Iraqi Arabs descended from a people group cluster called the Levant Arabs. The Levant Arabs originally settled all over the Arabian Peninsula and later migrated to North Africa. They are spread from Israel to Kuwait and as far east as Iran. "Levant" is a broad term that includes several groups of Arabs: the Iraqi, Jordanian, Palestinian, Arabic Jewish, Chaldean and Syrian Arabs.
Arabs from the Arabian Peninsula are the original Arabs. The Arabian culture was developed by tribes of nomads and villagers who lived in the Arabian Desert for many centuries. It was also from there the Arab migrations began, eventually leading to the expansion of the Arab world. Modern day Iraq is the home of the ancient Sumerian, Assyrian, and Babylonian empires. Iraq was occupied by Britain during World War I. In 1932, Iraq gained its independence.
Because of an ongoing civil war and the chaos it caused, Iraqi Arabs have migrated to many parts of the world for safety and work. They are in all the countries of Western Europe, North America, and Arab countries with strong economies like the UAE.
Iraqis who migrated to the UAE usually have some money and job skills. Some work on low-paying jobs that they hope will help them save money for better times in the future. Most hope to see Iraq moving beyond the current state so they can return with enough money to start anew.
Social life is extremely important to Arabs. They like to share a daily coffee time by sitting on the floor and drinking coffee from cups without handles. Their diet basically consists of wheat bread and porridge made with boiled meat or chicken.
Islam has greatly influenced the lives of Iraqi Arabs. To preserve their people, they are only allowed to marry those inside their own group. Inheritances are passed down through the males. In this system, men inherit more than women. Since children are considered a family's greatest asset, females are valued mostly for their ability to bear children.
In the past, all marriages were arranged by the parents; however, it is becoming more acceptable for young people to choose their own mates.
The Apostle Thomas brought Christianity to Mesopotamia. The Church was centered in and spread from the Assyrian city of Arbel, located in the north. Today there are several traditional Christian denominations that have churches in Iraq. Most of the Iraqi Arabs in the UAE are either Sunni or Shia Muslims.
Some Iraqi Arabs, be they in the UAE or elsewhere, are struggling with the trauma of war. Many have lost family members to the mayhem. Though they speak Arabic, the dialect in the UAE is different than their own.
Pray for the Holy Spirit to do what only he can do in the UAE and take Iraqi Arabs from darkness to the light of the world.
Pray for the Lord to move powerfully among Iraqi Christians, giving them the willingness to tell of the wonders of Christ no matter what the cost.
Pray for Iraqi Arab disciples who will make more disciples.
Scripture Prayers for the Arab, Iraqi in United Arab Emirates.
| Profile Source: Joshua Project |
