Somali in Italy


Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge

Introduction / History

The Somali share a common language, adhere to a single faith, and share a cultural heritage. The Somalis first appeared in the Horn of Africa around 1200 and began expanding westward and southward about 150 years later. They converted to Islam around 1550, under the influence of Arab traders that had settled along the coast of present-day Somalia. By 1650, they had moved into Ethiopia.

The Somalis consider themselves warriors. They are a very individualistic people, sharply divided by clans. Fights often occur between the clans, resulting in many deaths. The results in recent decades have been tragic. Somalia is basically ungovernable, and their economy is in shambles. Today many do what they can to flee to other parts of the world like Italy.

Italy and Somalia have a history of strife and colonial exploitation. Italian fascists brutally took over Somalia as a colony, and expanded their holdings into Ethiopia before their efforts were neutralized by the Allied Powers. Italy's 20th century imperialistic efforts were short-lived, but like other colonial powers, some of the formerly colonized people have moved to the land of the former colonizer.


Where Are they Located?

Most likely Somalis in Italy are trying to earn a living in Italy's urban centers.


What Are Their Lives Like?

Many of the Somalis living in Europe risked their lives to escape from their troubled, war-torn nation. Those who have successfully reached Italy face a harsh new reality: little or no money, no job, no friends or family. And most do not speak the language. Settling in to their new country and culture can be very difficult.

On the positive side, Somalis in Europe tend to be more open to those who are preaching and demonstrating the love of God than those who live in Somalia.


What Are Their Beliefs?

Although the Somali are nearly all Shafiite Muslims, numerous beliefs and traditions have been intermingled with their Islamic practices. Some observe the standard Islamic prayers, but Somali women have never worn any kind of traditional Muslim veil. Somali frequently turn to the wadaad (a religious expert) for blessings, charms and advice in worldly matters.


What Are Their Needs?

Somalis in Italy have an alarmingly high unemployment rate. They understand that they need to learn Italian and develop useful job skills to function in Italy. Believers can give them the training they need and teach them the ways of Jesus in the process. Believers can also provide a good place for Somali children and teens to study and play sports after school.


Prayer Points

Pray for God to soften the hearts of the Somalis in Italy and bring them into contact with the gospel.
Pray for Somalis to call out to God in their distress and put their faith in Christ for all their needs.
Pray for believers to reach this Somali network in such a way that there will be a church planting movement among the Somalis in Italy that will extend to Somalia.
Pray that Italy will serve as a starting point for a disciple-making movement among Somalis.


Scripture Prayers for the Somali in Italy.


References

http://www.globalprayerdigest.org/index.php/issue/day/somalis-in-italy/
https://joshuaproject.net/people_groups/14983/IT
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Italian_Somalis
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Somali_diaspora
http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2016/06/01/5-facts-about-the-global-somali-diaspora/


Profile Source:   Keith Carey  

People Name General Somali
People Name in Country Somali
Pronunciation soh-MAH-lee
Alternate Names Issa; Ogaden; Sab; Shabelle; सोमाली
Population this Country 5,100
Population all Countries 26,949,000
Total Countries 25
Indigenous No
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
GSEC 1  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 1
PeopleID3 14983
ROP3 Code 109392
Country Italy
Region Europe, Western
Continent Europe
10/40 Window No
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Country Italy
Region Europe, Western
Continent Europe
10/40 Window No
Persecution Rank Not ranked

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Primary Religion: Islam
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.00 %)
0.00 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
100.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Somali (5,100 speakers)
Language Code som   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Somali (5,100 speakers)
Language Code som   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Somali

Primary Language:  Somali

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (1915-1935)
Bible-New Testament Yes  (1972-1976)
Bible-Complete Yes  (1979-2008)
FCBH NT (www.bible.is) Online
YouVersion NT (www.bible.com) Online
Possible Print Bibles
Amazon
World Bibles
Forum Bible Agencies
National Bible Societies
World Bible Finder
Virtual Storehouse
Resource Type Resource Name Source
Audio Recordings Audio Bible teaching Global Recordings Network
Audio Recordings DAVAR Partners recording, Old Testament DAVAR Partners International
Audio Recordings Recorded oral Bible Oral Bibles
Film / Video God's Story video God's Story
Film / Video Indigitube.tv Video / Animation Create International
Film / Video Jesus Film: view in Somali Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Magdalena video Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Rock International: King of Glory Rock International
Film / Video Story of Jesus for Children Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Walking with Jesus video Jesus Film Project
Film / Video World Christian Videos World Christian Videos
General Bible for Children Bible for Children
General Biblical answers to your questions Got Questions Ministry
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Four Spiritual Laws Cru
General Scripture Earth Gospel resources links Scripture Earth
General Walk with the Prophets and meet the Messiah Al Massira
General YouVersion Bible versions in text and/or audio YouVersion Bibles
General Zume Resources Zume Project
General Zume Training Zume Project
Mobile App Android Bible app direct APK download SIL
Mobile App Android Bible app: Somali YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App Download audio Bible app as APK file Faith Comes by Hearing
Mobile App Download audio Bible app as APK file Faith Comes by Hearing
Mobile App Download audio Bible app from Google Play Store Faith Comes by Hearing
Mobile App iOS Bible app: Somali YouVersion Bibles
Text / Printed Matter Download scripture in this language eBible.org
Text / Printed Matter Tools for faith conversations Cru
Text / Printed Matter Topical Scripture booklets and Bible studies World Missionary Press
Photo Source Copyrighted © 2024  MarosMatousek - Shutterstock  All rights reserved.  Used with permission
Profile Source Keith Carey 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.


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