)
Language Code arz   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Arabic, Egyptian

Primary Language:  Arabic, Egyptian

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (1905-2007)
Bible-New Testament Yes  (1932)
Bible-Complete Yes  (2021)
YouVersion NT (www.bible.com) Online
Possible Print Bibles
Amazon
World Bibles
Forum Bible Agencies
National Bible Societies
World Bible Finder
Virtual Storehouse
Resource Type Resource Name Source
Audio Recordings Arabic Bible Online Arabic Bible Outreach Ministry
Audio Recordings Audio Bible teaching Global Recordings Network
Audio Recordings Online Audio Scripture Talking Bibles
Audio Recordings Recorded oral Bible Oral Bibles
Audio Recordings Story of Jesus audio Jesus Film Project
Film / Video God's Story video God's Story
Film / Video Indigitube.tv Video / Animation Create International
Film / Video Jesus Film: view in Arabic, Egyptian Spoken Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Magdalena video Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Story of Jesus for Children Jesus Film Project
Film / Video The Hope Video Mars Hill Media
Film / Video World Christian Videos World Christian Videos
General Biblical answers to your questions Got Questions Ministry
General Four Spiritual Laws Campus Crusade for Christ
General Gospel resources links Scripture Earth
General YouVersion Bible versions in text and/or audio YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App Android Bible app: Arabic, Egyptian Spoken YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App Download audio Bible app from Google Play Store Faith Comes by Hearing
Mobile App Download audio Bible app from Google Play Store Faith Comes by Hearing
Mobile App Download audio Bible app from Google Play Store Faith Comes by Hearing
Mobile App Download audio Bible app from Google Play Store Faith Comes by Hearing
Mobile App Download audio Bible app from Google Play Store Faith Comes by Hearing
Mobile App Download audio Bible app from Google Play Store Faith Comes by Hearing
Mobile App iOS Bible app: Arabic, Egyptian Spoken YouVersion Bibles
Text / Printed Matter Literacy primer for Arabic, Egyptian Spoken Literacy & Evangelism International
Photo Source Terry Feuerborn - Flickr  Creative Commons 
Profile Source Joshua Project 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.



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