Somali in United States


Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge

Introduction / History

The Somali of the United States are a diaspora people who fled their native Somalia when their country collapsed in 1991. It is estimated that nearly 1 million Somalis fled Somalia in 1991 to Kenya, Ethiopia and Djibouti. More affluent Somalis escaped to Western Europe and eventually to the United States of America (USA). A 2000 report by the United Nations High Commissioner of Refugees (UNHCR) records 5,200 Somali refugees being granted asylum in the USA. This small number has continued to grow, however. 2003 US Census data shows the Somali population in the USA at 30,000, however, the current population estimates range between 30,000 and 150,000. Data is hard to gather because multiple Somali families in the USA often live in one domicile and fear the landlord may evict for over occupancy.


Where Are they Located?

Somalis in the USA primarily live in 3 cities: 1) Minneapolis, MN; 2) Columbus, OH; and, 3) Seattle, WA (listed in order of population). However, Somalis are also a part of what is called "second migration." Initially most Somalis were placed in Virginia, near Washington, D.C. However, due to economic reasons many Somalis moved away from Washington, D.C. to the areas listed above. Smaller numbers of Somalis have moved to Lewiston-Portland, ME and to other rural areas.


What Are Their Lives Like?

The influx of Somali immigrants has been met with mixed reaction. They often face prejudice on many levels. Most Somali immigrants do not speak English finding it difficult to understand available governmental services but also causing some service providers to ignore them because of the language barrier. They also face the challenge of adjusting to a new culture and prejudice against Islam after 9/11. Lastly, Somalis in the USA struggle to find affordable housing in the cities where they live.


What Are Their Beliefs?

An intrinsic link exists between the history of Somalia and history of Islam. Daarood and Isaaq, for whom two Somali family clans are named, are believed to have brought the Islamic faith to Somalia. Much debate about the veracity of these claims exists. Lewis, however, argues that Islam made its appearance in Somali -- shortly after Hijrah -- and entrenched itself in the local landscape by the 9th or 10 century. The historical trajectory would correlate to the overall account of the spread of Islam into the Horn of Africa. 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."


Prayer Points

Pray for the Somalis in the USA to be open to hearing the Gospel.
Pray for the Holy Spirit to begin working on the hearts of Somalis to recognize that intimacy with God comes only through a relationship with Christ.
Pray for gospel laborers to enter into the harvest field of Somalis who are living in the USA.


Scripture Prayers for the Somali in United States.


Profile Source:   Danny W. Davis  

People Name General Somali
People Name in Country Somali
Pronunciation soh-MAH-lee
Alternate Names Issa; Ogaden; Sab; Shabelle; सोमाली
Population this Country 188,000
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 4
People ID 14983
ROP3 Code 109392
ROP25 Code 307625
ROP25 Name Somali
Country United States
Region America, North and Caribbean
Continent North America
10/40 Window No
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Location in Country Minneapolis, Columbus, Seattle, San Diego, Nashville   Source:  Global Gates 2021
Country United States
Region America, North and Caribbean
Continent North America
10/40 Window No
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Location in Country Minneapolis, Columbus, Seattle, San Diego, Nashville.   Source:  Global Gates 2021
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 (188,000 speakers)
Language Code som   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Somali (188,000 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
Photo Source Copyrighted © 2024  MarosMatousek - Shutterstock  All rights reserved.  Used with permission
Map Source Bryan Nicholson / cartoMission  
Profile Source Danny W. Davis 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.



Joshua Project logo    Joshua Project    Copyright © 2024