Arabic-speaking Algerian in Spain


Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge

Introduction / History

"Arabs" extend from Morocco in the west to Oman in the east. In North African countries like Morocco and Algeria, many Arabs are mixed with the indigenous Berber peoples. Between the rise of Islam, a religion originally propagated by Arabs and Bedouin tribes, and the 11th century, Arabs began to control places once dominated by Berbers, who were once mostly Christian.

Between 711 and 1492, Berbers and Arabs from what is now Morocco and Algeria dominated all or part of Spain. When Spain became a powerful nation in 1492, they drove out Algerians and other Arab peoples. Some Algerians are now demanding the right to return to Spain as Spanish citizens. Between the 1500s and the 1800s, Spain has controlled parts of what is now Algeria. As you can see, there have been centuries of power plays between the North African Algerians and the Spaniards.


Where Are they Located?

Algerians tend to live wherever they can find work, especially in Spain's urban centers.


What Are Their Lives Like?

When Algeria became an independent nation in 1962, some began to go to France and Spain for low paying jobs. Desperate for any kind of work, many would pour into Spain now if given the chance. Algerian small businessmen feel harassed by Spanish authorities that expect them to run businesses that reflect Spanish needs instead of the needs of other North African Muslims. Spaniards have a long history of either Roman Catholicism or secularism, and they feel threatened by the rapid increase of Muslims in their midst. There are many Spaniards who would love to see the Algerians leave.


What Are Their Beliefs?

Almost all Algerian Arabs, be they in Algeria or Spain, are Sunni Muslims.


What Are Their Needs?

Many Algerians would consider themselves to be economic refugees who need to migrate to Europe to find work. Those who follow Christ could see Him glorified among Algerian Arab Muslims by helping them develop useful job skills in Spain.

There is religious freedom in Spain, so Algerian Arab Muslims could hear and respond to the gospel in that nation. There have been efforts in the past to give copies of the JESUS Film in Arabic to Algerians returning home.


Prayer Points

Pray for Christ's followers to take up the challenge to help Algerian Arabs to get the job training they need to find employment in Spain.
Pray that Algerian Arabs will have the chance to embrace Jesus Christ, their only hope.
Pray for a disciple-making movement among Algerian Arabs to spread throughout Spain and Algeria.


Scripture Prayers for the Algerian, Arabic-speaking in Spain.


References

http://www.globalprayerdigest.org/index.php/issue/day/algerian-arabs-in-spain/
http://www.peoplegroups.org/Explore/groupdetails.aspx?peid=42332
http://www.gatestoneinstitute.org/4183/muslim-right-of-return-spain
https://muslimstatistics.wordpress.com/2014/04/11/islam-in-spain-800-population-increase-in-mere-13-years/


Profile Source:   Global Prayer Digest  

People Name General Algerian, Arabic-speaking
People Name in Country Algerian, Arabic-speaking
Natural Name Arabic-speaking Algerian
Pronunciation al-JEER-ee-un
Alternate Names Arabized Berber; Ibidites; Moroccan Arab
Population this Country 61,000
Population all Countries 36,748,000
Total Countries 19
Indigenous No
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group No
GSEC 1  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 1
People ID 10379
ROP3 Code 100226
ROP25 Code 300394
ROP25 Name Arab, Algerian
Country Spain
Region Europe, Western
Continent Europe
10/40 Window No
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Country Spain
Region Europe, Western
Continent Europe
10/40 Window No
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked

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Primary Religion: Islam
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.50 %)
1.00 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
94.00 %
Non-Religious
5.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Arabic, Algerian (61,000 speakers)
Language Code arq   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Arabic, Algerian (61,000 speakers)
Language Code arq   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Arabic, Algerian
Photo Source Basel2019 - Wikimedia  Creative Commons 
Profile Source Global Prayer Digest 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.



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