Gulf-spoken Arab in Canada


Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge
More extensive map at peoplegroups.info

Introduction / History

The Arab culture was developed by tribes of nomads and villagers who lived in the Arabian Desert. It was from there that Arab migrations throughout the Middle East and northern Africa began, leading to the expansion of the Arab world. Today, the region is home to a number of different types of Arabs. Gulf Arabs (also known as Saudi Arabs) live primarily along southern edges of the Arabian Desert. They speak Arabiya, or, as it is more commonly known, Gulf Arabic. Gulf Arabic is the language of a fraction of Saudi Arabia's population, and most who speak this language live in the less inhabited and oil rich northeastern region. The various Arabic dialects are seldom mutually intelligible. However, there are cultural similarities. Most have tremendous oil wealth, which allows their people to travel and study abroad.

For that reason, one can find Gulf-spoken Arabs at Canadian universities.


What Are Their Lives Like?

Most of the Arabs in Canada are college students. They come to Canada to receive a good education in medicine and other high level studies. Their numbers are increasing, and Canadians are also beginning to attend universities in Arab countries. In addition to studying, they like to celebrate their own holidays. For example, Kuwaiti Arabs celebrate National Day, held on February 25-26. This is Kuwait's independence day, and some of them celebrate by building snowmen, something which they cannot do in hot, dry Kuwait.


What Are Their Beliefs?

There are two main obstacles to Arabs in Canada hearing and responding to the gospel. First of all, they identify with Islam as their heart religion, even if they don't practice it. Islam is a key part of their identity. Secondly, Arabs in Canada have large amounts of money, a situation which makes it hard for them to accept the idea that they need outside help. The foundation of Christianity is we need help from a holy God.


What Are Their Needs?

For the Gulf Arab wherever they live, a profession of faith in Jesus may cost a person his family, his honor, his job, or even his life. Evangelization of this people group will be challenging due to the nature of the Arabs' rigid Islamic belief system. They are more likely to be reached in Western nations like Canada than they would be at home. The opportunity is there, but it will not be easy. Prayer is essential.


Prayer Points

Pray the Lord will start a movement of Arab families experiencing God's blessings. There are a couple of Arab believers in Canada. Pray that they will become stronger in their faith and in the fruit of the Holy Spirit so they can be prepared to give an answer when Muslims question them.

Pray that despite their wealth and relatively easy life that Arabs will knock, seek and find the only savior.

Pray for strong friendships to develop between Muslims and Canadian believers that will lead to opportunities to share Christ.

Pray that Muslims will use the freedom of Canada to find out about Jesus


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


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 80,000
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 2
PeopleID3 10376
ROP3 Code 100427
Country Canada
Region America, North and Caribbean
Continent North America
10/40 Window No
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Country Canada
Region America, North and Caribbean
Continent North America
10/40 Window No
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Primary Religion: Islam
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
Unknown
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.80 %)
1.90 %
Ethnic Religions
Unknown
Hinduism
Unknown
Islam
98.10 %
Non-Religious
Unknown
Other / Small
Unknown
Unknown
Unknown
Primary Language Arabic, Gulf (80,000 speakers)
Language Code afb   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Arabic, Gulf (80,000 speakers)
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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