Algerian, Arabic-speaking in United States

Introduction / History

The Arab Diaspora is the Arab population who live outside of North Africa and the Middle East. Among these Arabs are the Algerians, and some live in the USA. Most fled the poverty and repression in Algeria to find a new home in peaceful, prosperous America. Most Algerian Arabs continue to speak Algerian Arabic at home and English with others. The majority are taking advantage of the American education system to improve their lives and the future of their children.

Where Are they Located?

Many Arabs make their home in Detroit, New York City and Los Angeles.

What Are Their Lives Like?

Adjusting to their new lives in the United States have been a challenge for Algerian Arabs. They are a small minority in the USA. They have to learn English, find shelter and jobs. The lives of the American Algerians are vastly superior to the lives of Arabs who live in the North Africa. Most Algerian Arabs would fit into the lower class or lower middle class of the nation as factory workers, construction workers, restaurant employees, and agricultural workers. As they gain more education and job skills they are moving into the middle and upper classes. Some American Arab families send money or remittances to their relatives and friends in Algeria on a regular basis. Algerian Arab society is paternalistic. The husband controls the family with the wife and children submitting to his authority. Arab women in the USA are in a better position than those in North Africa. By becoming college educated, women are able to gain careers closed to them in Algeria. In traditional Arab culture the parents choose whom their child will marry. That is changing as more and more young people in the USA choose their marriage partner. In general, Arab families have more children than most other American citizens. Nearly all Algerians in the USA practice the Islam of their ancestors. Going to mosque on Fridays and the daily calls to pray continue to hold importance in the lives of American Arabs.

What Are Their Beliefs?

Most American Algerian Arabs are Sunni, the largest branch of Islam. They try to obey the teachings of the Koran and the prophet Mohammad. They believe that by following the Five Pillars of Islam that they will attain heaven when they die. However, Allah, the supreme God of the universe, determines who enters paradise. Sunnis pray five times a day facing Mecca. They fast the month of Ramadan. They attend mosque services on Friday. If a Muslim has the means, he or she will make a pilgrimage to Mecca once in his or her lifetime. Muslims are also prohibited from drinking alcohol, eating pork, gambling, stealing, using deceit, slandering, and make idols. The two main holidays for Sunni Muslims are Eid al Fitr, the breaking of the fast, and Eid al Adha, the celebration of Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his son Ismael to Allah. More and more young Algerian people are becoming secularized in the USA. Their Islam is becoming more cultural than religious. Yes Islam remains part of their culture and identity.

What Are Their Needs?

The Algerian Arabs of the USA must understand their good works will not get them right with God. God forgives sins and grants eternal life only through the death and resurrection of His Son Jesus or Isa. The Arabs need to see biblical Christianity as not just as a Western religion but as their own as well.

Prayer Points

Ask God to open the spiritual eyes of the Algerian Arabs in the USA as they hear about Isa al Masih. Pray that the Lord sends American believers to build friendships with Arabs and tell them the good news about Jesus. Pray the Lord raises up a Disciple Making Movement among the Algerian Arabs in this decade. Pray that leaders in the American Arab community would be willing to investigate the claims of Christ.

Text Source:   Joshua Project