Saudi Arabia is home to several Arab groups. The Hijazi Arabs (more commonly known as the Saudi Arabs) form most of the local Saudi Arabian population and live predominantly along the Red Sea coast and in the major urban areas. They speak a language called Arabiya, or, as it is more commonly called, Hijazi Arabic.
The Arab culture was developed by tribes of nomads and villagers who lived in the Arabian Desert. From there, Arab migrations spread throughout the Middle East and northern Africa, leading to the expansion of the Arab world.
Though most of the Hijazi speakers are in Saudi Arabia, some are in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), one of the gulf countries.
In accordance with their Muslim religion, Hijazi Arab marriages are typically endogamous, which means that they only marry within a small social circle. Inheritance is patrilineal (passed down from fathers to their sons). Hijazi Arab clothing is designed for the harsh desert climate. It is made of lightweight, light-colored fabric and is also loose-fitting, allowing for the circulation of air.
In the past, the Hijazi Arabs considered it shameful and degrading to have jobs doing manual labor. However, this has changed in recent years. Because of the need for more income, improved health facilities, and better housing some have accepted wage-paying jobs. Nevertheless, most of Hijazi Arab still despise such positions.
Being Muslim, Hijazi Arab follow the teachings of the prophet Mohammed. They believe that the only way to God is through following the teachings of their holy book, the Koran. The Islamic faith is a religion of works based on these five "pillars" or duties: (1) A Muslim must affirm that "there is no god but Allah, and Mohammed is his prophet." (2) Five times a day he must pray while facing Mecca. (3) He must give an obligatory percentage (very similar to tithes) on an annual basis. (4) He must fast during Ramadan, the ninth month of the Muslim year. (5) He must try to go on a pilgrimage to Mecca at least once in his lifetime.
Virtually all Hijazi Arab in the United Arab Emirates are Sunni (orthodox) Muslim. At the present time, there are very few believers within their communities. A profession of faith in Jesus may cost a person his family, his honor, his job or even his life. Evangelization of this people group will be challenging due to the nature of the Arabs' lifestyle and belief system.
Ask the Holy Spirit to call people who are willing to share the love of Christ with Hijazi Arab.
Pray that strong local churches will be raised up among the Hijazi Arab.
Ask God to raise up prayer teams who will begin breaking up the soil through worship and intercession.
Scripture Prayers for the Arab, Saudi - Hijazi in United Arab Emirates.
Profile Source: Joshua Project |
People Name General | Arab, Saudi - Hijazi |
People Name in Country | Arab, Saudi - Hijazi |
Natural Name | Hijazi Arab |
Pronunciation |
hee-JAH-zee AE-rub
|
Alternate Names | Ad-Mu'allin; African-Arabian Arab; Hijazi Arab; Saudi Arab |
Population this Country | 371,000 |
Population all Countries | 11,767,000 |
Total Countries | 4 |
Indigenous | No |
Progress Scale | 1 ● |
Unreached | Yes |
Frontier People Group | Yes |
GSEC | 1 (per PeopleGroups.org) |
Pioneer Workers Needed | 7 |
People ID | 14784 |
ROP3 Code | 108748 |
ROP25 Code | 300418 |
ROP25 Name | Arab, Saudi |
Country | United Arab Emirates | ||
Region | Africa, North and Middle East | ||
Continent | Asia | ||
10/40 Window | Yes | ||
Persecution Rank | Not ranked |
Country | United Arab Emirates |
Region | Africa, North and Middle East |
Continent | Asia |
10/40 Window | Yes |
Persecution Rank | Not ranked |
Primary Religion: | Islam |
Major Religion ▲ | Percent |
---|---|
Buddhism |
0.00 %
|
Christianity (Evangelical 0.00 %) |
0.00 %
|
Ethnic Religions |
0.00 %
|
Hinduism |
0.00 %
|
Islam |
100.00 %
|
Non-Religious |
0.00 %
|
Other / Small |
0.00 %
|
Unknown |
0.00 %
|
Primary Language | Arabic, Hijazi (371,000 speakers) |
Language Code | acw Ethnologue Listing |
Language Written | Yes ScriptSource Listing |
Total Languages | 1 |
Primary Language | Arabic, Hijazi (371,000 speakers) |
Language Code | acw Ethnologue Listing |
Total Languages | 1 |
People Groups | Speaking Arabic, Hijazi |
Primary Language: Arabic, Hijazi
Bible Translation ▲ | Status (Years) |
---|---|
Bible-Portions | Yes (2022) |
Bible-New Testament | No |
Bible-Complete | No |
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 |
Film / Video | Jesus Film: view in Hijazi | Jesus Film Project |
Text / Printed Matter | Tools for faith conversations | Campus Crusade for Christ |
Photo Source |
(Representative photo) Tribes of the World - Flickr Creative Commons |
Map Source | People Group location: IMB. Map geography: ESRI / GMI. Map design: Joshua Project. |
Profile Source | Joshua Project |
Data Sources | Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more. |