Sudanese Arab in United Arab Emirates


Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge

Introduction / History

Sudan obtained its independence from Britain and Egypt in 1956. Unfortunately, since that time Sudan has experienced a series of civil wars, revolutions, ethnic cleansings, genocides, droughts, famines, and wars with surrounding African countries. As a result, many Sudanese Arabs have left their homeland in search of a better life. Some Sudanese left Sudan and went to work in the oil rich, small Persian Gulf nation of the United Arab Emirates. Starting in the eighth century over a period of one thousand years, the inhabitants of northern and central Sudan gradually became Muslims. This Arabization of the population took place by military conquest and trade. The various ethno-linguistic groups of Sudan adopted Arabic as their first language and converted to Islam. These peoples make up the Sudanese Arabs of today. The New Testament, JESUS Film, and radio programs are available in Sudanese Arabic. Educated Sudanese Arabs also speak English.


What Are Their Lives Like?

The lives of the Sudanese Arabs depend upon their level of education. The income of UAE citizens is one of the highest ones in the world. The majority of people living in the UAE are foreign workers. Sudanese Arabs who can speak English and can read and write Arabic enjoy relatively prosperous lifestyle. They work as middle managers in the oil, tourist, construction, chemical and manufacturing industries. They are not allowed to become UAE citizens even though they have lived in the UAE for a generation. A prosperous Sudanese man might be able to bring his family to UAE if he pays money to the right people. Uneducated Sudanese take any job they can find, jobs that citizens of the UAE feel are below them. Sudanese often send most of their paychecks back to Sudan to help support their families. A dozen men might live in the same, small apartment. Due to the constant disruptions in the Sudanese economy, many families can only live through the remittances from relatives who work abroad.


What Are Their Beliefs?

Almost all Sudanese Arabs are Muslims, mostly Sunnis. Sudanese Islam is often mixed with folk religion and a belief in natural spirits. Sunnis try to obey the teachings of the Koran and the prophet Mohammad. Sunnis believe that by following the Five Pillars of Islam that they will attain heaven when they die. However, Allah, the supreme God of the universe, determines who enters paradise. Sunnis pray five times a day facing Mecca. They fast the month of Ramadan. They attend mosque services on Friday. If a Muslim has the means, he or she will make a pilgrimage to Mecca once in his or her lifetime. Muslims are also prohibited from drinking alcohol, eating pork, gambling, stealing, using deceit, slandering, and making idols.
The two main holidays for Sunni Muslims are Eid al Fitr, the breaking of the monthly fast and Eid al Adha, the celebration of Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his son to Allah.


What Are Their Needs?

Life is hard for most Sudanese men living in the UAE. Most are separated from their wives and children. They might be able to visit their families once or twice a year. These men may become more open to the gospel without the comfort of their families. Evangelizing Muslims is illegal in the UAE. Christians could provide medical teams and literacy training for the Sudanese working in the UAE.


Prayer Points

Ask God to bring a just and lasting peace to Sudan.
Pray that the Holy Spirit softens the heart of the Sudanese Arabs living in the UAE. Pray that the Holy Spirit will anoint Christian TV and radio broadcasts as they are aired among the Sudanese Arabs.
Ask the Lord to raise up a Disciple Making Movement among the Sudanese Arabs in the UAE for the glory of His name.
 


Scripture Prayers for the Arab, Sudanese in United Arab Emirates.


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Arab, Sudanese
People Name in Country Arab, Sudanese
Natural Name Sudanese Arab
Pronunciation soo-dun-EEZ AE-rub
Alternate Names Arabic, Sudanese Spoken; Sudanese; Sudanese Arab
Population this Country 72,000
Population all Countries 18,599,000
Total Countries 19
Indigenous No
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group No
GSEC 1  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 1
PeopleID3 15104
ROP3 Code 109571
Primary Religion: Islam
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.10 %)
1.00 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
99.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Arabic, Sudanese (72,000 speakers)
Language Code apd   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Arabic, Sudanese (72,000 speakers)
Language Code apd   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Arabic, Sudanese

Primary Language:  Arabic, Sudanese

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (1927-1964)
Bible-New Testament Yes  (1978-2022)
Bible-Complete No
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 Arabic Bible Online Arabic Bible Outreach Ministry
Audio Recordings Audio Bible teaching Global Recordings Network
Film / Video Indigitube.tv Video / Animation Create International
Film / Video Jesus Film: view in Arabic, Sudanese Spoken Jesus Film Project
Film / Video LUMO film of Gospels Bible Media Group/LUMO
Film / Video Magdalena video Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Story of Jesus for Children Jesus Film Project
Film / Video World Christian Videos World Christian Videos
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 Scripture Earth Gospel resources links Scripture Earth
General YouVersion Bible versions in text and/or audio YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App Android Bible app: Arabic, Sudanese Spoken YouVersion Bibles
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: Arabic, Sudanese Spoken YouVersion Bibles
Text / Printed Matter Tools for faith conversations Cru
Photo Source David Haberlah - Wikimedia  Creative Commons 
Map Source Bethany World Prayer Center  
Profile Source Joshua Project 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.


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