Somali in Sweden


Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge

Introduction / History

The Somali share a common language, a cultural heritage, and adhere to a single faith. 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. There are often fights between clans, resulting in many deaths. The results in recent decades have been tragic. Somalia is basically ungovernable, and their economy is in shambles. As many as are able flee to other parts of the world.

Somalis began to arrive in Sweden in the 1980s and more are still arriving. There are Somali communities in Borlänge and Stockholm. Many live with other Muslim communities in Malmo.


What Are Their Lives Like?

Somali culture revolves around their clans. For that reason, Somalis have a strong tendency to re-settle with members of their clans. Somalis are used to an informal system of sending funds to members of their clans in Somalia. Swedish banks are stopping some of this since it can possibly be used for money laundering or terrorism. Somalis have 100 ethnically based community organizations in Sweden.

There is a great deal of misunderstanding between the Swedes, who have not experienced war in over 100 years, and Somalis who know nothing but war. The infrastructure of Sweden is highly advanced. Somalis come from a land where roads, hospitals and schools are almost always in shambles because of war.

The Swedish government is cracking down on Somali family members joining the young men who have migrated from Somalia.

A good number of Somalis in Sweden are refugees or asylum seekers with a high unemployment rate. Their educational background is not sufficient for Sweden’s job market.

But others have settled into Swedish society well. There are Somalis who are distance runners, models, musicians, and even a politician. Some Somalis have taken up ice hockey.


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.

Though there is not yet a movement to Christ among Somalis in Sweden, one Somali woman, Mon Walters, is a high-profile believer. With the protection of the Swedish government, this woman is able to tell Somalis that Jesus Christ offers what they have always needed.


What Are Their Needs?

Somalis in Sweden have an alarmingly high unemployment rate. They understand they need to learn Swedish and develop useful job skills for the Swedish economy. Believers can give them the training they need and teach them the ways of Jesus in the process.


Prayer Points

Pray that Muslims will listen to Muslim-background believers and turn to the God of love.
Pray that believers will reach the Somali community in Sweden.
Pray for them to reach this Somali network in such a way that there will be a church planting movement among the Somalis in Sweden that will work its way back to Somalia.


Scripture Prayers for the Somali in Sweden.


References

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Somalis_in_Sweden
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2IDBxPLp3i0
http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2016/06/01/5-facts-about-the-global-somali-diaspora/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7734117/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cYgjYnow770
https://www.opensocietyfoundations.org/publications/somalis-malmo


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Somali
People Name in Country Somali
Pronunciation soh-MAH-lee
Alternate Names Issa; Ogaden; Sab; Shabelle; सोमाली
Population this Country 49,000
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 Sweden
Region Europe, Western
Continent Europe
10/40 Window No
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Country Sweden
Region Europe, Western
Continent Europe
10/40 Window No
National Bible Society Website
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 (49,000 speakers)
Language Code som   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Somali (49,000 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 Joshua Project 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.


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