Syrian Arab in Denmark


Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge

Introduction / History

The Assad family ruled Syria since 1971. Syrian Pres. Bashar al-Assad seemed like he might allow for more freedom, but censorship and surveillance continued to be the norm. Higher expectations came during the Arab Spring in the early 2010s and Syrians became dissatisfied with their government. The Sunni Muslim majority rebelled against the Assads, who are part of the minority Alawite religion. Demonstrations led to an all-out civil war in 2011. Refugees fled in record numbers, mainly to Europe.
They arrived in southern European countries like Greece, only to find that the poor economy would not sustain them. From there, Syrian Arab refugees fanned out to the north, especially to Germany and Sweden, two countries with pro-refugee policies. Others went to Belgium, Finland, Denmark, France, the UK, and other parts of northern Europe in the mid 2010s. Smaller numbers are arriving in the 2020s.


What Are Their Lives Like?

Denmark leans towards offering asylum only as long as the refugees are in danger. They do not want refugees to settle. Syrians have a much higher crime rate in Denmark than the local population, which makes them unwelcome.


What Are Their Beliefs?

Syrians in Denmark might be part of the Alawite religion, an offshoot of Shia Islam. The majority are Sunni Muslim. There are also Christians among the Syrians. These Christians are usually Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox or Roman Catholic. There are a small number of Protestants as well.
Though there is more freedom of religion in Syria than most Arab majority country, the Syrians have found more freedom to choose their own spiritual answers in tolerant Denmark. People are far more likely to make spiritual changes when they arrive in a new situation than they are when they get settled.


What Are Their Needs?

Syrian Arabs in Denmark are in danger of deportation. Those who stay in low income neighborhoods are facing the possibility of their homes being demolished in the name of progress. It is becoming harder for Syrians to settle in Denmark. The government would like them to return to Syria as soon as it is safe.


Prayer Points

Pray for the Holy Spirit to revive the Syrian churches, leading them to make disciples who make more disciples to follow Christ will all their hearts.
Pray for fellowships to be Christ centered rather than tradition centered.
Pray there will soon come a day when Syrian Arabs will send loving workers to the unreached people groups in Syria.
Pray for spiritual hunger and a discernment that will keep them away from spiritual counterfeits.


Scripture Prayers for the Arab, Syrian in Denmark.


References

https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/frontline/article/numbers-syrian-refugees-around-world/
https://foreignpolicy.com/2021/03/25/are-europes-syrians-still-refugees/
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2020/03/03/europe-cant-wish-away-syrian-refugees/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christianity_in_Syria
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syrians_in_Denmark
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/07/world/europe/denmark-syrian-refugees.html
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=36WgLPbGygc
https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/netherlands-syrian-refugees-send-denmark-ruling


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Arab, Syrian
People Name in Country Arab, Syrian
Natural Name Syrian Arab
Pronunciation SEER-ee-un AE-rub
Alternate Names Arab; Arab, Levantine; Lebanese Arab; Levantine Arab; Palestinian Arab; South Levantine; Syrian Arab
Population this Country 45,000
Population all Countries 19,465,000
Total Countries 38
Indigenous No
Progress Scale 2
Unreached No
Frontier People Group No
Pioneer Workers Needed
People ID 15152
ROP3 Code 109662
ROP25 Code 300420
ROP25 Name Arab, Syrian
Country Denmark
Region Europe, Western
Continent Europe
10/40 Window No
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Country Denmark
Region Europe, Western
Continent Europe
10/40 Window No
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Primary Religion: Islam
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 2.00 %)
6.00 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
92.00 %
Non-Religious
2.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Arabic, Levantine (45,000 speakers)
Language Code apc   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Arabic, Levantine (45,000 speakers)
Language Code apc   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Arabic, Levantine
Photo Source James Gordon - Wikimedia  Creative Commons 
Map Source Bethany World Prayer Center  
Profile Source Joshua Project 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.



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