Syrian Arab in Sweden


Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge

Introduction / History

Syrians are among the Levant Arabs who originally settled all over the Arabian Peninsula and later migrated to North Africa. Today, several hundred thousand Levant Arabs live along the northern edges of the Arabian Desert. 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 Jordanian, Palestinian, Iraqi, Chaldean, and Syrian Arabs. The Syrians have been dealing with a seemingly endless civil war in the 21st century, and as a result, tens of thousands have moved to other parts of the world like Sweden.


Where Are they Located?

There is a large number of Arab refugees living in Malmo, Sweden.


What Are Their Lives Like?

Most Syrians have a hard time feeling at home with Swedish weather and culture. There is a huge culture gap. Syrians are a communal people, and many Swedes live alone or with one or two others, not with extended family. Swedes do not go to the marketplaces to socialize. Swedes are not accustomed to hospitality or talking with strangers. For these and other reasons, many Syrians face stress in adjustment and hope to return to their homeland once the crisis has passed. Sweden has a proud history of welcoming refugees, and the 2010s were very difficult for Syrians. Syrian Arab refugees in Sweden are still trying to learn English and Swedish, all the while get re-established economically with employment. Fortunately, both Muslims and Christians in Sweden are reaching out to them to help with physical needs as new refugees arrive.


What Are Their Beliefs?

Syria is religiously diverse. There are Druze, and both Sunni and Shia Muslims in their country. Within the Shia, there are the politically powerful Alawites and Twelvers. Syria also has a high percentage of traditional Christians who are well represented in Sweden.


What Are Their Needs?

The Syrian Arabs need training in job and language skills so they can get re-established. Many need trauma counseling after what they experienced in Syria. Any follower of Christ who reached out to them with these skills would be welcome.


Prayer Points

Pray that Syrian Arabs in Sweden will have a spiritual hunger that will open their hearts to the King of kings. Pray for workers who are driving by the love and boldness of the Holy Spirit to go to them long term. Pray for a disciple making movement among Syrian Arabs to begin this decade.


Scripture Prayers for the Arab, Syrian in Sweden.


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 30,000
Population all Countries 20,176,000
Total Countries 38
Indigenous No
Progress Scale 2
Unreached No
Frontier People Group No
GSEC 1  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed
PeopleID3 15152
ROP3 Code 109662
Country Sweden
Region Europe, Western
Continent Europe
10/40 Window No
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Country Sweden
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 0.10 %)
6.00 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
90.00 %
Non-Religious
2.00 %
Other / Small
2.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Arabic, Levantine (30,000 speakers)
Language Code apc   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Arabic, Levantine (30,000 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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