Arab, Libyan in Canada

Introduction / History

Many Libyans today are refugees from the days when Muammar Gaddafi was killed and his long-standing regime ended. Anyone suspected of supporting the old regime was suspect; they faced torture or death at the hands of those who support the new regime. Canada has a long track record of taking in people who are facing death in their homelands. The Libyans are no exception.

Where Are they Located?

Most Arabs in Canada live either in Ontario or Quebec. Within these two provinces, most Arabs live in the cities of Toronto or Montreal. They do not tend to have their own separate settlements within these cities.

What Are Their Lives Like?

Arabs in Canada are twice as likely as Canadian natives to have a college degree. Yet there is a higher unemployment rate for people of Arab descent. Arabs in Canada tend to have lower incomes than the Canadian locals. On the positive side, Arabs in Canada tend to have a strong identity with their new nation.

What Are Their Beliefs?

A good percentage of Arabs who flee the Arabic-speaking countries are Christians. But there are almost no Christians in Libya. Libyan Arabs are Sunni Muslims, though not all of them practice Islam. Some are more devout than others.

What Are Their Needs?

Those who follow Christ could see Him glorified among Libyan Arab Muslims by helping them develop useful job skills for Canada's urban setting. There is religious freedom in Canada so Libyan Arabs have a much better chance of hearing about Christ than they would in their own country. Someone needs to go to them!

Prayer Points

Pray for strong believers in Canada to pursue Libyan Arabs with the love of Christ.
Pray for Libyan Arabs to find ways to use the Internet to access Bibles and other materials.
Pray for a church planting movement among Libyan Arabs to begin in Canada and spread to Libya.
Pray for believers in Canada to help Libyan Arabs develop the language and job skills that they need.

Text Source:   Global Prayer Digest