Libyan Arab in Egypt


Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge

Introduction / History

Libya, which lies along the southern edge of the Mediterranean next to Egypt, is country that is largely desert or semi-desert. A large majority of the population of the country are Libyan Arabs or Arabized Berbers. They were mainly a nomadic society. Family life is a strong value for Libyan Arab families, and they still associate themselves with a particular nomadic Bedouin tribe.
Libya became independent from Italy in December of 1951. The discovery of oil in the 1950s radically changed the people's way of life. Muammar Gaddafi rose to power in 1969, and he remained a dictator until he was killed in 2011. During his many years in power, Libya enjoyed prosperity, but there was no tolerance for those who criticized the regime. Rebels who were not captured had to flee Libya, and some of them settled in neighboring Egypt.


What Are Their Lives Like?

Many Libyans in Egypt are refugees from the days when 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. Tunisia, Algeria, and Egypt are all Arabic-speaking countries that border Libya, so many Libyans fled to these lands.
When give the chance to relax, Libyan Arab men enjoy soccer and talking over tea. Women and girls visit one another at home and enjoy family and religious celebrations, where they remain separate from the men who gather.

Polygamy is permitted among Libyans, and men are limited to four wives. Families are patriarchal, and the oldest male has the highest authority. The bayt, or tribal system group, includes three or four generations. The extended family is extremely important to Libyan Arabs, even in urban areas. Some Libyan men study in European and Egyptian universities.


What Are Their Beliefs?

Simon of Cyrene, who carried the cross of Jesus, was from Libya, and Cyrenian Jews carried the gospel back to Libya after Pentecost. Islam replaced Christianity in 624 A.D. Today there are almost no known followers of Christ in Libya. As Islamic militancy becomes more powerful in Egypt, Christians are leaving that country, which has always had a strong Coptic Church. The end result is less of a Christian influence in Egypt. Libyans have a poor chance of hearing the gospel in Egypt.


What Are Their Needs?

Libyan Arabs, even those in neighboring Egypt, are one of the most unreached people groups in the world. Most Libyan Arabs are not aware of what Christians actually believe. Because of their strong Muslim roots, even if they had an opportunity to hear the gospel, they would not initially consider the message as something that could possibly apply to them. Christian expats, such as engineers, oil workers, teachers, and computer experts could be sent to live, work, and share God's love with Libyan Arabs in Egypt and Libya.

Libyan businessmen and teenagers are also discovering the Internet, where Christian sites may lend additional witnessing opportunities in more of a private setting.


Prayer Points

Pray for Libyan Arabs to find ways to use the Internet to access Bibles and other materials.
Pray that the few Libyan Arab believers would grow strong in the Lord, be protected, and have opportunities to be discipled.
Ask God to show believers creative ways to take Bibles and Christian materials to Libyan Arabs.
Pray that Libyans in Egypt will soon have the chance to embrace the King of kings.


Scripture Prayers for the Arab, Libyan in Egypt.


References

http://www.irinnews.org/news/2013/05/16/libyans-north-africa-scared-return-home
http://www.thearabweekly.com/?id=3452
http://www.varchive.org/tac/libyans.htm
http://www.newyorker.com/news/wendell-steavenson/libyans-in-egypt-a-very-complicated-feeling
https://www.libyaherald.com/2015/11/09/thinni-government-orders-finance-ministry-to-pay-7-5-million-for-libyan-students-in-egypt/


Profile Source:   Global Prayer Digest  

People Name General Arab, Libyan
People Name in Country Arab, Libyan
Natural Name Libyan Arab
Pronunciation LI-bee-un AE-rub
Alternate Names Bedouin; Kharga; Libyan; Libyan Arab; Northwest Egyptian Bedawi; Northwest Egyptian Bedawi Arab; Selima; Tripolitanian Arab
Population this Country 482,000
Population all Countries 2,798,000
Total Countries 12
Indigenous No
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group No
GSEC 1  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 10
PeopleID3 13169
ROP3 Code 105948
Country Egypt
Region Africa, North and Middle East
Continent Africa
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank 38  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Location in Country Bedouin regions along Mediterranean coast, west to Libya border, Al Buhayrah, Al Iskandariyah, and Matruh governorates ; also in western oases, Al Wadi al Jadid, Al Qahirah, Al Fayyum, Bani Suwayf, and Al Minya   Source:  Ethnologue 2016
Country Egypt
Region Africa, North and Middle East
Continent Africa
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank 38  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Location in Country Bedouin regions along Mediterranean coast, west to Libya border, Al Buhayrah, Al Iskandariyah, and Matruh governorates ; also in western oases, Al Wadi al Jadid, Al Qahirah, Al Fayyum, Bani Suwayf, and Al Minya.   Source:  Ethnologue 2016

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Primary Religion: Islam
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.30 %)
2.50 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
97.50 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Arabic, Libyan (482,000 speakers)
Language Code ayl   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Arabic, Libyan (482,000 speakers)
Language Code ayl   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Arabic, Libyan
Photo Source Al Jazeera English - Flickr  Creative Commons 
Profile Source Global Prayer Digest 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.


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