Swahili in United Arab Emirates


Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge

Introduction / History

Swahili can refer to both an ethnic group and to Swahili-speaking people. The name Swahili literally means "coast," and is the name traditionally given to several people groups that share a common culture, language (Swahili), and religion (Islam) living along the eastern coast of Africa. Though they are called "Swahili" by others, they prefer to be named according to their local settlements. Originally Swahilis were mainly composed of Bantu-speaking people, but because of their coastal dwellings and trade with people of the Indian Ocean and Persian Gulf, they have been influenced by, and in some cases, have intermarried with Arabic peoples. Today, the Swahili are mostly scattered along eastern Africa and the Persian Gulf, from Saudi Arabia to Zambia. A smaller number live in the UAE.


What Are Their Lives Like?

For about 2,000 years, the backbone of the Swahili economy has been commerce. They worked as cross-national merchants trading spices, slaves, ivory, gold, and grain. Today, international commerce is still important to the Swahili but to a lesser degree. Many upper-class Swahili now manage small businesses, do clerical work, and teach school. Since the Swahili are predominantly Muslim, Islamic practices play a large role in their daily activities.


Islam is deeply ingrained in the worldview of the Swahili people. It will be difficult for them to accept other foundational answers to spiritual questions, such as salvation by Jesus Christ, not by human effort.
What Are Their Beliefs?

Nearly all of the Swahili profess to be Muslims; however, many of their traditional pre-Islamic beliefs and practices still exist. For example, they believe in many spirits—both good and evil. They also believe in the supernatural power of witches and sorcerers. The Swahili often believe folk explanations for natural occurrences.


What Are Their Needs?

The Swahili need someone to commit their lives to taking Christ to them no matter what the cost.


Prayer Points

Pray for spiritual discernment and hunger among the Swahili in the UAE. Pray for the Lord to thrust out workers who are filled with the love of the Holy Spirit. Pray this will be the decade when there is a massive Disciple Making Movement among the Swahili people in the Arab World.


Scripture Prayers for the Swahili in United Arab Emirates.


References

http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2020-05/22/c_139076492.htm


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Swahili
People Name in Country Swahili
Pronunciation swa-HEE-lee
Alternate Names African Black; Arab-Swahili; Bantu; Baraawe; Barwaani; Black African; Central Swahili; Coastal; Coastal Swahili; Mrima; Shirazi; Siddi; Swahili Shamba; Urban; Zanzibari
Population this Country 5,200
Population all Countries 1,208,000
Total Countries 25
Indigenous No
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
GSEC 1  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 1
PeopleID3 15145
ROP3 Code 109644
Country United Arab Emirates
Region Africa, North and Middle East
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Location in Country Scattered   Source: 
Country United Arab Emirates
Region Africa, North and Middle East
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Location in Country Scattered.   Source: 

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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 Swahili (5,200 speakers)
Language Code swh   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Swahili (5,200 speakers)
Language Code swh   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Swahili

Primary Language:  Swahili

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (1868-1968)
Bible-New Testament Yes  (1879-1989)
Bible-Complete Yes  (1890-2017)
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 Love letter to you from scripture Father's Love Letter
Audio Recordings Online Audio Scripture Talking Bibles
Audio Recordings Oral Bible stories Story Runners
Film / Video God's Love Story General / Other
Film / Video God's Story video God's Story
Film / Video Jesus Film: view in Swahili Jesus Film Project
Film / Video LUMO film of Gospels Bible Media Group/LUMO
Film / Video Magdalena video Jesus Film Project
Film / Video My Last Day video, anime Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Rock International: King of Glory Rock International
Film / Video Story of Jesus for Children Jesus Film Project
Film / Video The Hope Video Mars Hill Media
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 Four Spiritual Laws Cru
General Scripture Earth Gospel resources links Scripture Earth
General Voice of the Martyrs resources Voice of the Martyrs
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: Bibilia Takatifu Swahili Bible Biblica
Mobile App Android Bible app: Biblia TKU Bible League
Mobile App Android Bible app: Swahili YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App Download audio Bible app as APK file Faith Comes by Hearing
Mobile App iOS Bible app: Biblia TKU Bible League
Mobile App iOS Bible app: Swahili YouVersion Bibles
Text / Printed Matter Bible Gateway scripture Bible Gateway
Text / Printed Matter Bible: Comic Book Version Super Bible / Comic Bible Society
Text / Printed Matter Cartoon Gospel tract General / Other
Text / Printed Matter Children and youth resources One Hope
Text / Printed Matter Jesus Messiah comic book General / Other
Text / Printed Matter Literacy primer for Swahili Literacy & Evangelism International
Text / Printed Matter Tools for faith conversations Cru
Text / Printed Matter Topical Scripture booklets and Bible studies World Missionary Press
Photo Source Luciano Rizzello - Flickr  Creative Commons 
Profile Source Joshua Project 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.


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