Iraqi Arab in France


Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge

Introduction / History

The Iraqi Arabs descended from a people group cluster called the Levant Arabs. The Levant Arabs originally settled all over the Arabian Peninsula and later migrated to North Africa. They are spread from Israel to Kuwait and as far east as Iran. "Levant" is a broad term that includes several groups of Arabs: Iraqi, Jordanian, Palestinian, Chaldean and Syrian Arabs. There are linguistic differences between each of these Arabic speaking people.
Most scholars consider Arabs from the Arabian Peninsula to be the original Arabs. The Arabian culture was developed by tribes of nomads and villagers who lived in the Arabian Desert for many centuries. It was also from there that Arab migrations began, eventually leading to the expansion of the Arab world. Modern day Iraq is the home of the ancient Sumerian, Assyrian and Babylonian empires. Iraq was occupied by Britain during World War I. In 1932, Iraq gained its independence. Some have migrated to European countries like France and England since that time. Iraqi Arabs in France gravitate to urban centers like Paris and Marseilles for work.
There are conflicting reports about whether the Iraqis in France are recent refugees or if they have been there for over a generation. Iraqis are less prominent in France than other Arabic speaking people.


What Are Their Lives Like?

Iraq is in a constant state of turmoil. This offers both obstacles and opportunities for the Iraqi Arabs to learn more fully of who Jesus truly is, but that will require believers to faithfully obey the Lord.
Iraqi Arabs are able to start new lives, but first they must find jobs and become fluent in the French language. Women have far more opportunities in France than they would have in Iraq, and families are going through changes. Iraqi Arab Muslims are in a situation where their spiritual beliefs are challenged by the secular environment of France. Children are not as committed to their families in France as they are in any Arab country. Parents have far less say regarding who their children marry than they would have in Iraq. Commonly, Arab communities associate with other Arabs rather than having friendly contact with the French majority.


What Are Their Beliefs?

A little over half of the Iraqi Arabs are Shia Muslims, and most of the rest of them are Sunni Muslims. There is a small minority that adheres to traditional forms of Christianity. At different times each of three different religious groups have had to flee for safety.


What Are Their Needs?

The Iraqis in France have mostly been there long enough that the "window of receptivity" is over. But there will be more Iraqi Arabs coming to Europe in the coming months and years. They need someone to reach these people who come looking for freedom.


Prayer Points

Pray that believers in Europe will lead Iraqis to Jesus Christ.
Pray that Iraqi Arabs will read the Bible and be attracted to Jesus, realizing that he is the Christ.
Pray for a Disciple Making Movement to flourish among Iraqi Arabs in Europe.


Scripture Prayers for the Arab, Iraqi in France.


References

http://www.al-fanarmedia.org/2016/07/awaiting-asylum-in-france-iraqi-students-doctoral-plans-are-on-hold/
http://www.france24.com/en/20160120-islamic-state-group-dabiq-paris-attacks-iraqis
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arabs_in_Europe
https://borgenproject.org/iraqi-christian-refugees-france/
https://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/09/world/middleeast/iraq-migrants-refugees-europe.html?_r=0
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iraqi_diaspora_in_Europe


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 32,000
Population all Countries 21,539,000
Total Countries 24
Indigenous No
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group No
GSEC 1  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 1
People ID 12247
ROP3 Code 104056
ROP25 Code 300404
ROP25 Name Arab, Iraqi
Country France
Region Europe, Western
Continent Europe
10/40 Window No
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Country France
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 0.30 %)
2.00 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
95.80 %
Non-Religious
0.20 %
Other / Small
2.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Arabic, Mesopotamian (32,000 speakers)
Language Code acm   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Arabic, Mesopotamian (32,000 speakers)
Language Code acm   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Arabic, Mesopotamian
Photo Source Christiaan Briggs - 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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