Introduction / History

Ancient pyramids, mausoleums, ruined cities, and stone walls found in Somalia are evidence of an ancient, sophisticated civilization that once thrived in the Somali peninsula. Archaeological excavations and research in Somalia show that this civilization enjoyed a lucrative trading relationship with Ancient Egypt and Mycenaean Greece, as early as 2000BC.

Somalia has a war-torn history. The people have suffered beyond words, and many are doing whatever they can to go to the Netherlands and other safer lands. They are located throughout the country, but there are some areas with a relatively high number of Somali residents, like the city of Tilburg where the north-west district is nicknamed 'Little Mogadishu '. Somalis in the Netherlands are primarily an urban diaspora community, with the largest populations in cities such as Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague, Utrecht, and Eindhoven. They tend to live in multi-ethnic immigrant neighborhoods, often alongside other African, Middle Eastern, and Muslim communities. In some areas, Somali families cluster together, forming informal community concentrations, though not strictly segregated ethnic enclaves.

What Are Their Lives Like?

Housing is typically government-assisted or low- to middle-income urban housing, especially for first-generation refugees. Over time, some families relocate to more mixed or suburban areas as economic stability increases.

Many Somalis in the Netherlands participate in the labor force primarily through service-sector employment. First-generation adults often find work in areas such as cleaning, maintenance, transportation, retail, and hospitality. Jobs such as taxi driving, delivery services, and restaurant work are common, providing steady though often modest income.

A significant number of Somalis have also established small businesses within their communities. These include Somali grocery stores, halal butcheries, restaurants, and tea houses, as well as small-scale import and export activities connecting the Netherlands with East Africa. Self-employment offers an important pathway for economic participation, particularly where barriers to formal employment exist.

Some individuals are employed in healthcare support roles, community services, or nonprofit organizations, especially those who have developed language skills and local qualifications. At the same time, younger, second-generation Somalis are increasingly pursuing higher education and entering professional careers such as teaching, social work, business, and information technology, although overall unemployment rates remain higher than the national average.

Financial responsibilities often extend beyond the immediate household, as many Somali families regularly send remittances to relatives in Somalia and surrounding regions. This ongoing obligation shapes financial decisions and reinforces strong transnational family ties.

What Are Their Beliefs?

Somalis, by and large, practice Sufism. Classic Sufism believes intimate relationship with Allah can be obtained before one dies. Intimacy with God, for the Sufi, comes by following "tariqah" (the path). The disciplines practiced along tariqah vary but the result should be "ma 'rifa," or "absorption into God."

There is also a small secret Somali Church since 2008 (which was the 'Year of prayer for Somali's '; God has answered these prayers!). There are some 100 Somali Christians known in the Netherlands, most of them Evangelical. There may be 'secret Christians' that few are aware of.

What Are Their Needs?

The youth are trying to straddle two cultures, and they often face rejection from both. They often need job training to adjust to the new culture. Somali ways are much more respect based. Somalis are adjusting to a culture that is far more egalitarian than what previous generations lived with in Somalia. Somali women in the Netherlands are adjusting to new opportunities to be in the workplace.

Prayer Items

All Somali Christians are first generation believers. Pray for growth in faith and boldness in their witnessing.
Pray for protection of Somali Christians in the Netherlands.
Pray also for mature Christians to become spiritual leaders among their own fellowship.
Pray for the Holy Spirit to move powerfully among Somalis in Europe, forming a vibrant and Christ-centered fellowship of believers throughout the continent.
Pray for the Lord to show himself loving and good to struggling Somali families.

Scripture Prayers for the Somali in Netherlands.

References

Anonymous
http://www.newsinenglish.no/2013/12/11/somalis-face-prejudice-and-exclusion/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Somali_diaspora