The ancestors of the Moroccan Arabs originated in the Arabian Desert. From there, they gradually migrated into northern Africa. Over the centuries, the Arabs have become somewhat intermingled with the Berbers, and this has influenced their way of life. Nevertheless, the two groups have remained distinct.
Socially, there are two contrasting groups of Moroccan Arabs: those living in the cities and those in the rural areas. Among the rural Arabs, several classes have formed, which include nobles (alleged descendants of Mohammed), large landowners, peasants, and tenant farmers. Moroccan Arabs live mainly in the north and west portions of Morocco. However, they prefer living in the more fertile regions near the Mediterranean Sea. Moroccan Arabs make up less than half of the country's population.
Most Moroccan Arabs are rural peasants. Therefore, farming has become their way of life. Because the Arabs are fond of grains, they produce and consume large amounts of barley, wheat, and cereals. In areas where water is plentiful, they grow other staples such as tomatoes, potatoes, beans, and peas. They also grow grapes, olives, oranges, peaches, and pears.
Most of the rural peasants raise chickens, goats, and sheep. This supplemental food source provides milk, eggs, butter, and meat. Although they do very little hunting and fishing, trade with other tribes has flourished.
Whether in towns or villages, the women and men have distinct jobs. In the villages, men work the fields, herd the animals, and provide protection, while the women do housework and care for the children. Village women have a few agricultural tasks as well: milking the cows, goats, and sheep, and making butter. In the cities, women never work outside their homes. Traditional roles exist, but are being influenced by western culture.
Life for Moroccan Arabs centers on important ceremonies, such as birth, marriage, and death. A boy also celebrates his first haircut and circumcision. The most elaborate of all ceremonies is the wedding. To preserve their people, Moroccan Arabs only marry those inside their own group.
Virtually all Moroccan Arabs in this region are Muslim. They adhere to the Koran and observe the five basic "pillars" of Islam, which include affirming that there is no god but Allah, and Mohammed is his prophet; praying five times a day while facing Mecca; giving alms generously; fasting during Ramadan, the ninth month of the Muslim year; and trying to make at least one pilgrimage to Mecca.
Few Moroccan Arabs in this region are Christian. Pray they will be faithful to the Scriptures and eager to share their faith.
Pray that the Lord will grant wisdom and favor to missions agencies currently focusing on Moroccan Arabs.
Ask God to give Moroccan Arab believers boldness to share the love of Christ with their friends and families.
Ask the Holy Spirit to soften the hearts of Moroccan Arabs toward Christians so that they will be receptive to the Gospel.
Pray that God will call forth teams of intercessors who will faithfully stand in the gap for Moroccan Arabs.
Ask the Lord to raise up strong local Christian fellowships among the Moroccan Arabs of Morocco.
Scripture Prayers for the Arab, Moroccan in Morocco.
Profile Source: Bethany World Prayer Center |
People Name General | Arab, Moroccan |
People Name in Country | Arab, Moroccan |
Natural Name | Moroccan Arab |
Pronunciation |
moh-RAH-kuhn
|
Alternate Names | Arabized Berber; Jemmari; Maghreb Arab; Maghrebi Arab; Maghrib Arab; Moroccan Arab; Moroccan Arab-Berber; Moroccan Arabized Berber |
Population this Country | 24,511,000 |
Population all Countries | 29,810,000 |
Total Countries | 22 |
Indigenous | Yes |
Progress Scale | 1 ● |
Unreached | Yes |
Frontier People Group | Yes |
GSEC | 1 (per PeopleGroups.org) |
Pioneer Workers Needed | 490 |
People ID | 13819 |
ROP3 Code | 106804 |
Country | Morocco | ||
Region | Africa, North and Middle East | ||
Continent | Africa | ||
10/40 Window | Yes | ||
National Bible Society | Website | ||
Persecution Rank | 29 (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking) | ||
Location in Country | Widespread, south of Atlas Mountains, including Sahara port cities. Source: Ethnologue 2016 |
Country | Morocco |
Region | Africa, North and Middle East |
Continent | Africa |
10/40 Window | Yes |
National Bible Society | Website |
Persecution Rank | 29 (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking) |
Location in Country | Widespread, south of Atlas Mountains, including Sahara port cities.. Source: Ethnologue 2016 |
Primary Religion: | Islam |
Major Religion ▲ | Percent |
---|---|
Buddhism |
0.00 %
|
Christianity (Evangelical 0.08 %) |
0.09 %
|
Ethnic Religions |
0.02 %
|
Hinduism |
0.00 %
|
Islam |
99.91 %
|
Non-Religious |
0.00 %
|
Other / Small |
0.00 %
|
Unknown |
0.00 %
|
Primary Language | Arabic, Moroccan Spoken | |||
Language Code | ary Ethnologue Listing | |||
Language Written | Yes ScriptSource Listing | |||
Total Languages | 4 | |||
Secondary Languages |
|
Primary Language | Arabic, Moroccan Spoken |
Language Code | ary Ethnologue Listing |
Total Languages | 4 |
Secondary Languages | |
French | |
Tachelhit | |
Tamazight, Central Atlas | |
People Groups | Speaking Arabic, Moroccan Spoken |
Primary Language: Arabic, Moroccan Spoken
Bible Translation ▲ | Status (Years) |
---|---|
Bible-Portions | Yes (1902-1952) |
Bible-New Testament | Yes (2012) |
Bible-Complete | No |
Bible-NT Audio | Online |
Bible-NT Text | 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 |
Audio Recordings | Online New Testament | Faith Comes by Hearing |
Audio Recordings | Oral Bible stories | One Story |
Audio Recordings | Story of Jesus audio | Jesus Film Project |
Film / Video | God's Story video | God's Story |
Film / Video | Jesus Film: view in Arabic, Moroccan Spoken | Jesus Film Project |
Film / Video | LUMO film of Gospels | Bible Media Group/LUMO |
Film / Video | Magdalena video | Jesus Film Project |
Film / Video | World Christian Videos | World Christian Videos |
General | Gospel resources links | Scripture Earth |
Text / Printed Matter | Bible: Arabic, Moroccan Spoken | YouVersion Bibles |
Text / Printed Matter | Tools for faith conversations | Campus Crusade for Christ |
Photo Source | Monica Volpin - Pixabay |
Map Source | People Group location: IMB. Map geography: ESRI / GMI. Map design: Joshua Project. |
Profile Source | Bethany World Prayer Center |
Data Sources | Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more. |