Sudanese Arab in Oman


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. 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. To escape the violence and economic disruptions in their land, some Sudanese Arabs moved to Oman, a nation located on the southeastern corner of the Arabian Peninsula. Unlike many countries in the Middle East and North Africa, Oman has had a stable government since 1970 under the Sultanate of Oman, an absolute monarchy.


What Are Their Lives Like?

Most Sudanese Arabs have done well in Oman. Some work in the oil and gas industry which provide Oman with over two thirds of the nation's revenues. Other Sudanese own restaurants, small businesses shops and fish in the Indian Ocean and Persian Gulf. Others work in the traditional occupations of agriculture and animal husbandry. Due to its oil and stability, Oman's residents enjoy a higher standard of living than similar Arab nations. Tourism is another source of income. People from all over the world come to enjoy Oman's beaches and warm, clear waters. Dates are the main agricultural export. A man may have up to four wives in Islam. Most Sudanese men have one wife. Children, especially boys, are seen as blessing from Allah. As women become educated, they are taking jobs outside of the home. Traditionally, the Arab man worked and the women stayed home to take care of children and domestic responsibilities.


What Are Their Beliefs?

Almost all Sudanese Arabs are Muslim, mostly Sunni, the largest branch of Islam. Muslims 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?

Most Sudanese Arabs have never heard a clear presentation of the good news about Isa or Jesus. Evangelizing Muslims is illegal in Oman. Teams of believers can go to rural Sudanese Arabs and help them with modern medicine and new agricultural methods.


Prayer Points

Pray that God will give wise strategies for reaching the Sudanese Arabs in Oman. Pray that the Holy Spirit will strengthen and encourage the tiny group of believers. 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 church planting movement among the Sudanese Arabs in Oman for the glory of his name.


Scripture Prayers for the Arab, Sudanese in Oman.


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 19,000
Population all Countries 18,163,000
Total Countries 19
Indigenous No
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group No
GSEC 1  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 1
People ID 15104
ROP3 Code 109571
ROP25 Code 300419
ROP25 Name Arab, Sudanese
Country Oman
Region Africa, North and Middle East
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
Persecution Rank 31  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Country Oman
Region Africa, North and Middle East
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
Persecution Rank 31  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Primary Religion: Islam
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 1.00 %)
5.00 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
95.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Arabic, Sudanese (19,000 speakers)
Language Code apd   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Arabic, Sudanese (19,000 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 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 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 Campus Crusade for Christ
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.



Joshua Project logo    Joshua Project    Copyright © 2024