Iraqi Arab in United Arab Emirates


Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge

Introduction / History

Iraqi Arabs are descended from the Levant Arab people group cluster. The Levant Arabs originally settled all over the Arabian Peninsula and later migrated to North Africa. They are now spread from Israel to Kuwait, and as far east as Iran.

Modern Iraq was occupied by Britain during World War I and gained independence in 1932. Because of an ongoing civil war, Iraqi Arabs migrated to many parts of the world for both safety and work. Many went to the UAE because of its strong economy.


What Are Their Lives Like?

Iraqis in the UAE often work low-paying jobs. Most want to eventually return to Iraq if the conditions in that country change.

Social life is extremely important to the Iraqi Arabs. They like to share coffee time each day, sitting on the floor and drinking coffee from cups without handles. Their diet consists largely of wheat bread and porridge made with boiled meat or chicken.

Islam has greatly influenced the lives of Iraqi Arabs. 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. Children are considered a family's greatest asset and females are valued mostly for their ability to bear children. In the past, marriages were arranged by the parents. Today, it is more acceptable for young people to choose their own mates.


What Are Their Beliefs?

The Apostle Thomas is credited with bringing Christianity to Iraq. The Church was originally centered in the Assyrian city of Arbel and spread out from there. Today, most of the Iraqi Arabs in the UAE are Sunni or Shia Muslims.


What Are Their Needs?

Some Iraqi Arabs continue to struggle with the trauma of war. Many have lost family members.


Prayer Items

Pray for the Holy Spirit to draw Iraqi Arabs out from darkness, into the light of Jesus.
Pray for the Lord to move powerfully among Iraqi Christians and give them the willingness to share the gospel, no matter the cost.
Pray for Iraqi Arab disciples who will make more disciples.
Pray for a movement of Iraqi Arabs to Christ.


Scripture Prayers for the Arab, Iraqi in United Arab Emirates.


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Arab, Iraqi
People Name in Country Arab, Iraqi
Natural Name Iraqi Arab
Pronunciation ee-RAH-kee AE-rub
Alternate Names Arab, Mesopotamian Speakers; Arab-Mesopotamian; Iraqi Arab; Iraqi Arabs; Mesopotamian Spoken; North Iraqi Arab
Population this Country 49,000
Population all Countries 22,340,000
Total Countries 24
Indigenous No
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group No
GSEC 1  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 1
PeopleID3 12247
ROP3 Code 104056
Map of Arab, Iraqi in United Arab Emirates

Primary Religion: Islam
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.20 %)
0.80 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
97.20 %
Non-Religious
1.00 %
Other / Small
1.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Arabic, Mesopotamian (49,000 speakers)
Language Code acm   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Arabic, Mesopotamian (49,000 speakers)
Language Code acm   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Arabic, Mesopotamian
Photo Source Christiaan Briggs - Wikimedia  Creative Commons 
Map Source Location: IMB. Imagery: GMI, ESRI, Maxar, Earthstar Geographics, ESRI User Community. Design: Joshua Project.  
Profile Source Joshua Project 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.