Arab culture is one familiar to many. Though perhaps not with any detail, many know of the desert nomads and their culture, which was developed through centuries long past in the harsh Arabian sands. In the present, many Arab peoples lead their lives in perhaps a less romantic fashion than framed in story and legend. The Levant Arabs (a broad term that includes several groups of Arabs: the Jordanian, Palestinian, Iraqi, Chaldean, and Syrian Arabs), originally settled all over the Arabian Peninsula and later migrated to North Africa. Today, several hundred thousand Levant Arabs live along the northern edges of the Arabian Desert. They are spread from Israel to Kuwait and as far south as Oman.
Levant Arabs typically live in villages located near fertile regions; but they can also be found near mountain foothills in less arid regions. Although they have settled in towns or villages, they have held on to their tribal affiliations.
To preserve their people, they are only allowed to marry those inside their own group. Levant Arab society is patrilineal, which means that inheritances are passed down through the males. In this system, boys inherit more than girls. Since children are considered a family's greatest asset, females are valued for their ability to bear children.
One of the oil-nations of the Middle East, Oman is fairly modern in its infrastructure. The nation is governed by a type of monarchy known as authoritarian benevolence. While the Sultan has complete authority to act as he sees fit, some of that authority has been used to provide a wide array of social programs for Omani citizens. Human rights organizations are banned from the country, and its political structure is far from resembling a democracy, though free health care, employment programs, and other benefits tend to make dissent less common. Life is peaceful in Oman, and Jordanian Arabs are not likely to encounter terrorism nor international tensions.
Like members of religious groups all over the world, Jordanian Muslims equate “Christianity” with a worldwide political system.
Almost all Levant Arabs are Muslims, and the Islamic religion has greatly influenced the development of their modern culture. The primary sect followed in Jordan is Sunni Islam, though in Oman, it is Ibadi. Ibadi Islam is the primary sect practiced by the population, and is known for progressivism, tolerance, and non-sectarianism. Related to neither Sunni nor Shia Islam, the sect has no qualms with either. The dominance of Ibadi Islam, along with its policy of neutrality, creates an oasis of calm in a region that has unfortunately known much war and strife. While some Jordanian Arabs may change sects, adherents to Islam as a religious system remains constant.
There is a great need for the gospel to be preached among the Jordanian Arabs in Oman. At the present time, there are only a few Christ followers within the Levant Arab community, with the largest number found among the Iraqi Arabs. Evangelization efforts among these tribes are challenging due to restrictions as well as general antagonism towards Christianity. Prayerful intercession is the key to reaching them with the gospel.
Ask the Lord to call people who are willing to reach out and share the love of Christ with the Jordanian Arab peoples.
Pray that God will raise up faithful intercessors who will stand in the gap for the Jordanian Arabs in Oman.
Ask God to give Arab believers opportunities to share the love of Christ with Jordanian Arabs in Oman, and for hearts to soften, creating open doors for the gospel to be spread to the Omani majority.
Ask the Holy Spirit to stir the hearts of these people toward Christ.
Ask the Lord to raise up strong local churches among the Jordanian Arabs in Oman.
Scripture Prayers for the Arab, Jordanian in Oman.
Profile Source: Joshua Project |
People Name General | Arab, Jordanian |
People Name in Country | Arab, Jordanian |
Natural Name | Jordanian Arab |
Pronunciation |
jor-DAY-nee-un
|
Population this Country | 17,000 |
Population all Countries | 4,909,000 |
Total Countries | 12 |
Indigenous | No |
Progress Scale | 1 ● |
Unreached | Yes |
Frontier People Group | No |
GSEC | 1 (per PeopleGroups.org) |
Pioneer Workers Needed | 1 |
Alternate Names | Arab; Arabic, Palestinian-Jordanian; Jordanian Arab; Palestinian Arab |
People ID | 12368 |
ROP3 Code | 104301 |
Country | Oman | ||
Region | Africa, North and Middle East | ||
Continent | Asia | ||
10/40 Window | Yes | ||
Persecution Rank | 47 (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking) |
Country | Oman |
Region | Africa, North and Middle East |
Continent | Asia |
10/40 Window | Yes |
Persecution Rank | 47 (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking) |
Primary Religion: | Islam |
Major Religion ▲ | Percent |
---|---|
Buddhism |
0.00 %
|
Christianity (Evangelical 0.30 %) |
3.00 %
|
Ethnic Religions |
0.00 %
|
Hinduism |
0.00 %
|
Islam |
96.00 %
|
Non-Religious |
1.00 %
|
Other / Small |
0.00 %
|
Unknown |
0.00 %
|
Primary Language | Arabic, North Levantine Spoken (17,000 speakers) |
Language Code | apc Ethnologue Listing |
Language Written | Yes ScriptSource Listing |
Total Languages | 1 |
Primary Language | Arabic, North Levantine Spoken (17,000 speakers) |
Language Code | apc Ethnologue Listing |
Total Languages | 1 |
People Groups | Speaking Arabic, North Levantine Spoken |
Primary Language: Arabic, North Levantine Spoken
Bible Translation ▲ | Status (Years) |
---|---|
Bible-Portions | Yes (1939-1981) |
Bible-New Testament | No |
Bible-Complete | No |
Bible-NT Audio | Online |
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 |
Audio Recordings | Online New Testament | Faith Comes by Hearing |
Film / Video | Indigitube.tv Video / Animation | Create International |
Film / Video | LUMO film of Gospels | Bible Media Group/LUMO |
General | Gospel resources links | Scripture Earth |
Text / Printed Matter | Bible: Arabic, North Levantine Spoken | YouVersion Bibles |
Text / Printed Matter | Bible: Comic Book Version | Super Bible / Comic Bible Society |
Text / Printed Matter | Tools for faith conversations | Campus Crusade for Christ |
Photo Source | DFID - UK - Flickr Creative Commons |
Profile Source | Joshua Project |
Data Sources | Data is compiled from various sources. Read more |