Somali in United Arab Emirates


Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge

Introduction / History

Several million Somali live scattered across eight countries in the northeastern portion of Africa, commonly called the "Horn of Africa," and in the Middle East. They are one of the most homogenous people groups in Africa, speaking a common language, adhering to a single faith, and sharing a cultural heritage. Somalis first came to Africa around 1200 A.D. and were converted to Islam about 1550 by Arabian traders. Today, a relatively small number live in the United Arab Emirates. They have worked in various occupations including shepherding, farming, trading, and unskilled labor. The UAE is a federation of seven independent Arab states within the Arabian Peninsula, which is located on the southern end of the Persian Gulf. Although Somalis were originally nomadic shepherds, many now dwell in urban areas, serving as middlemen between the Arab world and their nomadic brothers of the interior.


What Are Their Lives Like?

Somali society is based on the nuclear family, which consists of a husband, wife and children. The man is the head of his household. A typical family owns a herd of sheep or goats and a few burden camels. Some may also own a herd of breeding and milking camels. The more camels a man has, the greater his prestige. Although the official language of the UAE is Arabic, the Somali speak the Somali language. They have often been called "a nation of poets in search of an alphabet," because the Somali language had no written script until 1972. The UAE has a hot climate with little rainfall. The humidity is often high along the coast, but the inland desert regions are dry. Temperatures range from 120 degrees F. in the summer months to 60 degrees F. in the winter. The economy, centered primarily on oil and oil-based industries, provides the UAE with one of the highest per capita incomes in the world. To diversify the economy, the government has begun introducing new industries. The country has used its vast oil wealth to transform the economy through the expansion of roads, ports and airports. The government provides free hospitalization and medical care. Most of the population has access to health care and safe water. Education is free for all ages and is required for children up to 12 years old. Although the UAE has undergone extensive modernization, many Somalis have continued their lifestyles as nomadic shepherds. They live in portable huts made of wooden branches covered with grass mats. They are easily collapsible so that they can be loaded on pack animals and moved along with the herds. Their diet consists of milk, meats and wild fruits. Others, however, are more settled, living as farmers in permanent, round huts. Their diet includes corn, beans, rice, eggs, poultry, bananas, dates, mangoes, and coffee. Having an abundant supply of food is a status symbol among Somalis. Each family periodically holds banquets for their relatives and friends. A family's prestige is determined by the frequency of its feasts, the number of people invited, and the quality and quantity of food served.


What Are Their Beliefs?

Although Somalis are nearly all Sunni Muslims, numerous beliefs and traditions have been intermingled with their Islamic practices. The standard Islamic prayers are usually observed; however, Somali women have never worn the required veils. Villagers and urban settlers frequently turn to the wadaad (a religious expert) for blessings, charms and advice in worldly matters. These people depend upon good works to pay the penalty for their sins. They depend upon the spirit world for their daily needs because they regard Allah as too distant. They believe that Allah may determine their eternal salvation, but the spirits determine how well they live in their daily lives. Consequently, they must appease the spirits.


What Are Their Needs?

The greatest need of this people group is to hear and understand the infinite love of Almighty God who has paid the penalty of all their sins. They need to be set free from fear and the domination of evil spirits that ruin their lives. Who will take gospel resources to Issa Somali people in the UAE?


Prayer Points

Pray for effectiveness of the JESUS Film and Christian radio and TV among them. Ask the Lord to raise up long term missionaries to live among Issa Somali people in UAE and share Christ's love with them. Ask the Lord to raise up a strong Disciple Making Movement among Issa Somali people in UAE.


Scripture Prayers for the Somali, Issa in United Arab Emirates.


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Somali
People Name in Country Somali, Issa
Natural Name Somali
Pronunciation
Alternate Names Issa; Ogaden; Sab; Shabelle; सोमाली
Population this Country 40,000
Population all Countries 26,240,000
Total Countries 25
Indigenous No
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
GSEC 1  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 1
People ID 14983
ROP3 Code 109392
ROP25 Code 307625
ROP25 Name Somali

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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 Somali (40,000 speakers)
Language Code som   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Somali (40,000 speakers)
Language Code som   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Somali

Primary Language:  Somali

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (1915-1935)
Bible-New Testament Yes  (1972-1976)
Bible-Complete Yes  (1979-2008)
FCBH NT (www.bible.is) Online
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 Audio Bible teaching Global Recordings Network
Audio Recordings DAVAR Partners recording, Old Testament DAVAR Partners International
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 Somali Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Magdalena video Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Story of Jesus for Children Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Walking with Jesus video Jesus Film Project
Film / Video World Christian Videos World Christian Videos
General Bible for Children Bible for Children
General Biblical answers to your questions Got Questions Ministry
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Four Spiritual Laws Campus Crusade for Christ
General Gospel resources links Scripture Earth
General Walk with the Prophets and meet the Messiah Al Massira
General YouVersion Bible versions in text and/or audio YouVersion Bibles
General Zume Resources Zume Project
General Zume Training Zume Project
Mobile App Android Bible app: Somali YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App Download audio Bible app as APK file Faith Comes by Hearing
Mobile App Download audio Bible app as APK file Faith Comes by Hearing
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Profile Source Joshua Project 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.



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