Arab in Costa Rica
Photo Source:
Hashim Abdullah - Pixabay
|
Send Joshua Project a map of this people group.
|
| People Name: | Arab |
| Country: | Costa Rica |
| 10/40 Window: | No |
| Population: | 3,600 |
| World Population: | 3,025,100 |
| Primary Language: | Arabic, Levantine |
| Primary Religion: | Christianity |
| Christian Adherents: | 84.00 % |
| Evangelicals: | 0.50 % |
| Scripture: | Portions |
| Ministry Resources: | Yes |
| Jesus Film: | Yes |
| Audio Recordings: | Yes |
| People Cluster: | Arab, Arabian |
| Affinity Bloc: | Arab World |
| Progress Level: |
|
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.
What Are Their Lives Like?
There are very few Arabs in Costa Rica. Most of these are from Lebanon and other Levant countries, though there are also Saudis and others who work in embassies.
What Are Their Beliefs?
Most of the Arabs in Costa Rica are either Roman Catholic or part of a traditional church. There are small numbers of Khojas, a subgroup of Shia Islam. There are a small number of Evangelicals among the Arabs as well.
What Are Their Needs?
Christ followers need to take the gospel to Arab Muslims in Costa Rica. 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 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 Costa Rica.