Arab in Chile

Introduction / History

According to tradition, true Arabs are descendants of Abraham and his son Ishmael. Before the 20th century, the word "Arab" was designated to the Bedouin/tribal-based society of the Arabian Desert. Other Arabs are ethnic groups that have lived in their lands of origin for millennia. Arabs are not a singular people; their origins are complex and intermingled with many peoples and genealogical lines. The Levant Arabs 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: the Jordanian, Palestinian, Iraqi, Chaldean, and Syrian Arabs. Each of these speaks a different form of the Arabic language. There are also the Peninsular Arabs whose ancestry is from the Arabian Peninsula which makes up the UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Oman and Yemen. Their Arabic differs from that of the Levant Arabs and are less likely to migrate to other parts of the world. A small number of Arabs are in various Latin American countries such as Brazil, Chile and Costa Rica.

The first Arabs came to Chile in the latter 1800s from the Ottoman Empire. They were from the Levant countries that had traditional Christianity as well as Islam. Most were Christians who were driven out by Muslim persecution. They were traders in the textile industry. They entered Chile’s commercial sector and became middle class despite the language differences with the Spanish-speaking majority.

What Are Their Lives Like?

The Arabs in Chile remain middle-class and business-oriented. They have numerous organizations to maintain their culture and language. They are not all in the business sector; some have contributed to Chile as athletes, actors, scholars and inventors.

What Are Their Beliefs?

Arabs in Chile are mostly traditional Christians. There are traditional forms of Christianity in much of the Levant region. Some are Roman Catholic and there are some Evangelicals among them. The number of Arab Muslims in Chile is growing.

What Are Their Needs?

Christ followers need to take the gospel to Arab Muslims in Chile. They can be salt and light to these neighbors who rely on the law rather than the only savior.

Prayer Points

Pray that the Diaspora situation in Chile will provide Arab Muslims the chance to embrace the only savior.
Pray for Arab Christians will disciple others and teach them to do the same.
Pray for Arab family leaders to have dreams of the victorious and righteous Christ and share their experiences with many others.
Pray for spiritual hunger and a willingness to give all to Christ among the Arabs in Chile.

Text Source:   Joshua Project