Syrians are among the Levant Arabs who 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 east as Iran. "Levant" is a broad term that includes several groups of Arabs: the Jordanian, Palestinian, Iraqi, Chaldean, and Syrian Arabs. The Syrians have been dealing with a seemingly endless civil war in the 21st century, and as a result, tens of thousands have moved to other parts of the world like Sweden.
There is a large number of Arab refugees living in Malmo, Sweden.
Most Syrians have a hard time feeling at home with Swedish weather and culture. There is a huge culture gap. Syrians are a communal people, and many Swedes live alone or with one or two others, not with extended family. Swedes do not go to the marketplaces to socialize. Swedes are not accustomed to hospitality or talking with strangers. For these and other reasons, many Syrians face stress in adjustment and hope to return to their homeland once the crisis has passed. Sweden has a proud history of welcoming refugees, and the 2010s were very difficult for Syrians. Syrian Arab refugees in Sweden are still trying to learn English and Swedish, all the while get re-established economically with employment. Fortunately, both Muslims and Christians in Sweden are reaching out to them to help with physical needs as new refugees arrive.
Syria is religiously diverse. There are Druze, and both Sunni and Shia Muslims in their country. Within the Shia, there are the politically powerful Alawites and Twelvers. Syria also has a high percentage of traditional Christians who are well represented in Sweden.
The Syrian Arabs need training in job and language skills so they can get re-established. Many need trauma counseling after what they experienced in Syria. Any follower of Christ who reached out to them with these skills would be welcome.
Pray that Syrian Arabs in Sweden will have a spiritual hunger that will open their hearts to the King of kings. Pray for workers who are driving by the love and boldness of the Holy Spirit to go to them long term. Pray for a disciple making movement among Syrian Arabs to begin this decade.
Scripture Prayers for the Arab, Syrian in Sweden.
Profile Source: Joshua Project |
Global Prayer Digest: 2016-04-14 |
Global Prayer Digest: 2016-04-15 |
People Name General | Arab, Syrian |
People Name in Country | Arab, Syrian |
Natural Name | Syrian Arab |
Pronunciation | SEER-ee-un AE-rub |
Alternate Names | Arab; Arab, Levantine; Lebanese Arab; Levantine Arab; Palestinian Arab; South Levantine; Syrian Arab |
Population this Country | 30,000 |
Population all Countries | 19,465,000 |
Total Countries | 38 |
Indigenous | No |
Progress Scale | 2 ● |
Unreached | No |
Frontier People Group | No |
GSEC | 1 (per PeopleGroups.org) |
Pioneer Workers Needed | |
People ID | 15152 |
ROP3 Code | 109662 |
Country | Sweden | ||
Region | Europe, Western | ||
Continent | Europe | ||
10/40 Window | No | ||
National Bible Society | Website | ||
Persecution Rank | Not ranked |
Country | Sweden |
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 0.10 %) |
6.00 %
|
Ethnic Religions |
0.00 %
|
Hinduism |
0.00 %
|
Islam |
90.00 %
|
Non-Religious |
2.00 %
|
Other / Small |
2.00 %
|
Unknown |
0.00 %
|
Primary Language | Arabic, Levantine (30,000 speakers) |
Language Code | apc Ethnologue Listing |
Language Written | Yes ScriptSource Listing |
Total Languages | 1 |
Primary Language | Arabic, Levantine (30,000 speakers) |
Language Code | apc Ethnologue Listing |
Total Languages | 1 |
People Groups | Speaking Arabic, Levantine |
Primary Language: Arabic, Levantine
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 |
Film / Video | Indigitube.tv Video / Animation | Create International |
Film / Video | LUMO film of Gospels | Bible Media Group/LUMO |
General | Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text, audio, video | Faith Comes by Hearing |
General | Gospel resources links | Scripture Earth |
General | YouVersion Bible versions in text and/or audio | YouVersion Bibles |
Mobile App | Android Bible app: Arabic, Levantine | YouVersion Bibles |
Mobile App | iOS Bible app: Arabic, Levantine | 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 | James Gordon - Wikimedia Creative Commons |
Map Source | Bethany World Prayer Center |
Profile Source | Joshua Project |
Data Sources | Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more. |