Arab, Libyan in Belgium

Introduction / History

The Arab Diaspora is the Arab population who live outside of North Africa and the Middle East. Some Libyan Arabs now make Belgium their home. Most fled poverty, violence and repression in Libya to live in peaceful, prosperous Belgium. Most Libyan Arabs continue to speak Libyan Arabic at home and French with others. The majority are taking advantage of the education system in Belgium to improve their lives and the future of their children.

What Are Their Lives Like?

The lives of the Libyan Arabs in Belgium are vastly superior to the lives of Arabs who live in the North Africa. Most Arabs in Belgium would fit into the lower or lower middle class of the nation as shop keepers, factory, construction, restaurant, and agricultural workers. As they gain more education and job skills they are moving into the middle and upper classes. Some Arab families send money or remittances to their relatives and friends in Libya on a regular basis. Libyan Arab society is paternalistic. The husband controls the family with the wife and children submitting to his authority. Arab women in Belgium are in a better position than those in North Africa. By becoming college educated, Libyan Arab women are able to gain careers closed to them in Libya. In traditional Arab culture the parents choose whom their child will marry. That is changing as more and more young people in Belgium choose their marriage partner. In general, Arab families in Belgium have more children than other citizens of Belgium. Almost all Libyan Arabs practice the Islam of their ancestors. Going to mosque on Fridays and the daily calls to pray continue to hold importance in the lives of Algerian Arabs.

What Are Their Beliefs?

Most Libyan Arabs in Belgium are Sunni, the largest branch of Islam. They try to obey the teachings of the Koran and the prophet Mohammad. They 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 prohibited from drinking alcohol, eating pork, gambling, stealing, use deceit, slandering, and making idols. The two main holidays for Sunni Muslims are Eid al Fitr, the breaking of the fast, and Eid al Adha, the celebration of Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his son Ismael to Allah. More and more young Libyan people are becoming secularized in Belgium. Their Islam is becoming more cultural rather than religious.

What Are Their Needs?

The Libyan Arabs of Belgium must understand their good works will not get them right with God. God forgives sins and grants eternal life only through the death and resurrection of His Son Jesus or Isa. The Arabs need to see biblical Christianity as something they can embrace from the heart and head.

Prayer Points

Ask God to open the spiritual eyes of Libyan Arabs in Belgium as they read about Isa al Masih. Pray that the Lord sends believers in Belgium to build friendships with Arabs and tell them the good news about Jesus. Pray the Lord raises up a Disciple Making Movement among the Libyan Arabs in this decade. Pray that leaders in the Libyan Arab community in Belgium would be willing to investigate the claims of Christ.

Text Source:   Joshua Project