Arab, Yemeni in Kenya

Introduction / History

The Arabs from the Arabian Peninsula are the original Arabs. Tribes of nomads from the Arabian Desert developed Arab culture. From there, they expanded into what we now know as the Arab World, where Arabic is the key language.


Yemenis started migrating north during the pre-Islamic era. Many Arab families with common names (e.g., Haddad, Haddadeen, which means Smith or metalworker) that have long family trees in Syria, Lebanon, Palestine and Jordan trace their ancestry to that early migration from Yemen. For example, the family name, Haddadeen, originated in Sana'a.


There are many Arabic dialects spoken in Yemen. Today, there is a sharp division between Yemeni from the northern tribes and the southern ones. Those from the north descended from Mesopotamians, who entered their land 1,000 years before Christ. They claim Ismail from the Book of Genesis, and their patriarch. Those from the south believe they descended from Qahtan, also known as Joktan, in the Bible.


The north and the south were separate nations in the 70s and 80s; one backed by communists and the other by the West. They merged for a couple of years, but now they are fighting once again. Iran backs one side using Shia Islam as their banner, while the other supports a Sunni Muslim head of state. Yemenis would love to have the fighting stop, but the situation is out of their control.


The war is driving people out of Yemen, and there is a large Yemeni diaspora, especially in nearby countries like Oman, Saudi Arabia, Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Egypt, Sudan, and Kenya. There is also a diaspora in Western nations like the UK and the US.

What Are Their Lives Like?

The number of Yemeni Arabs in Kenya is small. They are trying to re-establish their lives, usually doing the same work they did in Yemen. They also must deal with the trauma of war and knowing they have family members in danger back home.


Despite Islamic teachings, the reality that there are four unequal classes among the Yemenis.


The top tier group of Yemeni Arabs gained their prestige from their family name, a history of coming from tribal chiefs. There is another group that gained their prestige from their educational background.


The second tier is the skilled artisan class. They are the stonemasons, carpenters and metal workers. This is more of an occupational class than a social caste.


Next comes the rank and file, which makes up about 80 percent of Yemen's population. Some advance and intermarry with the privileged castes.


The lowest group performs duties considered "unclean." They are butchers, barbers or street sweepers. The higher groups do not associate with them socially. They cannot improve their lot in Yemen, and those in the diaspora are likely to hide their background so they can avoid rejection from other Yemenis.


Yemeni Arab society is patrilineal, so they pass down inheritances through the males. Since they consider children a family's greatest asset, they value women for their ability to bear children.


Although Muslims can have up to four wives, most marriages among Yemeni Arabs are monogamous. In the past, the parents arranged all marriages; however, it is becoming more acceptable for young people to choose their own mates.

What Are Their Beliefs?

The Yemeni Arabs have had a close association with Islam since it began in the 600s. Today, nearly all the Yemeni Arabs are Muslim, no matter where they live. Two-thirds of Yemenis adhere to some form of Sunni Islam, and about one-third are Shia Muslims. Though they vary in terms of tribal loyalty, one thing Yemeni Arabs all agree on is devotion to the Islamic religious system. Almost none of them have put their trust in Jesus Christ, no matter where they live.

What Are Their Needs?

Yemeni Arabs in diaspora need peace in their homeland. All of them have family members whose lives are in jeopardy because of the fighting. There will be no end to the fighting until there is humble repentance, and the acknowledgement that they must submit to the sin-free Savior. They need the intervention of Jesus Christ.

Prayer Points

Pray for a lasting and just peace in Yemen that will allow the Yemeni diaspora to return home.


Pray for an end to foreign military intervention and blockades in Yemen.


Pray for the Lord to use the instability in Yemen to help Muslim Yemenis to understand they need a Savior.


Pray for the small number of Yemeni believers to boldly proclaim the gospel to their families, friends and neighbors.


Pray for small, extended-family based home fellowships to multiply in Kenya.


Pray for more workers to enter the harvest via foreign assistance organizations.

Text Source:   Joshua Project