Saudi Arabia is home to a number of different Arab groups. Saudi Arabs (more commonly known as the Gulf Arab) live primarily along the southern edges of the Arabian Desert in Saudi Arabia, Yemen, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar. Saudi Arabs in Qatar speak a language called Arabiya or, as it is more commonly known, Gulf Arabic.
The Arab culture was developed by tribes of nomads and villagers who lived in the Arabian Desert. From there, some of them later migrated into northern Africa. There are two basic classes of Arab: the true nomads and the fellahin-those who have embraced farming. The nomads are best known for their treks across barren deserts on camels, occasionally raiding caravans crossing their paths. The fellahin are more settled, living on the edge of the desert. Most Saudi Arab are herdsmen, who move into the desert during the rainy winter season, then back to the desert's edge in the dry, hot summer.
Life for Saudi Arabs is one of harsh existence with few material belongings. Their main possession is the home - a long tent made from woven goat or animal hair. These tents are not permanent dwellings and are divided into two parts by a decorative partition called a gata. Typically, half of the tent is for the women, children, cooking utensils, and storage, while the other half is for the men. The men's section, which contains a fireplace built in the dirt, is used for entertaining guests. Men sit and make plans for the group, while the women do most of the work.
Animals are very important to the Saudi Arab lifestyle. Those who stay close to the desert's edge herd goats and sheep; whereas, those who travel and raid in the desert rely solely on camels. Sheep and goats are raised for monetary value, and camels are used for transportation.
Dairy products have been the traditional food source for Saudi Arabs. Camel's and goat's milk is drunk fresh or made into yogurt and a kind of butter called ghee. Most Arab meals consist of a bowl of milk or yogurt, or rice covered with ghee. Round loaves of unleavened bread are also served when available. Dates, which can be found in desert oases, are eaten as desserts after meals. Meat is served only on special occasions, such as for guests, marriage feasts, or special ceremonies.
Reflecting the influence of their Muslim religion, the Saudi Arab practice endogamous marriages (marriage within a small social circle). Inheritance is patrilineal (inherited by the next male family member). Saudi Arab clothing is designed for the harsh climate. It is made of lightweight, light-colored fabric and is also loose-fitting, allowing for the circulation of air.
In the past, the Saudi Arab considered it shameful and degrading to have jobs doing manual labor. However, this has changed somewhat in recent years. Because of the need for better health care, improved living conditions, and more income, some have accepted wage-paying jobs. Nevertheless, most Arab still despise such positions.
The founding of Islam in the seventh century profoundly altered the course of Saudi history. Today, the great majority of Saudi Arabs in Qatar are Hanbalite (Wahhabite) Muslims. In the mid-1700s, Mohammed ibn Abd al-Wahhab formed his fundamentalist sect, and today, the Saudi see themselves as the preservers of the true Islamic faith. The Wahhabites reject all innovations introduced into Islam after the third century of its existence and are very traditional in their practice of Islam. Their desire is to maintain and propagate what they see as the "true" path of Islam.
There are no known Christians among Saudi Arabs in Qatar. A profession of faith in Jesus may cost a person his family, honor, job, or even his life. Evangelization of this group will be challenging, due to the nature of the Arabs' lifestyle and belief system. Prayer is the key to reaching them with the Gospel.
Ask the Lord to open the doors of Qatar to the preaching of the Gospel.
Ask the Lord to save key leaders among Saudi Arabs who will boldly proclaim that Jesus is Lord.
Ask God to raise up a mighty army of prayer warriors who will intercede for Saudi Arabs.
Pray that strong local Christian fellowships will be raised up among Saudi Arabs.
Scripture Prayers for the Arab, Arabic Gulf Spoken in Qatar.
Profile Source: Bethany World Prayer Center |
Emirati Arabs profile for Children and Family Missions Activities |
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 | 532,000 |
Population all Countries | 7,157,000 |
Total Countries | 12 |
Indigenous | Yes |
Progress Scale | 1 ● |
Unreached | Yes |
Frontier People Group | No |
GSEC | 1 (per PeopleGroups.org) |
Pioneer Workers Needed | 11 |
People ID | 10376 |
ROP3 Code | 100427 |
Country | Qatar | ||
Region | Africa, North and Middle East | ||
Continent | Asia | ||
10/40 Window | Yes | ||
National Bible Society | Website | ||
Persecution Rank | 34 (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking) |
Country | Qatar |
Region | Africa, North and Middle East |
Continent | Asia |
10/40 Window | Yes |
National Bible Society | Website |
Persecution Rank | 34 (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking) |
Primary Religion: | Islam |
Major Religion ▲ | Percent |
---|---|
Buddhism |
0.00 %
|
Christianity (Evangelical 0.08 %) |
0.50 %
|
Ethnic Religions |
0.00 %
|
Hinduism |
0.00 %
|
Islam |
99.50 %
|
Non-Religious |
0.00 %
|
Other / Small |
0.00 %
|
Unknown |
0.00 %
|
Primary Language | Arabic, Gulf Spoken |
Language Code | afb Ethnologue Listing |
Language Written | Yes ScriptSource Listing |
Total Languages | 1 |
Primary Language | Arabic, Gulf Spoken |
Language Code | afb Ethnologue Listing |
Total Languages | 1 |
People Groups | Speaking Arabic, Gulf Spoken |
Primary Language: Arabic, Gulf Spoken
Bible Translation ▲ | Status (Years) |
---|---|
Bible-Portions | Yes (2013) |
Bible-New Testament | No |
Bible-Complete | No |
Possible Print Bibles | |
---|---|
Amazon | |
World Bibles | |
Forum Bible Agencies | |
National Bible Societies | |
World Bible Finder | |
Virtual Storehouse |
Resource Type ▲ | Resource Name | Source |
---|---|---|
Audio Recordings | Arabic Bible Online | Arabic Bible Outreach Ministry |
Audio Recordings | Audio Bible teaching | Global Recordings Network |
Film / Video | God's Love Story | General / Other |
Film / Video | Jesus Film: view in Arabic, Gulf Spoken | Jesus Film Project |
Film / Video | Magdalena video | Jesus Film Project |
General | Gospel resources links | Scripture Earth |
Text / Printed Matter | Tools for faith conversations | Campus Crusade for Christ |
Photo Source | Hella Nijssen - Pixabay |
Map Source | Bethany World Prayer Center |
Profile Source | Bethany World Prayer Center |
Data Sources | Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more. |