Lebanese Arab in South Africa


Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge

Introduction / History

Some Lebanese consider themselves Arabs while others associate themselves with the ancient Phoenicians. Both groups have made their mark on world history through trade and power. Others consider the Lebanese to be Levantine Arabs, referring to those who originated in Cyprus, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine or Syria. Some also include Arabs from Egypt, Iraq and Turkey. Like their ancient ancestors, today's Lebanese Arabs live all over the world. One can find them in most parts of the world including South Africa.
Lebanese Arabs came to South Africa in the late 1800s and early 1900s when it was still a British colony. They were classified as "Asian" in this land of Apartheid. Most of them had very little money and they took on low-paying jobs. A small number tried to own property, which was illegal for anyone who wasn't classified as White. In the early 20th century, a Lebanese took the issue to court, which reclassified the Lebanese as White.
Today the Lebanese are most likely to be found in Johannesburg and Cape Town.


What Are Their Lives Like?

An increasing number of Lebanese are settling in South Africa to make a good living, especially since Lebanon's economy has been in serious trouble since 2019. Many of these Lebanese are small businessmen.


What Are Their Beliefs?

Like in Lebanon, about two-thirds of the Lebanese population is Muslim and one-third is part of a traditional church. They are usually more focused on their traditions than on the person of Jesus Christ and following him.


What Are Their Needs?

Whether they are Muslim or traditional Christian, the Lebanese Arabs in South Africa need to put their hope and trust in Jesus Christ. They need the infilling of the Holy Spirit and the willingness to obey Christ so they can experience abundant life.


Prayer Points

Pray for the Holy Spirit to revive the Lebanese church, leading them to make disciples of Christ who make more disciples.
Pray for their fellowships to be Christ centered rather than tradition centered.
Pray there will soon come a day when the Lebanese people will send loving workers to unreached people groups in the Middle East and Europe.
Pray for spiritual hunger and a discernment that will keep them away from spiritual counterfeits.


Scripture Prayers for the Arab, Lebanese in South Africa.


References

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lebanese_people_in_South_Africa
https://lebanesestudies.news.chass.ncsu.edu/2016/06/21/albinos-in-the-laager-being-lebanese-in-south-africa/
https://wlcui.com/2013/10/26/the-history-of-the-south-african-lebanese-the-struggle-of-the-christian-lebanese-for-land-ownership-in-south-africa/
https://www.maronite-institute.org/MARI/JMS/october98/The_Lebanese_of_South_Africa.htm


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Arab, Lebanese
People Name in Country Arab, Lebanese
Natural Name Lebanese Arab
Pronunciation leh-buh-NEEZ AE-rub
Alternate Names Lebanese Arab; Lebanese Shiite; Lebanese Sunni
Population this Country 5,700
Population all Countries 6,326,000
Total Countries 42
Indigenous No
Progress Scale 2
Unreached No
Frontier People Group No
GSEC 4  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed
People ID 13017
ROP3 Code 105688
ROP25 Code 300407
ROP25 Name Arab, Lebanese
Country South Africa
Region Africa, East and Southern
Continent Africa
10/40 Window No
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Country South Africa
Region Africa, East and Southern
Continent Africa
10/40 Window No
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked

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Ethnolinguistic map or other map

Primary Religion: Islam
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.50 %)
32.00 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
59.00 %
Non-Religious
2.00 %
Other / Small
7.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Arabic, Levantine (5,700 speakers)
Language Code apc   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Arabic, Levantine (5,700 speakers)
Language Code apc   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Arabic, Levantine
Photo Source DFID - UK - Flickr  Creative Commons 
Profile Source Joshua Project 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.



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