Moroccan Arab in Spain


Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge

Introduction / History

The early Islamic period was a time when "Arab identity" meant that all Arabs had descended from a common male ancestor in the Arabian Peninsula. From there, Arabs gradually migrated through the Levant region and North Africa. Over the centuries, the Arabs in North Africa (especially in Morocco) have intermingled with Berbers, the original inhabitants. Thus, Moroccan Arabs are much less culturally “Arab” than those from the Arabian Peninsula.
Arabs, both those who are from the original homeland and those from North African countries like Morocco, have migrated to European countries for better jobs. Though they usually wind up in northern European countries, some remain in Spain. That is especially true of the Moroccans. Spain controlled most of Morocco as a colony at one time. As often happens with former colonial nations, the colonized people are allowed to go to the colonizing country as cheap labor.
Spain liberalized their laws regarding foreign workers in 2000, which accelerated the number of Moroccan Arabs coming there for work. At other times the Spanish have convinced Moroccans to return to their country. Moroccans are the largest foreign community in Spain today.


What Are Their Lives Like?

For most of the Diaspora Arabs, there have been a greater variety of job opportunities. This has greatly aided their need to climb out of poverty. However, it has also weakened their traditional family ties. In Spain, there is greater freedom for Moroccan women to leave the home, fewer arranged marriages, and less social pressure to conform to traditional religious practices.


What Are Their Beliefs?

It was early in the seventh century that Mohammed first preached the tenets of Islam to the Arabs. His successors quickly spread the word of Allah far and wide. Wherever Arabs went, they left elements of their Arab culture, including their religion. The historical link between Arabs and the Islamic religion is still very strong. Today, most Arabs are Muslims, belonging to several sects: the Shia ("Ithna Ashari" or "Ismaeli"), the Alawi, the Zaidi, and the Sunni. Sunni Muslims are the majority group.
The Islamic influence on Moroccan culture has resulted in a less pure form of Islam since it was blended with indigenous religions. However, all religion is often downplayed in Europe’s secular environment.


What Are Their Needs?

Moroccan Arabs in Europe need better education so they can advance economically. This means mastering the local language and learning to fit into a European culture.


Prayer Points

Ask the Lord to call people who are willing to reach out with the love of Christ to Moroccan Arabs in Europe.
Pray that God will raise up faithful intercessors who will stand in the gap for Moroccan Arabs.
Ask God to strengthen, encourage and protect the small number of Moroccan Arabs who have decided to follow Christ.
Pray that the softening of their traditional culture will create open doors for the gospel to spread from one Moroccan Arab family to another.
Ask the Holy Spirit to soften the hearts of Moroccan Arabs to the teachings and the ways of Jesus Christ.
Ask the Lord to raise up strong local fellowships among Diaspora Moroccan Arabs in Spain.


Scripture Prayers for the Arab, Moroccan in Spain.


References

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moroccans_in_Spain
https://www.moroccoworldnews.com/2022/04/348583/almost-a-million-moroccans-legally-residing-in-spain
https://www.washingtoninstitute.org/policy-analysis/reasons-behind-spanish-moroccan-crisis


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Arab, Moroccan
People Name in Country Arab, Moroccan
Natural Name Moroccan Arab
Pronunciation moh-RAH-kuhn AE-rub
Alternate Names Arabized Berber; Jemmari; Maghreb Arab; Maghrebi Arab; Maghrib Arab; Moroccan Arab; Moroccan Arab-Berber; Moroccan Arabized Berber
Population this Country 792,000
Population all Countries 30,794,000
Total Countries 22
Indigenous No
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
GSEC 1  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 16
PeopleID3 13819
ROP3 Code 106804
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
Map of Arab, Moroccan in Spain
Primary Religion: Islam
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.05 %)
0.10 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
94.90 %
Non-Religious
5.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Arabic, Moroccan (792,000 speakers)
Language Code ary   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Arabic, Moroccan (792,000 speakers)
Language Code ary   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Arabic, Moroccan
Photo Source Monica Volpin - Pixabay 
Map Source People Group location: IMB. Map geography: ESRI / GMI. Map design: Joshua Project.  
Profile Source Joshua Project 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.


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