Gulf-spoken Arab in Yemen


Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge

Introduction / History

Gulf Arabic, also known as Arabiya, is the dialect of Arabic spoken mainly in the eastern half of Saudi Arabia and the nearby smaller countries such as Bahrain, Qatar and the UAE. It is also spoken by some in Yemen and Oman, two countries that border Saudi Arabia. Fewer people speak it in Yemen than one of the dialects collectively known as Yemeni Arabic.
Unlike other countries in that region, Yemen does not have many foreign workers, thanks to the political instability. This means that fewer words are likely to be borrowed from other languages.


What Are Their Lives Like?

No matter what ethnicity they are from, people in Yemen are suffering from civil unrest. Yemen has been divided into two nations, combined, survived demonstrations and riots. Now there is a civil war exacerbated by regional and worldwide powers. Death, destruction and poverty are the lot of people living in Yemen. In accordance with their Muslim religion, Gulf 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). Gulf 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.


What Are Their Beliefs?

Half of the Gulf Arab are Shafiite Muslim; many are Wahhabi Muslim; and the rest are Malikite Muslim. As Muslims, they 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. Their religion is one of works based on these five "pillars": (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.


What Are Their Needs?

There is a need for peace and stability in Yemen so the people can earn an honest living and thrive. The lack of stability is holding Yemen back.
The Gulf Arabs in Yemen have very few opportunities to cling to the One who is the way, the truth, and the life. They cannot accept his abundant life unless the Lord moves among them and sends workers.


Prayer Points

Ask the Holy Spirit to call people who are willing to go and share the love of Christ with Gulf Arabs.
Ask God to raise up prayer teams who will begin breaking up the soil through worship and intercession.
Pray for a strong church planting movement among Gulf Arabs.
Pray for leaders among the Gulf Arabs to welcome Christ's ambassadors into their communities so they can share the riches of His blessings.


Scripture Prayers for the Arab, Arabic Gulf Spoken in Yemen.


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Arab, Arabic Gulf Spoken
People Name in Country Arab, Arabic Gulf Spoken
Natural Name Gulf-spoken Arab
Pronunciation gulf AE-rub
Alternate Names Al-Hasaa; Arab; Arab, Gulf Arabic Speaking; Bahraini Arab; Emirian; Gulf Arab; Gulf Arabic Speaking; Gulf Arabs; Gulf Speaking; Iranian Arab; Saudi Arab
Population this Country 18,000
Population all Countries 7,242,000
Total Countries 12
Indigenous No
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group No
GSEC 1  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 1
PeopleID3 10376
ROP3 Code 100427
Country Yemen
Region Africa, North and Middle East
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
Persecution Rank 5  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Country Yemen
Region Africa, North and Middle East
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
Persecution Rank 5  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Primary Religion: Islam
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.20 %)
0.60 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
99.40 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Arabic, Gulf
Language Code afb   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Arabic, Gulf
Language Code afb   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Arabic, Gulf
Photo Source Hella Nijssen - Pixabay 
Map Source Bethany World Prayer Center  
Profile Source Joshua Project 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.


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