Arab, Bedouin in Jordan

Introduction / History

Mohammed was Bedouin, hence Islam's first converts, explaining the deeply rooted Islamic culture of Bedouins. Some Arabs look longingly back on their days when their ancestors lived as Bedouins while others are more pragmatic; they enjoy modern comforts.

What Are Their Lives Like?

Bedouin life is generally pastoral raising camels, sheep, goats, and cattle. Bedouins define themselves as members of tribes and families. They divide themselves into social classes by ancestry and profession. They are very hospitable and follow a strict code of honor. Every member is expected to assume certain responsibilities, including children.

Men are more likely to blend in with Western influences, but women are bound by honor and tradition to remain within the family dwelling, lacking opportunity to hear of the Savior.

What Are Their Beliefs?

Bedouins are Sunni Muslims who believe that the supreme God, Allah, spoke through his prophet, Mohammed, and taught mankind how to live a righteous life through the Koran and the Hadith. To live a righteous life, you must utter the Shahada (a statement of faith), pray five times a day facing Mecca, fast from sunup to sundown during the month of Ramadan, give alms to the poor, and make a pilgrimage to Mecca if you have the means. Muslims are prohibited from drinking alcohol, eating pork, gambling, stealing, slandering, and making idols. They gather for corporate prayer on Friday afternoons at a mosque, their place of worship.

The two main holidays for Sunni Muslims are Eid al Fitr, the breaking of the monthly fast and Eid al Adha, the celebration of Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his son to Allah.

Sunni religious practices are staid and simple. They believe that Allah has pre-determined our fates; they minimize free will.

In most of the Muslim world, people depend on the spirit world for their daily needs since they regard Allah as too distant. Allah may determine their eternal salvation, but the spirits determine how well we live in our daily lives. For that reason, they must appease the spirits. Most often use charms and amulets to help them deal with spiritual forces.

What Are Their Needs?

Movements happen with abundant gospel sowing, so we ask God that we may sow seeds of the gospel in all ways, at all times, among Bedouins in Jordan. Since movements are based on the authority of Scripture, we hope that believers reproduce obedience-based discipleship.

Prayer Points

There are no known followers of Christ among Bedouins in Jordan today, so pray that this soon changes.

Pray that God will raise up many prayer teams to "adopt" the Bedouin Arabs of Jordan, praying until the blessing of knowing Jesus spreads from family to family.

Pray that God will bring forth His blessing—strengthening and healing families and communities among this unreached, unengaged people group.

Text Source:   Joshua Project