Somali in United Kingdom


Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge

Introduction / History

The U.K. might have more Somalis than anywhere else in Europe. The first Somali immigrants were merchants and seamen who came in the 1800s. A few arrived in World War II with the Royal Navy and remained. In the last two decades of the twentieth century, many Somalis came to the U.K. and they make the most numbers of the present Somali population.

By the end of the last century, about 53 per cent of applications in Europe from Somali asylum seekers were made in the U.K. Many of them came from Ethiopia and other neighboring countries. Many were women and children as the men had been killed or remained in Somalia to fight in the civil war. Further migration of Somalis to the U.K. was from the Netherlands and also from Denmark and Sweden. Many wanted to be with families and friends.

Most Somalis in the U.K. live in London, others in Birmingham, Bristol, Manchester, Leicester, Sheffield, Liverpool and also in Cardiff (in Wales). Lesser numbers are in other cities and large towns in the U.K.


What Are Their Lives Like?

Among the Somalis in the U.K. are sports people like Mo Farah the double Olympic gold medalist at 5000 and 10000 meters in the 2012 Olympic games. There are film makers and local politicians among them. Some have their own businesses such as internet cafes, restaurants, hairdressing salons and travel agencies.

The main language of the Somalis in the U.K. is Somali. Some speak Arabic and English is spoken also. Though they are generally well educated, many are semi-skilled and unskilled workers. Most Somalis live in rented accommodation. In 2011, the Council of Somali organizations came into being to represent the community institutions living here. Khat chewing is enjoyed with many Somalis and is causing concern as it could cause health problems.

Most Somalis in the U.K. listen for news and information on the BBC Somali Service. They listen to it on satellite radio and on the internet.


What Are Their Beliefs?

The Somali people are Sunni Muslims who believe that the supreme God, Allah, spoke through his prophet, Mohammed, and taught mankind how to live a righteous life through the Koran and the Hadith. To live a righteous life, you must utter the Shahada (a statement of faith), pray five times a day facing Mecca, fast from sunup to sundown during the month of Ramadan, give alms to the poor, and make a pilgrimage to Mecca if you have the means. Muslims are prohibited from drinking alcohol, eating pork, gambling, stealing, slandering, and making idols. They gather for corporate prayer on Friday afternoons at a mosque, their place of worship.

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.

Sunni religious practices are staid and simple. They believe that Allah has pre-determined our fates; they minimize free will.

In most of the Muslim world, people depend on the spirit world for their daily needs since they regard Allah as too distant. Allah may determine their eternal salvation, but the spirits determine how well we live in our daily lives. For that reason, they must appease the spirits. They often use charms and amulets to help them with spiritual forces.


What Are Their Needs?

Like people everywhere, the Somali people need to allow the loving Savior to direct their lives. They need his forgiveness for sin.


Prayer Points

Pray the Somalis would understand they do not have to live in slavery to spirits if they put their trust in Jesus Christ.
Pray for the Lord to intervene in their families, calling people to his side.
Pray for loving workers.
Pray for their hearts to be drawn to the Lord of lords.
Pray for a church planting movement to thrive in their communities.


Scripture Prayers for the Somali in United Kingdom.


References

en. wikipedia.org/wiki/Somalis_in_the_United_Kingdom
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Somalis_in_the_United_Kingdom


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Somali
People Name in Country Somali
Pronunciation soh-MAH-lee
Alternate Names Issa; Ogaden; Sab; Shabelle; सोमाली
Population this Country 98,000
Population all Countries 26,240,000
Total Countries 25
Indigenous No
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
GSEC 1  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 2
People ID 14983
ROP3 Code 109392
ROP25 Code 307625
ROP25 Name Somali
Country United Kingdom
Region Europe, Western
Continent Europe
10/40 Window No
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Country United Kingdom
Region Europe, Western
Continent Europe
10/40 Window No
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked

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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 Somali (98,000 speakers)
Language Code som   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Somali (98,000 speakers)
Language Code som   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Somali

Primary Language:  Somali

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (1915-1935)
Bible-New Testament Yes  (1972-1976)
Bible-Complete Yes  (1979-2008)
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 DAVAR Partners recording, Old Testament DAVAR Partners International
Audio Recordings Recorded oral Bible Oral Bibles
Audio Recordings Story of Jesus audio Jesus Film Project
Film / Video God's Story video God's Story
Film / Video Indigitube.tv Video / Animation Create International
Film / Video Jesus Film: view in Somali Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Magdalena video Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Story of Jesus for Children Jesus Film Project
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 Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Four Spiritual Laws Campus Crusade for Christ
General Gospel resources links Scripture Earth
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: Somali YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App Download audio Bible app as APK file Faith Comes by Hearing
Mobile App Download audio Bible app as APK file Faith Comes by Hearing
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Profile Source Joshua Project 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.



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